Meditation is becoming more and more popular because of its now well-known list of benefits. According to the APA (American Psychological Association), meditation can reduce stress, improve focus, control emotions, and increase the ability to enjoy relationships. In general, these benefits are all great reasons to adopt a regular meditation practice. But, if you’re in business, then deciding to add meditation as part of your regular routine could mean the difference between your long-term success and spinning your wheels.
In fact, many of the most successful business leaders and entrepreneurs rely on meditation to help boost productivity, among other things. Far from just spiritual or ritualistic, meditation could be the missing link you’ve been looking for, especially if you’re working your way through the world of business.
Below are five of the most empirically proven benefits of meditation for business leaders and entrepreneurs:
Improved thinking. Regular meditation prevents you from dwelling too long on events from your past, including failures. Because of this, meditation helps you find clarity during current challenges and maintain a positive outlook.
Better focus. Even just 10 minutes of meditation each day can help you find more focus at work. By reducing the distractions you experience each day, you become more effective and productive, harnessing even more of your cognitive capacity.
Self-reflection. The more you meditate, the better you become at observing yourself. This ability to self-reflect gives you a powerful tool for quickly recovering after a negative event - whether criticism at work, failure, or a difficult at-work relationship. Furthermore, this ability to introspect gives you a better chance to break bad habits (those same ones that could be getting in the way of your professional success).
Improved mental capacity. Research has shown that meditation actually changes the structure of your brain, increasing both mental activity and agility. This heightened mental capacity is reflected in an increased amount of gray matter in your brain - the material necessary to learn and remember.
More creativity. Regardless of your business niche or industry, creativity helps you problem solve on your feet. The ability to innovate is often what separates leaders from the rest of the pack. Meditation helps you tap into the creative part of your brain, making it easier to find solutions and create day after day.
While a regular meditation practice can feel intimidating, the truth is that even short daily sessions can greatly benefit your life, especially professionally. Many of the top entrepreneurs and leaders rely on meditation to help them stay at the top of their game, including Ray Dalio, the “billionaire founder of Bridgewater Associates”. Jeff Weiner, the well-known CEO of LinkedIn, and Bill Ford, the executive chairman of Ford Motor Company, also meditate regularly. According to Ford, he makes “time to meditate each day, no matter what” because meditation has helped improve his productivity (and) make decisions with compassion and kindness.”
Arianna Huffington, Russell Simmons, Jerry Seinfeld, Oprah Winfrey and Padmasree Warrior all carve out time in their busy schedules to meditate - and so should you. To get started, be sure to work with a professional meditation teacher in-person so that you can get the one-on-one attention and feedback you need to develop a foundation for a lifelong practice.
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AJ’s Notebook provides general information and discussions on topics related to performance, lifestyle medicine, and overall wellbeing. The content shared here, or in any linked materials, is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented, no guarantees are made regarding its completeness, accuracy, or reliability. If you or someone you know has a medical concern, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice based on information you have read in AJ’s Notebook or any linked materials. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, contact your healthcare provider or emergency services immediately. Always seek the advice of a licensed healthcare provider for any questions regarding your health or wellbeing. AnJenette Afridi is not a licensed medical physician. However, she is a highly accomplished keynote speaker and performance consultant with decades of expertise. AJ holds a Master’s degree in Sport Psychology (MA) 1997 and is earning a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) doctorate 2020-present, bringing a unique blend of academic rigor and practical experience to her work.