Why is doing nothing so hard?!

Logically doing nothing is easy, but in reality it can be so hard. Why? Because our brains and minds don't have an 'off switch'! We are after all called human beings not human doings! We need to learn how to rule our minds rather than them ruling us.  
 
In our frenetic busy instant 24/7 culture and society, there's so much to do, it's endless! E mails coming in every minute, interruptions, a 'to do list' as long as your arm, a job description with rubber walls, other people's last minute "I need it yesterday" unrealistic demands, children wanting your undivided attention NOW! No wonder we find it so difficult to stop or allow ourselves time to do absolutely nothing. Quite simply, there's no time! Unless you create time that is.  
 
Life can feel like a film speeded up, exhausting to watch and exhausting to live. In nature, the seasons Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn have a natural ebb, flow and rhythm. We are part of nature and so when you are feeling full of beans and energy, why not make the most of it and be 200% focused and productive and when you are feeling lethargic, enjoy lounging doing nothing in a focused yet 200% relaxed state? If you are having a madly busy period and have no choice about stopping, you can still find time to stop for 5 minutes to reenergise yourself and there are ways of doing this that we can share with you as part of your coaching.   
 
We are not advocating laziness in life, just in case your boss' eyebrows are raised over your shoulder as you read this.  Just balance and giving things the right measure at the right time. Whatever you are doing, whether it's focused work or doing nothing, give it your full attention, rather than having your feet in both camps.
 
Quiet time is vital for your well-being and even the busiest person can create some 'nothing time' each week. Many of the great sages in history and more modern times spend much time being still and in a contemplative state. A lot of wisdom is about reconnecting with what we already know but have forgotten rather than learning new things. This is hard to do if you are always doing and busy.  
 
So why create time for doing nothing? Is it really good use of your time, when time is so short and precious?  
 
What are the benefits of doing nothing?

Doing nothing can feel inactive, unproductive and a little bit lazy, but in fact it is a smart way of operating.

Here's some of the benefits of doing nothing:

• 'Nothing time' gives you space and time to relax and de-stress
• Research shows that insights and ideas pop into your mind in the spaces in between activities. So when you are doing 'nothing,' you are actually doing something. This is your unconscious mind at work, working effortlessly on your behalf so you don't have to!  
• It energises you – if you truly do nothing, be still and still your mind, your body will recharge itself with energy. You are not a machine running on batteries and need breaks to revitalise yourself.  
• Doing nothing gives your mind time to reflect. Without stopping, the hamster wheel goes on and on and on – this can be a slippery downward slope to stress, illness and even depression and a nervous breakdown. What would you rather have?  
• You get fresh perspectives from the contrasts between doing nothing and then doing something  
• You have time to notice things such as opportunities that you would normally miss if you were rushing around  
• You have space to listen to your intuitions and instincts about people and situations so you can make more sound rather than rushed and ill-informed decisions or hasty emotional communications that you might end up regretting  
• You work smarter rather than harder 
  

How does coaching help you do nothing?

• Coaches deal with their clients holistically and help them achieve balance, both being more focused and efficient when they are doing activities and making time for simply being and doing nothing
• Coaching helps you to identify unique strategies tailor made for you and your personality and lifestyle, so they are more likely to work and fit into your life  
• Having a coaching session gets you into the habit of stopping, focusing and having time for you   
• It explores the beliefs that drive your behaviour and that may stop you from doing nothing, e.g. you may always be 'on the go' because you were taught by your parents or teachers that "It's lazy to sit still" or "you're not a good person unless you're busy and active". Sound familiar? These are beliefs not facts and therefore they can be examined and changed  
• Coaching enables you to identify what's really important to you - your values - so you design your life, behaviours and habits based on what's important to you. This helps you to create motivating compelling goals that you are committed to, even if that goal is to stop and do nothing for 1 hour a week 
• A key part of my coaching is helping my clients understand the important of being 'present in the moment'  
• Coaching helps you to identify and magnify the 'wants' and minimise the 'shoulds' in your life which makes things a whole lot simpler, so you can give yourself permission to do nothing if you choose   
  

10 simple tips to help you do nothing

Here are 10 simple tips to try for size to help you do nothing more regularly:  

1. Observe someone who's good at doing nothing and relaxing. Ask them how they do this, be curious, try their approach and adapt it to you
2. Watch cats and dogs as they sleep or stare into space. What would be your version of doing the same? Do they lie in a certain place? Where would be yours and why?  
3. Buy and read the book The power of now by Eckhart Tolle  
4. Sit still for 20 minutes with a notebook in your lap and do nothing. Notice what pops into your head and write these thoughts down. It might be I haven't got time for this! I should be cleaning, I must......., oh no. I've forgotten to....!! What do you notice about your thoughts?  
5. Picture yourself at the end of your life and look back. How would you rather be spending your time? Worrying about what you haven't done or focusing 150% when you're doing something and 150% on really relaxing when you're doing nothing?  
6. Plan in nothing time as a regular ritual because otherwise there won't be any room left in your diary. 'Nothing time' is an important but non urgent activity that needs scheduling in.  
7. Identify your motivation for wanting to do nothing, otherwise the time is likely to get gazumped by other things with a stronger pull. Is it a desire to relax, switch off, be more creative, reflect, enjoy nature etc? Remind yourself of this when you get fidgety!  
8. Have a good personal and business organisation system that captures everything you need to do and by when. Without this, it is very hard to happily stop and do nothing because of those nagging thoughts that you should be doing something and you might just have forgotten what it is! 
9. Plan in quality nothing time – e.g. a day to do nothing and be spontaneous with your nothingness, or a weekend away relaxing or holiday abroad with no fixed agenda so you can free-flow 
10. Look at the Energise web site www.liberateyourtalent.com for some more tips