Why Silence is a good ally

I’m facing my next belt testing. For weeks, I’ve been practicing techniques, refining movements, sharpening my reflexes. But now, as the moment approaches, I realise that the most important thing absorbing. The techniques don’t just need to settle in my mind. I have to give them space to anchor themselves. And for that, I need silence.

This principle doesn’t just apply on the mat but in every area of life. Especially in business and when making important decisions.

Think faster, Decide Better in Three Stages

A good fight isn’t just about rapid movements. It has structure. Three phases determine whether a technique is successful:

1. Observation: You take in information, analyze your opponent’s.
   👉 Or in business: You read, listen, gather knowledge on markets and competition.
2. Processing: Your subconscious searches for patterns, makes connections, formulates a plan.
   👉Likewise at work: Your brain lets ideas mature and interconnect.
3. Action: You strike with precision and the right timing.
   👉Or: You make a decision, implement a strategy and follow through.

In our daily hectic however, we tend to skip phase two. We jump from input to output, from meeting to meeting, from idea to execution—without a pause, without silence.

And what happens? We no longer act— we only react.  Decisions become rushed, creativity dries up, and mind and body burn out.

Silence as Regeneration – Why Your Brain Needs a Quiet Room

Have you ever felt the need to escape after a long meeting? To turn off the TV? To get away from the noise? That’s your body signalling: I need silence.

Silence is a necessity. It is a form of regeneration that calms our nervous system, clears our thoughts, and allows us to act consciously.

Studies show that constant noise—whether from open-plan offices, digital distractions, or the endless chatter in our own minds—reduces concentration, increases errors, and raises stress levels.

Many companies realised already the benefit of creating Quiet Rooms where employees can retreat to collect their thoughts. This is because good solutions and ideas rather happen in moments of quiet reflection and not in crowded meeting rooms.

Three Types of Silence That Make You Stronger

Not all silence is the same.

• Outer Silence – The Space Around You

A quiet room, a walk in the forest, the deliberate elimination of distractions. This type of silence pulls you out of the constant noise and helps your system reset. It gives your brain the chance to regroup.

• Verbal Silence – The Power of Not Speaking

A conscious break from talking sharpens perception and judgment. Try setting aside just a few minutes a day without speaking—just observing. Notice what changes within.

• Inner Silence – The Warrior Mindset

This is the ultimate form of control over yourself. and your action.

In the martial tradition, there are three mental states that define the calm within the storm:

• Mushin: A state free from distraction, ego, or overthinking.
• Zanshin: A relaxed alertness. Full presence, with no attachment to outcome.
• Fudoshin: A calm, centered resilience that holds steady in chaos.

These aren’t abstract concepts. They’re trained mental muscles and silence is how you build them. When you give your mind a break from the constant noise, you create space for intuitive action, creative insight, and focused leadership.

That’s not just a mindset for warriors. It’s the ideal mindset for anyone who leads, creates, decides or simply needs more peace of mind.

How to Integrate Silence Into Your Life

When you feel, I need to be faster, I need to do more, remember: slow down instead: Observe. Breathe. Choose the right timing and  handle.

Here are some simple ways to bring silence into your daily routine:

• Leave your phone in a different place: focus on listening and interacting with your coworkers
• Take thinking walks: No podcast, no distractions. Let your brain make connections while you move.
• Get comfortable with silence: No constant background noise. Listen to your own thoughts.
• Set deliberate quiet times: Just a few minutes a day. See what shifts.
• Create your own Quiet Zone: A space, a ritual, a moment reserved just for yourself.

Don’t underestimate it. Silence isn’t a retreat, it’s a return to your center.

It grounds you, sharpens your focus, and creates the space where real clarity can surface.

Whether you’re stepping onto the mat, into a high-stakes meeting, or navigating your next big decision: Don’t rush in. Slow down. Breathe. That pause? It’s not in the way—it is the way.

Sometimes, we need a sparring partner—not just in training, but also when it comes to gaining clarity, making decisions, or asserting ourselves with confidence. In my coaching and training sessions, I help you find focus, build inner strength and grow — professionally and personally. 

Let’s talk.