The Mindfulness Files: Authentic Confidence

by | Blog

Sprinting from one meeting to another, multi-tasking as if life depended on it or never being able to catch a breathe before the next wave comes in – these things not only create tension but also erode confidence. When stressed, the emotion center of the brain tends to go into overdrive. With all that emotional activity, the brain is less able to access the parts of the brain responsible for planning, logical thought and creative problem solving. The result is that we second-guess our abilities while we look for shortcuts to get things done and off our plates. This combination prevents us from being able to drop into a state of focus. We skim instead of read with comprehension and we stop listening, creating communication breakdowns. The bottom line is that we are more likely to make avoidable mistakes. To compensate, we put more pressure on ourselves to “get our acts together”. But we might as well be turning on a hose of lighter fluid to put out the already existing bonfire.

To build confidence, being able to take an accurate assessment of capabilities is a key step. That accuracy comes from having a brain that can access all its parts, frontal lobes along with both right and left sides. A simple way to help your brain is through mindful breathing, which is defined as breathing with awareness of the present moment. For example, experiencing the coolness of the air as you breathe in or noticing the movement of the belly as you exhale, inevitably brings your mind to what is happening right now. It also takes you out of your head and into the body. This brings things into an optimal pace for the nervous system to function, engage and produce. Over time, mindful practice trains the brain to release stressful thoughts more quickly, allowing for greater concentration. This translates to better listening, fuller learning and a more complete understanding. It is under those conditions that a person can start to develop their skills, abilities and authentic confidence.

About Sojourn

Sojourn Partners is a results-driven executive leadership coaching firm that empowers the professional workforce to think differently in order to realize the full return on investment in themselves and their companies. Professional leadership thinking and intervention, based on years of research and experience, place Sojourn Partners at the forefront in executive leadership coaching, organizational development, strategic planning and culture and climate change.

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