Principles IV. Design Space into your Day and Principle V. Practice Patience, Repeat
IV. Design Space into Your Day
“Music is the space between the notes”
– Claude Debussy
It is typical to pride ourselves on busy-ness, and fill every second of time with something productive; this is counter productive. Take space, take space, take space. See what comes up in the moments between the to-dos rather than squeezing something else in. Carve out quiet time, even 10 minutes, to put your technology down and allow your mind to rest.
In Practice: For you
Pick a ritual; find one you enjoy and stick to it. How you live each day is who you become. Whether it is taking 20 minutes to drink coffee and doing nothing else, going for a long walk, or meditating for 10 minutes— protect it.
Schedule in heads down time
Add to your calendar, windows each day for thinking, planning, or working. Having it scheduled will make you think twice before filling it, and prevent others from imposing.
Take breaks and walks
Set a timer so one activity does not bleed into the next, and schedule breaks. Getting up and moving helps relax the mind and will support your next long bout of work. Downtime allows for moments of creativity to sneak in and surprise you.
In Practice: For the team
Know when you need to meet in person and when you needn’t
Protect set hours for heads down time. This allows each person to do his own thinking before engaging with the team. At the least, cluster meetings together.
Use “together time” wisely
If you need to meet, do so with intention. Whether working or “bonding”, set clear agendas (3-5 bullets) and activities for the time you spend together. Co-location is fine, but sit together with a clear purpose of why you will need to engage to avoid distraction.
Change up the scenery
Work outside on the deck, or if possible from a cafe! Getting out of the office is inspiring! In cafes, knowing there is a closing time forces you to work efficiently. Check for outlets and wifi before picking a cafe.
V. Practice patience, repeat
"Learn what is to be taken seriously and laugh at the rest."
— Hermann Hesse
Everyday is a new day, start again
You will have better days and worse. Don’t get discouraged the days you feel you’re off balance. If you miss a few practices because the whole team is under pressure or you’re traveling often, it doesn’t mean you failed, it means you’re human, and it's your cue to practice, and begin right there.