Left to our own devices, it’s human nature that we spend an inordinate amount of our life in two unproductive modes. We tend to be either:
- stressed about something that might or might not happen in the future; or
- Worrying or going over and over events that happened in the past in our minds (mostly negatively)
By worrying too much about the future or fretting about the past, the danger is that we completely miss what’s happening at the present moment, which is the only place we can actually live our lives!
The author of the best selling book The Power of Now, Erkhart Tholle, said “the main dilemma of human existence is thinking without awareness”.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the simple act of recognising stress and regression. It can be summarised as the ability to know what is going on in our head at any given moment without being carried away by it.
In sales the clear mind created by adopting a mindfulness practice can help you with focus, resilience, motivation, self-confidence and empathy, all of which are critical to the sales process.
Having the clearest, calmest mind in the room especially in emotionally charged situations is a superpower.
How do you practice mindfulness?
Practicing mindfulness is a fairly straightforward process. You don’t need to sit in a funny position, light incense or do any chanting. There are no fees, nothing to join, no special outfits to wear, just a few minutes of your time to do a simple four step process:
- Step 1 – Decide how long you are going to practice for (start with 10 minutes, though you can build up from there)
- Step 2 – Sit up reasonably straight, with your eyes closed (or not – some people leave them open)
- Step 3 – Bring your full attention to the feeling of your breath coming in and out
- Step 4 – Every time your mind wanders – which it will, over and over again! – gently return your attention to your breath
And that’s it! The goal is not to clear your mind because that’s impossible. Instead, the aim is to focus your mind for just nanoseconds. Then, when you get distracted, you simply start over.
There are a number of scientifically proven benefits of practising mindfulness:
- Reduction in negative thinking and rumination
- Reduced stress levels
- Memory boost
- Greater focus
- Greater ability to deal with emotions
- Enhanced cognitive skills
- Greater satisfaction with relationships
- Increased immune system
Source: American Psychological Association
The sales-mind approach to mindfulness with our Sales Mindfulness Workshops
Our Sales Mindfulness Workshops will introduce you to the concept, practices and benefits of using mindfulness in the sales environment. We have developed evidence-based techniques that will help you and your sales team improve their mindset and enhance sales performance and motivation.
We have had very positive feedback from previous sales workshop attendees about the benefits mindfulness has brought not just to their work, but also to their home lives.
Contact us to find out how more about our Sales Mindfulness workshops.
