it’s the first phrase on the baron fig manifesto, and probably the most important. i have it sitting in front of me at the office where i look at it every day, reminding me of what i often forget.

we can easily be swept up in the busyness of our day. so many things to do. so many messages to answer. so many places to be. the most difficult thing to do is take a few minutes out of the day to simply slow down.

but don’t be confused: taking a break from work isn’t the same as slowing down. actively slowing your brain isn’t as simple as getting up to grab another cup of coffee. it requires a little more effort than that. whether it’s going outside for a brief walk, or using guided meditation, finding a way to calm your thoughts is the best way to refocus on the task at hand and let all the distractions melt away.