Mindfulness: 3 ways leaders can get started

Maybe you're skeptical of mindfulness: I was too, until I found that it helped me be a more focused CTO

With the demands and potential stress that can come with being CIO or CTO, many tech executives are taking steps to strengthen their mental fitness and reduce their stress levels. One example is mindfulness.

Mindfulness has been around for many years, often in the form of meditation. For those artful tech executives who embark on the mindful journey, the rewards are generally plentiful: better health, stronger focus, more energy, and greater peace of mind. Better yet, these outcomes can translate to heightened performance on the job for CIOs and CTOs.

I use mindfulness as a method to regain energy, stay focused, and release stress and tension. Like most C-level tech executives, I need to manage multiple activities in my job and practicing mindfulness helps me stay in mental shape – just like exercising helps the athlete stay fit. As a tech executive, your most valuable asset is your brain, and mindfulness helps you get the best out of it.

Before you object, let me address the biggest concern I hear from other CIOs and CTOs: Time.

Time and managing my busy schedule is without a doubt an issue, but since the practice helps me focus and make better decisions, I have made it a priority to find the time. I have experienced how mindfulness meditation can really help me maintain focus throughout the workday, and therefore it’s become a daily priority. Moreover, with clearer thinking and greater energy, I end up saving time and performing at a higher level simply from a small time investment made in mindfulness.

The first time I was introduced to using a minute of silence to start a meeting, I walked out.

To be honest, I was very skeptical in the beginning. The first time I was introduced to using a minute of silence to start a meeting, I walked out and suggested that we call in meetings one minute earlier for those who had time for that.

Today, I’m happy that my colleagues were persistent and ignored my suggestion: Having a minute of silence prior to a new meeting has really helped me get the most out of discussions.

With the understanding that mindfulness can pay great dividends for us and that it should be scheduled into our busy lives, the next step is designing a plan to do so. Here are three easy, yet impactful, steps to help any CIO or CTO get started.

One Minute of Silence

Starting a meeting with an actual one minute of silence by all attendees is a great way to land, focus your thoughts, and connect to each other and the task at hand. It's not always easy reaching a calm state of mind when you’ve just come from a high-stakes meeting, so taking a minute to relax, calm down, and find your breath is the perfect method to prepare you for the impending meeting. CIOs can recommend this practice for all of the meeting participants or do it solo prior to entering the meeting room.

Self-Anchoring

To fight off the fatigue from a hectic day, CIOs/CTOs should have techniques in place to refresh and anchor in the present moment when their minds begin to slow down or wander. For this, you can start by taking a few deep breaths and paying attention to your breath as it goes in and out. Slowly scan your body from head to toe bringing focus and your breath to each area of your body until you feel relaxation penetrate each body part. If more work is needed to refresh, try adding stretching to your breathing or going for a walk.

Smiling

I know it sounds simplistic, but smiling really does help with your moods and outlook. Initiating and holding a smile can have a huge impact, both on your own mood and on your success in a meeting. And your executive colleagues, staff and business associates will appreciate your sunny demeanor. Your brain doesn't know the difference between a real and a fake smile, so fake it until you make it and spend a moment smiling.

In closing, let me leave you with the fact that mindfulness has really helped me become better at focusing on what matters most and I encourage my fellow CIOs and CTOs who might be feeling the crunch of everyday pressure to give mindfulness a try. It helps your brain stay in shape to make good decisions.

Published in:https://enterprisersproject.com/article/2018/10/mindfulness-3-ways-leaders-can-get-started

See more at: Morisberacha.com

Los beneficios y las variantes de la postura de yoga 'perro boca abajo'

La postura del perro que mira hacia abajo o 'adho mukha svanasana', en sánscrito, es una de esas asanas que se deben incluir siempre que practiques yoga. No solo por sus beneficios, que son muchos, sino también porque es una de las más sencillas. Es, de hecho, una de los movimientos que se realizan en el 'Saludo al sol'. Por ejemplo, esta postura aumenta el aporte sangre al cerebro, ayuda a estabilizar la presión arterial y combate el estrés y la ansiedad. Además, estira toda la columna con lo que, su práctica habitual, contribuye a relajar la espalda y evitar el dolor de lumbares y cervicales. Asimismo, fortalece los brazos, piernas y mitiga la tensión de los hombros, el cuello y de los brazos. Pasos para realizar la postura del perro hacia abajo Aunque parece una asana sencilla de realizar, se debe 'montar' correctamente para notar los beneficios y para no hacernos daño. Puedes empezar en posición de cuadrupedia: rodillas y...

Mindfulness: preguntas y respuestas

El mindfulness tiene sus raíces en la filosofía oriental y se ha traducido al castellano como atención plena. En los últimos años se ha popularizado considerablemente en occidente: se menciona en todo tipo de publicaciones; se imparte en numerosos centros, incluso en empresas, colegios, etc. Pese a ello, es difícil encontrar una única definición sobre qué es mindfulness. Por ejemplo, algunas fuentes indican que el mindfulness es una forma de practicar meditación, mientras que otras aducen lo contrario. Y es que se trata tanto de una actividad como de un estado que se puede alcanzar. Por otro lado, encontramos diversas formas de practicarlo o de alcanzar ese estado de atención plena. Para practicarlo suelen proponerse determinados ejercicios. Son típicos los de la uva pasa o la llama de la vela, pero también hay otros ejercicios más genéricos, en los que simplemente se nos indica que focalicemos y sostengamos nuestra atención en una actividad cotidiana que estemos llevando a cabo,...

El mindfulness en las cárceles, una transformación para la libertad

En Estados Unidos, Reino Unido y España se impulsan actividades de meditación orientadas a propiciar cambios en las personas que están privada de libertad por cometer un delito Moris Beracha.- En nuestro indagar por la web sobre cómo el mindfulness puede convertirse en una herramienta de transformación de la gente, nos hemos encontrado con experiencias interesantes y desafiantes: su práctica en las cárceles para quienes están privados de libertad muchas de las veces porque arremetieron contra la vida de alguien. Son proyectos muy recientes. Aún no pueden mostrar resultados tangibles que indiquen un completo cumplimiento de los objetivos que se plantearon, pero no dudamos que pueden propiciar un cambio para estas personas y estos lugares. Vale decir que las organizaciones que aúpan este tipo de programas no pretenden asumir competencias que son propias de algún ente gubernamental porque estamos hablando que las políticas penitenciarias competen al sect...

MB Mindfulness

Buscar este blog