First of all, what is mindfulness. Its definition is it’s a mental state that’s achieved by focusing on our immediate surroundings. This in the present moment, while acknowledging and accepting our thoughts, feelings, and sensations, as a therapeutic technique.
Increased mindfulness allows you to become a better leader, gives you improved insight, helps you make precise more accurate decisions.
All this sounds great, so the question is how do you achieve this higher state of mindfulness.
Meditation is known as one of the most effective ways. Meditation also offers extended health benefits, better cognition, stronger immune, and prolongs longevity.
There are also other mindfulness techniques, which can be used during the day which has been proven effective.
These are simple exercises to increase awareness throughout the day, which improves better management and engagement of all the challenges which presents themselves.
Slow Down And Breath
Slow yourself down to take calm deep mindful breaths. Focus on inhaling and exhaling deeply.
This becomes extremely effective and an influence once you feel upset or stressed out.
Our minds can easily spin out of control, gain warp speed as we race through the day, so slow down and breath deep. Doing so will improve your muddled concentration.
Once the mind becomes agitated, it becomes difficult to focus, and will occur at the most inopportune times.
The busiest times of day activates stress, and breathing deeply just takes a few moments. The 4-7-8 technique is found the most effective.
Taking Mindful Walks
Most of us walk a lot during the day so make it mindful. Instead of losing yourself in the past, consciously pay attention to the present moment, which calms the mind.
While walking, focus on the sensation of it, feel your feet glide across the floor, monitor your step by step.
Count your steps from one to five, and then start over again to jolt your mind to the present.
Always remember to keep your mind consciously in why and where you’re walking, while keeping your thoughts at bay.
Keeping a slow steady pace will begin to slow down your mind every time you walk, as well as during your stressful moments.
Always Listen Attentively
What’s common is someone you’ve just met will tell you their name, and in a few moments you forget what it was.
This isn’t because of poor memory, but because you never bothered to register it in the first place.
What you’re thinking of is what you’re going to say next, to avoid awkward silence or embarrassment.
You’re thinking too far ahead, and suddenly realize you weren’t paying attention and forget the persons name.
Instead, listen mindfully into what they’re saying. Don’t get distracted by what’s happening around you, or things you need to do later.
Being mindful this way, will have a positive effect on all your relationships. Intently listening bonds a greater connection.
They’ll feel you appreciate what they’re saying, making them feel valued, while they place more effort into the conversation.
Mindful Speech
The flip side of attentive listening is mindful expression. We don’t realize the impact our words have, or how others understand them.
We speak whatever we want in the manner we want, and everyone who hears you interprets it in different ways.
Speaking mindfully is an easy process to develop. We often react by responding immediately to what someone is saying, while we don’t realize the consequences of our response.
Think What To Say
So take a moment before speaking, pause for an instant and think about what you’re going to say, so they’ll understand you precisely.
This includes your tone of voice, your mannerisms and gestures, all which has an impact, which makes a huge difference on how you’re heard.
Relax and speak a little more slowly, consciously think about the context of your words. Tune into your speech, along with your overall presence in general.
Start getting a sense of how others feel in your presence. Did they flex, relax, tense up, look away, look puzzled or indifferent. Pay attention to your words and their demeanour.
Try to be as loving, respectful, and as kind as possible. Pay homage to how they’re reacting.
Once you learn how to put people at ease, then you’ve created better communication and harmony.
Meditative Writing
What’s found important is writing to meditate. What many recommend is writing in a journal, as an effective mindfulness technique and exercise.
What some will do is write out their preset words of a meditation, scribe a particular affirmation in their own handwriting, on a daily basis.
The power of these words will begin to imprint themselves on your subconscious, so within a few days, you’ll begin to behave differently without any conscious effort.
What doing so does is it alters your attitude and feelings, towards others and events. We begin to see the world differently.
We no longer think everyone’s out to get us, or we always need to be first or always right, while also becoming more creative rather than competitive.
To Become Mindful
Mindfulness is an extremely powerful tool which can help you at home, socially or in the workplace.
Once our attitudes regarding others change, the way we deal with them also changes. It helps in healing wounds from the past, by forgiving those who harmed us previously.
This by adopting a calmer frame of mind, allowing you to concentrate better, become more assertive, allowing you to gain greater ability to visualize the bigger picture.
Think of using these methods to become a better person and a more effective leader.
A leader who’s able to be more accountable for your actions and consequences, while becoming a visionary in the process.