Here are a few of our favorite Big Ideas + Other Cool Stuff from Week 2 of Jason Barger's 6-week course, Step Back from the Baggage Claim.
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The Context
This course is based off of the globally celebrated book Step Back from the Baggage Claim by Jason Barger. Jason spent seven straight days flying 6,458 miles to seven different cities - without leaving the airports the entire time! He studied 10,000 minutes of observations at all four corners of the U.S. and reflected on how our airport experiences can teach us about our lives TODAY.
The airport metaphor leaps to life through funny and inspiring stories that remind us how to change our daily world through compassionate action. In a busy and mobile world, Step Back from the Baggage Claim is a refreshing call for Servant-Leadership, Mission, Culture Change, Innovation, and Social Responsibility. This book has sparked a worldwide movement of people committing to travel gracefully in the world.
Here are a few of our favorite Big Ideas from Week 2 - Navigating Distractions
Big Idea #1: Distractions, Distractions, Distractions
Jason told a great story about a walk he took in Seattle. He was enjoying the city's beauty, when suddenly, a policeman on a Segway came hurdling down one of the steep Seattle hills, headed right for Jason. Jason had to leap out of the way to avoid being run over! Looking after the policeman, he realized that the cop was texting as he went racing down the hills!
This story is a good metaphor for our distraction-filled lives. Our world is filled with so many distractions, so much new information coming our way. Did you know that every day there is as much data created on-line as there was from the beginning of civilization to the year 2003!?
What are the things distracting you? Are you stopping to make sure that the actions you're taking are actually the right ones? What are the things that need your very best energy? What are the things that need your focus?
Asking these questions everyday is an important practice in overcoming distractions.
Big Idea #2: Focusing on Purpose
Take out a piece of paper and allow your mind to relax. Now, think of all the things you'll have to do over the next several days. Write them down.
Put a big P next to all the things that perpetuate your purpose in life. If there are a lot of things on the list not connected to your purpose, don't judge yourself harshly. Simply be mindfully aware of the fact.
Now categorize all the tasks. 1. - Urgent and important; 2. - Important but not really urgent; 3. - Urgent but not important at all; - 4. - Neither urgent nor important.
Where are you spending your attention? How much of it is spent on what's important?
Repeat this practice regularly to focus yourself on the things that really matter.
Big Idea #3: Walk Like You're Climbing Everest
When climbers get to the higher reaches of Mount Everest, they have to breathe in a special way. Because there's so little oxygen up there, they take four breaths before every action. Four breaths, turn on the lamp. Four breaths, put on a shoe. Four breaths, put on the other shoe.
But what if we didn't wait for the really tough times in our lives to start paying attention to our breath? By paying attention now, we soothe our bodies, develop our awareness and enter deeply into the present moment, slowing down and gaining a greater ability to navigate distractions. This helps us focus on our purpose and climb the Mount Everest of our dreams!
As you walk through the world, remember to breathe. :)
We hope you enjoyed and we'll see you in week 3!
-The en*theos Team
