Meditation often gets a bad rap. Many people think it’s some new age hippie stuff. Or that it is done by monks on mountain tops by themselves for hours. Well, those generalizations aren’t completely off, but meditation is so much more than that! It is a practice done by countless top-level athletes like: Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter, Karli Lloyd, Karri Walsh, and Russell Wilson. But it’s not only used by athletes. Many top performers in all kinds of fields practice it, such as Jim Carrey, Steve Jobs, Lady Gaga, and Ray Dalio.
Meditation at it most basic level is a practice of learning to take control of your focus. This is often done by practicing focusing on your breathing or something that can help get you centered and clam your mind. Though it may sound boring or easy to do, I can guarantee you it most definitely is not easy. It could be considered boring by many, but that is actually part of the learning process of controlling your thoughts and attention. By learning to take control of your focus, you will be less distracted by things that are out of your control.
For me, one of the most obvious benefits has been the improvement of my awareness. Awareness of what you may ask. Everything! I am more aware of my thoughts, feelings, and actions. I am more aware of how those things affect myself as well as those around me. I am more aware of what is within my control and what isn’t. On top of that, I have become more aware of when I am focusing on things that are outside of my control and have strengthened my ability to break away from that unnecessary focus.
This is just scratching the surface of the benefits of meditation. If you haven’t already added it to your daily routine, I recommend you do so, quickly. Once you do it for a few weeks consistently you may not be able to explain the differences you encounter, but you definitely will feel them.
Good luck Silencing your Inner Rival