Presence is far more intricate and rewarding an art than productivity. Ours is a culture that measures our worth as human beings by our efficiency, our earnings, our ability to perform this or that. The cult of productivity has its place, but worshipping at its altar daily robs us of the very capacity for joy and wonder that makes life worth living.” ~Maria Popova

I was high on productivity. I had one full-time job, two part-time jobs, and a side hustle. I was getting everything done. Sounds perfect, right?

Then I started hating my life.

I had read enough books and articles to tell me how I was not doing enough. Enough self-help gurus had told me that what I needed to do was max out every single hour I had to be minutely close to being “successful.”

My co-workers often got intimidated by my jam-packed calendar. I don’t exaggerate when I say that every minute of my life was scheduled. Sheldon-level scheduled, with dedicated “bathroom breaks” and everything.

I ran three to-do lists: daily, weekly, monthly. This was my way of setting out for maximum efficiency. I said “yes” to my boss so often I had become his favorite. Work-life balance, what’s that?

Tasks were flying off my list like never before—so many horizontal breakthroughs! I wore this as my badge of honor for a while, this art of getting it all done. And why not? I was rewarded for it in money, praise, promotions, awe.

But then it didn’t feel so great. Instead, I became downright miserable.

Why Busyness-Productivity Is A Mirage

I don’t claim that productivity is bad. Doing fulfilling work by minimizing distractions and getting deep focus is truly rewarding.

But it is crucial to stop and question why you’re doing what you’re doing. It is necessary to pause and reflect on the value of your tasks and actions. Otherwise, productivity translates to useless busyness.

When I became this productivity freak, I never stopped to ask if any of the things I was doing were giving my life meaning. I was doing a demanding full-time job that didn’t provide me any purpose. My days became a blur of mindless task completions. My mind, heart, and soul were absent from my work. Any given Monday didn’t look so different from a Tuesday three weeks prior.

And it wasn’t even like I was happy.

I was meeting all my deadlines, but I was spending no time with my family. There were enough accolades to prove all my achievements but not enough art to fulfill my soul. I answered every email I received within twenty-four hours, but I hardly focused on long-term self-growth.

On the outside, my life never looked better. But on the inside, I was worse than I had ever been. Distraction, schedules, irritability, and deadlines were the monsters that ruled my life.

After a month-long burnout, I hit the problem nail in the head. I knew I needed to move on. But how? I resolved to take a calculated leap of faith. I found a client willing to pay me for my freelancing services for at least two to three months and made a thick emergency fund by cutting out on expenses. Then, I quit the unfulfilling full-time job and gave my heart to work that I truly found meaning in. I stopped making productivity my goal. I opted to choose presence instead.

Presence > Productivity

I read Annie Dillard’s, The Writing Life, in which she memorably wrote, “how we spend our days, is of course, how we spend our lives.”

After reading this book, I realized that productivity would only be fruitful when coupled with presence. I knew then that presence was what would make my rewards meaningful.

What is presence? Presence is the art of being in the moment, the luxury of pausing, the virtue of stillness. It is being alert, aware, and alive to this moment.

There’s a reason why our culture runs for productivity instead of presence. Productivity helps us shut away from reality. It keeps us “busy” into a future that is yet to manifest.

It is so much easier and convenient to take the shield of productivity against the beautiful, buoyant, and sometimes disruptively painful present.

Performing one task after next gives us an excuse to not fully live, not completely concentrate, not unbiasedly accept.

I used to be that way—trying to avoid the truth that I was not finding my work meaningful. I wouldn’t accept that this job was emptying me slowly, living in denial of a reality I was living. Was I not getting things done? I was, more than ever before. But was I happy? I had never been more unhappy with my own choices.

Being productive every minute of every day meant I could avoid the fact that many of my friendships were depleting, toxic, and unhealthy. I was lying to myself that it was all to have a good social life. In reality, I would go out of my way to avoid being alone, to avoid answering the big questions pertaining to my life that can only be answered in solitude.

But coupling our actions with productivity and presence can have an astounding effect on our lives. It can make every task we do driven with intention, purpose, and meaning. Presence is what helps us reap the internal rewards that come with doing fulfilling work.

Choosing Presence

If you are anything like me, choosing presence over productivity can take some practice. Productivity was my normal mode of operation. It was easy; it came naturally. But opting for presence in my actions wasn’t so simple.

The art of being present and intentional in all my tasks was like writing with my non-dominant left hand. I searched for help and stumbled upon Tim Ferris. He often says to think of your epitaph to cut through all the noise and maze of productivity. It is a way to find out what truly matters to you by getting a super-zoomed out version of your life.

