Awareness. Deep.
We certainly must agree that awareness is part of good health. After all, if you don't notice challenges and compromises to your system, you're not going to take the necessary steps to rectify them. And that could be very, very bad.
So while awareness isn't everything (what you do with the awareness is important, too!), it sure makes the Top 10 list.
Funny thing is ... it's so easy to just shut it off!
There are a few reasons for this.
First is the number of signals that compete for our attention every day. As I sit here at the computer, I'm aware of the keyboard and screen, the pile of papers next to the screen, the dim light (forgot to turn on my desk lamp), the traffic sounds outside, the sound of the heat cranking on (argggh!), the hum of the computer, my stuffy nose (picked up the cat earlier), and my legs starting to let me know I've been sitting too long. Oh, and it's nearly 11 PM so I'm getting tired.
And all that has absolutely nothing to do with the article I'm supposed to be writing!
What if I allowed each of those signals equal opportunity to come through? I'd never get the article finished, that's for sure. I'd be sidelined by distraction before I finished the first sentence.
It's completely true that we must go into a sort of tunnel vision -- stated more kindly, focus -- in order to get much of anything done.
On the other hand, it's way to easy to drift so far into focus that we lose track of other important things. The classic "absent-minded professor" scenario.
What kind of important things? Let's see:
- Pain signals
- Fatigue
- Hunger
- The beginning of a relationship issue
- Where's the kid?
- Where's the cat?
- Wasn't I supposed to have paid some bills a couple days ago?
You can see the problem.
Solution? Well, I guess this is one of those individual things that everybody's got to work out eventually. But it seems to me that balance is the key.
You have an important project going on. Fine. Schedule time to work on it. During that time, keep your focus as best you can.
Then, come up for air. Look around and see what's happening in the world. Have you missed anything important? Scan your surroundings. Take a quick mental run through each dimension of your life (health, finances, relationships, work, family, etc.) and see if anything important pops out at you.
Finally, I'll share my own favorite awareness trick. Quiet yourself for just a moment. Then ask this question: "What is the most important thing to do next?" Then wait for the first answer that comes to mind.
The question is open-ended enough that nearly anything really critical has the freedom to pop out. And it just may!
Elizabeth Eckert can help you explore how simple everyday choices create health — or undermine even the best of intentions. With a background that ranges from energy medicine to structural bodywork to developmental psychology, this "Stick-To-It Coach" has the experience to support you in creating the healthiest possible expression of — you!
Take our free Less Stress; More Time mini-course!
