Create White Space: Let Some Air Out of Your Tires

I am not a cyclist, but I’ve been using a cycling term, “let some air out of the tires,” a lot in the last couple of months. Brought to me by avid long-distance cycler Greg Avis (also a client), it refers to easing the ride by softening the tires; you might not go so fast, but you’ll get there. And when you’re so busy you can’t breathe with being overwhelmed, it’s time to reduce the pressure in your tires and let some air out – to create some white space in your day.

And so this summer, I did. A heavy travel schedule for Double Forte and speaking engagements, with the additional focus on family given a death and a serious illness in the family, and, and, and…I chose to take some air out of the tires and force myself to do less, and actively create “white space” in my week.

After looking at all the things on my plate, I chose to put my blogging and email newsletter on hold for three months. And here’s what I learned…again.

5 Lessons Worth Re-Learning

Defend Your Time.

Other worthy and not-so-worthy things will present themselves to fill the time. I had to consciously say “no” and not just fill the time with other activities. For me that meant actually blocking time off on my calendar so that I or someone else (lots of people can see my schedule and propose meetings, calls or events on it) didn’t automatically see open space as an invitation to fill it.

White space is bound by time and place.

I found I was able to actually able to create more effective white space in my day when my physical space was clear too. Clutter, noise, stuff all impinged on my ability to do ponder or even do nothing. I stopped listening to anything in the car, I wore noise-canceling headphones on the train, I put things away, and that all created more space for my brain to slow down.

Breathing Matters.

Slow, deep breathing – even for just 30 seconds calms our brains and bodies – creates white space. I found that doing this throughout my day has a cumulative effect – it all adds up. Open any mindfulness app (and believe me I’ve opened quite a few – my favorites are Calm, ) and the first thing it will prompt you to do is take three deeps breaths. Taking three deep breaths as you move from one task to another actually helps us transition. You can read more about the power of breath here, here and here.

Focus on What Fuels You.

I really missed writing and answering people’s questions about how to handle different situations. (Thanks to everyone who contacted me to say they missed it too.) I feel my purpose is to help good people do great things and exponentialize their positive impact. A lot of what I share through my blog, interviews, email newsletter comes from that motivation – to share what I’ve learned the hard way in the hopes that whoever comes across it will find a nugget they can apply to improve their own situations. As I’m fueled by this purpose, I found the ideas for what to share didn’t stop – the list of potential topics to write about grew longer (because if I don’t write things down, they don’t leave my brain). In retrospect, I may have let the wrong air out of the tires.

I have “permission to take an intermission.”

My friend, the artist and author Lisa Congdon summed it all up so well in this Instagram post – and of course she created a wonderful artful reminder which is now available in her store.

Lisa Congdon sums it up: Give yourself Permission to Take An Intermission 

So – take your vacation, breathe deeply, take the right air out of your tires – you will discover more about yourself and what really matters in the space you create for yourself. Then apply what you learn.