Zen Duck; 10 ways to calm the mind at work.

Here is a little duck wisdom for you!

I love cats, but who can’t resist a cute duck!

I wanted to share these words of wisdom from a duck. Here are 12 ways to decrease your frustration at work with the wisdom of a duck.  If you are unable to just “quiet” the mind this may help.

1. Waddle like a duck. They waddle and meander slowly… with purpose. When you take your break, walk slowly and deliberately. Try to go outside if you can. The fresh air will increase oxygen to your brain, will wake you up and calm your mind. Can put everything into perspective.

2. Put your ducks in a row. We tend to make lists in our head and in doing so; we apply times to these lists. Example: it will take me 20 minutes for this, 10 minutes for that, etc. Because our priorities can change minute to minute, making an internal list can make you more frustrated as you’re using mind space that you may need for something else. Prioritize and write down the important things, but let go of the internal list. Instead focus on the here and now. If that doesn’t work then look calm, peaceful and fluid above water, but paddle your webbed feet really fast below water!

3. Find your Inner Zen Duck. Ducks love water, it is their element. Since you don’t have a pond, when you finally get to the bathroom, here is your chance to connect to water. You have the time to take an additional minute to take deep breaths, focus on the here and now and do a mini-decompression. Stay completely present in the moment. Find your Duck Zen and visualize the calmness of water. Visualize paddling slowly around in a pond feeling the cool water part way. Just Be.

4. Did you know that ducks have a community based mindset? They are affectionate and like to return to places they feel safe and comfortable. Give that comfortable feeling to your coworkers as they probably are stressed too. When they get a good feeling it spreads. Coworkers and ducks need love too!

5. Ducks are waterproof. Allow for change by being fluid and allowing the water to flow around you. When challenges or difficult situations arise, move gently with the current, not against it. Be waterproof and let things “Roll off like water off a duck’s back.” Release and continue on.

6.  Did you know most MALE ducks are quiet? They don’t quack much, instead they grunt, squeak, and growl… hmmm…sound familiar? For us humans we need to quack! We need to talk about our frustrations and feelings. Reactions to situations don’t always match the reality, especially when we are overwhelmed. We can be completely out of perspective thinking we are drowning in a pond, when it is actually just a puddle. Talk to a trusted coworker or friend.

8.  When poop hits the fan…duck! Sorry, I had too. Bad days end… eventually. Or you can go all duck warrior on this situation and consider it your “duck Journey.”  Like a hero’s journey through lifes trials and errors. Ducks will walk (waddle) their ducklings over a half mile to find a safe place for water and shelter. That is a long way to walk with little webbed feet. Now don’t you feel silly, makes your  job pale in comparison huh?

9. Visualize and embrace the Duck Essence in you. The duck as a totem animal teaches you to move through the waters of life with grace. They give emotional comfort and protection. They know when to quack, and when to be quiet. They also help you filter out what is important. They bring clarity to your old patterns of behavior, people and situations. Ducks bring insight so pay attention! Plus they have the cutest webbed feet!

10. Ducks are determined. Ducks actually pluck the down feathers from their own breast to give their eggs insulation, cushion and the best chance of survival. Do that for yourself. Work hard, be the best you can be, but try not to be perfect. It is usually unattainable and will cause burnout. Keep focused, keep it simple and know your purpose there.

12. Duck bill. A duck’s bill has a way to forage in mud to pull food and water out of it, plus there is an area on the side of their bill that strains small insects. Yummy. You don’t need to eat insects but you do need to drink more water! We humans tend to live dehydrated which can cause fatigue, moodiness, loss of focus, and difficulty concentrating. Being just 1% dehydration can cause this! Drink more water…so then you can go to the bathroom and visualize paddling around in a pond.  See number 3.

 “If it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck, it could be a cat.”

No, I am not a quack…the duck made me do it and the cat will back me up.

Peace, Balance and Duck Waddles!

KT Cat