What Is Mindfulness? Can It Help Entrepreneurs?
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Note: this article was contributed by Uma Alahari , Ph.D, and Educational Professional. We thought the topic would be of interest to our readers.
Kabat-Zinn defined Mindfulness as “paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.” Keeping attention anchored in present experience promotes awareness of our thoughts, feelings, emotions, and sensations as they arise.
Mindfulness is bringing our awareness to the present experience—observing the thoughts, feelings, and sensations from moment to moment—and by centering the focus of attention. This is described as being in the present.
Mindfulness is a 2600-year-old concept that has been reinvented to address the challenges of our digital age and is being widely used in education, psychotherapy, and corporate world. Research shows that after practicing mindfulness, the grey matter in the brain’s amygdala – a region known for its role in managing stress – can become smaller.
Mindfulness practice shows increased activity in the pre-frontal cortex area of the brain responsible for planning, problem solving, and controlling emotions. Mindfulness practice can help entrepreneurs to reflect effectively, focus sharply on the task at hand, master peak levels of stress, and recharge quickly.
During mindfulness practice, attention is focused on a particular focus, commonly the sensations of one’s own breathing. Whenever attention wanders from the breath one must simply take notice of thoughts and feelings, let them go, and attention is brought back to the breath. This process is repeated each time the attention wanders away, simply taking notice of whatever the mind wanders to, accepting without making judgments or elaborating on its implications.
“Focus your attention on the breath. Follow your breath all the way in and follow the breath all the way out. If you notice that your mind has shifted, gently and kindly bring your attention back to the breath.”
- Mindfulness of Breath practice
Mindfulness is also referred to as participatory observation as it involves awareness of experience while being immersed in it. By focusing on the present experience entrepreneurs can improve the quality of their work and be fully present for customers and employees.
By regularly practicing mindfulness entrepreneurs can develop increased awareness of the body's response to an emotional stimulus and greater ability to regulate emotions. By experiencing stronger emotions with greater objectivity and less reactivity, they can develop the capacity to cope with them.
Reappraisal of the experience is one of the ways in which emotion gets regulated during mindfulness making it possible to respond to situations in more flexible and adaptable ways rather than as stressful events of reactivity. Entrepreneurs no longer be controlled by states of anxiety, fear, anger, but able to use them as information to attend to the emotion, choosing to self-regulate in ways that foster greater health and well-being.
Mindfulness allows entrepreneurs to observe an experience as if it is for the first time, called as "beginner's mind" instead of perceiving through the filter of their beliefs, assumptions, expectations, and desires.
An open mindful and intentional awareness can help entrepreneurs choose behaviors congruent with their values, needs and interests, as a result develop compassionate relationships.
Mindfulness is not a panacea for all the world’s issues, but it does provide a practical strategy for working directly with reality. We may be not able to change certain things in our life, but we can change how we respond to them.
The more present we are to our life the more choices we have in its unfolding. Mindfulness provides protection against unconstructive responses and self-criticism. Even just pausing to take a breath can help us slow down, see a broader perspective and change our mindset.
Here are some simple Mindfulness practices for everyday practice:
Writing Gratitude List
Checking in with yourself-Be present, aware of your body, emotions, and thoughts
Self-Compassion – Be your best friend
Mindful breathing
Mindful muscle relaxation
Focus and enhance the positive experiences
Take a pause
Mindful walking
Sensory grounding
Photo by Lesly Juarez – unsplash.com