This week I’ve got a lot to do, but to get it done I’ve got to find a way to tune out the noise.
And there’s lots of noise to be heard. There’s the actual noise of my neighbors and their daily drumming and band practice (could living next door to a grunge band in Seattle be any more cliche?) and the incessant barking of the dog who hangs out in the backyard of the house catty corner to mine.
Then there’s the metaphorical “noise” of the world I interact with every day — the energy of other drivers, parents and teachers at my son’s school, clerks at the supermarket, my frustrated child.
And then, of course, there’s the noise in my head. The noise that says I won’t hit my deadline on Friday or I’m failing if I don’t get through my To Dos or tells me I’ve bitten off more than I can chew with the new ventures I’m creating and launching.
It’s time for me to tackle the noise. My plan to turn it off for the week?
1. Get some headphones to zone out or jump onto Spotify, pump up the volume, and jam out to my Glee playlist.
2. Head out to work at Eltana Bagels for a change of scenery (and no barking dogs).
3. Stay in my own zen zone by making sure I get out for a run or walk every (yes, every) day, spend a few minutes deep breathing each morning, look for the beauty in everything.
4. Work on one project at time instead of engaging in frenzied multitasking.
5. Read the post-it on my office wall that says “It is not happening to you. It is happening for you” often. Very often.
Ahh…I feel better already. I know that realistically the noise isn’t going anywhere — tuning out the noise is about co-existing with it so it doesn’t inhibit creativity and productivity. I think I’ve got a good start here.
So, how about you? What’s your secret for tuning out the noise so you can do your thing?