Marks Blog: A Conversation About Time

I had a quick question and answer exchange the other day with an Unbeatable Mind student which I felt would benefit everyone who reads and follows SEALFIT.

The issue is how to train the mental, emotional, intuition and spirit when you are a busy professional, father, mother, husband or wife.

Let’s face it, we are all pressed for time. The interesting conundrum is that when you practice the UM skills, you get more focused, and see to have more time! Also, much of the training can be woven seamlessly into your daily life, supercharging all that you do.

With this approach, you are enhancing your performance in the act of training for performance. Sounds like a winner to me. Here goes, and thanks for Sean for the courage to ask this simple, but important question.

Hello Mark,

I’ve been a UM member since inception, and prior to that, was part of the SEALFIT training program…I’m one of your originals. I am a professional with 3 kids – I think I started SEALFIT shortly after the twins were born. I’m in the midst of starting a new venture and the process has taken over a year to put together and we are now in our pilot location in Canada. I’ve been doing all of this while still running my original business back, where I fly the 500 miles every other weekend. Being away from my wife and kids is tough, as I’m a very engaged dad.

Anyhow, I’ve been a part of unbeatable mind for coming on 2 years, but can’t get past the 3rd month of foundation training!! I’m so damn busy, I’m constantly side tracked and fall off….then get back on….then get busy and fall off. It is very frustrating! I know I need it because my stress levels are high. I do find time to train SEALFIT on average 3-4 times per week, which keeps my sanity. However, I can’t seem to keep up with UM…and there is so much material and additional things to do monthly!

I just want to incorporate UM training into my daily life as I know how much it will help me in all aspects…the little I’ve done has been so helpful…I just can’t seem to fit it all in! Do you have any insights/areas to focus on that will keep me moving forward in my “studies” of UM? Any insights would be appreciated….thanks.

My response:

Hi Sean,

Thanks for your note. I understand how difficult it can be to find the time. One thing about UM is that the practices, once learned, are designed to be woven into the fabric of your life. They will not take more time than you can give. Rather, they will free up time and re-purpose unproductive time. Here is a snapshot of a potential daily training plan (actually, it is mine!):

1. Do a morning ritual of 15 minutes that includes: A Gratitude and Purpose focus, Box breathing (5 minutes), a short somatic (mindful movement) routine and a still water visualization…then just imaging your ideal day unfolding for a moment.

2. Before your SEALFIT WOD, do 5 minutes of Box breathing and dirt dive your plan (visualize it). After the workout do 5 minutes of mobility drills (ie: our hip mobility or just simple some standing yoga forms), also review the WOD and learn from it (this is a simplified version of my Pre and Post event SOP).

3. During the day, practice positivity and mental control with the “Feed the Courage Dog’ drill and by reciting your power mantra at periodic times when your mind starts to lose focus, you feel down or you have idle time doing a mundane or routine task (such as driving, standing in line, or simple correspondence).

4. Instead of going out to lunch, use time during the lunch hour to do some mental or physical training.

5. Take a power break mid-afternoon to re-charge your batteries and calm your mind. A power break can be a 10 minute session of box breathing, some sun salutations and a brief positivity visualization.

6. Practice authentic communications with your family in the evening – shut down your iphone and turn off the news (or any tv for that matter). Read a book, or play a board game, or talk philosophy, etc.

7. When you read, read a great book – one that inspires you, takes you to another world and leaves you a better person.

8. Before bed, conduct a short evening ritual, including: box breathing (5 min), a visual re-capitulation of your day (visualize all the major events of the day and seek the silver lining lesson), and then do a short visualization of your next day plan as if flowing with effortlessness while you achieve all of your goals.

Bottom line – all of the above are easily woven into your day. When practiced with discipline and sincerity, this plan will change your life, providing the calmness and focus to achieve your goals while give yourself and your family the love and support you both deserve.

Hooyah – good luck!

Mark Divine