Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it. – Greg Anderson

Our lives can easily become overcrowded with worries and deadlines. So how do we turn down the volume and focus more on what truly matters, like our relationships, our kids, ourselves, our passions, and our careers?

I don’t have all of the answers, but I’ve found by doing a few simple things, my mind, and heart, can begin to focus more on what truly matters. Things like…

Meditating – There are simple meditation techniques that will help you de-stress and focus in as little as five minutes. They all contain the same basic principles: sit comfortably in a chair or on the floor and clear your mind of any thoughts or distractions. Pick a point on the wall to focus your gaze on, and then listen to the steady inhale and exhale of your breath, letting any thought go that comes into your mind.

Taking a walk – Around the neighborhood, at the park, or at an indoor track, let your stress fall away as you take a leisurely stroll. Walking is also a low-impact workout that is great for your heart, your circulation, and for clearing your mind.

Writing in a journal – Whether or not you’re big into writing, putting pen to paper can cleanse your mental and spiritual state. Often times, the worries and stresses of life get trapped in our heads and we have no way to release them. Writing how you’re feeling and what’s bothering you can help you focus on what’s truly important and how you might fix your circumstance.

Enjoying nature – Just let yourself be. Not someone who has a hundred things on their to-do list, not a parent, not the one with the responsibilities, not the bill payer–just be. Reconnecting with nature, like on a nature trail or near a river or lake, will give you a renewed sense of purpose to focus your energies.

Treating yourself to the spa – Squeeze in a quick session at a massage parlor or spa, or have an indulgent bath day at home. Relaxing your muscles will help relax your mind, too. You’ll be able to get a fresh outlook on life.

Putting things into perspective – Take a deep breath and put it all into perspective. You’re doing all that you can. There is only so much one can do in a day, even if you use every single, waking hour. If there is something specific bothering you, like desiring a new career direction, or thinking your current relationship is floundering, assess what it is that makes you unhappy and what would need to change so that you will feel more happy. Breaking it down into simple terms and equations can help you focus on what’s really important to you.

Talking to someone close to you – Talking it out is one of the most cathartic things you can do. Not only can venting be a relief to your soul, but hearing someone else’s third-party perspective will put things into focus again for you

About Alex Blackwell

Alex Blackwell is the author of Letting Go: 25 True Stories of Peace, Hope and Surrender, which includes 10 free Peace and Balance tools.
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