Productive Environment Blog

How to Calm a Busy Mind – A Simple Daily Practice

How to Calm a Busy Mind – A Simple Daily Practice

May 08, 20252 min read
Life can often feel overwhelming. With so much uncertainty, it’s easy to get caught up in what’s preying on our minds. But what if there was a simple, daily practice to help you regain clarity and focus?


Barbara Hemphill, being a renowned organizer and life strategist, shares a powerful yet simple approach to calming a busy mind.

In this video, Barbara recounts a moment when her husband Alfred’s young daughter voiced a seemingly innocent but telling concern: “Daddy, something's prey on my mind... do they have pizza in Virginia?” It was a time when the family was preparing for a big move, and this simple question became a metaphor for the larger, unspoken worries that we all carry.

Barbara uses this story to remind us that we all have things preying on our minds – thoughts, worries, and uncertainties that we may not even realize are affecting us. But there is a way to address them.

A Simple Daily Practice

Barbara shares her go-to practice for finding inner calm amidst life’s noise:

  1. Be Still and Breathe: Start each day by sitting in silence, taking deep breaths, and being present in the moment. This quiet time can help ground you and bring clarity to what’s truly on your mind.

  2. Reflect and Release: Ask yourself, “What’s preying on my mind?” Identifying your concerns can lighten the mental load and make it easier to address them.

  3. Focus on What You Can Control: In the midst of uncertainty, Barbara finds solace in Psalm 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God.” Reminding yourself of what you can and cannot control can be a powerful way to find peace.

  4. Ask the Key Question: Before diving into the day’s tasks, ask yourself, “What do I need to do today to feel good about my progress?” This simple question can transform your perspective and help you prioritize what truly matters.

Why This Practice Works

Life is full of unknowns, but we can choose how we respond to them. By taking a few moments each morning to ground yourself, reflect, and set a simple intention for the day, you can calm a busy mind and stay focused on what matters most.

Ready to try it? Take a moment now to be still, breathe, and ask yourself: What do I need to do today to feel good about my progress?

For more practical guidance on organizing your life inside and out, follow us at Productive Environment Institute YT Channel

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Andrea started her career in education before moving to work as an in-home family counselor helping troubled children and their families. Whether she knew it at the time or not, this was also the start of what would become her life's calling.

Though she found being a counselor gratifying, what called to her was the business's streamlining and organizational systems. Soon she found herself in the administrative offices and working as the operations manager. It was the perfect segue to meeting The Paper Tiger Lady. Shortly after, she graduated as one of Barbara's Certified Productive Environment Specialists™ and the rest is history!

Andrea Anderson, CEO Productive Environment Institute

Andrea started her career in education before moving to work as an in-home family counselor helping troubled children and their families. Whether she knew it at the time or not, this was also the start of what would become her life's calling. Though she found being a counselor gratifying, what called to her was the business's streamlining and organizational systems. Soon she found herself in the administrative offices and working as the operations manager. It was the perfect segue to meeting The Paper Tiger Lady. Shortly after, she graduated as one of Barbara's Certified Productive Environment Specialists™ and the rest is history!

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