7th January 2009
Silence please…
For every disciplined effort there is a multiple reward.
Jim Rohn
Have you ever practiced self imposed silence? Try it and you will know what it is! We are used to speaking and talking. We have no control on our faculty of speaking. When we want to speak, we speak. Controlling means our ability not to do an activity even though we can do it. It may look very simple and easy. But it is not. From to day earmark a fixed period of the day as `silence hour' and decide not to speak until the time is over. This time should be so chosen that it will test your endurance to remain silent at the same time not hinder your activities. Keep in mind the following guidelines:
- Choose a time when you can afford to remain silent. Not at a time when you are going through a crisis or at a time you are expected to speak.
- Don't make it too easy, such as choosing a time in the night when there is no need to speak!
- Prepare yourself before you start this. Inform the necessary people that you are not available to them during this time.
- Have a timer to indicate the end of the silent hour.
- Have some visual signs to remind yourself that you are observing silence; else you may forget and break your resolve. For example you can wear a small rubber band on your finger or hold a hand kerchief etc in your hand as a reminder of what you are doing.
- Don't be too ambitious to start with. 30 minutes a day should be good enough to start with.
- If possible isolate yourself and do some activity to pursue when you remain silent. For example you can write something, read or meditate.
- Practice consistency and follow this for a period of days continuously. 30 minutes a day for fifteen days is better than one hour a day for one week.
When you observe silence, you will notice that your mental productivity goes up enormously. You will also find a lot of time to think. We cannot think and talk at the same time. Scientists say that prolonged silence has a lot of positive effect on your mental stamina. More than anything, it will reinforce your self confidence and self discipline. When it comes to succeeding in life, it is discipline which counts and not merely the number.
Try it out for a month and feel the difference.
N C Sridharan
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