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Slow Down – 5 Why’s Exercise
Fall is with us and the darkening, shortening days are telling us that it is time to slow down and pull into ourselves. It could be an opportunity for spending more time at home with family and close friends, for getting a bit more sleep than we do in the long, bright days, and perhaps for a little inward reflection. Yes, I know our society does not really support slowing down or reflecting. The following 2 messages repeatedly come to us from all directions including the media and the workplace, to name a couple:
This is not the way we are designed, and our body-mind-spirit finds myriad ways to let us know this if we repeatedly “push the envelope”. Energy levels vary from day to day and season to season, and so do our moods. If we insist on pushing ourselves beyond what our True or Essential Self wants, we will likely find as time passes that we suffer from small, then larger ‘ailments’. The increased stress may ultimately take a physical and/or emotional toll on us.
Forcing ourselves to do more and more when our inner self says “no” robs our spirit. We may eventually begin asking “what gives my life meaning?” Questions such as: “do I want to spend my time doing what I’m doing, where I’m doing it and with the people I’m with?” may arise. If you are struggling with certain aspects of your life, try the following exercise. I learned it from Martha Beck during my North Star Life Coaches training in Phoenix last May, but it originated in Japan at Toyota.
3 Minute Retreat: The 5 Why’s
Identify a thought, feeling or belief you are currently struggling with. Write it down on paper. Under this write ‘Why?’ and fill in the first answer that pops into your head. Do not self monitor. Again write ‘Why?’ and note the answer. Continue doing this until you have an answer that provides you with awareness about your situation. (Toyota finds that 5 ‘why’s’ are always enough. Here is an example to help you:
- Thought: I feel very tired today
- Why? I stayed up until midnight last night & had to get up early.
- Why? I had to sew my daughter’s halloween costume.
- Why? I couldn’t do it earlier because I had to stay late at work.
- Why? I have trouble saying no to my boss.
- Why? She may be angry with me & I feel uncomfortable when that happens.
