CONTEXT
You know those graceful people who never seem rushed, and always have things pretty much under control? They've figured out something the rest of us haven't: how to prevent stress before it happens.
Calmness isn't a personality trait you're born with. It's a skill you can develop. And like any skill, it comes down to having the right habits in place.
7 habits to bring more calmness in your life:
THE 7 HABITS
1. Arrive everywhere 10 minutes early
Always give yourself buffer time so you're never rushed. It seems simple, but this solves so many problems.
When you're constantly running late, your nervous system is in fight-or-flight mode. You're stressed before you even get to the meeting. Build in that 10-minute cushion, and suddenly you're the person who walks in relaxed, prepared, and present.
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2. The shutdown ritual
End every workday the same way: clear your desk, close your tabs, and write down tomorrow's top 3 tasks.
This creates a psychological boundary between work and personal time. Your brain knows when work is truly done, which means you can actually relax in the evening instead of carrying mental residue home.
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3. One decision that makes 1,000 decisions
When your plate is full, say no to new projects. That one choice eliminates every project decision you'd need to make.
Calm people protect their bandwidth fiercely. They understand that every "yes" is a "no" to something else. Master this, and you'll never feel overwhelmed by commitments again.
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4. The 40% rule
Listen more than you talk. In every conversation, ask interesting questions that let the other person speak 60% of the time.
This removes the pressure to always have something clever to say. Plus, people walk away thinking you're brilliant—not because you talked, but because you made them feel heard.
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5. The deep work reset
Block 90 minutes in the morning for your most important task (before answering emails).
Your brain is sharpest in the first few hours after waking. Calm people use this prime time for meaningful work, not reactive email ping-pong. They get their biggest win done before most people have had their first cup of coffee.
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6. The NSDR pause
Listen to a "non-sleep deep rest" meditation for 10 minutes every day to boost your energy. (I like this 10-min YouTube video from Andrew Huberman.)
NSDR is like a power nap for your nervous system. It's more restorative than scrolling social media and more energizing than caffeine. Even 10 minutes can reset your entire day.
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7. Set healthy boundaries
Take 1 vacation every quarter (even just a long weekend to reset). Put your out-of-office on and don't check email until you're back.
Calm people understand that rest isn't earned—it's required. They schedule recovery like they schedule important meetings. Because they know burnout is just deferred stress coming due with interest.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
The most stressed people I know are constantly reacting to life. The calmest people I know are prepared for it.
These habits might seem small, but they compound. Each one removes a little friction from your day, a little clutter from your mind. Stack them together, and you'll be amazed how much more peaceful your life becomes.
Start with just one habit this week. I recommend arriving places 10 minutes early. It's the easiest to implement and has the biggest immediate impact.
Your future, calmer self will thank you.
Until next week,
Jade
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