15 Minutes

Fifteen minutes all to myself.

I love the movie “White Christmas”. The dancing, the zingers, the classic styles of Hollywood icons. I watch it multiple times every year; at least once in July and more frequently as the holidays approach. One of my favorite lines in the movie is Danny Kaye’s character rationalizing how to gain 45 minutes all to himself by telling his business partner he must have nine children and spend at least 5 minutes each day with every one. Now, lets get real. If you had nine children, there is no way you would get 5 minutes of focused time with each child, ever. Your home would be a constant state of movement, tag-teaming and never ending laundry.

It is near impossible for women to carve out time to invest in ourselves. I get it – children crying or worse, too quiet; phone ringing, the list of things to do running onto page 2 or 3. I am terribly inconsistent at demanding time to think. I recognize I need it when I find my soft skills feel less accessible especially when it comes to managing day-to-day irritations like drivers who don’t signal or who cut across three lanes and nearly clip your front end during the morning commute. Little ears are listening and they don’t need to expand their vocabulary in that direction.

Over a year ago, I began my efforts to incorporate five to ten minutes of brain games and at least ten minutes of meditation in my morning routine. Easier said than done. Some days I get both accomplished, other days just one of two priorities. Some days my meditation consists of my brain loose chasing squirrels and my conscious mind trying to bring it back to center. Those are the days I need to restructure my “to do” list and focus on tasks instead of strategy.

There are stretches of days that none of the above is accomplished because someone spilled the milk, the teenager overslept or lunches didn’t get packed the night before because between my husband and I, we each thought the other had it handled. This inconsistency and its impact on my ability to be my best each and every day is a constant reminder of why I need these practices to help manage my squirrels.

Even if you can’t be consistent (and that is OK), I highly recommend a meditative pause in your day. Here are some helpful hints from a hack like me: #1 – Tune out the work around you. I have used Spotify to find great sounds of nature or guided mediations that align with my time constraints. These work great to make participation easier. Close your office door. Pop in your headphones and reclaim 10 minutes of your life.

#2 – Carving out the time is a choice. Be selfish in the best sort of way. The dishes can wait. I started out meditating in the morning between the time my husband left for work and I got the kids up for school. Not always a brilliant time and there are days when I have to punt to midday and that is OK. I have even reclaimed 10 minutes after my staff have left for the day and before I leave the office. I’ve only scared the housekeeper once or twice. I did apologize.

3 – The impact comes outside of the practice. Meditation is what gives me the mental stamina to tackle my toughest days. At first I didn’t notice an overt impact on my daily routine. I first noticed impact when I had my most challenging days. As you engage in your practice, look for the impact during the storms. If you find yourself in rubber boots, you’ve arrived.

I heard a speaker at a leadership formation training repeating the mantra, “You must go in to go out. Go to your source of strength before going to your stress.” I admire this woman very much and look up to her as model of strength, of following your calling. I’d like to be more like her when I grow up.

Meditation allows me to be connected to my source of strength and not in a riding a unicorn into the meeting sort of way but that would be awesome! I am simply better equipped to face my stress. If 10 minutes doesn’t work for you, you could always try drowning your squirrels with wine. Just a thought…