Embracing Spring: Strategies for Renewal and Growth
This time of year is truly special. Families are beginning to plan their spring break getaways, while others are preparing for Passover or Easter celebrations. With the arrival of spring, there's a sense of renewal and anticipation in the air. As the tax season comes to a close, our focus shifts to planning summer activities and adventures. Spring embodies a spirit of fresh beginnings, growth, and a renewed appreciation for the outdoors. It's an ideal time to reflect on what truly matters and realign our priorities.
Recently, I delved into two insightful books: "Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout" by Cal Newport, and "The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down" by Haemin Sunim. Coupled with moments of reflection in my garden, these readings have inspired me to implement three key strategies this quarter:
1. Intentional Rest
In "Slow Productivity," Newport defines slow productivity as "a way forward in which you can sidestep the demands of an always-on hustle culture, and yet still find pride and meaning in your professional efforts." Embracing this concept, I'm focusing on accomplishing tasks without succumbing to burnout. I've realized that I can achieve a great deal without succumbing to the harmful thought patterns and stress-inducing routines of constantly keeping up with team (or slack) messages, social notifications, and micro-meetings. By incorporating intentional rest periods into my schedule, I aim to boost productivity and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
2. Mindful Planning
Inspired by the wisdom of Haemin Sunim, I'm approaching planning with a mindful perspective. Sunim's writing overflows with golden flakes of wisdom, but what I plan to fully embrace is the practice of planning for career steps, events, new partnerships, and even interworkplace relationships with the mindset of training for a marathon.
How often have you launched into a project headfirst, pouring hours of work into it, only to lose your initial excitement by the time the project is complete? Perhaps you've faced so many hurdles that you've lost your rhythm and ultimately given up. By taking the time to pause, reflect, and prioritize—whether it's scheduling events and meetings or managing interactions with others—I hope to make more meaningful decisions and actions in both my personal and professional life.
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Life isn’t a hundred-meter race against your friends, but a lifelong marathon against yourself. -Sunim "The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down"
3. Gratitude Practice
As we navigate this season of growth and renewal, I'm cultivating a daily practice of gratitude. Sunim's words resonate deeply with me:
"There is a famous Buddhist saying that everyone appears as Buddhas in the eyes of the Buddha and everyone appears as pigs in the eyes of a pig. It suggests that the world is experienced according to the state of one’s mind. When your mind is joyful and compassionate, the world is, too. When your mind is filled with negative thoughts, the world appears negative, too. When you feel overwhelmed and busy, remember that you are not powerless. When your mind rests, the world also rests."
This passage serves as a reminder of how our perspective shapes our world. Research has shown that simply journaling for five minutes a day about what we are grateful for can enhance our long-term happiness by over 10% (Emmons, R.A. and McCullough, M.E., "Counting blessings versus burdens"). Various studies, religious masters, and business gurus all emphasize the practice of gratitude. The statistics are there! By acknowledging and appreciating the positives in my life, I aim to foster a more positive and resilient mindset.
In conclusion, as we embrace the spirit of spring and all it signifies, let us remember to approach our lives with intentionality and mindfulness. By incorporating intentional rest, mindful planning, and gratitude practice into our daily routines, we can navigate the challenges of life, both personal and in business, with grace and purpose. Let us take inspiration from the wisdom of authors like Cal Newport and Haemin Sunim, and strive to cultivate a mindset that allows us to achieve our goals without sacrificing our well-being. As we embark on this journey of growth and renewal, may we always remember that our perspective shapes our world, and by choosing to see the beauty and blessings around us, we can create a more positive and fulfilling life for ourselves and those around us.
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