The Rewards of Calmness

The ability to remain calm and focused in stressful situations is central to making positive decisions – Goldie Hawn

Routines that Create Rewards

We associate routines with mundane, repetitive tasks that often drain our passion and desire. But there is a reward in the routines of life. The more we practice something, the better we become and reap the benefit of the repetition, like a weightlifter in a gym. Eventually, the reward of a muscular body shows. Similarly, we can discover great rewards in practicing calmness every day when we face situations that move us to react instead of respond. Routines and rewards work together to promote positive reinforcement systems that lead to a better quality of life. 

My friend Samson wrote this about calmness a few years ago:

The last place to expect calmness is in battlefields, where our troops are always under the constant pressure of imminent attacks. Yet former Navy SEAL Commander Rorke Denver, a man trained to be at the heart of the battle, said that one of the most valuable pieces of advice he ever received in SEAL Training school was on calmness, which was that calm is contagious.  On the surface, this advice isn’t even remotely connected to the warrior he was being trained to be. But looking closely, a state of calmness keeps at bay its opposite and alternate state, panic. While calmness allows us to focus our energy, panic disperses energy, making us ineffective. Exercising calmness in all situations will prevent you from being sucked up into the noises of life. It lets you think and see things clearly, allowing you to move precisely. Those who don’t remain calm, especially in relationships, end up misusing their energy, engaging in arguments that drain them. 

This reminds me that my environment doesn’t need to influence my behavior. Instead, what I practice should dictate how I respond under pressure, and I discover these rewards in practicing calmness. 

Routines and rewards work together to promote positive reinforcement systems that lead to a better quality of life. 

The Rewards of Calmness

1. Improved Attention: A calm mind is less cluttered, allowing for better attention. ABC news anchor Diane Sawyer said, “The one lesson I have learned is that there is no substitute for paying attention.” By developing calmness, our ability to pay attention grows. In a world of distractions, paying attention is attractive and shows people you are interested and engaged in the present. 

2. Increased Resilience: Regularly practicing calmness builds resilience, enabling you to navigate and overcome challenges. Resilience helps you bounce back from adversity instead of letting it keep you down. 

3. Improved Decision-Making: A calm state allows for clearer thinking and more rational decision-making. This helps avoid hasty and irrational decisions driven by fear, anger, panic, or other negative emotions. 

Final Thought: Calmness gives you a better perspective of the world. When you prioritize calmness regardless of your environment, you will experience improved attention, resilience, and decision-making. 

Keep on keeping on!