I've been reading a book by Brene Brown called the "Gifts of Imperfection." One of the things it challenged me to do was to get more reflective time.
Coincidentally my carpool of the last 3 years dissolved 2 weeks ago, so I've started riding the bus in to work again. I was kind of dreading it, but it has turned out to be a good thing.
First of all, I've started leaving my radio off in the mornings as I drive to the bus station. I'm not sure if it was the book or my coach, or the guys I'm coaching that sparked this revelation, but it has been trans formative. It has just carved out some space for me to think my own thoughts.
Then, I started packing my journal in my work bag. I've started praying/journal-ling on the bus ride into town. This works especially well on the bus ride in. Everyone is pretty low key. Most of the bus riders are sleeping and it gives me about 20 minutes to focus on writing and structuring my thoughts.
From there I have to walk to the light rail. Lately with it being Fall here in Houston, the weather has been beautiful. it takes me 10 minutes or so to walk from my bus drop off to the rail. Again it's just quiet and reflective time.
On the rail I do some people watching and think about my day. I try to avoid reading email, but sometimes I give in.
The surprising thing to me is how wonderful this has been. My workday is spent putting out fires and then at home it's an ongoing series of distractions as well. The trip in to work is significantly longer - about an hour and 15 minutes vs. 45 minutes in my carpool - but it is a forced slowdown time for me.
I've tried having some reflective time over breakfast, but that's always interspersed with preparing lunch (I sack it most days), feeding cats, making breakfast, eating breakfast, kissing my spouse, brushing my teeth... not necessarily in that order. Basically I've gone from an inconsistent 15 minutes rushed over breakfast to an hour and 15 minutes.
The difference it's making in my life isn't completely clear yet. I think I'm feeling more relaxed because I'm starting my day at a mosey rather than in a flurry. I'll have to report back in a few months from now to see if I've been able to protect that time and to review the impact it's having on my life.
