You’re meeting someone for the first time.
You engage in light conversation.
And then there’s a lull in conversation – the deafening sound of silence.
Yes, that type of silence is uncomfortable.
But other times, I love silence. In fact, I treasure it.
Of course, there’s always some noise in the background – finding a completely silent place is challenging.
But the background noise doesn’t stop me from enjoying my moment of silence.
Why do I find silence powerful?
Silence is a time for me to reflect and to re-energize.
It’s as if I’m pressing a pause button
… a pause on all the noise around me
… a pause on too many things crowding my thoughts.
Silence can even be a powerful tool when engaging in difficult conversations – whether work-related or personal.
When someone makes a harsh comment to you, pause.
Silence will let them really hear the harshness of their words.
It’ll also give you time to compose your emotions and response.
With my hectic schedule, I can only steal moments of silence
…when I wake-up, I enjoy a few moments of silence before turning on the news
…when driving my car, I turn off the radio
…when going for a walk, I do it without wearing earbuds.
Do you feel uncomfortable with silence? Or do you appreciate it as a way to reflect and to re-energize?
Give it a try. Steal a moment of silence to break up your hectic day.
It may be awkward at first.
Eventually, you’ll find the power of silence as a way to reset and re-energize your mental state.
(Update to original post from July 21, 2016)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Niv Persaud, CFP®, CDFA®, RICP®, is a Managing Director at Transition Planning & Guidance, LLC. Life is more than money. It’s about living the lifestyle you want and can afford. For that reason, Niv consults with clients on money, life, and work. Her approach capitalizes on techniques she learned throughout her career, including as a management consultant, executive recruiter, and financial advisor. Her services include developing comprehensive financial plans, divorce financial reviews, and retirement plans. Niv actively gives back to her community through her volunteer efforts. She believes in living life to the fullest by cherishing friendships, enjoying the beauty of nature and laughing often — even at herself. Her favorite quote is by Erma Bombeck, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say ‘I used everything you gave me.’”