How to Game your To-Do List with Mindful Eating
Oct 06, 2016, Updated Sep 16, 2020
I have a confession to make about October Unprocessed. Each year, Andrew has to nudge me to take the pledge. At first, I rebel against the idea of abstaining from beloved foods. And then Andrew reassures me that I can still use vermouth-soaked olives in my martini and I breathe a sigh of relief. Once the month has passed, Iโm always glad I said yes. Mindful eating doesnโt just fuel the body, it enhances the ability to be productive, and in my case, that directly helps my bottom line. As a professional Career Coach, my job is guiding people to achieve their goals. With that in mind, here are three ways October Unprocessed can boost your productivity:
Narrowing Choices Expands Time
I live in an urban neighborhood in Los Angeles with access to food 24/7. Within walking distance, there are two grocery chains serving prepared food and at whim, I can choose from restaurants offering sweet and sour chicken, pepperoni pizza, carnitas burritos, pastrami on rye, and french fries smothered in cheese, sour cream, and guacamole. The sheer volume of selection makes my head spin and it can take a while for me to figure out what to eat. October Unprocessed filters out many of those options, and thatโs a boon for my productivity. During the month, I donโt have to sort through the stack of takeout menus to agonize over which combination of marginally healthy food reflects my mood and palate that day. Meal planning decisions are streamlined and that frees up the brain for more creativity and invention at work.
Empowerment of the Pledge
I grew up in New York City in a Kosher home. That meant no pork or shellfish and we never mixed milk and meat. Though I decided not to continue this practice as an adult (I canโt quit prosciutto), I understand its value beyond the religious obligation. Being deliberative about food makes it more sacred, and by that I mean, we donโt take it as much for granted. Rather than shoving any sort of unhealthy edible into our mouths, we have to take the time to contemplate its value first. Every night before dinner, Iโve created a ritual to stop for a few moments of gratitude for the beautiful bounty on my plate. In making the pledge to October Unprocessed, weโre creating a 31-day ritual. The fact that weโve given our word is a framework to lean on. Build on it as a reference point for other challenging tasks in your lives. Thatโs empowering.
Gaming Your To-Do List
A year ago, I wanted to learn Spanish. I downloaded the free app, Duolingo, and decided to practice ten minutes a day. Hardly anything deters me from running through these Spanish exercises. This isnโt because Iโm about to travel to Costa Rica or need the language skill for a job. Iโve become so dogged about it after realizing that completing this small, simple task makes me feel accomplished. This is so important when youโre trying to achieve big, amorphous goals, like my clients who are changing careers or growing their business. Whatever your goals, having ones that are bitesize and attainable will expand your confidence. And hereโs the best part – that feeling of confidence is infectious and will help you achieve more. I view October Unprocessed like my Spanish drills. Being successful at the challenge is mostly within my control (except for those pesky dinner parties). With only a month, itโs got a beginning, middle, and end. And if I focus on it one day at a time, Iโm confident itโs something I can complete. No matter what other parts of your to-do list remain unchecked (and there are many on mine), use this challenge as a reminder that you can achieve your goals. Then donโt forget to bask in the glory. It works.
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Too Due List by Andrew Neyer, used with permission
OK, You also inspired me to download Duolingo. It’s fun!
Duolingo makes it like a game. I look forward to it as a fun, daily accomplishment.
The abundance we have is almost repulsive, especially when considering other parts of the globe with so little. In this context, I particularly appreciate your bring up how making food intake deliberative makes it more sacred. Great post.
At sunset on Wednesday, Jews around the world begin their 24-hour annual fast. What helps me through it, is to use this day as a way to understand what it feels like to be hungry – something that’s unique for me, but a reality for many people in the U.S. and beyond. Food is sacred.
Really inspiring blog, Wendy. I’ve been trying to improve my French for years, starting and stopping my Pimsleur course time and again. You’ve motivated me to start tomorrow with your bite-size approach…and sticking with it!
I knew absolutely no Spanish before starting Duolingo. Now, after 10 minutes a day, I can actually converse. Sometimes, it’s the bitesize approach that wins the day.
This is a wonderful way to eat food that will fuel your body every day. Thanks for the encouragement!
Fuel for the body and the mind. A win-win.
Thank you for this insight! I’ve noticed that I’m more calm over my food and the thought of those marginally-nutritious take out foods are losing their appeal. The simple plates are actually very satisfying. And thanks for the recommendation on Duolingo! I’ve been meaning to get my French going again.
I agree, Laurel. Beautiful, simple food has a calming effect. And I love Duolingo. It’s a fun way to learn a language.
I agree with much of what you say. I find that mindfulness as it pertains to what I eat spills over into my work and my home. It probably drives those around me crazy :), because I typically have a very short attention span, often making it difficult to stop and think. So mindfulness is an important practice for people like me. I agree that the fact that October Unprocessed has a timeframe of a month is both good and not so good for me. I need to incorporate this mindfulness into (realistically) everything I do, and knowing that the challenge ends makes it awfully easy for me to end my new practices, too. Any advice from anyone on how to keep it going would be greatly appreciated. (The longest I’ve gone is a year; then I masterfully undid it all!) I seem to be the all or nothing type… Read more ยป
Here’s a suggestion Wendy (love your name!) – after October 31, how about choosing one day a week to continue with the practice. (e.g. every Thursday). That might give you the frame you need to keep going without the burden of an open-ended commitment. And then, if it works, you can expand the number of days. What do you think?
I LOVE this, and couldn’t agree with every point more! Thanks for your insights, Wendy!
I appreciate your kind words, Natalie. What’s on your to-do list today?