Be Present. Stop Worrying.

Recently, Erin Owen, Mom of 2 boys, Author, Speaker, and an Eastern-Inspired Performance Breakthrough Coach started writing parenting advice on ” How to be a parent and a professional without losing your mind.”

Here, Erin shares parenting secrets with Go Au Pair’s blog readers. This post is first one from series of posts from a coach that provides help for busy parents.

Notice when that onslaught of distracting thoughts starts speeding down the interstate highway of your mind and pause. Give yourself permission to let that all go for now—not forever, just for now—and give your full loving attention (body, mind, and spirit) to your child or the task at hand.

If need be, take a moment to make a list of the things spinning through your head so you can trust that you won’t forget them.

When you divide your attention among two or more subjects or activities, each of those recipients gets less of you AND you are less effective in what you are trying to accomplish. Don’t just take my word for it: there are research studies that have been done on the brain and students and professionals that support this.

From the Eastern perspective, this is about your energy and where you direct it. The reality is you’ll get more back from what you focus on. If you want more of something, give more to it. If you want something to stop or go away,  ignore it. (Think of this in the context of parenting and reinforcing positive behaviors versus ignoring the less-than-desirable behaviors.)

If you want a more enjoyable and satisfying relationship with your child, then Be Present. Stop making lists about what you haven’t accomplished at work when you’re with your child. Invite all your senses to be 100% with your child.

If you want to be more productive and successful at work, then Be Present. Stop worrying about how little time you’re spending with your kids. Stop feeling guilty. Give yourself permission to let that go when you’re at work by taking a few deep breaths and direct your attention to the task at hand.

In the end, you’ll enjoy being a parent more, connect in a more meaningful way with your children (and they will notice), and benefit from performing better at work too!

 

By Erin Owen, Mom of 2 boys age 6 and 2, Author, Speaker, and an Eastern-Inspired Performance Breakthrough Coach

Erin shares more Eastern-inspired ideas about time management and being present in her book Recharge, Refuel, and Re-energize: The Conscious Entrepreneur’s Guide to Taking Back Control of Your Time and Energy. You can download the first free chapter of the book

 

 

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