Silence.
From peace to anxiety Being alone in silence can trigger a range of emotions in any leader.
It makes sense. With silence we are able to concentrate on getting our work completed efficiently and without distraction. Our minds may drift off to joyful memories or fun weekend plans. In silence, it can be the space needed to contemplate stressful ideas like deadlines looming, huge presentations, or even past mistakes.
What would happen if there were a tool that helped us manage and regulate how we react in response to thoughts? Imagine the potential for it to increase the focus of our minds while increasing our ability to make more informed choices.
As an executive, is there anything more important?
That’s exactly what mindfulness and meditation will train the mind, and it can be beneficial in leadership positions, and every day life! When we learn to be in the present moment and be aware of our thoughts, without judgment We’ll be better able to react appropriately when it is most important.
Don’t take the word of me. Many other entrepreneurs and executive executives all the way from Bill Gates to Marc Benioff to Oprah have also advocated the virtues of mindfulness. Studies by Ivy League institutions like Harvard are revealing the benefits of meditation.
As with all things, it can be difficult to begin. If you’re proficient in the art but taking this to the next step may be as challenging.
What’s next? Where do you go from here? Perhaps it’s just my nature as an business owner, but I believe the best option is to jump in headfirst.
Release the Fear
“I was shocked in a positive manner by the quiet. It was difficult to be silent, but it was also vital to be able to simply be me. It opened up lots of space in my brain.” -Silent Retreat Participant
If going on a lengthy retreat with no distractions isn’t your thing, you’re not the only one. Personally, I’ve attended more than a dozen retreats in silence and still feel anxious. Even now, I am feeling the butterflies as an event begins. I also feel my brain fill up with anxieties such as:
Does my business operate smoothly without me?
How many emails do I need to answer on my return?
Do I have the potential to become bored?
What thoughts will come to my head?
What can I do all this time without my phone! ?
The majority of people today don’t have the luxury of being connected with the rest of humanity. But, we weren’t created to be as interconnected to the world as we are today.
More research is showing the growing dependence on electronics is leading to alarming increases in stress, anxiety and depression. This is impacting our sleep quality and self-esteem, as well as our levels of distraction as well as work-life balance.
Imagine a prolonged silence as a means to resettle our modern and often inevitable dependence on technology. In a moment of severing the connection it allows us to both be at ease living without these gadgets and also appreciate the advantages they provide.
The silence also allows us to have uninterrupted time to concentrate on the one thing that we often forget about: ourselves.
When looking for retreats in Scotland make sure you visit Pause & Creathe.
What Happens During the Silent Retreat?
“I am able to pass some of the positive effects of meditation to my staff. I’ve learned to approach everybody with more respect. I’m also tackling employee issues in a more peaceful, productive manner.” -Silent Retreat participant
Each silent retreat is unique and I can’t be a representative for every one of them. However, what I can say is that the ideal mindfulness retreat experience is there waiting for you.
Don’t believe that meditation implies that you’ll be in a secluded room for hours. Actually, it’s the reverse! A lot of retreats include regular movements and activities such as mindfulness walking, stretching exercises hiking, meditation, and talks on wisdom from leader of the group.
The Letting with Genuine Love Retreat we, for instance, are silent for two days. Most meditation sessions last between 25 and 45 minutes. After meditating then we’ll walk in the woods, have an energizing meal or simply relax. Each one of these events are designed to strengthen your practice as well as teach you the tools of mindfulness that you can take back home.
Many participants have noticed that the days pass more quickly than they anticipated! They usually leave feeling refreshed as well as refreshed and ready in their ability to lead skills to new heights. They’re also amazed at how close they were to others in attendance despite being in silence.
The most significant outcomes occur after returning home. The majority of participants report arriving at work renewed, refreshed and focused not just as an individual leader, but also all over their lives. They also notice a noticeable change in their ability to make decisions as well as their responses to challenging questions, and in their behavior in the presence of other people.
If you only attend one time–and decide once enough is enough, you’ll leave with important mindfulness tools that you can carry throughout your life.
It will be a test? Yes, but it’ll be the most satisfying, rewarding management challenge you’ll ever face.