Restore Yourself to Your Factory Default Settings!
Ever had your connection to the internet suddenly stop working?
I have, and when it does that I’m completed frustrated.
Putting my “deep technological know-how” to work (haha), I mumble, stumble, and fumble with the various buttons and keys. Closing all the applications and rebooting still doesn’t work. Turning the computer on and off several times doesn’t do anything either.
My latest experience-
The last time this happened, I silently sat in anger, staring at my computer, ready to admit defeat. One last try: I then unplugged everything and waited a minute.
While everything was unplugged, I had nothing to do so I just sat.
One minute is so little, but when the time was up, I felt noticeably different. I was oddly refreshed.
My situation hadn’t changed, but my perspective had.
It turns out that when I unplugged my equipment and sat there waiting for a minute, I unplugged myself at the same time.
I got to thinking maybe this “unplug and stop everything for a minute” might be a pretty good solution for whenever things aren’t working in life.
You, too, can try this.
Whether it’s a difficult conversation, a bit of anger, or a block in your work project, giving yourself a minute to breathe and get some perspective is a useful activity.
Unplugging and waiting for a minute is an unexpected strategy because it appears passive. You’re not actively developing new strategies, arguments or viewpoints. In fact, you’re not actively doing anything.
That minute restores you to your factory default settings which, for most folks, tend to be generous, open-hearted, creative, connected and hopeful. And that makes you more likely to be effective when you plug back in.
In a meeting that’s going nowhere? Take a break.
Making no headway on that project you need to complete? Stand up and take a walk.
Fighting with your kids? Give yourself a time-out.
Unplug for a minute and breathe.
This is not a strategy that requires practice and skill building.
All it requires is remembering to do it.
I love thinking that my “factory default setting” is positive, loving and creative!
Sometimes, life requires our active, willful engagement. But sometimes, the smartest move is disengagement.
Have you ever used this?
How did it work for you?
7 Comments
Yes, it does!! Its the time to get out of your head – the head is overcome with too much going on. Take deep breaths and let out the air slowly – then count each breath. Take a walk as you breathe and concentrate in your head of something in your past that brings back special memories. Put your head in that special place. Your time-out is giving your head a break. Concentrating on the breathing and/or the special memory in your past “unplugs” your head from the stress. Walking is also good exercise and fresh air – concentrate on the Mother Nature, what you see or hear. You will be refreshed by the time-out and ready for the “next”.
Earl, I agree that we so often need to give our “head” a break. Too much thinking can cause us to feel like the hamster in its wheel cage!
That was refreshing Pat. Definitely something to try! I might just follow the lead of a computer and reboot.
Mark, it’s always good to hear from you! “Rebooting” is something we find ourselves needing to do more and more often.-the pause between activities?
Thanks Pat for sharing. I give too much power and energy to technology. Took a break this am. Fresh air and walk helped. Finishing lunch the a much needed nap. Thanks for reminder to reset thru out the day. M
Margaret, It’s not just technology that tires us, but it does account for a lot of our energy leaks!
I liked to call it my “electronic Sabbath”. No computer, iphone, ipad, just G-d and I:)