Just as your computer needs to be recalibrated when it gets slow and inefficient, so do you when you get slow and inefficient. Your computer needs to be defragged and so do you when you’ve got lots to do and your work files are everywhere. You feel pressured and stressed. You’re irritable, unfriendly, demanding and intolerant. You need to go defrag yourself.

When a 2-week vacation in the Caribbean isn’t possible, do something that has been practiced for centuries: focus on your breathing. When you concentrate on your breathing, you cleanse your body of carbon dioxide and refresh it with oxygen. In doing so, you also gain a better perspective of your situation.

Focused breathing that has a defrag quality isn’t all that difficult, but it does take practice. First, get alone. Close your door and get away from your work by looking out the window, closing your eyes, etc. Then breathe backwards. Begin by exhaling slowly. At the end of your exhale, allow a count of 2 before you inhale slowly. Repeat 5 times. Feel the stress drain from your body. Afterward, you will feel a sense of centeredness…you know…like you’ve been defragged.  You will be refreshed and ready to take on the next task.

So why won’t you do this simple exercise?

1. You’re too busy. Are you saying you don’t have 90 seconds to spare? Really?

2. You don’t believe it will work. You’re smarter than centuries of research and practice? Really?

3. You don’t want to appear silly. What if someone sees you. REALLY?

If you’re a serious professional, you do the things that make you better, even something as simple as focused breathing. This week, build into your daily schedule when you will BREATHE, and then do it. As you restore your best self, you will enjoy what you do and you will do it with excellence.