The philosophy behind modern technology is that it’s supposed to streamline and simplify our lives. But do you ever find that the more cool gadgets you have to make life easier (cell phones, PDAs, even digital books!), the more complicated your life becomes?

For instance, one time I returned from vacation to find over 2,000 e-mails! This is not simplifying life. It’s amplifying more things to do.

It’s easy to get caught up in the mania of the rat race in which life leads you instead of you leading it. The energy of our lives moves forward at an alarming rate.

Just look in the rearview mirror while you’re driving on the freeway. Everyone is heading forward in high gear to complete something. Many of the drivers are more focused on anything but being present in the journey. This is the “living outside of the body syndrome,” a state of complete disconnection with the present moment.

The fact is, your life will be stressful if that is how you perceive the world. Plus, the unexpected happens every day. Meanwhile, the more you attempt to live life to the fullest, the more you will expose yourself to diversified tones of energy and experiences. Well, thank goodness for those surprises! ’Cause let’s be honest. If life were controlled and predictable you would be bored. This is the pace of our times.

So how can we manage the “racy” ride in a calmer and more fulfilling way? Is it even possible to live a full life while taking the stressful times in stride? Can you prevent burnout? Can you get everything done without losing your soul and spirit in the process? Yes, you can.

There are many ways to slow down the pace without sacrificing your intent. Remember, productivity could be a waste of your precious time if your intention is to just get things done and off your list.

I’ve had many people tell me, mostly women, that they cannot sit and relax until everything is done. But basically, everything is never done. So they spend their lives trying to accomplish the impossible, hoping that someday they can stop and enjoy their lives. This makes no sense, does it?

What to do about all the non-valued to dos? Well, here’s a place to start. Let your people (friends, clients, etc.) know that you answer e-mails and calls certain days or times of the week. That way, you won’t feel the pressure to respond right away. When you do sit down to reply, you can handle it all at once rather than piecemeal throughout the day.

Your personal energy bank

Another preliminary step to reclaiming your true self is to find out where the energy leaks are in your life so you can begin to repair them. Then you can focus your energy in a direction that is feeding you – not draining you.

Everything is made of energy. This is the Law of Quantum Physics. If you look at a table or a couch under an electron microscope, you’ll see that they are actually made up of atoms in constant motion, just like your body.

All of these things are always changing and never standing still. Therefore, you have the ability to create and change your reality in every moment.

Your thoughts and actions also operate from this precious field of energy, and thoughts are powerful. Just think, when you think to take a step, you take a step. When you think to raise your arm, your arm is elevated. Since thoughts are energy, it would make sense to choose positive thoughts and actions that will benefit you by replenishing and expanding your supply of energy, not draining it.

Visualize your body attached to a cord that is plugged into a generator. Just pretend that you are receiving your morning dose of 100 kilowatts of positive energy, which is supposed to last you all day. You start the day with a full tank of energy. Let’s see where you are at the end of the day after depleting your energy bank with negative energy drainers. Take a moment to consider how much negative energy you expend.

Here’s an example of an overburdened tank:

Full Tank: 100 kW, minus negative energy drainers. Watch how the tank becomes empty.

  • Dread concerning the meeting with your boss or assistant: 10 kW.
  • Fear about not being able to do a good job: 15 kW.
  • Self-reproach about not cleaning the house: 5 kW.
  • Guilt about the argument you had when you dropped your daughter off at school: 10 kW.
  • Saying yes when you meant no and harboring resentment all day: 25 kW.
  • Obsessing over your date and wondering if you’ll ever get together again: 10 kW.
  • Regret about having that extra serving of mashed potatoes: 10 kW.

Total energy left: 15 kW.

You’ve already given away 85 kilowatts and that leaves you with only 15 left to make it through the day. No wonder you’re so stressed and tired by 4 in the afternoon! You are emptying your tank through negative emotions and beliefs that are creating your reality. Just think what would happen if you replaced this negative focus with positive thoughts and actions.

Now try it yourself on your next full day. Start with 100 kilowatts again in the morning. But this time, whenever you feel a negative thought coming on, switch it immediately to a positive one, even if it is fake or forced. Eventually, positive thoughts will come more naturally and you’ll end the day with lots of reserve in your tank. See how you feel. 

By taking a look at what triggers your stress responses, you can become more aware and actively prepared to take care of yourself in these instances. At those times, you can use your inner sense of stress rising to create strength, empowerment and resilience, and eventually learn how to avoid the trigger altogether.

By making these simple changes, you could add years to your life span, and you’ll feel so much better during this fantastic voyage you have been blessed with.

Allison Maslan, HHP, CCH is president of Blast Off! Life and Business Coaching, an international motivational speaker and No. 1 bestselling author of “Blast Off! The Surefire Success Plan to Launch Your Dreams Into Reality.” She has been an avid entrepreneur building nine of her own businesses in many different industries. She has coached thousands of clients in developing and achieving their own successful life and business ventures. Allison has been an expert guest on several FOX, NBC and ABC news shows across the country. For more information, visit www.MyBlastOff.com.

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