Mindful business tips
Discover the power of mindfulness to create space for calm and clarity in your business
Do you crave more space in your business? Perhaps like me, nurturing your wellbeing is important to you. While running a business can be a brilliant way to live on your own terms, it can sometimes feel overwhelming when you’re pulled in different directions. But there are ways to cultivate calm energy, soothe stress, and take aligned action.
Here, I’ll explore the power of mindfulness to shift how you think and feel about your business. Read on to discover how to reframe your mindset, and learn 5 practical tips to try today.
In this post:
- What does it mean to be mindful in business?
- The challenges of being mindful in business
- Shifting your business mindset
- 5 mindful business tips
What does it mean to be mindful in business?
You may be familiar with the concept of mindfulness from meditation and yoga. Essentially, it’s a quality of awareness where you are focused on the present moment. It’s about paying attention rather than getting swept away by thoughts and feelings.
But what does this mean in a business context? I see it as being intentional about the work you do. You make decisions from a place of calm energy rather than fear and comparison. It means you’re not easily thrown off course by what’s happening around you and feel the inner confidence to tread your own path.
If you’re anything like me, you probably started your business to create the conditions for a more mindful life. A big part of my decision was the desire to be more purpose-driven and escape the rush from task to task. As a business owner, you are in a position to cultivate a more mindful approach to work, but it’s not always easy.
The challenges of being mindful in business
As a business owner, you probably have countless ideas to enhance your existing offers or create new ones. Perhaps you’re working towards financial freedom, or you dream of reaching a certain income level. It’s tempting to become fixated on future goals. (I definitely struggle with this). While looking ahead can be motivating, it has a shadow side. You may miss out on fully appreciating the present moment.
With the day-to-day activities of marketing your business, you may not always see immediate results. You may fall into second-guessing yourself and wondering whether your efforts will reap rewards. When self-doubt takes root, you may question whether you’re on the right path. This leads to unhelpful thinking patterns. But there are ways to reframe your perspective.
Shifting your business mindset
Embracing more mindfulness in business invites a mindset shift. Often, it’s about savouring the process, not obsessing over the outcome.
And this isn’t only relevant to your main offer. For example, while I definitely find flow in writing, I’ve discovered that I enjoy growing my business when I focus on the process rather than being task-orientated.
It’s essential to remember that you don’t always get instant rewards in business - much of the day-to-day work yields long-term results. I like to think of my everyday tasks in gardening terms. If you enjoy the process of sowing seeds, it doesn’t matter so much whether all your seedlings bloom.
It’s the same with business - if you enjoy sowing the seeds to grow your business, you become less wedded to the outcome and less stressed, which helps you create your best work.
How to be more mindful in business - 5 tips
Shifting your business mindset can help you create and make decisions from a place of calm energy. Small changes can make a big difference. Here are tips that help me reduce business overwhelm and find focus.
1) Limit notifications
Devices can be a big source of distraction. I’ve recently started using focus mode. It blocks non-work apps during working hours and helps me create a clear boundary between my working day and personal life.
2) Say no to multitasking
It can be tempting to complete two tasks simultaneously, but it splits your attention and takes longer. A sneaky one is squeezing in a business podcast while doing your admin. I’ve recently committed to only listening when I can give an episode my full attention.
3) Prioritise breaks
One of the best parts of being self-employed is designing your workday. I like to work in short bursts and take regular breaks to recharge and re-energise. This helps me feel calmer and more balanced, plus research shows that pausing makes you more productive.
4) Create a wind-down ritual
If you’re self-employed, the boundaries between work and your personal life often blur, making it hard to switch off. I have a daily wind-down ritual to mark the transition. I usually go for a run or a walk to help me process the day and prepare for the next phase.
5) Notice the good stuff
Thanks to negativity bias, it’s easy to overlook the positives. I find it helpful to jot down three things I’m grateful for at the end of the working day. I’ve also developed a habit of noting wins at the end of each month to recognise how far I’ve come. This is a great list to revisit when self-doubt creeps in.
Summary
- Mindfulness describes the quality of attention to the present moment. In a business context, it’s about being intentional and choosing where to place your focus.
- As a business owner, it’s easy to become fixated on future outcomes and lose touch with what’s happening in the present moment. This can lead to overwhelm and a feeling of not being good enough.
- Shifting your mindset to focus on enjoying the process rather than obsessing over the outcome can make a significant difference. This is the secret to creating a sustainable, long-term business.
- Small changes can help you to cultivate more mindfulness in your business. Experiment to discover what works for you - perhaps you could step away from the screen or create a calming wind-down ritual.
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