I was sitting on the edge of a lake last week, watching some swallows swoop down over the water, picking up tiny insects as they buzzed by.

It was an incredible display. They are so fast, and so acrobatic. I sat on that rock for 40 minutes doing nothing but watching them.

How did they see the bugs? How did they intercept another flying object in mid-air? How do they find enough to feed themselves and their babies?

Sitting and observing them in action filled me with wonder and awe.

Wonder creates possibilities

That wonder both makes me feel small – like I’m a minor player in a vast universe of amazing creatures, cycles, and processes that I don’t know anything about – and like anything is possible. If a small bird can feed its family by catching tiny bugs in mid-air, why can’t I command the stage at a major conference after writing a powerful book?

For me, the feeling of being a small part of a big universe is so comforting. It makes my problems seem less daunting. I start to believe things will work out – because that’s what nature’s been doing for millennia.

When I combine that with the realization that anything is possible, it supercharges my energy to serve my clients at a higher level.

Slowing down to speed up

I only had that experience because I took a Friday off and went to sit by that lake.

I gave up “productive” hours to sit next to a lake and watch birds eat bugs (and other things). My to-do list was actually longer when I returned than when I left, but it felt different. I saw possibilities I didn’t before I went. (Seriously, I came back and immediately got some help getting things off my list that had been stuck for months.)

When do you take time away to wonder and reflect? If you made it a regular practice, what might change (in you, and your business)?