What the Heck is Mindfulness?

Do you have a favorite movie? If I asked you right now to name some of your favorite movies, what would it be? Now, think about those movies and ask yourself why you love them. Is there a pattern??

Some people love science fiction movies with aliens; some people love sports movies with a "Cinderella story" type of theme; some people love complex storylines with twisted endings; some people love romantic comedies that take place in small towns; some people love movies with car chases and helicopters (my least favorite), some people love documentaries of an event or a person that impacted and help change the course in history…some people just love goofy and hilarious movies with almost no plot and just plain silliness.?

Me? The movie theme and pattern that I love are something with an extremely simple storyline with deep meaning. A movie that leaves you inspired and motivated to think differently or something that teaches me something about life in a more profound way.?

The most recent one I watched is?called?"Perfect Days," directed by Wim Wenders. It's a contemplative film that dives into the life of a character named Hirayama, a middle-aged man living in Tokyo. He works as a cleaner of public toilets, a job he performs with meticulous care and a sense of pride. Despite the simplicity and routine of his work, he finds satisfaction and beauty in his everyday life. The film?is an exploration of?finding joy in the mundane and the?power of mindfulness.

What? Mindfulness? What's that? Some?people?know exactly what I am talking about when they hear this word.?But for some, they?kinda?sort of?understand it as being some?type of?yoga or meditation?type?term but maybe think it's weird or?it's?not for them.?Well, let's first define it.

Mind·ful·ness?a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment.?Mindfulness is?the practice of?being fully present and engaged in the current moment, aware of your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment. It involves paying attention to the present experience with openness, curiosity, and acceptance.

Think of mindfulness as paying close attention to?what you're doing right now.?It's like focusing?completely?on one thing at a time, whether?it's?eating, working, or talking with someone, and noticing everything about that moment without letting your mind wander or judging what you?notice.?Being in it, focusing on it, being grateful for it. Let the past be past and the future be the future, it?has nothing to do with here and now…and that's mindfulness.

By the way, we?are on the series?called?"The Mental Game,"?and I think it's one of the most crucial and challenging aspects of?how we can improve?our mental toughness. This is what we covered so far on the subject.

• Process vs Outcome:?One of the mental game techniques is focusing on the process rather than fixating on outcomes. Individuals can maintain motivation, reduce anxiety, and?ultimately?achieve?greater?success and fulfillment.?READ MORE
• How You Think Will Change Everything:?There's a formula to make your result a reality. It's the way you think. Believe it or not, once you figure out the pattern of how you?think?and strategize to re-think the way you think, it could be a game changer for you.?READ MORE
• Silence:?Do you want to improve your mental health, grow new brain cells,?improve?cognitive function, be in a better mood,?reduce stress, promote?relaxation, and?enhance?creativity??READ MORE?@Sarah, please add a new link

Now back to mindfulness, how?does it practically help us in our business and even in our?entrepreneur?journey? Well, I am glad you asked, here?are some ways.

Enhances Focus and Concentration:

• Mindfulness Practice: Regular mindfulness practice, improves your?ability to focus on the task at hand and reduces the tendency for?your?mind to wander.
• Business Application: Improved focus can lead to better productivity, more efficient use of time, and higher-quality work.

Emotional Regulation:

• Mindfulness Practice: Mindfulness helps you become more aware of?your emotions and manage them?effectively.?It promotes calmness and reduces reactivity.
• Business Application: Emotional regulation is crucial in business, where stress and high-stakes situations are?common. It helps you respond to challenges with composure and make better decisions.

Resilience and Stress Reduction:

• Mindfulness Practice: Techniques like mindful breathing and body scan meditations reduce stress and promote relaxation, which can build resilience over time.
• Business Application: Resilience allows you to bounce back from setbacks and maintain a positive outlook, which is essential for long-term?success in business.

To make it even more convincing, here are some examples of people you might know who have implemented mindfulness into their daily?rhythm of life.

Marc Benioff

• Role: Co-founder and CEO of Salesforce
• Mindfulness Practice: Benioff practices meditation and mindfulness and has been a vocal advocate for integrating these practices into the corporate culture at Salesforce.
• Impact: Benioff believes mindfulness contributes to personal well-being and enhances leadership qualities. He has implemented mindfulness programs at Salesforce, including meditation rooms and?guided sessions for employees.

Arianna Huffington

• Role: Co-founder of The Huffington Post, founder and CEO of Thrive Global
• Mindfulness Practice: Huffington practices mindfulness regularly.?She?is an advocate for the benefits of mindfulness?in reducing stress and improving overall well-being.
• Impact: Huffington emphasizes the importance of mindfulness for maintaining a healthy work-life balance and preventing burnout. Her experiences led her to establish Thrive Global, a company focused on well-being and performance.

Jeff Weiner

• Role: Former CEO of LinkedIn
• Mindfulness Practice: Weiner practices meditation and mindfulness and has integrated these practices into his leadership style.
• Impact: Weiner believes?that mindfulness?helps him lead with compassion, clarity, and focus. He encourages mindfulness practices at LinkedIn, emphasizing their role in enhancing employee well-being and productivity.

So, now, back to the movie. How do we practice mindfulness??Is it some?type of?meditation or chant??It can be, but?the concept of?mindfulness is central to "Perfect Days." Mindfulness, the practice of being present and fully engaged in the moment, is vividly illustrated through Hirayama's daily routines. His meticulous approach to cleaning and?his?deep appreciation for small pleasures, such as listening to music or enjoying nature, highlights his ability to live in the present.?This mindfulness allows him to transform ordinary tasks into?moments of?quiet reflection and contentment.?Take a quick look at the movie trailer.

Throughout the film,?Hirayama's interactions with others are also marked by a mindful presence.?He listens attentively and responds with kindness, creating meaningful connections despite the brevity of these encounters. This mindful engagement with the world around him underscores the film's message that true happiness and fulfillment can be found in the simplicity of everyday life.

"Perfect Days" ultimately suggests that mindfulness,?with its focus?on the present moment, can lead to a deeper appreciation of life. By embracing his routine with a mindful attitude, Hirayama exemplifies how finding joy in the mundane can lead to a?richer, more fulfilling existence.

See why?did?I loved the movie??Extremely simple storyline + Deep?meaning.?Oh, and by the way, it is nominated for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars.?

Focusing on the here and now - mindfulness practices can truly enhance mental toughness by reducing stress, improving focus, regulating emotions, building resilience, and increasing self-awareness. These benefits are invaluable for achieving success in both personal and professional life.?

Are you with me??Take?a deep breath in, take a deep breath out, close your eyes, be in the moment, be in the now, let all your worries worry about themselves, be grateful for where you are now, the air you are breathing, and embrace the current moment that you get to what you are doing right now. Breathe in… breathe out…close your eyes…be grateful.

Have a great week!

Hanju