Meditation: The New Caffeine or How I Stay Energized for Business Without Coffee

“How do you get everything done without drinking coffee?” It’s the question I get asked whenever anyone finds out I’ve never had a cup of coffee, and it’s often accompanied by a look that suggests the questioner thinks I’m some kind of freak. I can certainly understand the curiosity. As the CEO of a successful travel company, I have very busy days, and most nights are also scheduled with an event, business-related or otherwise. I travel often as part of my work, and that means navigating various time zones, jet lag, and travel fatigue. I’ve been doing this more or less successfully for 30 years -- not to mention my 80 hour work-week in my former career as a lawyer, and law school and college -- all sans caffeine.

I actually love the smell of coffee when my wife drinks it, and I’ve been known to occasionally indulge in coffee ice cream, so I’m pretty sure I would be a total coffee junkie if I were to start drinking it. But I’ve gone 58 years without it, and, as a self-identified control freak, the idea of having to have something doesn’t really appeal to me. I live in a country where over 80% of the adult population identifies as coffee-drinkers, and I am definitely in the minority. And, so, everyone always wants to know where my energy comes from.

I’ve written before about the importance of a daily nap. While it may seem counter-intuitive, and I know not everyone has this luxury, setting aside a little time each day helps me to recharge my batteries. Recently, I’ve added another element to my Relaxation Tool Kit: meditation. This past July, I took a four day Transcendental Meditation class at the David Lynch Foundation, and I have been meditating for 20 minutes every day since. The idea is that you sit still and repeat your mantra and all these thoughts come into your brain about what you have to be doing, what you should be doing, and what you forgot to do. You just notice the thoughts and you accept them and you just let them float by, and you close your eyes for 20 minutes. It’s a cathartic process of cleaning out all the detritus and stress that builds up from your chaotic day, and lets you reclaim your focus. I’ve created a kind of meta-nap experience where I will meditate for 20 minutes and then I’ll nap for the last 10 minutes. It’s the most rejuvenating thing, and I just power through the rest of the day (and, no, the David Lynch Foundation did not approach me about endorsing them).

I’m also a runner. I started running when my wife was pregnant with our first daughter, so I’ve been running for 27 years, three times a week, for 3-5 miles each run. I go all year round and it is as much a part of my routine as brushing my teeth. It’s also super easy to do when you travel for business; all you need are some sweats and sneakers. I never run for time; in fact, a woman fast-walked past me as I was running a few months ago in Central Park. While that’s a bit embarrassing for what it says about my pace, I’ve gained in other ways. I’ve solved innumerable business problems and complex issues while running. I can be completely stressed out before a run, and, by the time I’m done, I get that endorphin kick. It may sound trite, but it really is a natural high; running helps me to maintain my balance.

My non-caffeinated productivity hacks are nothing out of the ordinary. It’s universally acknowledged that regular exercise boosts physical health and mental acuity (I actually contracted pneumococcal pneumonia several years ago and my doctor said it was in part because I stopped exercising and was sedentary due to an injury). In addition, many people have experienced tremendous benefits from different forms of meditation. The David Lynch Foundation, for example, does a lot of positive work bringing meditation to inner city school children and to veterans who have PTSD and other war-related afflictions. For me, the big secret to making these habits stick is personalizing them. Transcendental Meditation is technically supposed to be done for 20 minutes twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. For me, meditating once in the afternoon works best, and I am lucky enough to be able to incorporate it at that point in my day. My personal theory for running is that everyone is built with a certain amount of body capital, and if you expend too much by doing marathons, for example, you run the risk of injury. I’ve seen people run a marathon and stop because the goal was achieved. For me, my goal is simply to keep running; I have no desire to run a marathon. But others may find that a running goal is excellent motivation, that 10 minutes of meditation before getting up in the morning is optimal, or that a quick walk during their lunch hour is incredibly energizing. Find what works for you, and keep at it. Also, reward yourself on occasion. I, myself, do it with cookies.

Chocolate chip, if you’re asking.

Photo Credit: www.tallkidtravels.com