7Breaths

Well, just as I decided to try and post more a big new project lands in my inbox. This one is going to take a fair junk of additional time for me and something has to give for now. Looking at my commitments and goals during my quaterly review I've decided to put the blog onto the back burner for a while. Things will hopefully calm down by late December, so I will hopefully get back to the blog in Q1 2008. Until then there may be a very occasional post, but I'm not even sure about this. I'll still be collecting GTD and related ideas during the coming months and will have drafts in my someday / maybe file - hopefully I'll hit the ground running in 2008. Thanks to all subscribers for your support over the last few months, please keep a little place in your readers for 7breaths - I'll be back....

I'll be posting about a blog / website I find useful each Thursday.

My first post is about Jason Womack and his Fit and Effective Blog.

Jason used to work for the David Allen Company as a
Executive Coach/Facilitator. He has since branched out on his own forming the Jason Womack Company and is currently providing Workplace Performance Coaching . In addition to all this he also finds time to take part in triathlons and long distance cycle rides. Jason's attitude to top performance and productivity fits well with my own thoughts on the subject. I like blogs which stimulate and challenge me and Jason certainly does. His focus on Goals, Engagement, Commitment and Focus has certainly given me ideas and inspiration. I'd recommend you check it out, maybe try this post.

After a busy productive day I often find I'm still thinking too much about what I need to do tomorrow, rather than relaxing and getting ready for sleep. A restful and refreshing sleep is vital to a performing at your best the following day. Here are some steps you can take to get things off your mind, ready for a refreshing nights sleep:

1. EMPTY YOUR INBOX: 1-2 hours before bed - empty your inbox, process your stuff and plan the coming day.

2. PREPARE FOR YOUR FIRST COMMITMENT: Look at your schedule - what is the first thing you have committed to. Ensure you have done all the work needed and have all the stuff you need for this commitment. Feel confident in your preparation.

3. DO A BRAIN DUMP: There will often be something nagging at you, so 30 to 60 minutes before bed empty your head. Dump it in your inbox. Don't process your thoughts, just realise they are in a safe place where you can deal with them tomorrow.

4. FORGET ABOUT THE COMING DAY: From this point on DON'T think about what you have coming up - just relax in the knowledge that it's in your trusted system and you are prepared for your first commitment tomorrow

5. ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR SUCCESSES: Once you've 'emptied your head' fill it with positive thoughts. Don't think what you need to do - acknowledge what you have done today. Look back on the day - remember what you have done which showed engagement and commitment. Remember how positive you felt during this time. Congratulate yourself on your days accomplishments.

6. MANAGE YOUR INPUTS: Don't engage with the news media just as you are trying to wind down - You've just spent time getting your head empty and relaxing, the last thing you want is to fill your mind with doom and gloom just before bed. Also avoid reading blogs - there will betoo many stimulating thoughts and DO NOT RECHECK YOUR EMAIL / RSS etc... Instead relax by reading a great book, listening to great music or just spending time with your significant other.

7. DISENGAGE: Perform a final bedtime routine. This can be anything that does not require any thought at all. Fill the dishwasher, tidy a room, just be... Concentrate on the act and the moment and try and forget it all - tomorrow is another day....

What do you do to mentally wind down - let's talk..

I am aiming to post more regularly and to aid me in this I've taken a leaf out of other blogs formats and will have a theme for each day of the week. I don't think I'll be posting on a daily basis but at least this will give me a structure and some impetus. I have not yet completely worked out what each days theme will be, but rather than get stuck in 'analysis paralysis' I've gone with spirit of 7breaths (Decide It. Do It) and will be posting my first Monday 7things post today. I'll work out the rest in the coming days and will post the schedule soon.

Just came across TouchGraph via brain based biz. A graphical interface to let you explore connections, either web sites / amazon stuff / facebook. Seeing new connections always sparks ideas for me and I can see this firing off a few.
Here is the display from 7breaths blog (click to enlarge)






Where do you think this will take you?