Mindfully Self-Compassionate: Unlock your inner “superpowers” with the help of this global CEO’s advice! [Friday: Mindfulness by Miles]
Miles Everson’s The Business Builder Daily speaks to the heart of what great marketers, business leaders, and other professionals need to succeed in advertising, communications, managing their investments, career strategy, and more.
A Note from Miles Everson:
Happy Friday!
Welcome to today’s edition of “Mindfulness by Miles.”
Each Friday, we write health- and mindfulness-related articles, book reviews, and future of work (FoW) topics. Our goal is to help you grow and improve as an individual, both in terms of your career and personal life.
In this article, let’s focus on the connection between mindfulness and self-compassion.
Read on to learn the relation between these two concepts and how you can better exercise these two virtues in your life.
Miles Everson
CEO, MBO Partners
Chairman of the Advisory Board, The I Institute
Mindfulness by Miles
In a fast-paced, often demanding life, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, stressed, and overly critical of yourself. You juggle countless responsibilities and strive for perfection, yet frequently neglect one of the most critical aspects of your well-being:
Your own inner peace.
BUT!
Here’s good news: With mindfulness coupled with self-compassion, you’ll be able to experience solace and strength in both your work life and personal life.
Let’s get into this concept in detail…
Photo from Therapist Aid
The Power of Mindfulness
According to Miles Everson, CEO of MBO Partners, mindfulness is like an anchor that keeps your ship steady amid a storm. This practice is about tuning into the present moment without judgment or distraction.
Everson says when you practice mindfulness, you’re basically becoming the observer of your own life, taking a step back to witness your thoughts, feelings, and sensations as they arise.
For instance: You’re feeling overwhelmed at work. Deadlines are looming, your email inbox is overflowing, and stress is threatening to destroy your peace. In this moment, mindfulness encourages you to pause, take a deep breath, and acknowledge what you’re experiencing without trying to change it.
In such a state, you become fully present with your feelings of stress and understand that they are just temporary and part of the human experience.
Now, let’s introduce mindfulness’ “partner in crime”…
The Beauty of Self-Compassion
Picture self-compassion as your comforting friend who tells you, “It’s okay; you’re only human.”
Basically, self-compassion involves treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would extend to a dear friend facing a tough time.
Besides, when life throws curveballs your way, it’s your self-compassion that steps in to remind you it’s normal to stumble and fall. So, instead of berating yourself for your shortcomings, Everson states you should offer a gentle, supportive hand to your own self. You have to recognize that suffering is part of the shared human experience, and you’re not alone in your struggles.
Below are some of the benefits when mindfulness and self-compassion become a dynamic duo:
- Reduced Stress: Mindfulness helps you manage stress by keeping you grounded in the present moment, while self-compassion softens the blow of self-criticism and judgment.
- Improved Mental Health: Mindfulness and self-compassion help enhance your mental well-being, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and increase your overall emotional resilience.
- Enhanced Self-Acceptance: Mindfulness coupled with self-compassion nurtures a healthy self-image, fostering self-acceptance and self-love.
- Greater Empathy: As you become kinder to yourself, you naturally become more empathetic and compassionate toward others.
Now that you know what mindfulness and self-compassion are all about, as well as their benefits, the next question to answer is:
“How can I combine these ‘superpowers’ to improve my life?”
Everson shares a step-by-step guide:
- Start with mindfulness. Begin your journey by embracing mindfulness. Dedicate a few minutes each day to simply sit in silence, focusing on your breath or sensations in your body. This practice will help you become more aware of your thoughts and emotions.
- Observe without judgment. As you practice mindfulness, also observe your inner critic. When self-criticism arises, don’t fight it; instead, acknowledge it without judgment. Mindfulness helps you recognize these unhelpful patterns and change them for the better.
- Invite self-compassion into your life: When you notice your inner critic at work, invite self-compassion to the picture and treat yourself as you would a friend in a similar situation. Offer kind words, understanding, and support to yourself.
- Cultivate common humanity. Always remember that you’re not alone in your struggles. Every human being faces challenges and setbacks. Embrace your commonalities with others in your experience, knowing that imperfection is what makes you beautifully human.
- Practice self-compassion daily. Make self-compassion a daily practice. Whether you’re facing stress at work, a personal setback, or a tough day, choose self-compassion as your go-to response.
We hope you find today’s topic helpful and insightful!
Overall, mindfulness and self-compassion are not just buzzwords but powerful tools to transform your life. According to Everson, these virtues help you navigate the storms of existence with grace, resilience, and a gentler perspective.
So, embark on this journey and discover the magic of this dynamic duo for yourself!
You’ll see—your inner peace and well-being will thank you for doing so.
Have a great Friday! Stay tuned next week for another awesome health- and mindfulness-related tip.
(This article is from The Business Builder Daily, a newsletter by The I Institute in collaboration with MBO Partners.)
About The Dynamic Marketing Communiqué’s
“Fridays: Mindfulness by Miles”
High-performance businesses are run by people who think and act differently.
In other words, these are people who are high-performing individuals.
Companies and individuals of this kind have found ways to escape the grind of commoditization and competition by focusing on the RIGHT goals.
High-performing businesses and individuals are also “return driven” businesses and “career driven” individuals. They conscientiously develop unique capabilities and resources that allow them to deliver offerings in ways no other firm or individual can.
Every Friday, we’ll publish tips and insights from MBO Partners and The I Institute’s “The Business Builder Daily” newsletter.
These will help you gain knowledge on the things that Miles Everson, the CEO of MBO Partners, often talks about regarding the future of the workforce.
We’ll also highlight other mindfulness advice on how you can be a high-performing individual both in your career and personal life.
Hope you’ve found this week’s insight interesting and helpful.
Stay tuned for next Friday’s “Mindfulness by Miles!”
Cheers,
Kyle Yu
Head of Marketing
Valens Dynamic Marketing Capabilities
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