As life goes on we tend to accumulate more things to do, more things we want to do, more responsibilities and activities, and what we hear so often is, "There just isn't enough time!" Well, in truth, time is one of those things that is predictable! Who has been able to make a 25 hour day?

Here is a question: As you add more activities and interests into your life, are you also increasing your capacity to do them all? Are the increased demands in your life met with an increased energy tank?

Most of us are not doing anything consciously to meet the increased busy-ness of our lives. There is only so much fuel in our tanks and it often feels like we are running on empty.

Rather we are kind of 'hoping' that somehow it will work out. And usually, some things in our lives get compromised, our children, or families, a charity/service work we would love to contribute to, and often our own wellbeing, fun, and health get compromised as we try to squeeze ourselves into all the pieces of our lives.

Yes, I did say there is something we can do about it!
We can manage our TIME & ENERGY together. Balancing work time with regular intervals of energy renewal can change your life.

2 Key Points:
1. When you work, work.
2. When you don't work, don't work.

1. When you work, work. Focused Work Time

• Stop Multi Tasking. Focus on one thing at a time.
  Interestingly, people have actually done studies showing that our brains do not function well when we skip from one thing to another, and it takes a certain amount of time for the brain to readjust to the task at hand. In other words, it's impractical and counter productive.


• Stop Being Interrupt-driven. With all that goes on in our lives these days, we are constantly interrupted. We end up living from one interruption to another; becoming the captive and not the captain of our lives. Turn off your email alerts, turn off your web browser, turn off all your phones, and turn off anything else that can interrupt you.


• These things are both easy and hard to do. It's easy because all you have to do is turn off everything that can interrupt you, and tell anyone around that you are focusing on your work for this session and ask them to honor, respect and support you in this. And it is hard because we have to change our habits, and habits are similar to addictions, they are hard to stop. But once you see and experience the value of doing one thing at a time without being interrupted, you will easily find the will to do it. And the results will give you the momentum to keep going. You will be amazed at what you will be able to accomplish when you work this way. This is also about honoring and valuing yourself and your time.


• Make focused work time sessions, work from 90 minutes to 120 minutes, and then take a break, even for 5-10 minutes.
  Keep a timer near you so that you really do stop after 90/120 minutes.


• Decide and prepare your work sessions, both the agenda and the amount of time, and stick to it. Give it a try for even one day and see how productive you are and how good you feel.

2. When you don't work, don't work. Rest and Renewal

• Most of us seem to forget that we need to replenish our personal tanks. Just as it is important to focus on our work without interruption or distraction, it is equally important that we give ourselves fully to our rest and renewal times, to truly replenish our energy: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.


• Take a 5-15 minute break at least every 2 hours. And once at least during the day, take a 20, 30 or better yet a full one hour break.


• Fully engage body and mind in renewal, and have regular intervals of disengagement from work. Even a 5-10 minute break can be incredibly rewarding. Find forms of renewal that truly help you change channels. Often our best ideas happen when we are in the shower or taking a walk, in other words, when we are disengaged from work.


• Have a glass of water at every break, and something nourishing, like a cup of Tulsi Tea, some raw vegetables, some plain (not fried) nuts. These things give sustaining power, fresh fruits are good but are best eaten along with plain nuts to keep the blood sugar from spiking. (Soaking almonds overnight (or for 6-8 hours) in clean water, and then eating them without the peel, excellent healthy food)

Here are some examples of things people do for a break time:

• One man brought his keyboard to his office, and every afternoon takes 30 minutes off to just play music.
• Another takes a short walk to go get his shoes shined.
• Another goes to the nature store and gets a fresh juice.
• Another runs down and up the stairwell in her building for 20 minutes and then takes a good shower.
• Another asked for and got permission to use an empty room to do 20, 30 or 60 minutes of yoga and pranayama.
• Another takes a 60 minute bike ride or walk every day.
• Another walks around the office enquiring into the well-being of all the employees on his team, in 10 minute intervals every 2 hours, so that in a week he sees everyone personally.

It will be fun for you to think of what you can do that you really enjoy, something that will feel good. Most important is to free your mind, your thoughts (not just your body) from your work for some time. Once you give yourself permission and implement these renewal times, you may be amazed how this will contribute to the focus and efficiency in your work and improve your well being. Take out a piece of paper right now and jot down a few things you can think of doing for your renewal times.
Do these things and you can look forward to great rewards! And we would love to hear from you, please do let us know how these work and renewal times balance your life.

Wishing you Health and Happiness,
Your friends at ORGANIC INDIA