Stop Rushing — It’s Burning You Out
People who consistently find flow tend to turn even the most mundane activities into challenges or games. On the other hand, rushing through daily tasks and doing them just to get them done is stressful and can be exhausting. The unfair truth is that it actually tires you out more when you rush because it creates tension.
So we’ve got to find a way to do our daily tasks without having them burn more energy than necessary. Yes, quick, but not rushed—there is a difference. Quick has control and presence. Rushed is just trying to survive.
Don’t get me wrong, rushing is inevitable. We’ve all got external demands to respond to, deadlines that must be met, and schedules that need to be respected. But if you’re anything like me when you get caught in that go-go-go mentality, you get stuck in a pattern of rushing and continue doing it even when you don’t have to. Your shoulders tense up, your belly tightens, your patience shortens, and the frustration starts to rise. For me, I can easily start to resent the activity, and I might even snap at a friend or say something harsh to a loved one when in that state.
On a societal level, your rushed-out state affects everyone you meet: the person at the grocery store, the car in front of you at the light, the elderly woman paying with pennies. You get stuck in a current that is relentlessly pulling you forward. You become habitually focused on being somewhere other than where you actually are, and you get pulled into a survival state of mind.
One trick I’ve found to reduce the stress of rushing is that when you notice that you’re pushing everything to go faster, take a breath. It seems cliché and oversimplified. And sure, it’s no cure for the rushing sickness, but it will become an instinct if done consistently.
You recognize that you’re rushing, and then you take three deep breaths. Those three deep breaths are a signal to your neurological system that you are safe and not fighting for survival. It chills you out, and you have a much better chance of being calm and present with your loved ones and whoever you encounter.
Another trick to reduce the rushing in your life is to turn everyday tasks into meditations. Take washing the dishes. Done from the right mindset, it can be an exercise in flow—a meditation in movement. The feeling of the water, the texture of your pots and pans, listening to music and moving in rhythm, switching the roles of your dominant and non-dominant hands. Focusing on any one of these aspects can transform a mundane task into a flow-state activity and, in turn, a way to relieve stress as you take care of your everyday affairs.
Book your free intro session today if you’re looking to rush less and regain control of your energy and mood while continuing to excel and grow. We’ll create an action plan, and I’ll show you beneficial and efficient techniques to help you start getting back to thriving in your life today.
