Over the weekend, a friend was lamenting that she had stopped doing daily meditation. She used to meditate with her husband when he got home from work, but he has a new job and gets home much later now. So, the habit got dropped. This happens to us all the time. Unless we’re hermits, the structure of our lives involves outside forces that we can’t control.
To make something a habit, it has to be repeated, and it also has to be supported. That means scheduling it into your day or week, not just waiting around till there’s free time to do it. It also means structuring it with some props. In my friend’s case, she could either try to find another time that works for her and her husband (doing something with another person is an good example of structure), or she can set herself up to meditate on her own.
Of course, she knows how. It doesn’t take long. She could just sit down anytime and do it. But she hasn’t. Not since her husband’s schedule change. So I suggested some props: a zafu, a candle and a recording of relaxing music. If she can set up those items permanently in a quiet corner of the house, even better. But just having the “kit” ready will give her a push to meditate.
What are some structures you use to be productive at work? For some (okay, me) it’s a cup of coffee, a comfy rolling chair and jazz on the radio. That’s not to say I can’t get work done in other environments, and mixing it up a little can be stimulating.
When you create an environment that really works, you automatically get into the state of mind of working when you enter it. You’ll be more productive when you don’t have to work at getting to work.
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