Mindfulness is focused awareness in the present moment. It can be practiced formally through specific meditations or informally by focusing on one task at a time, partaking in mindful meetings, or being fully present during a conversation.
Research supports that just 10 minutes a day can help strengthen neural pathways that improve our ability to focus; mindfulness stimulates parts of our brains that help us think more rationally, and we produce hormones that help us better connect and collaborate with others.
These are all amazing results.
Mindfulness is a tool to help us become more self-aware of our own thoughts and feelings.
And this is truly a challenge.
Every day, we are presented with over 270 newspapers worth of data. Society has led us to believe that we should listen to experts or buy a product rather than rely on ourselves.
Honestly, have you noticed that most of the information we get is just debunking old truths?
The body and brain are optimized for survival, and our thoughts and feelings are a part of this truly remarkable system.
For instance, in 2007, I was attacked in broad daylight in a “safe neighborhood” in Washington DC. I survived because in the moments before the attack, my brain knew I was being followed before I consciously did, and my body prepared itself.
Likewise, in the workplace, self-awareness is extremely important. For instance, in my Mindfulness for Performance course, we review how self-awareness is key for knowing the difference between how you think you behave and what you really do.
Many don’t realize that they talk 80% of the time and only listen 20%, which makes it impossible to understand their peers or customers’ needs and challenges.
How can you start to be more self-aware?
Develop a Mindfulness Practice: A science-backed tool for literally changing your brain to be more focused, productive, ethical, and compassionate.
Listen to your Intuition: It’s our sixth sense that merges facts and feelings to not only help you survive but thrive.
Monitor your Energy: Consciously notice how environments, activities, foods, people impact you by fueling or depleting your energy.
If you want to learn more about these topics and how to become more self-aware in the workplace, join my next course.
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