IT’S all in the mind. We’ve all heard the phrase and, taking it quite literally, it is fair to say that everything we do and say comes from that very source.
For Jules Peck, there is always one question on the subject that sparks her passion.
That is, are you Mind Full or Mindful?
The former can lead to stress, while research has shown there are considerable benefits to having a clear mind, not least the ability to deal with and obtain solutions to life’s problems. Jules believes being mindful “ultimately makes us the sort of people we would like to meet”.
Jules is an outstanding and highly-qualified international training consultant specialising in advanced communication and leadership development in the workplace, working with Naked Leader.
At October’s Naked Leader Conference, she will give delegates an insight into the trending approach to developing our happiness levels, utilising our mental capabilities, promoting emotional balance and boosting physical vitality.
Here she gives us a snapshot of what it is she will share at the Conference.
Jules uses this quote from Jon Kabat-Zinn as the prelude to her thoughts.
It is not that mindfulness is the “answer” to all life’s problems. Rather, it is that all life’s problems can be seen more clearly through the lens of a clear mind
Jules explains: ‘Over the past few years, mindfulness has become a hot topic for personal development and well-being.
‘Adopted from Buddhism, the aim of mindfulness is to alleviate stress and develop a habit of being more aware and alert of the “here and now”.
‘What are the benefits of practising mindfulness?
‘There have been many such as improved well-being, work performance and state of mind. The most prominent is that it can help to reduce stress, problem-solve and increase cognitive ability.
‘Research conducted by University of Oregon also found that integrative body-mind training, a form of mindfulness meditation, can actually promote a change in the brain within two weeks and help us to subconsciously regulate our emotions and attention, increasing our self-awareness.’
Jules believes that people who regularly practise mindfulness are happier, perform better, have greater resilience to stress, and enjoy healthier relationships.
‘Practising mindfulness involves more than just training our brains to focus,’ she adds. ‘It teaches us some alternative attitudes to life challenges. It helps us realise the direct link between our thoughts, emotions and physiology.
‘Mindfully being aware of our thoughts plus emotions plus physiology and how they impact on our responses to people and situations equals CHOICE on how to respond rather than reacting on auto-pilot.
Mind over matter? Well, Jules will concur that those with aspirations to succeed in business should be mindful that self awareness has fast become an essential leadership capacity.