14 Strategies for Leaders to Adopt or Practice Mindfulness

Adopting techniques such as mindfulness can help people reduce stress and regain control of their lives.

Leaders face a lot of pressure when it comes to managing personnel, monitoring the market, and defining and accomplishing corporate goals. All of these obligations and expectations surely contribute to stress being a normal and ever-present element of many leaders’ jobs.

While leadership and stress may coexist, embracing techniques such as mindfulness may help leaders better manage their stress and regain control. 14 Newsweek Expert Forum members share suggestions on how leaders should embrace or practice mindfulness on a daily basis to assist leaders prevent stress from negatively effecting their productivity and morale.

1. Make a Vision Board.

 

Mindfulness is frequently misinterpreted. One piece of advice I have for leaders is to construct a vision board. This provides a visual representation of everything they desire for themselves and their organization over the next year or two. Place it in your workspace and stare at it every day to develop a mindfulness habit. Looking at it will spark thoughts on how to achieve your goals and dreams. It will also help to keep you grounded. – Rank Secure’s Baruch Labunski

2. Determine What Mindfulness Means to You.

 

Everyone’s definition of mindfulness is different. It might be prayer for some, while it could be some type of meditation for others. For me, it’s about making time each day to detach from the outside world, put away my electronics, and reflect within. This is a good moment to check in with myself, make sure I’m grounded, and refocus on my basic principles. Merchants Fleet, Brendan P. Keegan

3. Prioritize mindfulness.

 

Leaders who wish to start or expand their mindfulness practices must prioritize it throughout their day. Leaders must be deliberate in scheduling aside time to commit to the exercise. When leaders practice mindfulness on a regular basis, it becomes easier to be present amid difficult situations. Mindfulness will then become a habit rather than “just another thing” to do. – Donna Marie Cozine, DMC Consult

4. Create Consistency

 

Consistency is essential. Create a morning ritual, even if it’s only for five minutes. Also, go slowly. I believe that many of us anticipate instant results and give up when we don’t get them. Finally, keep an eye on yourself during the day. Are you taking deep or shallow breaths? Have you consumed items that are beneficial to your nutrition and goals? These are all brief activities that help you stay in the present moment. Energetics of Being LLC’s Jean Tien

5. Concentrate on Being Present in the Present Moment

 

One advice for cultivating mindfulness is to concentrate solely on what is happening right now. This may necessitate a leader reminding oneself to “be right here, right now,” which is much easier said than done. Lisa A Lundy, Lisa Lundy

6. Make Mindfulness Time a Priority.

 

We make time for what matters. If you want to practice mindfulness, you must be deliberate and set out time for it. Try the five mindful exercises (breathing, observation, awareness, listening, and appreciation) to evaluate which ones seem most comfortable for constant practice. – Womack Consulting Group’s LaKesha Womack

7. Incorporate Gratitude

 

I encourage leaders to include appreciation into their mindfulness practice. Reflection precedes mindfulness, which is ultimately led by purpose. Keeping a gratitude notebook might help you stay present. It can also remind you of what to focus that day and assist you in developing a strategy to deal with everyday stress. Let’s focus on anchoring ourselves in 2023 when our schedules are chaotic and always altering. Deseret Management Corporation’s Aaron Sherinian

8. Avoid multitasking at all costs.

 

To cultivate presence, use the transitions that are already built into your day. Avoid multitasking and picking up your smartphone as you go from one spot to the next. Examine your five senses and take in what your surroundings have to offer. Use this moment to check in with yourself and raise your consciousness. A clear mind avoids multitasking and practices presence. – Corporate Wellness Consultant Leah Marone

9. Conduct internal check-ins

 

Throughout the day, check in with yourself. I prefer to check for judgemental or emotional myths throughout the day by practicing nonjudgmental thinking and avoiding making my feelings facts. This keeps toxins out of my system. I supplement my spirituality with prayer and meditation. Before going to bed, I accept responsibility for my acts during the day and prepare for the next morning. The US LIFESTYLE GROUP LLC, Uriel Saenz

10. Include Unstructured Time Blocks

 

Plan ahead of time and schedule unstructured time on your calendar. You must make mental space to allow inventive and creative ideas to flow without interruption. Simple grounding and breathing exercises can be done in quiet or as guided online routines. It makes no difference what type or time you use, so do what comes easily, empty your mind, and let the magic flow. – Avaneer Health’s Margie Kiesel

11. Condition Your Mind to Wander

 

Being conscious of our current moment is the most difficult thing for all of us. The mind must be taught, and one basic method to begin is to just let the mind wander without control until it returns to the present. A mind is like water in a hand; the harder you squeeze, the more it rushes out. Loosen your fist and let it take shape first. The second step is to shape it. Volektra, Manish Seth

12th. Mediate

 

Meditation can help us achieve equanimity by not reacting to our ideas, emotions, and physical sensations. I meditate for 30 minutes every day, right after I wake up. This practice improves my awareness throughout the day, helping me to be more patient, optimistic, and yield to all situations, good and bad. Everyone notices the difference when I skip meditation! – Radicle Science’s Jeff Chen

13. Establish a Mindful Morning Routine

 

Every day, I begin with an hour of yoga and meditation, followed by a two-hour walk. It’s tempting to wake up and check Slack right away, but I’ve always found that doing so sets a different tone than starting my day invigorated and focused. As a leader, I cannot afford to have my focus diverted. Starting the day deliberately allows me to focus on the most critical activities and decisions, rather than the most distracting ones. Semios’ Michael Gilbert

14. Keep Things Simple

 

Making time for mindfulness is important, and any practice should not be overcomplicated. Finding time for mindfulness may be difficult for any leader, especially those who work in stressful circumstances. Begin slowly as you fine-tune your favorite mindfulness practice, and then make regular mindfulness sessions a part of your routine. Make sure you handle your mindfulness practice as seriously as you would any other essential activity.