'The GiFT from Mozart' - The second chapter from my book: Passing the Rocking Chair Test

This daily activity has had a transformational impact on my life!

As the manager of a big and busy branch of a major UK bank, I was caught in a whirlwind that controlled me. Time to think was scarce and it always seemed like my thoughts were disorderly and chaotic. And so, my response was to run from it all—ever faster with no real finish line ahead. I would arrive home every evening tired and questioning what—if anything—I had achieved during the day.

As part of my personal development, I attended a conference and heard a story which resonated with me and over time, altered the course of my life. The story taught me an important lesson that later prompted me to create a habit. This habit became central to my success, enabled me to regain control in the short-term, and allowed me to find breakthroughs and success in the long-term.

The story I heard was about the famous composer, Mozart. Apparently, Mozart suffered from composer’s cramp. To overcome it, he walked alone through the beautiful countryside listening to birds, watching deer, squirrels, and other animals, all while inhaling the calming scents of the forest. Isolated from the world and free from distraction, he was able to compose music in his head once more.

After reflecting on the story and its meaning, I scheduled an appointment in my calendar to reflect on my life the way Mozart did to release himself from the mental block he was experiencing. Of course, the appointment was purely for myself, by myself, and with myself.

Essentially, it became my daily time to think, away from distractions and the pressure of the moment. It became my first winning habit. I call it Mozart time and its scheduled daily.

I used that time to reflect on a vast array of subjects, ranging from controlling the whirlwind that was my life at the time to setting goals, to thoughts on how to become a better leader, how to build a better team, environment and culture to how to coach my team and improve our approach to customer service. In essence, this quiet time allows me to think and ask myself questions to find a way forward in all aspects of my life.

I avoid distractions or the possibility of interruptions. I am away from my laptop and my phone. If my phone is with me, it is on silent. Although I love music, this is one time when I value silence as it an opportunity to slow down in a fast-paced world and escape the daily whirlwind.

This habit has sparked the thoughts that developed into many—if not most—of the GiFTs contained within this book. My purpose and business name emerged from this habit. Business ideas, strategies, leadership, and coaching practices emerged from this habit. It enables me to reflect and build on ideas, thoughts, and all the things I learn from others.

I have come to the realisation that greatness requires stillness. From stillness comes clarity, and from clarity comes insight, innovation, breakthrough, and success.

A daily dose of Mozart time is my time to create this stillness. Everything else flows from it.  

Questions for you:

• What does your average day look like?

• Are you caught in a whirlwind of your own, when time flies by and you question how much you have achieved?

• When do you give yourself permission to stop and think?

• When you do, how do you capture your thoughts and ideas?

Actions for you:

• Get your diary and mark out 15/20 minutes a day. Your time.

• Give this time a name (your version of Mozart time).

• Have your journal with you, your phone on silent and your laptop turned off.

• Explain to the people around you what you are doing and why so you avoid interruptions.

Mozart-time questions for you:

If you need help to get started, here are a few broad questions you can consider.

1)     What do I want to achieve over the next 6/12/18 months?

2)     What would my ideal job/life look like in 5 years’ time?

3)     How do I become a better…………(leader/salesperson/sportsperson/coach/parent/add your own categories)

4)     What am I great at?

5)     What would I love to work on over the next 6/12/18 months to be a better version of me?

6)     What do I love doing and how can I do more of it? How can I turn it into a job, business or side hustle?

7)     How do I build a better team?

8)     How do I serve my customers better?

9)     How do I spend less time at work? How do I become more efficient in all I do?

10)  What should I do differently today?

11)  When am I at my happiest and why?

12)  How do I pass the Sir Richard Branson test? What do I want to be saying to myself when I am sitting in my rocking chair?