Business leaders have a lot on their plates. Though it may seem like they do little compared to the frontline workers that make their companies go, business leaders put in long hours and a tremendous amount of effort. Many of them burn out at some point. A practice like mindfulness can bring a business leader’s life back into balance.
What Is Mindfulness?
Do not confuse mindfulness with the simple act of paying attention. In the world of transformative disciplines, mindfulness is a structured practice that any business leader can learn. But what is it exactly?
Scott Moore is an internationally known mindfulness business mentor. He works with clients throughout the U.S., Canada, and the UK. He describes mindfulness as the practice of focusing the mind on the moment and with no preconceived notions or judgments.
True mindfulness can be difficult to achieve for someone new to it. But with practice, a mindful state can be reached and explored whenever a business leader has time. Even 10 minutes of mindfulness can go a long way toward changing a business leader’s mindset.
How It Brings Balance
The big question is how mindfulness can restore balance to a business leader who is burned out. In truth, it is all about perspective. Burnout is the result of pressure and fatigue, both of which can be addressed by changing thought patterns. Mindfulness brings balance through:
1. Stress Reduction
Mindfulness teaches business leaders how to recognize signs of stress at the earliest possible stages. By focusing on the present moment, a person practicing mindfulness becomes more aware of their physical and emotional state. They can then take actions to intervene against identified stresses. A healthier stress response reduces the likelihood of burnout.
2. Emotional Regulation
Negative responses to stress are tied to the emotions. Therefore, another key component of mindfulness is emotional regulation. Business leaders learn to improve their own emotional intelligence, thereby enabling them to recognize emotional patterns in themselves and others. They can respond to emotions better, rather than allowing them to run out of control.
3. Improved Decision Making
Mindfulness teaches responding to challenges rather than pursuing impulsive reactions. This leans to more rational and critical thinking, self-control, and clarity. The end result is improved decision-making, which further contributes to stress reduction.
4. Improved Focus
Being present in the moment, without judgment or preconception, improves focus. Business leaders learn to stay engaged in their present tasks rather than being distracted by things that can be handled later. The mindful business leader is more productive and less likely to be overwhelmed.
5. Increased Creativity
Mindfulness opens the door to new perspectives. It fosters creativity and innovation in the sense that business leaders learn to not give into self-imposed limitations. Creativity is unleashed and the business leader becomes more innovative.
6. Improved Team Dynamics
Business leaders who practice mindfulness tend to be better leaders to their teams. Therefore, mindfulness has an indirect impact on teams by improving the dynamics among them. Team members feel seen and valued. They are given emotional permission to be the best they can be under the guidance of a collaborative leader rather than a taskmaster.
So much of what causes burnout in business leaders is nothing more than the result of a state of mind. Business leaders are and become what they think. Mindfulness changes the game by changing a business leader’s thought patterns.
If you are a business leader facing burnout, there may be a solution for you in mindfulness. What have you got to lose by learning more about it?
