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Between stimulus and response, In that space lies our freedom In our response lies our growth - Viktor Frankl |
Do you need to hit the pause button?
Who doesn’t? Let’s get smart and have fun doing this together. Companies like Google, Apple and Deutsche Bank are doing it. One firm reported 120% rise in productivity, 85% drop in absenteeism and 520% increase in profit after having employees meditate twice daily. Let go of what you think you may know about various things called “meditation.” A client and I had a great clarification chat about this, revealing that it’s not just about getting busy people to relax. It’s much more about the root cause (or derailment) of your optimal effectiveness and fulfillment in being at your best.
After 25 years of studying human potential, adult development, personal joy and professional effectiveness, if you asked me for the most important tool, this is it- a pause button/mind training/clear the channel practice. Consider conquest over that part of your mind that derails your wiser thoughts and choices, repeatedly getting in the way of realizing your full potential (or just having a good or bad day)!
Hit the Pause Button Tele-Group - Audio Recordings |
If you are interested in joining future Hit the Pause Button sessions please email us.
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You are cordially invited to Hit the Pause Button and explore Mind Training with me and our community of seeker-achievers. This telegroup is a great mid-day, mid-week reboot! An inspiring thought for the day and mind-training basics will equip you to be energized and more in command of your choices. This also offers potential coaching for your specific needs. Join us to try a smart habit that could change your life. Subsequent telegroups will be a place for us to practice “sitting” together, as there is a definite value-added effect of doing this with a group.
Mind Training- the key of life?
What do you want most from life? To be happy and free, add value somehow, make a difference with the gifts you’re meant to contribute? Also pay the bills, feel secure enough or worry-free, to love, be loved? Specifically you may want to succeed at work on an important project or in a relationship or team. How about wake up inspired and fall asleep grateful?
The wisest teachers all come to this at some point; they tell us we think we have many issues and problems, when we only really have one. This one thing could be framed very simply as lack of control over our ego mind, a symptom of being out of alignment with our Best Self, our True Self. “The one change that changes everything” ancient mystics and modern change-agents say.
Nothing can be more important than being able to choose the way we think. – Eknath Easwaran
Following a profound experience, I came back with more enthusiasm to all of my clients saying, if I could offer the best career success tool, life fulfillment key, skin care cream, leadership booster, et al– the winner is (drum roll) meditate. A pal who’s been consulting and coaching business leaders for many years chimes in, “I feel like if we don’t teach them about meditation, we’re trying to bake bread without the yeast.”
Meditation is largely meant to give us the toughness required to take hold of our lives. Without this toughness, despite the better goals we may cherish in our hearts, we will not be able to take the road that leads where we want to go. – Eknath Easwaran
Please let go of any possible perceptions of meditation being new agey nonsense, or merely a spa relaxation thing. Also, this mind training is not about religious dogma. My primary meditation teacher, Eknath Easwaran has created an approach to meditation that transcends (or includes) any religion or spiritual path if you like, or none. You may be surprised how meditation is actually a butt-kicking discipline that challenges even my so-called “alpha male” corporate exec clients. Easwaran has said it’s like taming the wind. So, why bother?
Imagine I could give you a pill with these benefits on the label (research nuggets about meditation):
reduce stress, better health, improve concentration, clearer thinking, boost creativity and performance, enhance communication and cooperation of management teams, optimize left-brain-right brain integration, clarity, focus, feeling grounded and inspired sense of purpose, ability to think innovatively, productive flow, being in a positive zone for optimal work process and enjoying the day, ability to not be triggered by small things, less worry, more effectiveness, strengthen immune system, reduce pain, reverse disease, improve personal and professional relationships, increase in other people wanting to support you and what you are up to, less fear, doubt, limiting thoughts, increased patience, calmer, happier, gain self-acceptance and confidence, fuel being a better friend, partner, boss, leader, employee, student, lover of life and inspired, conscious global citizen- contributing to positive evolution of all beings everywhere. LOL! C’mon, what more could we say to get us to sit still once a day?
Perhaps my old ad exec just crept in. (transitioned out of advertising career into Second Act in 1995). Anyway, imagine taking that pill each morning. What would be worth at least trying a new habit?
Moments after I wrote this, Ode magazine arrived with article: “Meditation: Good for body, soul and business.” Check it out here.
Science is having a ball discovering the amazing benefits of mind training/ meditation to actually reprogram or “change your brain” and adding the word neuroplasticity to our conversations.
Cutting back on meditation in times of stress is about the dumbest thing you can do. I’m convinced that mediation is one of the best investments an organization’s leaders can make. – Director, Recruitment and Training
To be in hell is to drift: to be in heaven is to steer. – George Bernard Shaw
How does Mind Training work?
If you think you are in charge of your thoughts, choices and thus your whole life- close your eyes and
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Marian Baker is a master certified coach,
speaker/teacher and author of award-winning book 