Get Your Mind Right (for Business)
Hi! Kathryn here. This month, we discuss how creating a space between thinking and doing helps you make clearer business decisions.
Before every free throw, basketball great Michael Jordan took a breath to create a space between thinking and doing. He took that extra breath to focus on sinking his shot. Serena Williams took a breath to focus before she released her powerhouse serves. The late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg would take a breath before delivering a groundbreaking opinion (or dissent) to focus her words.
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Taking a moment to pause and breathe before any action, aka Mindfulness, is the first tool in your personal success toolbox–the personal frameworks, processes, and strategies that you will refer to time and time again as you build your company. (For more on building your personal toolbox, see page 51 of Build the Damn Thing.)
Mindfulness is an important part of your success journey (business or personal) because it trains you to create space between thinking and doing. And it is In this space, you can clearly focus on the end goal.
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff starts his day with 30 to 60 minutes of meditation. He says the process helps you let go of things that don’t matter and focus on what's really important. But you may not have time for that long of practice in your busy day. Below is a brief exercise that I use to help me focus quickly.
Brief Mindfulness Exercise
Try this: Sit upright in your chair. Take a deep breath while saying the mantra, “The universe is conspiring for your greatness.” Hold the breath for about five seconds and then release.
Simple right? Feel free to replace the mantra above with one that resonates for you. Maybe it’s “I got this!” or “I am the creator of my future.” Go with whatever speaks to what you’re trying to accomplish that day. Say your mantra while breathing in slowly, and repeat the exercise two or three times.
Get Build the Damn Thing podcast in Your Ears Now!
Build The Damn Thing podcast, based on my bestselling book, is on Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Spotify! Season 3 is available now. Check out the How to Mentally Prepare for Entrepreneurship episode from Season 2 for more tips on how to get your mind right to make your own big business decisions.
In next month’s newsletter, we’ll be talking about how to know the price you are willing to pay for success (and success does come with a price).
Keep Building the Damn Thing!
