Mind numbing or meditation

Using minor tasks to find solutions to the bigger problems

There is something calming in repetitive actions. Things that don’t really require your full attention to successfully complete. Some people find it relaxing to do things such as sort and roll coins, prepare vegetables, fold laundry. Others will clean the house, wash the car, or mow the lawn.

Back in my corporate days, I had a stash of “mindless” (but useful) tasks that I would pick from on afternoons when I was stuck on a problem and needed a break. I probably could have assigned these tasks to some one else but I considered them a de-stressor and I always seemed to find the solution to the original problem after working my way through some of these simple tasks.

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Meditation of sorts

Meditation is thinking of nothing (clearing ones mind), thinking of one thing, and allowing one to open up. It shouldn’t be a surprise that meditation is good for you! The state of calmness reduces stress, lowers aggression, and gives one the opportunity to feel happier. In this state, the mind is freed from the burdens of the day and can put together answers and solutions that might be just out of reach in the rush of life.

Perhaps deep down, I’ve been using my scut-tasks as a way to meditate – to gain insights on the other difficult / stressful things that are on my plate. Perhaps I knew that revelations on the other things, the difficult and conflicting tasks, came after working on the simple things. Either way, when I needed time to think deeply, I pulled those simple tasks out and allowed my mind to rest while “taking care” of the mundane…

By interrupting the thinking patterns and clearing away the jumble of ideas, intentions, and inconsistencies, the “freed” mind is able to distill the issue and find new patterns and connections, leading to new insights and solutions.

Clearing your mind

Your mind, when allowed to filter and sort through all the information on hand without interruption, can do a pretty good job of finding solutions.

The trick is quieting everything down and simply letting your mind work.