A few short years ago I wouldn’t have considered writing an article on the then considered woolly subject of mindfulness.

Yet fast forward to today and mindfulness is a strategy that many of the world’s top performing executives cite as a ‘must do’ habit to cultivate.

Not surprising really when you consider that mindfulness practice is researched and validated as a proven strategy that works at multiple levels to improve performance, from clear thinking to dealing with stress and worry.

 

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the psychological process of bringing your attention to what is happening both internally (your thoughts and feelings) and externally in the current moment.

 

shutterstock_249383914
 

Probably one of the most common ways mindfulness can be developed is through the practice of meditation. Look online and you will find many of the world’s hugely successful business leaders revealing that meditation is how they start their day; from Salesforce’s Marc Benioff to Oprah and thousands more -the list is growing; why? Because it works.

 

The benefits of mindfulness

Think about it? Imagine being able to process information and therefore control your response; invaluable especially in the stressful roles many of us inhabit today.

A recent article I read on Harvard business review revealed that one Fortune top 25 company has integrated mindfulness techniques into its high performers program with the goal of creating agile and flexible mindsets as a foundation for leadership.

The extensive and validated research on mindfulness suggests that meditation sharpens skills like attention, memory, emotional intelligence, focus, resilience, creativity and also helps in controlling emotions and improving relationships.

All key attributes for today’s modern recruitment business leader.

 

How can mindfulness increase your growth?

The truth? On multiple levels and in multiple ways.

In today’s recruiting environment, though it might not exactly be the old days of ‘fastest finger first’, the contingency model can still cause feelings of stress and uncertainty from your new recruits through to board level.

 

shutterstock_229078573

 

Emotions can run high as managers push their new recruits to deliver consistent placements at an accelerated rate. Tempers rise and emotional reactions are common place.

Meditation can boost emotional intelligence and brain imaging studies from the American Psychological Association suggests that meditation can strengthen your ability to manage your emotions.

It’s not uncommon for untrained billing managers to mis-interpret what their recruiters are going through and I know of many situations where managers will get angry if their consultants don’t perform according to their map of the world. Not conducive to a productive working environment or improved performance. Imagine being in control of how you react; how good would that be?

 

How to meditate

The good news is meditation as a mindfulness practice is easy and can be ‘handled’ in a short amount of time each day.

The classic example of Huda sitting crossed legs doesn’t have to be the standard practice. I personally listen to a meditation recording that lasts 15 minutes a day.

 

shutterstock_360192704
 

My mind gets quiet and it’s a ‘must do’ practice for me. It signals the start of my day and then I am ready to tackle anything.

In the last few years my business has quadrupled in the value it adds and the profits I make. I know that this down to many things and I also know that meditation contributes a huge chunk to how I am able to show up in my business.

 

Next steps

Jump in and allocate 15 mins a day to get still and take time for you. Google meditation recordings and you will have a huge choice.

Let me know how you get on.

 

Warm regards

Nicky

 

High performing consultants are the lifeblood of any successful recruitment organisation. The challenge starts when your recruiters underperform. There is a solution and I cover it in-depth in my latest ebook; How to Convert Your under Performers to Consistent Billers in 14 Days or less. You can download it here.

 

discoverthe6secrets3D