Since becoming a mother, something I had absolutely no training or experience for, I took a hard stop with all my work back in mid-March to give full attention for my newborn and my recovery.

What happened in the next 3 months truly surprised me. I am not talking about the baby or sleep deprivation stories, that is a topic for another day. When I stopped all trains going through my grand central, I experienced a new sense of calm and stillness. I’ve created space, but not emptiness in my life. 

This “time out” had allowed me to become a lot more present, better at listening to people around me or what is going on in the world. But mostly importantly, I am more aware of my inner voice.

I made a deliberate effort to consciously to think with my heart, not just with my head. I wanted my thoughts and actions to be grounded and aligned with who I want to become. 

I ask myself, what truly matters to my heart and soul? 

Am I doing this through my being?

What I observed during my time out is that there are so many “quick fix” or “fast track” ways on how to get what you want out there. Wordings may be different, but essentially the market is meeting the demand of what most people ask for, quick solutions to everything you want in life. 

We see these all the time: “Lose 10 pounds in 3 days”, “Make 6-figures with 5 steps” or “Reach 100,000 audience in 1 month” and so on. 

I am not saying it can’t happen and I am not saying it’s wrong to want those outcomes. But there is a cautionary tale here. First, all great accomplishment or enlightenment take time. Depth in anything takes time. 

We live in the speed of light and age of information overload, especially with social media. In order to get the attention from anyone, you got 10 seconds or less. It is all about the immediate results and outcomes. To a certain extent, it is important as in how we measure progress. But this becomes an issue if it is all about the external outcomes.

Some say “The end justify the means”, while Gandhi said “The end is inherit in the means”. 

To start with, do we even take time to ask:

What do I really want? Or is this something I think I “should” want? 

Will a quick fix really give me what I need at a deeper level?

Second, the depth of what you do or offer comes from who you are. If we only focus on the immediate outcomes, just the doing or having, there is no depth in that outer success.  Just like Dr. Wayne Dyer used to say, “When you squeeze an orange, orange juice comes out, nothing else”. You cannot give what you don’t have. 

Everyone has his or her unique inner calling, which is supported by a God given talent and synchronistic opportunities in life. What matters to your heart and soul defines who you are, they lead you to your unique purpose or function in this world.

If you look closely to all those quick fix schemes, no matter it is about losing weight, making money or building relationships, they are all very focused on the what and how, but rarely touch on the why. The why is up to you. 

What you are inside reflects onto the product or service you offer on the outside, and it takes time to mature and to grow spiritually as an individual in order to create a master piece.

And to become who you are truly capable of, the highest truest expression of yourself, you need to listen to your inner voice, rather than the outer noise. Everyone has a different preference in getting into the zone to hear their inner voice. For many it is meditation or prayer, a walk in nature, some time out or simply breath more consciously. No matter what your practice is, the key is to be consistent. Once again, there is no quick fix, all good things takes time and inner work.