Feel Like You're Caving Into Pressure? Try Slowing Down Then From the moment we wake to the end of the day, we're rushing to tick off all that we had planned for the day, every day.

By Shoug Al Nafisi

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Shutterstock.com

This is the kind of thing you might want to read with your morning coffee. I say this because if we're alike in any way, this is probably the only time you have to yourself. While you let the coffee cool off for a little bit, I just want to tell you what's been on my mind in the meantime.

You see, it appears that there really is a thin line between being ultra productive, and mindless activity. We've all been using a number of productivity hacks to essentially do more with the resources that we have, namely time and energy. We've even gone to the extent of considering the ideas of working out-of-office and shorter working days. In trying to cram as much work in as we can during usual office hours, we've fallen into the trap of automation. Unfortunately, in doing so, we lose control, even though we get everything done. From the moment we wake to the end of the day, we're rushing to tick off all that we had planned for the day, every day.

What I'm trying to say is that it has become easier to work harder and faster on cue, but what about trying to slow down? Have you noticed how difficult it is to sit still, away from all the noise, and think of nothing? This has become another challenge all together.

One of the things I look forward to every morning is my time with my cup of coffee; its warmth, smell, taste, and nothing else. It's one of the few things that I do consistently, in the same way, wherever I may be, and yet, it always feels just as good. This is probably the case because, at the time, I'd be focused on only one thing, and I'd be very mindful of it.

As an entrepreneur, established or up-and-coming, success is majorly associated with your resources and how you sustain them. That said, burnout is a lingering threat that'll drain the core of your business– you. Knowing that, a great part of maintaining your energy is knowing how much effort is needed to put into given tasks, physical or otherwise. Another part of keeping that momentum is in routine self-evaluation, and in slowing down whenever you need to. This is where mindfulness comes in.

Being mindful is being present, and being present is slowing down and consciously understanding signals and their consequences, rather than being simply subjected to them. It is an art that you can only master through continuous practice, and just as it takes discipline to live an energy-efficient lifestyle, it takes just as much to live mindfully. The facts may show that you're able to complete all the tasks you want to, but then lately, you've been feeling pressured, anxious, and have had difficulty sleeping. Before you know it, you'll feel the tug and pull, and you will be dragged down, completely drained. It is for that reason that mindfulness should no longer be a luxury.

Mindfulness has been linked to reduced anxiety, and curbing unhealthy and debilitating habits. It has become more of a necessity now that the pace of life has become faster. It's really the kind of thing you want to start your day with, and with an act as simple as having that regular cup of coffee in the morning.

Related: Going Against The Grain: Stress-Management Tactics That You Haven't Tried

Wavy Line
A nutritionist, and public health advocate, Shoug Al Nafisi has worked in domains that ranged between community nutrition, emergency relief, and social media. A humanitarian at heart, she works to promote her firm belief in the wellness of the human being as a powerful and productive entity within the community. As a writer, she has co-authored a scientific publication, and has many writings as a contributor and guest blogger covering topics such as wellness, productivity, and empowerment.

Related Topics

Leadership

Sheraa Hackathon Sees 150 Youth Come Together In Sharjah To Develop More Than 300 Food Waste Management Ideas

The Sustainability Hackathon by Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) presented more than 300 ideas to combat food waste in a sustainable fashion by 150 young participants.

Technology

In An Era Of Artificial Intelligence, There's Always Room For Human Intelligence

As we navigate deeper into the digital age, we must never forget that it is the human touch that makes us employable, our messages meaningful, our stories memorable, our relationships resilient, and our memories cherished.

Productivity

6 Ways Successful Entrepreneurs Manage Their Time and Achieve a Work-Life Balance

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance as an entrepreneur is not a luxury; it's a necessity.

Growing a Business

6 Infographic Best Practices You've Been Missing out on

The key to success with infographics is understanding how to design them according to reader preferences.

Growth Strategies

Abu Dhabi-Headquartered E& Enterprise Acquires A Majority Stake In Dubai-Based Peer-To-Peer Lending Platform Beehive

e& enterprise, a part of Abu Dhabi-headquartered technology and telecom company e&, has signed a binding agreement to acquire a majority stake in Beehive, a Dubai-based regulated peer to peer lending platform for SMEs.

Leadership

To Be a More Effective and Respected Leader, These 2 Qualities Must Go Hand-in-Hand

In today's highly competitive business world, leaders who blend these two qualities are the ones most respected and admired.