Inner Peace Monday Motivation

#417 - Monday Motivation: “To be calm is the highest achievement of the self.” - Zen proverb

Welcome to another short but empowering episode of Monday Motivation, giving you a dose of inspiration as you head into your week...

Today, we explore the beautiful Zen proverb that reminds us that calm is not passive, but a powerful inner achievement we can choose – even in the busiest season of the year:

“To be calm is the highest achievement of the self.”

Three key takeaways you can expect:

  1. How to create micro-moments of stillness in your day - in as little as 30 seconds - to gently reset your nervous system.

  2. How to lovingly lower the bar and simplify December, so it feels more present, joyful and aligned with what truly matters to you.

  3. How to protect your energy and prioritise intentional rest, so you can show up as your best self for the people and projects you care about.

Listen in and feel inspired to slow down, breathe, and make small calm choices that move you closer to living your dream life - whatever that looks like for you.

As always, I’d LOVE to hear what resonated most with you - so please share and let’s keep the conversation going in the Dream Life Podcast Facebook Group here.    

…and remember, it all starts with a dream 💛

Dream Life & kikki.K Founder

P.S. If you’re ready for guided support, explore Dream Life Coaching here: https://www.yourdreamlifestartshere.com/course 💛

SHOW NOTES:

  • Download our free 25 Prompts PDF here... 
  • Buy Kristina's book, Your Dream Life Starts Here
  • Follow Kristina on Insta and TikTok
  • If you feel it's time to take a leap and invest in you, join:
    • My Platinum Coaching Program where in December our focus will be on "Hello Future You! Design Your 2026 Dream Life". Dream big, create your vision, and get clear on what matters most for your best year yet. Learn more here.  
    • My Dream Business Book Club here. In December, we'll be reading and learning from:  The Slight Edge, by Jeff Olsen. It's a key that makes all the other business books and insights you consume actually work.
    • My online personal Growth Book Club GROW, December, where we'll be reading and squeezing the learnings out of Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less, by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang. Learning how to rest - the smartest life hack of all. Learn more here.

RESOURCES:

TRANSCRIPT:

Hi there, and welcome back to another Monday Morning Motivation episode. I’m Kristina, and I’m the host of the Your Dream Life podcast.

Let’s begin this week with something we all need a little more of - especially right now in December, when life can suddenly feel like it’s running at double speed.

Today’s quote is a good one:

“To be calm is the highest achievement of the self.” - Zen proverb

I’m going to repeat it: To be calm is the highest achievement of the self.

Isn’t that beautiful and so true? And maybe exactly what we need to hear right now. Because in a season filled with extra events, extra emotions and extra expectations, calm is a gift. A luxury. A superpower. And also a choice we get to make, moment by moment.

Why calm matters - especially in December

December is often full of magic, and also full of pressure.

We’re wrapping up the year. We’re juggling work, family gatherings, school concerts, travel, gifting, emotions, memories - all layered on top of an already full life.

If we’re not intentional, we slip into a pace that pulls us away from ourselves. Away from presence. Away from joy. Away from the small, beautiful moments that actually make this season meaningful and fun.

And that would be such a shame.

But calm brings us back. Calm grounds us. Calm quietly whispers, “You are doing enough.” Calm helps you show up as the version of you that you want to be - not just for others, but most importantly for yourself.

I love this idea that calm isn’t passive. It’s not accidental. It’s actually an achievement - a reflection of inner work, awareness and choice.

So today, I want to share a few simple, practical ways you can cultivate more calm, starting now, as you move through the final weeks of the year.

Tip 1: Create micro-moments of stillness

Calm doesn’t require hours. It often comes in small pockets. We’re talking 30 seconds, two minutes, five minutes.

So try this today:

  • Before opening your emails, pause and take three slow breaths.
  • When you make a coffee or a tea, let it be a mindful ritual. Feel the warmth of the cup in your hands, notice your feet on the floor, breathe and be very conscious of that moment.
  • Each time you transition - from car to house, meeting to meeting, room to room - stop for five seconds and just notice your breath.

These tiny pauses help your nervous system reset. It’s so simple, but sometimes really hard to do. So as always: progress, not perfection.

Tip 2: Lower the bar lovingly

I know you want to do everything beautifully, and I know you want to make this season magical.

But magical doesn’t mean perfect. It means present.

So maybe you:

  • Buy a cake instead of baking.
  • Say no to one event.
  • Simplify gifting.
  • Choose rest over rushing.

Small acts of gentleness can create massive calm.

Tip 3: Anchor into what actually matters to you

In our Dream Life work, we often talk about values being your compass. When life is busy, your values help you choose what deserves your energy - and what doesn’t.

Ask yourself: What matters most to me this month?

Is it presence, connection, simplicity, rest, joy?

Let your values lead your December - not pressure or obligation.

Tip 4: Protect your energy like it’s sacred

Because you know what? It is.

Your calm comes from your energy. Your energy comes from your boundaries.

So this week, try:

  • One early night.
  • One moment where you choose yourself first.
  • One activity that fills your cup.

And if guilt creeps in, remind yourself:
“When I’m calm, I’m better for everyone and everything I care about.”

Tip 5: Rest intentionally - not as a last resort

This month inside my book club GROW, we are reading the brilliant book Why You Get More Done When You Work Less and the timing could not be more perfect.

One of the core ideas of the book is that rest isn’t the opposite of work. It’s a vital partner to great work, creativity and wellbeing. I love that, because so many of us wait until we’re absolutely exhausted before we give ourselves rest.

But imagine what December would feel like if we built rest in on purpose - daily, weekly - in small, nourishing ways.

Even if you’re not part of GROW yet, I want to invite you to take this idea with you today:

  • Rest is productive.
  • Rest is powerful.
  • Rest is essential for your dream life.

The Calm Minute

Here’s something beautiful and easy you can try today: The Calm Minute.

Once a day, choose one minute to:

  • Close your eyes.
  • Place a hand on your heart.
  • Take a slow breath.
  • Ask yourself: “What do I need right now?”

And then give yourself one tiny step towards that need.

Just one minute - and that one minute can shift your entire day.

Final thought

As you move through December, I want you to remember this:

You don’t need to earn calm.
You don’t need to wait for things to slow down.
You don’t need to finish everything before you can rest.

Calm is available to you right now - in this breath, in this moment, in the choices you make today.

And when you choose calm, even in the smallest of ways, you are choosing your dream life, one gentle moment at a time.

You’ve got this. And I’m cheering for you, always.

I wish you the most beautiful, calm Monday. And as always, I’ll be back on Friday with another episode - so I’ll see you then.

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

More from: Inner Peace Monday Motivation
Back to PODCASTS - YOUR DREAM LIFE with KRISTINA KARLSSON

Explore more

Share this