LIFE LESSONS
3 Extra Steps for Effortless Productivity
The benefits of shaking, laughing, and connection to nature
Recently I wrote about effortless productivity and I shared about it on social media. And I received many reactions. People are thirsty for this knowledge. They are stressed and think that burning out big time is the only way to productivity.
Well, for me it isn’t.
Been there, done that. Pushing and pulling doesn’t nail it for me anymore.
This is the first story.
My way to effortless productivity is counter-intuitive. I slow down, I stop the overthinking, and I create variety in my body energy.
And don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying it is a quick fix. I trained my body and mind to get here. But the results are astonishing! I’m writing in a flow. Every day. And I’m using the rest of my time to do actual sustainability projects.
I also have loads of time to connect with my loved ones and feed my imagination with inspiration. It’s just fabulous to find so much focus to go along my own unique path in life.
Enjoying every step.
And of course, after one year of writing continuously, I know there’s more where this came from. And that knowledge is reassuring for me. It gives me confidence and trust in life.
One thing is essential. Productivity starts with making fierce choices about what’s important in your life. No pleasing for others. No distraction from what matters. Just you. And your best life.
“Simplicity boils down to two steps: identify the essential. Eliminate the rest.”
— Leo Babauta.
Today, let me share three more beneficial steps for effortless productivity with you.
- Shaking my body
- Laughing out loud
- Connection to nature
1. Shaking My Body
When I described the way to create variety in my energy in the earlier story, I didn’t tell you yet about my most favorite way of fast transition. Shaking.
In order to feel my body consciously, I have to keep it awake. And when I’m sitting down writing, my body gets numb after a while.
Of course, I can get into big action then.
Go running, or cycling, or tree climbing.
But shaking does the trick for me in an easier way.
I stand and feel my feet touching the ground. And then I start to move every part of my body. My head, my shoulders, my arms, my hands, my belly, my hips, my legs, my knees…
As in everything I do, variety is key for me.
I start slowly at first, build it up, and shake vigorously later on.
My body is awake in a few minutes!
Sometimes, I combine it with some stretching movements before I sit down again and write.
When I have lost the flow, I sometimes combine it with dancing to silent music. I don’t put up any music, I just move to the silent music in my head. For me, flow happens more easily after that.
“A river cuts through rock not because of its power but because of its persistence.”
— Jim Watkins
2. Laughing Out Loud
Laughing is a great energy turner for me. Whenever I’m feeling down or stressed or my excitement is running away with me, I turn my energy by laughing. It’s as if the volcano erupts and empty space emerges.
Did you know that you can trick your body in making positivity-endorphins while you’re feeling down?
Apparently, our bodies do not know the difference between a real smile and a fake one. So we can smile ourselves to better health by faking it until we really feel it.
Well, smiling I do often.
But laughing out loud tops it for me.
Have you ever done it? A real rumbling belly-laugh? When you just roll over having fun?
If you don’t know how to do it, watch some children. They do it easily. And I think if we would learn that again, it would be great for the world. Relaxing our bodies. Achieving a positive outlook. And not judging others on how it looks.
Not judging yourself on how you look.
Who cares? Life is for enjoyment, isn’t it?
Buddha is laughing through life. So why wouldn’t we?
“A good laugh heals a lot of hurts”
— Madeleine L’Engle
3. Connection to Nature
Nature-connection is a must for me. Whenever I teach, I want to feel nature around me so the trees and the ocean can help me bring the message across. And don’t think nature is just available in the countryside. Nature is everywhere.
Also in the city.
This is what I wrote last year in Kuala Lumpur.
Connection to nature can be so very simple.
As simple as taking a deep breath every time we remember.
When we breathe, we take in the oxygen that the trees exhale. And our out-breath (CO2) is used by the trees to produce their bark with. And their branches. And their leaves.
Breath is a connection to nature. So next time, when you breathe consciously, visualize the trees and the interaction you’re having with the trees while breathing.
Nature connection can also be found in consciously experiencing the weather. I feel it in my body whenever there’s lightning. It shakes the world awake. Feel the rain on your cheeks next time. And realize you are one step closer to being awake to the world.
“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure”
— Oprah Winfrey
Water is another great connection to nature. Did you know that half of the American population live their lives in a dehydrated state? And many, many children go to school dehydrated?
When we drink water, we connect to nature. It helps to drink water consciously. Stir it before you drink it, make the energy flow. And thank the water for nourishing your body.
Small act. Great results for your nature connection.
And of course, I also put my feet in the river whenever I get the chance. Or take a jump in the ocean. Not so much ocean around where I live, but when we travel, I love to connect to the ocean.
Water is wise. And it might house the technologies of the future.
Happy shaking, laughing, and connecting to nature!
Happy living!
And if you want to connect, you can find me on LinkedIn or Twitter. Or somewhere in the world laughing out loud and not caring how that looks…
Further reading
Here are all my social media links if you want to connect. LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, ManyStories, and my website.
© Désirée Driesenaar
