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The Benefits of a Wandering Mind

12/9/2022

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Standing in my living room, I am completely confounded. I forgot the reason I came into this room.  I’m certain it isn’t to watch the dog hair dance with the dust in the sunbeam coming in from the window, but that's what I am doing in this moment, fascinated.

My mental chatter kicks in; three voices all at once.  The first is a voice that chastises the condition of my housekeeping ("Just look at all the dog hair!").  Another voice is urging me to remember what I came for ("You're on a deadline, get a move on!").  A third voice marvels at how things, like dog hair and dust, can stay afloat… wondering if there's an air current in the room that holds them aloft… I'm as curious as Calvin from the 80's cartoon strip Calvin & Hobbes ("What happens if I let my mind wander...")
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Voice three wins, I pull out my phone to “Google” how dust can travel upwards against gravity.  Surprise; my inkling was correct, it’s a warm air current from the floor vent.  And then I remember what I came for, and my day continues.  Except that because voice three won out, I am a little happier and satisfied.  I have a smile on my lips.

Voice three doesn’t always win out, usually it is the loudest voice that gets my attention, cutting through the fugue of competing demands on my time.  However, I recognize that constantly scolding myself (and internal mental scolding still counts as scolding) is not a great way to live.  Sometimes you just have to rebel…against yourself. 

​Sometimes you have to take the moment.  Even when that moment is not productive or  “Instagram-able” (like seeing dust and dog hair), it still has immense value. This brief moment of wonder gives me a feeling of well-being.


Behavioural science backs this up. Allowing your mind to wander is an active brain state that allows you to access illusive insights and make important connections in your work that you might otherwise have missed on the "super highway" of "getting things done".  

It has other benefits as well. Later today, it will give me something to talk about at dinner with my family (other than work).  I am especially excited to share what I learned with my son, who is also curious and learning about air currents in science.  Later this week it will motivate me to dust and to brush the dog (probably not in that order).  Most of all, it breaks the rigidity of a demanding day with a moment of inquisitiveness (breaking the hold of hyper-focus, which isn't especially helpful).


Switching pace and focus, even just for a few moments, has so many benefits.  Clearly my body was signalling to me that I needed a break. Short-term memory loss (like forgetting why you walked into a room) is often a sign we need to give ourselves a moment to let our brains catch up to where we are.  We are not living to work; we are working so we can truly live.  Being deeply curious about the world around us is a part of that living.

I am grateful for my ability to stop and enjoy this simple moment.  What simple moments are you experiencing today?
I HAVE SOMETHING NEW PRICED JUST FOR YOU!

​The Career Edit is a self-directed coaching program that helps you get clear on what you want to do with your amazing skills (and what you don’t).  It’s an important process, because while it may feel like you’re powerless at work, TWO KEY THINGS ARE ALWAYS IN YOUR CONTROL:
  • What you contribute to, through your knowledge, experience, skills and abilities.
  • AND what values you express through your work.
 
This is not a radical “quit your job” approach.  The Career Edit is a thoughtful series of self-directed exercises to help you spend your one precious and amazing life doing something meaningful.  To you.
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    I believe in empowering others in many tangible ways.  When I learn new career strategies  or see something that might help others, I share it using my blog and website. 

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  • Work With Carleen
    • About Carleen
    • Career Strategy Session >
      • Get The Most Out Of Your Career Strategy Session
    • Podcasts
    • Coaching Programs >
      • Lead with Impact
      • Career Impact
      • Purpose to Impact
      • Recognize Your Leadership Potential >
        • Welcome to Recognizing Your Leadership Potential
      • Realize Your High Potential
      • The Art of Influence at Work
      • Your Time By Design
      • Assessment
    • Book Me To Speak >
      • Persuasive at Work
      • Workshops That Work >
        • Getting Hybrid Right
        • Leading a Hybrid Team Workshop
        • Communicating Comfortably in a Hybrid Setting Workshop
        • Finding Your Leadership Compass Hybrid Teams Workshop
        • Communicating Comfortably in a Virtual Setting Workshop
        • Leading in Ambiguity Workshop
        • Accomplishing Work Through Others Workshop
        • My Values Driven Workplace Workshop
        • Working Successfully From Home Workshop
        • Working Resilience
        • The Many Faces of Unconscious Bias Workshop
        • Building A Culture of Trust Workshop
        • Finding Your Leadership Compass Workshop
        • Foundational Conversations Workshop
        • Conscious Conversations Workshop
        • Purpose Driven Feedback Workshop
        • Dynamic Team Communication Workshop
    • Awards
  • Client Stories
  • Blog
  • Testimonials
  • Free Resources
    • Summer Serenity Inspiration Guide
    • Working Life Wellbeing Assessment
    • Hidden Habits Holding You Back
    • Secrets to Boost Your Job Security
    • Working Life Serenity
    • Virtual Influence
    • Hello Monday Videos
    • Career Resources
    • Life Practices >
      • I Feel Angry
      • I Feel Stuck
      • I Am Overwhelmed
      • I Need Self-Compassion
      • Emotions At Work
      • Mindfulness
      • Triggers At Work
      • Naming Emotions
      • I Feel Frustrated
    • Balancing Time Workbook
    • Working Life Persona Quiz
    • Career Health Quiz
    • Healthy Boundaries Quiz
  • Referral Partners
  • Connect
  • Subscribe
  • The Career Edit