How to Stop Missing Important Messages

If you prefer the video version, click here https://youtu.be/I5U2fGtpiGk

If you think this lesson is about missing an email or voice mail, I’m sorry to disappoint you.  I am talking about more important messages.  The things you are too busy to see and hear.

Confused?  Let me give you an example.

 I have lived in my house for 20 years and would drive past the firehouse up the street every day on my way to work.  Last year my boyfriend and I got into a disagreement over whether or not there was a sign alerting drivers to the fire house.  You know the yellow sign with a picture of a fire truck. 

I insisted there was no such sign since I would have seen it in the thousands of times, I’ve driven past the fire house.  He obviously said there was and he has been a volunteer on the fire department over 25 years (damn, when did we get old!).  

Guess who was right?  Yup, he was.  I had never noticed the sign.  Why? 

• I was not looking for it. 
• I was busy thinking about work
• I was adjusting the radio, my audio book, the traffic alerts, etc.
• I was sipping my tea
• I was NOT focused on my surroundings
  • Scary since I was DRIVING!!!

I did not share this with you because Brian insisted, I tell the world he was right, but I’m sure he is loving that.

Seriously, though, can you relate to this example? 

Was there a time you realized something was right in front of you and you were not seeing it?

What made you finally see it? Was it?

• Someone pointed it out to you?
• You started to look for it?
• You slowed down and finally saw it?
• Or did it take some type of tragedy, set-back or challenge?

If no one has pointed out the need to slow down to see these messages, let me help you.

Often these messages are more important than whether or not there was a fire truck sign ahead yet we are so busy we’re missing them.

These are the messages we need to know how to manage through a struggle, to make a major decision and how to take care of ourselves.  Something we seem to forget to do in our need to take care of everyone and everything around us.

How do we get these messages if there is not an app or notification on our phone?

Try these tips:

• Stop multi-tasking!
• Focus
• Find time to be still, to sit quietly.  It does not have to be hours a day, minutes each day make the difference.  Start small. 
  • Here are some examples:
    • Have your first cup or coffee or tea by yourself without a device on or near you
    • Take a few moments to sit quietly in the car before you start to drive or before you get out at home or work.  Assuming you are alone of course!
    • Sit quietly for a few minutes at the start and/or end of each day to just be.  No to do list, no phone etc. Just a few minutes of silence.
    • Mediate
    • Pray
    • Breath
    • Take a walk mid-day.

The actions are easy.

 The hard part is the commitment to making them a habit.  It takes practice.

Trust me it is so worth the effort.  You are worth the effort!

Since I have made quiet time in the morning part of my routine, I found I am calmer, have more clear ideas and have found the internal guidance I needed to not only change careers, but often find great inspiration not only for business but for how I serve in my community during these moments of quiet.

Notice I said moments, not hours! 

Just a few minutes of day to slow down can actually make you perform better! 

Let me say that again, slowing down can make you more effective!

The more effective you are the more success you will have. Afterall, isn’t that the goal you are working towards- your personal definition of success!