More Silence, Less Information

The sources of information that invade our brains have drastically increased in the last 10 years: Twitter, Instagram, push notifications, podcasts. We are bombarded with so much information that we don’t realize it most of the time. This phenomenon is best explained by Scott Allender, senior vice president of talent strategy and development for Warner Music. In a recent podcast interview he said, “We live in the most overinformed and under-reflective civilization in human history.”

More than a year ago, I began making some changes in my life. I intentionally tried to create more time for silence and reflection. Underneath my efforts to gobble up so much information was a nervousness, an anxious thought that if I’m not gathering up as much knowledge as possible, I’ll be left behind.

I’ve found that, in taking more time for silence and reflection, I’m actively working against my nervousness. Being still for five minutes and reflecting while listening to myself breathe is a conscious act that pushes back against the feeling that information, and therefore control, is where my safety and security come from.

Our company and industry are in an exciting time of growth, with technology contributing to major advancements and changing trends. But even in the midst of rapid growth and evolution, everyone needs the time to think, to reflect on life, and to pay attention to their souls. Too much knowledge without the time to be quiet and digest what we’ve learned makes us less human.

The key to building a mindful company is to create an environment where employees have the time for silence and reflection. At Brasfield & Gorrie, our SPIRIT values guide us every day in our work. One of those values, Integrity, is something deeper than just doing the right thing. Integrity implies a thoughtfulness about life. Integrity is not just knowing facts and reacting. It comes from belief, and belief is developed in times of silence and reflection.

At Brasfield & Gorrie, our goal is to provide our clients with everything they envision, and a big part of achieving that goal is taking the time to process and reflect on a project. While being informed helps us succeed, making time for reflection and silence is the only way to make certain we are a company of depth, not just an information carrier.

Director of Personal Development Brent Perkins’ career has spanned from international corporate work to workplace ministry to business coaching and development. He enjoys investing in the health and well-being of Brasfield & Gorrie’s most important asset—its people —by supporting their pursuit of personal and professional goals.