As morbid as it sounds, that is what I did. I imagined what I would like to carve on my epitaph, and the important stuff came into a laser-sharp focus:

I needed to write. I needed to make time for solitude, for serendipity, for hobbies. I wanted to create more memories with my family. I wanted to let go of draining friendships and put all my energy into relationships that filled me with fulfillment, meaning, and growth. Taking it one step at a time, I decided to hand in my resignation. I landed my first writing gig in under two weeks.

And hey, it’s not like I don’t struggle to write with my left hand anymore. But I am growing each day. It takes some practice and effort to make room in your calendar to “be present.” I am learning to be uncomfortable by turning the volume down of “getting things done.”

I have noticed that it is the minor changes that count. It is taking a little more time to craft that email mindfully. It is that courageous “no” to a project that can help you surpass your quarterly KPIs but take away from your family time. It is choosing to take a soothing fifteen-minute walk break over checking off another mindless to-do list task.

Presence is a process. It requires the discipline to focus on the present moment when productivity pushes you to see a non-existent future. Presence is your un-busy existence of utterly unadulterated joy. It is your creativity’s cradle. It is your time to just be.

So do it. Make the hard choice. Live your life with presence to help you find joy in the now instead of pushing toward some destination in the future. None of us really know where the future will bring us, but we can all choose to enjoy the scenery along the way.

If you suffer from anxiety, you might be relieved to find that calming foods and drinks can promote inner peace. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social anxiety disorder can make you feel jittery and uneasy. Thankfully, there are plenty of natural options that can ease your symptoms and also improve your health.

Here are some foods for peace of mind that can promote calmness and help you reduce anxiety. Try one or several to see what you prefer to soothe your soul.

1. Warm Milk

Drinking warm milk can help you relax because of the amino acid tryptophan, which aids the production of melatonin and serotonin. Tryptophan can improve your mood and make you feel calm. Melatonin is often used to promote sleep, which can help you wind down and soothe your mind and body. Serotonin is the happiness hormone that plays a vital role in treating depression and anxiety, so it can ease your stress and make you feel more positive.

Other foods for peace of mind that possess tryptophan are turkey, cheese, chicken and fish. Milk also helps increase your resting metabolic rate when you drink it before bed, which can affect how quickly you burn calories the following morning. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t make you gain weight if you drink it before bed. Try a glass of warm milk the next time you feel stressed to calm your nerves.

2. Seafood

Seafood also contains tryptophan and many essential nutrients that make it excellent for your overall health. Seafood has calming properties that reduce the risk of depression, like omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which might effectively reduce clinical anxiety symptoms. PUFAs improve your immune system, decrease your risk of asthma symptoms and boost your brainpower, giving you a more optimistic outlook on life.

Eating seafood can decrease joint pain, improve your eyesight and boost your brainpower. Omega-3s boost cognitive functioning in women and reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Seafood can also benefit pregnancy by enhancing the development and growth of the fetus. There are many reasons to chow down on lobster, salmon or your fish of choice. The next time you feel anxious, try eating your favorite seafood and see if it calms you down.

3. Tea

Drinking hot tea is an ideal way to relax and calm your nerves. Herbal teas have been used in soothing rituals for generations. The herbs in tea, like lavender, peppermint, magnesium and chamomile, create an aromatherapy experience with relaxation-inducing properties. The beverage provides myriad benefits like reducing your risk of cancer, fighting inflammation and calming your nerves, depending on what type you brew.

Matcha and green tea have calming properties since they derive from the same plant and possess L-theanine. Green tea is steeped like traditional tea, but matcha is ground into powder. The powder consistency typically requires a whisk, but you can also shake, blend or froth it to your liking. Matcha tea can help you lose weight, benefit your heart health and improve your mental clarity.

4. Berries

Berries are one of the best calming foods and drinks since they’re easily accessible and don’t require cooking. They are a sweet and delicious treat with myriad benefits, like decreasing depression symptoms. Berries are jam-packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, which relieve anxious feelings. Stress can make your body crave vitamin C since it protects and repairs your cells.

Blueberries are an excellent source of antioxidants and vitamin C that naturally promote calmness and help you find inner peace. Vitamin C can prevent and regulate cortisol spikes and calm your nerves. The natural sweetness of blueberries is a fantastic alternative to processed sugars that may increase your risk of anxiety. They can also improve brain health and prevent cognitive decline.

5. Smoothies

Smoothies can be an excellent source of vitamins and minerals that fuel your body and promote inner peace. You can put whatever you want in your smoothie, so you get bonus points for creative freedom on this one. You can have fun experimenting with ingredients such as turmeric root or powder, which can relieve anxiety and boost your brain health. Pumpkin seeds are a natural source of tryptophan, like you find in milk. Kiwis are also a great source of tryptophan.

You can throw things in your smoothie that you might not like and mask it with something with a more robust taste, so you can’t even tell it’s in there. For example, if you don’t like almonds, consider using almond milk with a flavour like vanilla. Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, spinach, avocado, walnuts and pecans are all excellent sources of nutrients that taste great in smoothies.

