WHY LEADERS NEED MEDITATION AND OH YEAH THAT MEANS ALL OF US

One of the gifts of technology is the quick spreading of news and information.
One of the curses of technology is the quick spreading of news and information.
One of the impacts of quick spreading of news and technology is lack of focus.
That is one outcome of meditation- the claiming or re-claiming of true focus.

Meditation

A phrase that can illicit orange robes and cross seated positions. But what is it really and why can it help?

Well HEADSPACE, a popular app for learning to meditate says :

“Meditation isn’t about becoming a different person, a new person, or even a better person. It’s about training in awareness and getting a healthy sense of perspective. You are not trying to turn off your thoughts or feelings. You are learning to observe them without judgment. And eventually you may start to better understand them as well.”

And why does the list of people who meditate at work include such names as Bill Gates, Oprah, Jerry Seinfeld (worth 800 million dollars), Arianna Huffington, Jeff Weiner, (owner of LinkedIN)?

Why Leaders Need Meditation

Five Qualities of Effective Leaders

  1. They are self-aware and prioritize personal development. …
  2. They focus on developing others. …
  3. They encourage strategic thinking, innovation, and action. …
  4. They are ethical and civic-minded. …
  5. They practice effective cross-cultural communication.

5 Ways to Start a Meditation Practice:

  1. Find a comfortable spot where you will not be bothered.
  2. Commit to a regular time & place.
  3. Start small, even if it’s only one minute a day.
  4. Focus on your exhale.
  5. Play with different techniques, use an app to be lead, or sit quietly, or watch a candle or use a mantra.

Denise’s
2 Cents:

My own experience with the act of meditation has a looong process. It seemed just forever, I could not get my mind to slow down enough to begin, even knowing a-lot about how darn helpful it is, and could be! One key to beginning has been committing to a time in the morning and making it really tiny. I had one minute of commitment for months & even then – would miss days. After months I added a brief amount of time, two or three, then five minutes. Later still – with support – I slowly began a morning yoga practice- short! Again just 10 minutes. It is there now, – engrained in my day, & I feel more grounded in my life after. That said, I feel like that is still baby steps toward a real solid practice of “Meditation”. More to learn! My two cents: Just start where you are…