Life at the Speed of Fast
by Linda Larsen, CSP
© Copyright 2003

Let’s face it. Everything has sped up. It’s as if someone has wound the clock up too tight and the hands are flying around at twice their normal speed. People walk fast, talk fast, and think fast. You can now read e-mail, talk on the phone, eat lunch, and work on a report all at the same time. You can watch the morning news on television AND read the world headlines scroll across the bottom of the screen at the same time. You can go on vacation and never miss a beat as you continue to conduct your business via e-mail, voicemail, laptop, and Palm Pilot. And don’t forget the Internet, Ethernet, hypertext, subtext, subplot and finally – burial plot.

I don’t know about you, but I get tired just thinking about all this.

And here’s the scary part: I’d better find a way to deal with this, or go buy a house on Walden Pond, because it’s not going away. So what’s a person to do here? You know, a person who likes to eat, pay the mortgage and take a vacation once in a while.

It seems that I’ve got two choices: I can either find a way to keep up and survive, or stick out my lower lip, dig in my heels and disappear in the dust.

OK, so let’s say our choice is to keep up and, not only survive, but actually thrive. And more than thrive – downright flourish! How do we do it? Consider the following ideas.

1. Accept it. It’s not going away. NO ONE wants to hear me complain about how “bad” it is. And if I tell you that I’m exhausted because I only got five hours sleep last night – there is a strong possibility that you only got four and are not whining and griping.

2. Take exquisite care of your goose. Don’t expect a beat-up run down, ill-cared-for automobile to perform like the “ultimate driving machine.” It can’t do it. Accordingly consider the following 4 areas:

a. Physically. Come on. EAT RIGHT! Stop with the sugar, caffeine, alcohol, smoking, no sleep, no water, processed junk food. Eat more raw fruits and vegetables. Exercise. You know the drill. But DO IT!

b. Emotionally. Love, hug, smile, guffaw, cry, be moved. Shower the people you love with love. Thank people. Give bouquets of gratitude. Strengthen your relationships.

c. Mentally. Learn something new every single day. Force yourself to think outside your self-imposed limitations. Entertain new possibilities. Stretch. Learn (happily and willingly) by failure. Dance, sing, juggle, build a doghouse.

d. Spiritually. By whatever beliefs you hold to be true, honor your Spiritual nature. This might simply be through prayer, meditation or service. But whatever it is, consider it vital to your overall well-being.

3. Schedule in your recovery time. Yes. Actually log it in your calendar. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, 7 a.m., Walk for 30 minutes! Monday through Friday, 5:30p.m to 5:45 p.m. - close the door, turn off the lights, and shut off the phone. Sit in silence and focus on your copious blessings.

4. Clean it up! You will work so much more efficiently when your environment is lean and clean. Throw out the old magazines, clean off your desk top, donate the items in your home that you know you are not actually going to ever use. Let’s face it. I am NOT going to use that camping gear again!

5. Simplify. Here’s the deal: The more toys I have, the more maintenance I have to do. AND the more space I have to create to house the toys. AND the more hours I have to work to buy, insure, and house the toys. Just hang around with friends who have all the toys you like. Let them do all the work.

The bell has been rung, the horses are out of the gate and the pace has been set. Your goal is to run the race with as much power, stamina and clarity as possible. By implementing the above 5 ideas, not only will you be able to be tremendously effective and successful in your endeavors, but you can enjoy the process as much as the outcomes.

Word count: 697

Tag line: Linda Larsen, CSP, helps individuals think strategically, communicate effectively, and celebrate success. She is an international keynote speaker, trial consultant and author of the book, True Power, and the best selling audio program, 12 Secrets to High Self-Esteem. She can be reached at www.lindalarsen.com or 941-927-4700.

 

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