There’s a lot of talk about mindfulness these days. While definitions may vary, mindfulness essentially refers to the state of being in the moment. Wikipedia describes it as “the psychological process of bringing one's attention to experiences occurring in the present moment, which can be developed through the practice of meditation and other training.”
All the demands on your time and the “noise” from all of the information you are deluged with daily can make it challenging to focus on the moment. However, achieving mindfulness can have significant benefits to your personal life and running your spa or massage practice.
Mindfulness can restore your energy levels often drained by the stresses and anxiety that come with day-to-day responsibilities and modern life distractions. It also helps you to remain calm throughout the day. And because you are more focused, new ideas and insights have an opportunity to come to the surface. Also, by allowing your mind to unwind or decompress, mindfulness can help you tap into your more creative self. When in a state of mindfulness, you may finally be able to develop a new way to market your retail offerings or introduce a new body treatment to a new demographic.
Mindfulness also can help you communicate more effectively when you are in a stressful situation. Since communication is a key to professional success and personal growth, the ability to convey your ideas more effectively can help get others on board to help take your spa or massage practice to the next stage of growth.
If achieving mindfulness seems out of reach because you continue to feel bogged down or under pressure, here are some things you can do.
Take a minute to breathe: No matter how busy your day is, “take 5.” Go for a quick walk, get some fresh air, or take a minute or two to do deep breathing in between client appointments or meetings with your team.
Listen to people: Really listen to what people are saying to you. If the information challenges you, focus on what you hear since it can direct a new way of thinking.
Say thank you: When a team member finishes a project on time or goes above and beyond to help a valued client, show your appreciation. Take time to thank them and convey how much their actions mean to the business.
And make it a point to set aside time each to commit to focusing on the present and your sense of happiness and self-worth. To do so, you may need to learn how to relax. Just sitting in one spot for 10 minutes a day to focus on the moment can help you live more in the present.
Mindfulness may not come naturally, but by getting in touch with yourself and the moment, you’ll have greater inner peace and a sense of control to face new challenges.