Environment attentiveness - 4W’s + 2!
You might know what it’s like - walking down the street, sitting at a cafe or waiting in a line…we’re often, looking at our phone.
Our attentiveness has moved from the environment directly around us to the ‘environment’ within our phone.
I can relate to the above but I also relate to generally walking through life as if wearing blinkers!
Overtime I’ve become more conscious of connecting to the real world but was particularly inspired by a person I met recently (see the ‘personal story’ further down).
From this inspiration, a fun checklist came to mind.
If you’re like me, try this when you’re next out and about!
The 4 W’s + 2
What’s 1 thing I can see?
What’s 1 thing I can hear?
What’s 1 thing I can smell?
What’s 1 thing I can feel?
How would you describe each thing to someone else? Doing this we’re really absorbing and processing it all!
And, if you want to take it one step further - keep reflecting back to it. Throughout your day or in future. This will continue to strengthen your mind and memory.
A NOTE for the doubters: It might feel silly and forced and hard at first but keep at it and it will come naturally in no time.
Personal story
As mentioned, this topic came to be after being inspired by someone I met. They seemed to represent an epitome of mindfulness and memory…
There’d been group of us in a room together for a workshop. Afterwards, I ending up in conversation with this one person, and somehow on a topic whereby he recalled from memory - the name of the region another workshop participant said they were from, the colour socks I was wearing, and that there’d been 5 blue cups and 4 green cups stacked on the table.
To him it was the usual way his mind operated, nothing special, just something he was very used to.
Knowing what I now know about the ability to train and shape my brain, I knew I could get to this point too if I wanted. The motivation and intention was already there but meeting someone who actually did it kicked me more into gear.
And who doesn’t like a little strategy to make it easy to do.
Hence the 4W’s + 2 tips above.
Why not give them a try!
For further insight, click the book a chat option, I’d love to help.