3 Reasons Why Business Professionals Can Benefit from Meditation

I can’t begin to express how much meditation has truly changed my life for the better. In my first Optimism Code book, due to launch within the next few months, I will be sharing tips on how to become mindful without meditation for those who truly feel they cannot concentrate enough to meditate, but today I want to talk about the value of meditation for your career.  I will also discuss various methods you can use to quickly and easily get in a good meditation that becomes a regular practice.

We are all different and there is never a one-size-fits-all solution, especially when it comes to meditation.  I have gone through many different types of meditation practices over the years.

There are three things I really get out meditating that are great for me from a business perspective. My clients find that as they learn how easy it is to make meditation a part of their lives, it gives them a positive edge in business in addition to personal life.

1.       Calm – While there are a handful of people who remain cool in the face of stress and never let anything ruffle their feathers, most people react when a co-worker doesn’t come through with a promised deliverable or a boss changes the game plan in the middle of the project.  It happens all the time.  Have you ever been through a re-org?  Those are fun too.  People who meditate can literally change their brain wiring over time and become much calmer.  If you lean towards worry and anxiety when it comes to unanticipated workloads or even the occasional computer glitch, 5 minutes a day is all you need. More meditation is great, but in only 5 minutes, giving your brain a rest can make a huge difference when it comes to handling those curve balls coming straight at you.

2.       Creativity – One of my favorite things about mediation is the creativity it

brings me.  I actually came up with the theme for this article while meditating. Yes, I know I am supposed to be focused on the present moment when I meditate but more often than not, as soon as my mind settles down, I have aha moments. Like magic, not focusing on anything allows my mind to come up with the best ideas. It is like a strategic planning session without the effort. My biggest challenge is remembering my great revelations when the meditation after I remind myself to focus on the present moment again. 

3.       Presence – Learning to be present, which is part of meditation practice, is

so valuable. Whether speaking to a colleague or boss, paying attention, in the moment is a valuable skill.  Many of us race ahead to think about what we are going to say next.  Having the ability to listen to others and take in what they are saying in real time without drifting to the next thought is powerful. Being present to your reactions is important too.  If your boss piles on more than you think you can get done in the time allocated, instead of promising something you may not be able to deliver on, you can communicate timeline concerns.  By being present to your physical sensations, as they happen, you will be in a better position to express yourself before making commitments rather than after the fact. 

Now that I have given you an overview of why I love meditation so much as a businessperson, I want to give you the how.  As mentioned previously, there are so many ways to meditate. In my coaching program, I introduce clients to the methods that have worked best for most people and delve into the details. For today’s article, I will share the number one thing I teach people. Do not be afraid of squirrel mind.  That is 100% normal. Most people shy away from meditation because they feel they can’t quiet their mind perfectly. Perfect is unnecessary to get benefits from even a short meditation.  If you have never meditated, I recommend you start with an app like Headspace that offers a free intro course designed to give you a solid foundation. 

If you are more experienced and have done yoga, for example, you may enjoy Yoga Nidra.  There are a few free Yoga Nidra meditations available on streaming sites, or you can even download one of my favorite free apps created in collaborate with the VA called Mindfulness Coach. On there you will find a myriad of different types of meditations including iRest which is Yoga Nidra in disguise.  You may have to download a few extra files to get the full value. 

If this is all too much for you right now, go to any search engine and type in 5-minute guided meditation and just close your eyes, sitting or even lying down, and listen.  Do your best to bring your wandering mind (everyone has one) back to center. 

The calm, creativity, and presence I get from a short meditation has been amazing

when it comes to my own performance. I have also seen so many others truly benefit from a brief meditation practice.  There are at least 20+ other ways you can easily learn to meditate to bring about positive change and greater optimism that will impact your work life. 

Even if you previously thought meditation wasn’t for you, I hope this article will have you give it a second look. Maybe you have meditated and just got away from it.  If so, now is your chance to revisit and renew your commitment to use meditation for greater performance on and off the job.

At The Optimism Code, we help you develop simple, easy to use Optimism Keys to design your own unique keychain for living your best life without burning out.  If you enjoyed this post, please sign up for more free content at https://theoptimismcode.com

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Wendy J. Schwartz, CPCC is a Certified Wellness and Career Coach. As the creator of The Optimism Code, she is an avid writer and provides coaching services to help clients design their best life. For more information about her book and coaching services, visit https://theoptimismcode.com

DISCLAIMER: The Optimism Code is intended to aid people like you in achieving greater levels of life satisfaction through a variety of unique strategies intended to boost optimism. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for working with a licensed healthcare professional or medical provider.