The more you operate from a settled heart, the more likely you are to do what is best.

When your heart is frantic, you're more likely to do something to fulfill a frantic desire than you are to do what is best. (See my previous post for examples of frantic desires: https://typeshare.co/andrewcyee/posts/5-reasons-why-you-dont-work-on-what-is-best-5gq40). However, when you settle your heart, those desires can settle down so the best can emerge.

To be effective in your work over the long term, you must consistently do what is best. Therefore, learning to settle your heart is an essential skill for long-term success.

Here's three ways you can practice settling your heart throughout your workday:

1) In between meetings, move around and ask yourself what is best to do do next.

Moving around helps reset your mind and body. From this place, you can consciously re-focus on what is best. Pay particular attention to what emerges from the deeper parts of your heart. This is more likely to be what is best than the more frantic thoughts that lie on the surface.

2) Pause to gather your thoughts before responding to a question or request.

When put on the spot, you're more prone to responding out of a frantic state of being. By taking time to gather your thoughts, you let your stirred heart settie so you can respond in the best way. You can even take a deeper breath during your pause to help reset your body. If you need to request a moment to reflect before responding, then do so. Any awkwardness that comes from that pause will be erased by the greater richness of your response.

3) Engage in a couple minutes of genuine connection with someone before starting on your intended business.

By connecting first, you relax. Both by getting out of work mode and by enjoying the other person's company. This makes it easier for you to engage your work from a settled heart, which will result in better outcomes for both of you!

Working from a frantic heart will result in sub-optimal outcomes and situations you may have to clean up later. Instead, practice settling your heart so you can do what's best, both for yourself and those around you.