I believe mindfulness is the secret sauce. Mindfulness is being present in the moment, the one you’re in right now with kindness and curiosity. I’ve outlined steps you can take to successfully meet your goals, realize more of your potential, and create happiness, no matter what you are facing.
Start a mindfulness practice.
Meditate every day, even if it is just for 10 minutes. This will help you start to see more clearly. You’ll literally change your brain and lay a solid foundation for creating new habits. If you are looking for a tool, try Mindful Me my own mobile friendly, online, self-paced mindfulness meditation program.
Try on an attitude of acceptance.
After the holidays most people get into striving mode. Instead, I’d like to invite you to take the first two weeks in January to pay attention to what you are doing without self-criticism. Note the choices you are making and tune in to how they affect you. Put yourself compassionately under the microscope.
Build your resilience.
In your meditation practice you’ll learn how to ride the waves of difficult emotions like anger, fear, grief, sadness, or frustration. Explore with curiosity what this feels like in your body. Over time this is how you can develop trust in yourself and your ability to overcome setbacks.
Create your vision.
Imagine yourself one year from now living a vibrant life. What are you doing more of or less of? Who are you with? Where are you? How do you feel? Why is this important to you? Make notes in a journal or create voice memos in your smartphone. You can even create a collage.
Take mindful steps.
Most people are unsuccessful because they set lofty goals rather than take baby steps. This requires patience, which you’ll also develop through mindfulness practice. You may be familiar with the SMART acronym. I’ve added another “M” for mindfulness.
S= Be specific about the step you will take.
M= Allow your mindfulness practice to inform your change process.
M= Decide how you will measure your success.
A= Find someone to help you stay accountable to yourself.
R= Be realistic and identify a baby step.
T= Determine the timeframe for practicing this behavior (e.g. 30 days).
Analyze influences.
When you tune into the body you’ll become aware of your triggers for unhealthy behaviors as well as situations that cause you to veer off the path. Mindfulness helps you become aware of both internal and external influences that affect your ability to live the way you wish to live.
Practice self-care.
Mindfulness helps you tune into the wisdom of the body. This improves your ability to tend to all areas of your health and wellbeing—physical, mental, emotional, spiritual. Take movement breaks all through the day. Create ‘no-tech’ time where screens are off limit. Pause and check in with your emotions. Do things that bring you joy.
Acknowledge your progress.
It is common to slide into striving mode and focus on what’s next. Instead, I encourage you to stop. Give yourself a pat on the back. Reflect, and then consciously set a new goal.
Wishing you wholeness, peace and happiness this year and always!
Cheryl
Mindful Me® is my mobile friendly, online, self-paced mindfulness meditation program. It offers seven simple lessons you can do in any order as often as you like. The program is appropriate for all levels of meditation experience, beginner to advanced. I hope you’ll take advantage of my special holiday offer and create a sense of well-being as you end 2017.
