Take a Clarity Break

When companies started cutting back earlier this year and we began to feel the impact of reductions in client spending, the folks on my team agonized over more than what it meant to each of us professionally and financially.

We lamented that in the midst of crisis, worklife management practices are exactly what we all need to stay clear in the midst of mayhem, grounded while confronting uncertainty, and energized while taking on ever increasing tasks and responsibilities.

That said, we created this little Clarity Break you can do anytime to reconnect with yourself and keep yourself at your best:

• Instant Energy - Either sitting or standing make sure you have enough room to move your arms freely. Keep your elbows soft and flex your biceps, making tight fists with both hands. Raise them overhead inhaling. Exhale sharply and draw your elbows back to where you started. Do this three times and return to your normal breath. Notice how LITTLE it takes to stimulate energy and sensation throughout your body. Repeat whenever you want to increase your energy FAST.

• Ground UP - Uncross your legs. Make sure your feet are placed on the ground no wider than your hips distance apart (if your feet don't reach the floor lower your chair or find a lower chair to do this practice). Scoot your backside as far back into your seat as you can and then lift your torso just slightly away from the back of your chair so you are sitting as vertically as possible. Push your feet directly downwards into the floor and feel the solidness of the foundation beneath you and let it remind you that you are supported by the world around you. You will instantly feel energy travel from the earth upward, drawing in your belly and lengthening your spine for deeper breathing.

• Centered Mind - Keeping your Ground Up posture, try this easy trick for drawing your mind out of the minutiae of your day. Hold your left hand palm facing upward right at your belly button. Hold your right hand palm facing down right at your sternum. With elbows soft, breathe deep and remind yourself that you are not your thoughts or worries. Draw your awareness out of the incessant chatter of your mind and focus fully on the centered space framed by your hands breathing fully into the expanse of your torso. Remember that experience of the life within you is always available no matter the conditions of life around you.

We've taught this little routine 1:1 to CEOs and to hundreds of employees at a time, and have always been thrilled by the before and after comparison - dull goes to shiny, listless goes to alert. Try it alone or get a couple co-workers to try it with you. In this economy it sure beats a $4 latte.

Be well,

Tevis

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