In today’s fast-paced world, the lives of most managers and leaders revolve around completing tasks and managing projects. We tick off one task after another, ensuring we clear as many as possible before the day, the week, or the next vacation ends. We become experts at multitasking and delegating, while still maintaining control by overseeing outcomes.
But beyond efficiency, our ego craves something else: being the hero of the story, defined by the tasks we complete and the roles we play. The ego seeks control and identity through this. It’s the fuel our engines run on—more tasks completed means more meaning, and the more valuable we feel in the world. We organize, categorize, and assign purpose to everything we do, finding mastery in the constant cycle of activity.
Many of us have tried to turn to contemplative practices like meditation and yoga to bring calm into our task-driven business world. However, often we fail - at least I did! Why?
Because we often approach these too as just another task—something to master. True change, however, comes when we shift from a task-oriented mindset to a relational one.
I invite you to subdue the task and focus on the relation. Two intentions can guide this journey:
Set an intention to be open and curious about what you might receive, without expectation.
Set an intention to sense, feel, listen, smell, and hear with all your senses, without trying to explain or categorize the sensations.
You may already be familiar with some of the practical ideas below, and while many of us have tried them before, the key is to shift from seeing them as tasks to experiencing them relationally. When we are open to receiving, these practices can open up in new and unexpected ways.
Practical Recommendations:
Realize Your Surroundings - Right now, as you read this, engage actively with your environment. Reading this might feel like a task, but take a moment to sense your surroundings: smell the air, feel the breeze, or notice the emotions of those around you.
Connect to Yourself First - Before engaging with others in your next meeting, connect with yourself. Pause and check in with your body and senses. Ask: How does my skin feel? Am I cold or warm? Where are my muscles tense? Grounding yourself creates space for authentic responses.
Pause and Breathe - For one minute, focus on your breath and surroundings. You don’t need to close your eyes unless you want to. Shift your attention from the task of “having to breathe” to simply noticing what you sense—whether it’s your breath or something else.
Gratitude Practice - Before meals, reflect on moments of gratitude. Share what made you feel grateful and sense the feeling as you think about it. This small practice helps you shift from doing to feeling, cultivating appreciation for everyday experiences.
Engage with Nature - If you walk or run in nature, take a minute to pause. Stand still, look around, and appreciate what you see—whether it’s an insect, a tree, or the temperature of the air. Don’t try to explain or categorize, just enjoy the moment. Connecting with nature helps you shift focus from busy tasks to being in relation with the world around you.
Engaging in these simple exercises, rather than just performing them, can help you move beyond task-orientation, fostering deeper connections with yourself and others. Your responsibilities remain, but stronger relationships arise from an openness to connection—whether with yourself, coworkers, or family. You may find that as your connections deepen, your productivity and overall effectiveness increase.
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