6. Garlic

Garlic contains properties that can dramatically reduce stress-related hormones like corticosterone and cortisol. Raw and cooked garlic can decrease tension and stress in your body. It can combat stress by improving blood flow and widening blood vessels. Garlic is a holistic medicine with many benefits since it contains antioxidants. It has a potent aroma and taste, making it challenging to ingest if you aren’t a fan.

However, garlic can increase your energy levels and boost your immune system. It’s a natural antioxidant that can fight inflammation and lower blood pressure and possesses antibacterial properties. Garlic can fight off cases of flu, colds and other viruses. Incorporate it into your diet by using it to season meat or vegetables. You can also create a garlic tonic to soothe you and boost your immunity.

Calming Foods and Drinks

When yoga or other outlets aren’t your cup of tea or you need relief from anxious thoughts or feelings, consider trying these foods for peace of mind. Calming foods and drinks can mitigate symptoms of depression and anxiety or soothe your nerves after a stressful day. The options here are varied enough to appeal to a wide range of tastes.

In addition to these choices, ensure you stay hydrated to create more calmness and practice mindfulness to promote inner peace. These are natural, gentle ways to attain the inner peace you need to function at your best.

In today’s fast-paced world, finding moments of peace and tranquility is more valuable than ever. Yes, life can be a roller-coaster of emotions and stress, and sometimes, all we really crave for is that inner peace. Meditation offers a path to inner calm, increased self-awareness, and improved mental well-being.

WHAT is Meditation?

Imagine your mind as a busy street with thoughts zooming by. Meditation is like stepping onto the sidewalk, observing the traffic without getting caught up in it. It is that state where your mind is calm and peaceful at one point. It’s that mental exercise that brings your mind to focus and be present in the moment.

Meditation isn’t just for your quiet time; it can be your co-pilot in life’s crazy traffic. Imagine staying cool and collected when your boss hands you a surprise project – that’s the meditation mojo working. It’s a way to clear your thoughts, calm your mind, and find your inner peace.

WHY Meditation?

Think of meditation as a daily dose of self-love, or probably as a superhero for your mind. It offers numerous benefits that can positively impact our lives: it can help reduce stress, boost your mood, and even make you feel healthier overall. It allows us to find balance amidst the chaos. By practicing meditation regularly, we can improve our emotional well-being, boost our concentration, and increase self-awareness.

It’s like starting your day feeling refreshed and ending it with a smile on your face – that’s the power of meditation. Now, who wouldn’t want that?

Getting Started: HOW?

You don’t need a special room or hours of free time to meditate. Find a quiet spot where you can sit comfortably, even if it’s just a corner of your home. Start with just a few minutes each day and gradually increase the duration.

Meditation isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s like a buffet with different dishes to choose from. You can try different techniques of meditation, such as the Breathing Technique, which helps you relax. Or the Mantra Technique which is like paying attention to a word phrase to achieve mindfulness and relaxation. Or Visualization Technique, which brings your mind to focus at a single point and is exactly what I started with.

Just like learning anything new, meditation may have its challenges. You might find it difficult to sit still or have a hard time quieting your mind. Remember, it’s a practice, and progress comes with patience and consistency. Experiment with different techniques, such as the breathing, the mantra or the visualization technique.

Stay tuned to our next post, we will be sharing in detail on these techniques and that way, you get to find what works best for you.

It should be YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE

Meditation isn’t limited to a specific time or place. You can bring its principles into your daily activities. This is when you are at the center of everything you do. For example, when you’re eating, savor each bite mindfully, paying attention to the flavors and textures. When you’re walking, be aware of the sensations in your body and the environment around you. These small moments of mindfulness can make a big difference in how you experience life.

Meditation is not a destination; it’s a lifelong journey. By embarking on this path, you’ll unlock the potential for a calmer, more balanced, and fulfilling life. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to meditation. Experiment with different techniques, find what resonates with you, and be patient with yourself. WATCH OUT FOR THE NEXT POST!

So, start small, be patient, and see how this simple practice can sprinkle a little magic into your everyday life. Your inner peace is worth the effort, and this guide is your compass on this transformative journey. Start meditating today and watch as your life transforms one breath at a time.

To learn more; Check meditation videos and books from the World Peace Initiative (WPI) as your trusty guides on this journey. They offer tips, guided sessions, and even soothing music to enhance your experience. You can also join WPI Peace clubs in your location to keep cultivating and maintaining your inner peace.

Historically, the term ‘introvert’ has been considered as being largely negative. Introverts are often the victims of fundamental misunderstandings, however, as others confuse them as being shy, overly analytical and in some instances entirely bereft of empathy for others.

