Mindfulness Quotes and Tips for Self-Development
Over the years I have realized how important it is to be more mindful. While I am always inspired by mindfulness quotes, I know I need to actively practice mindfulness. For those of you who also find it difficult to pull yourself away, here are a few ways I use to practice mindfulness and be present with my coworkers, family and friends:
- Pause before you take action and ponder what you’re physically doing. When my phone rings, whether it’s a business or personal call I’ll pause and take stock in my physical actions. It’s barely noticeable to anyone else, but I’ll often pause, take a breath, and then answer the phone. This helps me to slow down and mentally prepare to have a purposeful conversation.
- Couple a great memory with a physical action to simulate experiencing the same feeling. This was taught to me by a neuropsychologist. Close your eyes and recall when a time when you were at your absolute best. Couple that thought with a physical action. I use pressing together by thumb and middle finger. Now do it 4 times. Next time you have to take a challenging call or lead an important meeting, before you walk into the room or start the event, perform the action that you coupled. You’ll be amazed how well this works.
- Listen with no intent to reply. While you’ll obviously reply eventually, slow your mind down and pause and absorb what others are really saying. Take time to listen to their body language, their tone and their words. Quiet your own mind while you’re doing this. When I’d spend time with my children, especially when they were younger, I found this an incredible way to be present with them.
- Mix up your Routine. I’ve heard rumors of a game of my coworkers and employees like to play. It’s called, “Where’s John?” and in good fun they discuss my comings and goings. Although, perhaps unknown to them, my lack of a routine is intentional. I abhor routine. It is mind numbing and does not foment creativity.
When I shake up my schedule it allows me to be more mindful because I’m learning to adopt to quicker to change since reality is constantly changing into new experiences.
Mindfulness Quotes
My goal is that you’ll be able to have a present mindset and truly enjoy the precious moments with your employees, friends and family. I am someone who loves quotes and often look to them for inspiration. Here are some of my favorite mindfulness quotes:
- “The best way to capture moments is to pay attention. This is how we cultivate mindfulness.” Jon Kabat-Zinn
- “The mind is everything. What you think you become.” Buddha
- “Be happy in the moment, that’s enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.” Mother Teresa
- “The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion.” Thích Nhất Hạnh
- “Wherever you are, be there totally.” Eckhart Tolle
- “The only way to live is by accepting each minute as an unrepeatable miracle.” Tara Brach
- “Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.” Pema Chödrön
- “Mindfulness isn’t difficult, we just need to remember to do it.” Sharon Salzberg
- “You cannot control the results, only your actions.” Allan Lokos
- “The future is always beginning now.” Mark Strand
- “The mind is just like a muscle – the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets and the more it can expand.” Idowu Koyenikan
- “We have only now, only this single eternal moment opening and unfolding before us, day and night.” Jack Kornfield
- “Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. Always work with it, not against it.” Eckhart Tolle
- “Few of us ever life in the present. We are forever anticipating what is to come or remembering what has gone.” Louis L’Amour
- “Do every act of your life as though it were the very last act of your life.” Marcus Aurelius
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