Silence and Space

By Jonathan Halls

Sometimes life is just too hectic.  And we don’t allow ourselves time to dream.

We face deadlines, taking kids to sport matches or music lessons, traveling to work or simply having to take work home.
Taking time out for silence and space can do your mind wonders. 

The ideas and thoughts that are bumping around at the back of your mind do not have the chance to bubble up to the front of your mind unless you create time and space.

Take a walk in the park

If you live or work near a park, regularly plan time to leave the office and walk around.  Allow yourself time to dream and not think about routine issues.

If you are not near a park, go and sit in a coffee shop or restaurant. Get away from your desk and emails.  (Take your notebook to write down anything exciting that bubbles up from the depths of your mind.)

If you have the luxury of time, take a week off and relax in the countryside. Stay at a farm for a week and allow nature to rejuvenate you.

Sitting under a tree in the sunshine, or simply enjoying the calm of country life interrupted only by the sound of animals can really allow your mind to slow down and dream.

Take time out

I remember some time ago I was working hard and putting in a lot of hours.  I was very stressed.  So I jumped on a London train bound for the French town of Lille. Sitting quietly in Jardin Vauban, I forgot the issues at work and the outline of a book just flowed out.

Some people who read this advice scratch their heads and think it’s not for them.  Perhaps they think it is too easy in which case they’ve missed the point. 

Alternatively they think it is too much of a cop out.  “Leave the office to wander around the park when there are important things to do?” 

Actually, failing to take time out to generate new ideas is business suicide.  In an era when nothing stays the same for long, it’s crucial to be leading with new ideas to stay ahead.  Just working and doing the same old hard grind can work seriously against you.

Change your desk

Sometimes it’s not practical to go to the park.  If you can’t do that consider other ways of creating time and space.  For example, work at someone else’s desk where people can’t phone you or find you for a conversation.

If you work in your own office, close the door every morning for half an hour to reflect on the previous day, plan the present day and allow your mind the space for ideas to flow to the surface.  You’ll be surprised at what surfaces.

If you’re at home and looking after kids, let them occupy themselves for half an hour while you shut yourself in a room.  If they’re too young to be left unsupervised, make sure you allow yourself time when they are sleeping.