The Art of Talking Story
3. Mono-focusing Doing one thing at a time rather than multi-tasking seems nearly impossible in this day and age, but is a necessary balance for our overdoing culture. You can simply start with seven minutes at a time and expand as you discover how to focus on one thing and complete it before moving on to another task.
4. Limiting Device Engagement Technology tools can be a conduit to connection, but also an escape from true intimacy. Our devices are here to stay, but consider setting healthy boundaries around their use, so you can be present with your loved ones, your creative mind, or your tasks at hand.
One of the greatest challenges is being unplugged on vacation. If you must check emails, limit email time to a half hour in the morning and a half hour in the evening, or choose time periods that work best for you and your type of work, but try only checking in twice a day! Also, be sure to put an “out of office” message on your email, so that the expectation for your response is appropriately set.
In day-to-day life, try setting NPZs—No phone zones. These are sacred times in which you step away from all devices. Mealtime is an excellent time to try this. Be mindful of the inefficiency of long text conversations. If texting a conversation takes more than 5 minutes, when possible, use the telephone function to call the person on the other end and talk “liveline.”
5. Go Talk Story! It’s tempting to think we can maintain healthy human relations merely through the Internet, phone, and social media, but the truth is there is nothing that can replace actually being in the presence of a loved one, sharing a meal, or receiving a hug. So, once a week, make a date with people in your community to spend some quality time together and to just have fun.
These are some simple, but not always easy tips that can allow us to be more present for our full lives. We need community, fun, and creative expression to thrive in our multi-faceted lives.