Not only are these perceptions false, but they also disguise the fact that being an introvert offers many potential advantages. This is particularly true in the workplace, where many introverted character traits lend themselves to being a more responsive and effective employee.

8 Advantages of Being an Introvert at Work

So what exactly are the major advantages of being an introvert at work, and how can you capitalise? Let’s explore this further:

1. Introverts are Great Listeners

One of the core strengths of an introvert is their innate ability to listen, and there are several reasons for this. To begin with, introverts are more comfortable listening than holding court within a conversation, while they are also more thoughtful about what they say and often use the responses of their conversational partners to influence their input.

This can highly beneficial in the workplace, as introverts have an opportunity to absorb knowledge and insight from those around them in a bid to progress their careers. This is in stark contrast with extroverts, who often use professional conversations as a stage to promote themselves without listening to what is expected of them.

To make the most of this opportunity, be particularly attentive to your colleagues and those in positions of seniority. Above all, make sure that you process any information that can help you perform better as an employee and identify opportunities for growth.

2. Introverts Can Be Relied Upon by Leaders

On a similar note, listening is a skill that helps to build trust and respect within the workplace. This is why even charismatic, extroverted leaders tend to recruit introverts in position of power, as they can be trusted to listen attentively to concise instructions and implement these with a minimum of fuss.

While I have seen numerous individuals with introverted personalities attain promotions at work, it is still important to use your initiative where possible within your role. This will help you to take further steps into leadership while and build your confidence as an employee.

3. Introverts Make for Thoughtful and Open-minded Leaders

One of the main perceptions surrounding introverts is that they do not make good leaders. This is largely untrue, however, as while those with an introverted persona may lack charisma they are thoughtful and open-minded when developing strategies, considering innovative ideas and recruiting staff members.

The latter point is particularly important, as extroverts can be insecure and competitive in their nature and this may cause friction with certain, successful members of staff. You must therefore take steps to show your open-mindedness and thoughtfulness in the workplace, while also avoiding any conflict or petty competition with colleagues.

4. Introverts are Empathetic Employees

As a general rule, introverts boast an extremely high level of self-awareness and are extremely sensitive to the needs of those around them. This is an unusual philosophy in the workplace, where so many are preoccupied with their own issues and the desire to progress their careers.

Introverts can capitalise on this, however, simply by being themselves and showing consideration for colleagues, teammates and employers. This will help you to stand out as an individual, especially if you are willing to be flexible in your role when pressure is created by long-term absences and sickness.

5. Introverts Tend to Have a Better Work-life Balance

If there is one lesson I have learned from work, it is that the daily interaction with colleagues and employers can be extremely draining for anyone with an introverted personality. This is something that introverts are conscious of at all times, meaning that they have an innate appreciation of the need for a positive work-life balance that can empower their personal lives.

With recent research suggesting that jobs paying an annual salary of £37,000 per annum tend to serve a tipping point in terms of the balance between sacrifice and reward in the workplace, having an appreciation of your limitations can help you to improve your life no end. Over time, this will make you a superior colleague without impacting negatively on your recreational time outside of work.

6. Introverts are Self-reflective and Excellent at Error Correction

We have already touched on the fact that introverts are excellent listeners, and this means that they are able to take on considerable feedback regarding their performance at work. Not only this, but those who are introverted also have a self-reflective mind-set that enables them to process this information and turn into action steps for their own, personal development.

Such a philosophy also allows introverts to excel when correcting their own errors, as they take their mistakes seriously once they have been highlighted and commit themselves to reverse these openly. When you consider that making mistakes is an inescapable element of being human, your natural outlook as an introvert offers you an advantage as a conscientious and thoughtful being with great integrity.

7. Introverts Enjoy More In-depth and Meaningful Proffesional Connections

We live in the digital age, where professional networks are driven by real-time chats and single line introductions. While this enables extroverts to build vast and often vacuous networks, however, it is well known that introverts crave the kind of in-depth and meaningful connection that drives genuine understanding.

This can actually be beneficial to introverts in the contemporary workplace, where intimate relationships based on knowledge and trust stand out while driving greater levels of collaboration. You can also your need for in-depth connections to build rapport with colleagues and clients alike, strengthening your position within the firm while also contributing to increased revenues.

8. Introverts Make Considered Rather Than Impulsive Decisions

Whether you are a leader or not, you will most likely have to make decisions in your professional life. While introverts are often criticised for over-analysing decisions to the point where they suffer a paralysis of thought, this is a gross exaggeration that disguises the benefits of forming well thought-out and informed decisions that have been considered from multiple angles.

In fact, the capacity of introverts to give due consideration to every aspect of a decision can benefit businesses greater, as it helps to avoid the type of impulsive mistake that can destroy even established ventures. From your own perspective as an introvert, you should therefore stay true to your inner thought processes when making a decision and resist the suggestions of those who want you to act quicker.