Recipe to Mindfulness

In our fast-paced world, getting more done in a short amount of time and staying motivated for mundane tasks can seem challenging. The key to achieving both lies in understanding how our perception of time changes as we grow older and how mindfulness can help us reclaim our focus.



When we're kids, a year feels like a long time because we're constantly absorbing new experiences. Every day is filled with wonder, and our senses are heightened to everything happening around us. As adults, our minds are often preoccupied with worries about the future or memories of the past. This leaves only a small fraction of our attention for the present moment. Consequently, time seems to fly by because we aren't fully engaged with what's happening now.

Our desensitisation to the sensory inputs contributes to this phenomenon. We receive so much data from the outside world that we stop appreciating the small, everyday moments. The solution to this problem lies in mindfulness.
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully aware of this moment, and it can significantly improve our productivity and motivation.

To become more mindful, we need to customise mindfulness techniques to fit our unique needs. Simply following any generic advice from gurus or books won't be effective unless we understand why we need mindfulness and how it can help us. Think about the last time you ate a piece of chocolate or an ice cream and truly savoured the experience; In that moment, everything else disappeared, and you were completely immersed in the pleasure of eating. This is the essence of mindfulness—being fully engaged in whatever you're doing.

One effective way to practice mindfulness is to become fully immersed in your current activities. This might sound abstract at first, but it means giving your complete attention to whatever task you're doing, whether it's washing dishes, writing a report, or having a conversation. By focusing entirely on the present moment, you'll find that time slows down, and you can enjoy the task at hand.

Mindfulness techniques are like templates that need to be personalised. For example, meditation, yoga, and deep-breathing exercises are common mindfulness practices, but they won't work for everyone in the same way.
You might need to experiment with different techniques to find what resonates with you. The goal is to understand your mind and what kind of customisation it needs to stay focused and relaxed.

When you practice mindfulness, you'll notice that your productivity increases because you're working at your peak performance. At the same time, you'll be able to relax more deeply because your mind isn't cluttered with distracting thoughts about the past or future. Mindfulness helps you strike a balance between work and relaxation, making both more enjoyable and effective.

In summary, getting more done in less time and staying motivated for mundane tasks is possible through mindfulness. By appreciating the present moment and immersing ourselves fully in our activities, we can slow down our perception of time and increase our focus.

Customising mindfulness techniques to suit our personal needs can lead to a more fulfilling and productive life.
Remember, the journey to mindfulness is personal, and finding your own path will help you achieve peak performance and relaxation.