When preparing beans for cooking you can put them in a bowl under a tap, and rub them clean as the water gushes out. Or you can let water run gently into the bowl and then allow the beans to settle for a while.

In the first instance you get one type of debris out, quicker. In the second, you get some beans, the bad ones, floating on the top together with other lightweight debris. And, if you skim them off carefully, and then drain out the water, you can remove the other beans carefully. You will find stones and other heavy debris settled at the bottom. You can throw these out, and then  complete the cleaning process as in the first instance.

The second method is akin to what quiet time  does for you. It allows issues to float to the top or sink to the bottom where you can more easily separate them, thus ridding yourself more definitely of the burden they represent. Without quiet and stillness, often found in solitude, you will get some stuff out, but you will also miss a lot, and maybe even mix issues. This is what happens when you constantly operate in groups or crowds, in noise, or on the fast lane - moving from one task to another without a break.

Building quiet time into your routine allows you to renew and re-energise your spirit. It is one way to proactively manage stress.  In fact there is scchool thought  that believes   solitude is good for the immune system, and that it aids in healing.

How can you build quiet time?

Here are 4 tips:

1. Make it a priority. As with everything else that matters, if you don't plan to have quiet time it is unlikely that you will. Mark it into your diary or set a reminder on your phone.
2. Exploit natural breaks or spaces- we have been sitting out the election results in Kenya. This is the kind of 'natural break' that you could use for quiet time and reflection. Other moments present themselves during the drive back home from work. Or on the queue at the supermarket, and as you wash your hands in the washroom.
3. Teach people around you to respect your silent time. If you normally maintain an open door at the office close it when you want some quiet time, and don't allow people to interrupt. At home, let your children know when you are retreating for some quiet time, and teach them not to intrude.
4. Create at least one routine that promotes solitude and quiet time into your daily program. This could be personal meditation or prayer, a regular walk, or even getting up before everyone else  to savour the morning stillness. And, periodically, take a longer, more structured break from noise by attending a silent retreat. 

This is a program for men and women who are generally successful, but who are not fulfilled. It is for people who wake up in the morning and wonder if there is more to life than 'this'. It is for people who want to find more meaning in their lives.

These men and women know they are stuck, yet they feel powerless to make the change they need. They need help to take the first step to living the life they really want.

'Step Beyond Your Barriers' will show you how to 

• Identify where you are in your life now 
• Articulate where you want to be 
• Acknowledge barriers that hold you back 
• Plan to overcome those barriers 

At the end of this program you will have developed your vision of success with fulfilment, and you will have the confidence to pursue that vision.

The program is delivered in 3 ways.  Read more

  To register send  email here.