As we enter our second month of 2022, we may find ourselves reflecting on goals we set at the beginning of the new year and critique how well we’re progressing with them. It can be easy to place pressure on ourselves when it comes to our entrepreneurial goals, as we want to succeed and see them come to fruition. However, it is important that we don’t hyper-fixate to the point that we cause a burnout.
So, how do we avoid this? One way is to practice mindfulness. What is that? Mindfulness is defined by the Mayo Clinic as “a type of meditation in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you’re sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment.” (Can mindfulness exercises help me?) Simply put, it is concentrating on the present without stressing about the future, and giving yourself a mental break. In this blog, we’re going to talk about a couple exercises to help cultivate mindfulness in your day to day, help relieve stress, and help you better develop your entrepreneurial goals.
Focus on Your Environment
When working towards your goals, it can be easy to lose focus of the everyday. Taking the time to experience your environment with all your senses (touch, sound, sight, smell and taste) can help relieve stress and help recenter your focus. For example, when you grab your morning coffee, take the time to take in the warmth, smell, and taste of it to really enjoy it.
Concentrate on Breathing
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or in need of a break, find a moment to sit down and take some deep breaths. Focus on your breath as you breathe in and out and concentrate on it moving through your body. Sitting and breathing for even just a minute can help bring you back down.
Take a Walk
Take a moment to remove yourself from a stressful situation and go for a walk. While out, take the time to focus on each step you take, as well as the environment you’re in. Adjusting your environment and focusing on something new can help clear your mind and give you a way to refocus your thoughts.
Focus on Your Body
One awesome way to practice mindfulness is to do a body scan. You can either have someone guide you through this or you can find a variety of guided videos online. The basic overview of a body scan is to navigate an individual through their body, hyperfocusing on each part, one at a time. This helps relax the mind and allows one to slow down.
All of these activities can help immensely with stress and help refocus when you’re feeling overwhelmed. It’s important to allow ourselves breaks, especially when it comes to working on our passions, to prevent burnout and discouragement. Practicing mindfulness can be a great way to do this, thus helping further one’s entrepreneurial goals. We wish everyone the best of luck as they move forward with their goals for the year!
Citations
Mayo Clinic Staff. “Can Mindfulness Exercises Help Me?” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 15 Sept. 2020.
