Mindfulness is not only meditation
The practise of Mindfulness has been linked to the practice of meditation. We can be mindful without meditating and still receive the benefits. As solopreneurs, we have so much already todo on our list. With many gurus advising us to make time for self-care. Often this can be put in the too-hard basket, especially with all of the other commitments we also have to meet.
Mindfulness, at its simplest, is being present right now in a non-judgemental way. A thought is just a thought, a memory only a memory and a task is just a task. Labelling whatever we are doing without judging it.
Moving from Ego to Heart
Practising Mindfulness is as simple as doing one thing at a time. Paying attention and being present. It is very much about running from head (ego) to heart (compassion). Being aware of your focus on what is not in balanced or aligned with compassion and non-judgement and not jumping in to edit your thoughts or reactions but letting them happen, acknowledge and send them on their way.
Acknowledging a moment is recognising the feeling that comes with it if. If you feel that business is hard then stay with that feeling – but don’t judge yourself by saying it shouldn’t be hard, other’s don’t find it hard etc. Stay in that moment yes business is hard, I am feeling sad, disheartened. Now say to yourself that all of these feelings are ok. As you do this, the emotions that may have buried themselves for some time will gradually be released and dissipated.
Mindful – Removing the Need to be Right
Another practice of being mindful is to become aware of the ego’s need to be right You have brought a session, course, signed up for a freebie – You have signed up for a guru’s help, but it is still sitting there, untouched half finished and your questioning what the? Once you have done this, let go of the need to be right. Focus on how the emotion feels in the body? Take the time, to acknowledge the feeling. For example, this is …………………. (not me, to hard, overwhelming, fear, not being good enough, it is not how I do things) As you do this the feeling will start to subside. Intentionally move from the head (Ego) to the heart (compassion); remind yourself that you don’t need to understand everything or win everything and that it’s ok to let go and walk away or let go of the fear of what is holding you back. Create boundaries for yourself with compassion and non-judgement.
If you feel uncomfortable in a situation, emotional or anxious, a quick way to bring in Mindful awareness is to come back to the body and the breath. As soon as you focus on your breathing and its calming rhythm, you will immediately start to feel more focused and less anxious. If you want to learn more about mindfulness go over to my blog.
Mindfulness is something I’m learning to implement more and more each day. How did you first get started?