Watch & reflect with me: I cover this topic in a free video module of my modern productivity online course
1) Practicing Tai Chi
This year, I started learning Tai Chi from an awesome teacher in Amsterdam. I took weekly group lessons that really helped me memorize the choreography so I could practice a coherent flow on my own. In such lessons you’re also taught about the philosophy and origin. Practicing a choreographical sequence is what I do almost daily in the morning. Contrary to a 10-minute workout which kind of shocks the system, this routine is like the beginning of a disney movie — the way I see and feel my hands glide through the fresh air at my favorite spot in an Amsterdam parc.. poetry in motion.
I focus on my breath and the infinite challenge of finding relaxation in movement keeps me busy.
To me, Tai Chi is the most immersive practice of interoception (feeling into your bodily sensations) I have had the pleasure of experiencing. There’s something about moving meditation that makes the present moment easier to bear on difficult days or in anxious states.. until the anxiety or the worry fades.. or not and that’s also okay. 1% better is great because it reassures me that I have agency over my “state”. On good days Tai Chi is like that Disney Movie, focusing the gaze on a single distant object all of a sudden I am able to notice all of the little insects and dancing leaves in my peripheral. But I’m not allowed to watch them because the object is to be focused. So when my practice ends, I’m eager to engage with the outside world again.
At 29 years old, I can happily say that I have found a discipline that I want to practice all my life; be it in a class or just by myself like I do now.
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2) Drinking my favorite cup of tea
What about getting focused on relaxing?
To tell you the truth, before bed a cup of warm tea works wonders for me. Switching on the kettle became a corner stone of my evening routine, guiding me into the other relaxing habits that help me sleep deeper and forget the busy day that is past me.
It’s the smell, the warm cup and the first deep breath when relaxation are served. Give it a try!
3) Visualizing success
This is a tricky one due to it’s subjective nature but visualization can be incredibly powerful. Athletes do it all the time before competitions. They visualize the successful outcome. Not only does this help them focus but it also sets the tone for their performance and the self-image they adopt.
Having been in a football academy myself, I am fascinated with applying athletic toolkits from sports psychology in various contexts of my life .
Whenever I give a workshop or perform a poem for instance, I imagine beforehand the reaction of the people and the desired atmosphere in the room. I don’t want to understate preparation when I claim that it works. If you’re doubtful give it a try next time you’re on stage, standing in front of any audience or even when giving a speech at a birthday ;)
4) Taking A Cold Shower
I’m in love with cold showers
…as long as I keep taking them.
The moment I stop for a week is when they become uncomfortable!
Starting off my day with a 1 minute journal entry and a cold shower truly catapults me into whatever I set out to do anyways. The tendency to lay in bed and overthink my assumed readiness for what’s on the agenda just flies out of the bathroom window once the water strikes.
And like I said, when I’m in a consistent daily rhythm there is nothing better than that cold morning shower, and I look forward to feeling awake and ready in the morning!
The focus starts from the body and takes over the mind instantly. Fascinating how we can throw ourselves into the deep of certain experiences and watch an inner transformation occur — only thing that’s needed is the effort to go; and to breathe.
Which can be hard but it’s worth it, I guarantee you!
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