The one thing that a lot of successful entrepreneurs and CEOs swear by is not coffee. It’s meditation. Apple’s Steve Jobs used to do it. LinkedIn’s Jeff Weiner does it. Even Oprah does it. If you’re looking for a magic trick to succeed and grow in every aspect of your life, meditation is it. Meditation is that magic trick, that powerful tool, that can develop and hone your leadership skills at a workplace. All you need to give is literally 5 to 20 minutes of your time in a day. Hundreds of science-backed studies have shown the benefits of meditation, not just on your physical well-being, but your mental health too. Not only does it make you more productive and focused, but also harbour compassion and creativity, while reducing those stress levels to almost zero.
The simple act of breathing in and out for 10 minutes and being truly present in the moment can also prevent burnout from work and make your colleagues tolerable, if not likable. Unlike the momentary boost of energy that coffee gives you, meditation is that slow but sure technique to become a more self-aware, emotionally intelligent, and resilient leader. Here are seven benefits of meditation that can help foster a positive work environment and effectively guide you toward success.
Benefits of meditation: 7 ways meditation can help you grow your career
1. Improves focus
The mere act of meditation requires you to train your mind to focus on the present moment. It can be easy to get distracted and stressed about the workload you may have. Our minds tend to wander often, especially with constant interruptions from text messages, emails and calls. Meditation can help you focus on your present goals. This form of enhanced concentration can improve your productivity. With meditation, you will find it easier to stay on track with your projects and your goals, while being able to solve problems effectively.
2. Sharpens memory
Finding it hard to remember things? In the digital age with an abundance of information available at the touch of our fingertips, it can be overwhelming to imprint it all to your memory. A 2010 study in consciousness and cognition revealed that participants who meditated for 20 minutes for just four days showed lower levels of stress, with a significant improvement in memory and cognitive functioning. The simple act of breathing increases blood flow to the brain and creates a stronger network of blood vessels, hence, strengthening the memory.
3. Reduces stress
That feeling of anxiety and stress before a big meeting or a client pitch can be washed away with meditation. If you work in a high-stress atmosphere, then it can hinder your ability to make clear decisions and handle pressure. Mindful meditation can trigger the “relaxation response,” which is a term opposite of the body’s response to stress in the form of fight or flight. When deliberately focusing your attention on your breath, you’re eliminating the stream of thoughts that causes stress, which helps lower your heart rate, blood pressure and muscle tension. Regular practice of meditation can help you train your mind to find a calmer and more composed approach to problems or roadblocks in your career.
4. Enhances creativity
It’s a proven fact that most “Aha” moments come when humans are in more of a meditative and relaxed state of mind. The constant chatter and distraction in your head can be silenced with the help of meditation. This stillness provides space for creative thoughts to emerge without them being drowned by the noise of everyday issues. Similarly, meditation can enhance divergent thinking–the ability of your mind to generate a wide range of ideas. When you’re in an open state of mind, you are likely to make a novel connection and explore unconventional ideas and solutions that you otherwise would have never thought of.
5. Deeper sleep
How often do you find yourself tossing and turning in bed till late, thinking about all the work and meetings you have lined up the next day? Stress is one of the main causes of sleep deprivation, leading to a vicious cycle of increased stress and sleep disturbances. A 10-minute meditation session before bed, even in bed, can immensely improve your sleep and reduce the number of thoughts that occur in your mind. A good quality of shut-eye can also keep a number of chronic and heart diseases at bay.
6. Ends pessimism
It’s very much normal for you to think of everything that could go wrong before a big pitch to the client. This usually happens when you’re not confident, focused, or are anxious. Daily meditation can help you calm your mind and shut those negative thoughts of failure while keeping you sharp and focused on the task at hand, instead of getting tangled into a constant loop of pessimistic thoughts.
7. Improves relationships
Apart from calming you physically and improving your system, meditation encourages self-reflection and self-awareness by helping you tune in to your thoughts, your emotions, and your reactions. This in turn can help you identify negative patterns and toxic behaviours within yourself. If you’re suffering from anger issues, then meditation gives that emotional regulation that allows you to manage your emotions more effectively. This can prevent you from reacting impulsively in heated situations, reducing the likelihood of conflicts escalating. As you become more present and attentive, listening and sympathising with your colleagues can also promote better communication at your workplace.
