This week’s word is all about the importance of Silence. As busy professionals and people in general, many of us rush all over the place without taking the time to appreciate the importance of silence in our lives. The most silence we get is when we are asleep. However, like dreaming in our sleep, silence can be an invaluable advantage to you in your life and in your career. So I encourage you to find a few minutes each day for silence. I have found five key benefits to incorporate even as much as a few minutes of silence a day into my life. What benefits or advantages have you found?

I’d love to hear about them. Here are my five key benefits. (1) Innovation – When I focus on quiet time, tapping into my subconscious and really “quieting my mind,” I find that my greatest ideas and insights flow. Just by enjoying some silent time alone and letting my mind wander, not racing to get something “done”, my mind becomes clearer and more focused on ideas and solutions. It’s the same when you are doing some idle work like taking a shower or driving in your car. However, with this type of focus you are allowing yourself to tap into your mind and really listen to what it is telling you. 2) Awareness – When you take the time to just sit and listen to those around you rather than rushing to get your point across or coming up with solutions immediately to issues that may arise, you become more focused and aware of the circumstances around you as well as the thoughts and feelings of those around you. This type of silence allows you to become more focused on others and to open your mind up to new possibilities. You also can tap into the genius of those around you which generally can add up to more powerful results (like the saying goes, “Two minds are greater than one! ) You can also create a greater awareness of your inner thoughts and emotions. What is really affecting your feelings and your emotions? By not rushing to a conclusion or idea, you become more aware of the circumstances around and within you. (3) Energized – Every time I manage to find a few minutes of “silence”, I feel more energized and ready to handle even the most difficult situations. Just a few minutes can really recharge my batteries and allow me to focus on a solution or choice to make.

Again, by not rushing around and sapping up the precious energy I have, I am able to stay calm and collect new possibilities to help energize my thinking and my life. (4) Focus – It’s amazing how much more I can get done when I take short ‘silence’ breaks during the day, to just appreciate my surroundings and get up from my laptop or away from my work for just a few minutes. When I return, I have more ideas and more energy to provide a clearer focus on what the most important tasks I need to accomplish for the day or how to solve a problem I was facing. My focus becomes clearer and I’m able to concentrate more on the work I have at hand. 5) Passion – Last but not least, when I take time to enjoy the silence, I hear my passion and the joy inside of me that allows me to continue meeting the challenges I face each day. I also hear the word and feel the hand of God who is pushing me to use my talents for a greater good and make a difference in this world. That feeling allows me to tap into my genius and allows me to do the things I love to do without regret but with a strong passion, conviction, and a zest for living. So with that, I encourage all of you out there, to find the time each day for a few minutes of silence.

Whether it’s first thing in the morning, on your way to work (turn off the radio and just enjoy the silence around you), taking a few short breaks at work during the day, on your way home or in the evening after everyone goes to bed, do it! You will start reaping the benefits, get reenergized and you will be amazed at how much you can accomplish. It will not be easy at first but as you start incorporating it into your life; you will see how invaluable the silence can be. The few minutes invested will be priceless, I’m sure of it. Give it a try. What do you have to lose but a few minutes? I can’t wait to hear your results!