Why the fastest growing trend in 2020 is slowing down… but slowing down in a particular way
When you think of mindfulness, you may think of a beautiful lake and seat in solitude such, amber glow of sunrise or sunset, a blissful and complete slow down from the craziness of modern life. Nice. The more you picture this beautiful way of being, the good feeling builds in you like a balloon filling up. You think, “How lovely that would be” for a moment. Ahhhh…then the balloon slowly deflates, turning to “I don’t have time for that, perhaps when I’m on vacation, yes that’s good. Or better yet, when I’m retired, you know, when I don’t need to do all I’m expected to do.” The result: You may just think, “I’m not the mindful type.”
Oh, but you are! What I want you to know is that mindfulness is a way of being in relationship with the world. It’s slowing down in a particular way that fosters wellbeing. To engage in this relationship, you may slow down for 30 seconds, or perhaps 2-5 minutes, with an option of more when it serves you. Mindful moments are a way of caring for your precious brain, that is often multitasking, rushing, frustrated, rearranging, and accomplishing. Multitasking is actually task switching and often prolonged periods of interruption lead to inability to focus when we need and want to focus.
Mindfulness is also a way of caring for your body. These daily frustrations, irritations, and speed of operating, have a way of manifesting in our bodies as stress tension and headaches and potentially even worse discomfort or ailments.
I know you are a busy and accomplished person, so ‘d like to bust the myth that you aren’t built for this. Three main characteristics of mindfulness are:
Intention – to be present.
Attention – to whatever you are doing noticing sights, sounds, feelings, and thoughts.
Attitude – cultivate an attitude that is non-judgmental, patient, trusting, nonreactive, and open.
Research supports that our overtaxed brains benefit from this. Mindfulness is a form of living meditation. It is a way to observe the world and yourself in a moment in your life. Mindfulness is defined as observing the present moment non-judgmentally. It seems so simple, but our brains don’t like simple and let’s face it, non-judgmental is a monumental task! Our brains like to label everything, good, bad, up, down, etc. rather than “is”. Mindfulness is a way of grounding us in the greatest reality in our lives – the present moment, aka the “Now”. Studies by Mind/Body Institute of Harvard, National Institute of Health UK, John’s Hopkins, among others have shown that mindfulness improves cognitive function, productivity, client relationships and job satisfaction, while reducing illness and absenteeism in the workplace.*
The benefits far outweigh the cost of time or investment. This conversation could go on for days, weeks, months and even years and still be useful…and I hope it does! Let’s make 2020 a mindful year and decade for us all. Connecting with ourselves so that we better connect with others, and enjoy an overall sense of wellbeing, is a worthy pursuit that does not need to wait until we have more time. Mindfulness returns time to us, while allowing us to be more productive, present, and powerful!
For more information on how to increase valuable time or to make mindfulness a personal and professional priority in 2020, feel free to contact me about 1:1 coaching and group training, as well as speaking engagements for audiences who are ready to live and grow in the power of the present moment.
*Schaufenbuel, Kimberly, Bringing Mindfulness to the Workplace, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School Executive Development, 2014.
For more information about cultivating clarity, compassion, and contentment in your life, contact Kim at [email protected] or (518) 301-3593. Kim Perone is a Success, Bereavement, and Resilience Coach and Mindfulness Trainer offering 1:1 coaching, workshops, programs, retreats, workplace training and resources to support you on your life’s journey. Kim is the author of The Case For Clarity, Compassion, and Contentment: Finding Your Center available at www.center4c.com and Amazon.
