WHAT IS MINDFULNESS?
At the same time, mindfulness develops your ability to be objective. So, it also allows you to observe your thoughts and emotions in an open-minded way. This helps you to gain perspective, and act intentionally, instead of reactively. As a result, it contributes to greater emotional intelligence, better relationships, and more effective communication.
This 60 Minutes segment by Anderson Cooper provides a helpful overview of mindfulness.
Work Can Be Stressful
- It is estimated that stress costs employers $300 billion per year in lost productivity and healthcare costs.
- Over 70% of employees report psychological or physical symptoms related to stress, with over 1/3 describing their stress levels as extreme.
- 48% of employees report sleep disturbances due to stress.
- 83% of employed Americans reported being stressed out by at least one aspect of their jobs.
Mindfulness Can Help
Mindfulness has been shown to:
- decrease stress
- improve immune functioning
- boost your mood and increase overall well-being
- improve sleep quality
- increase job satisfaction
Success as an Executive Requires an Array of Skills…Mindfulness Can Help.
To be a successful executive, you need a variety of skills, including:
LEADERSHIP
Being able to engage and motivate employees towards a common goal.
Mindfulness has been shown to contribute to stronger emotional intelligence, greater empathy, and an enhanced ability to connect to others. All of these qualities will help you to be a better leader.
INFLUENCING SKILLS
Developing relationships, communicating effectively, and collaborating with others to make decisions that are in the best interests of the business.
Mindfulness has been linked to deeper relationships, better communication, and improved decision-making. As a result, you will be more effective when relating to, and influencing others.
EXECUTION
Execution – Prioritizing and managing your time in order to get things done.
Research shows that mindfulness increases concentration and focus, while also helping you to be better able to manage distracting thoughts. The end result is being more productive and efficient as you go about your work.
CONFIDENCE
Confidence – Having a strong sense of self-efficacy and belief in your ability to effect change and meet goals.
Mindfulness can help you to deal with the self-criticism and negative self-talk that can undermine your confidence. With more self-assurance, you put yourself in a better position to accomplish your objectives.
RESILIENCE
Maintaining persistence in the face of difficulty and bouncing back quickly from setbacks.
Mindfulness helps you to gain perspective by letting go of unhelpful worry and anxiety so you can focus constructively on the only thing over which you do have complete control – your actions in the present moment.
GROWTH ORIENTATION
An openness to self-development, and the ability to listen to, and apply feedback.
Mindfulness can help you to increase your level of self-awareness, regulate your emotions and increase your level of objectivity. As a result, you gain greater insight into yourself, and can better benefit from others’ input.