How to Meditate for Success

Let's get this straight - I used to think the thought of meditation was hilarious.

The boss at one of the companies I used to work for used to meditate in his office every morning and we would all laugh it him as we could see him through the window... how arrogant were we?

Now I am writing about how to meditate for success - why? Bit of a turn around wouldn't you say!

Well, just like a kid that tells you they don't like something when they haven't even tried it, as adults we still do the same thing - we dismiss things when we haven't even given them a go just because we have never done it before.

As I studied the habits of successful people, meditation is something that came up over and over again, so I thought I would give it a go...

I won't lie, if you haven't done it before - it is actually quite difficult at first, but you soon get better at it, and from personal experience I can say that it definitely makes a difference.

Don't just take my word for it either - there is LOTS of scientific type stuff to back up the benefits from meditation. 

Let's get into it then and start with the basics...

What is meditation?

In simple terms, meditation is a practice where you use a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state. 

It is used for various purposes such as to increase calmness and physical relaxation, to improve psychological balance, to cope with illness or chronic pain, or to enhance overall well-being.

Okay, you ask, but...

How can meditation help me to be successful?

Meditation is not just a practice for achieving inner peace, it has also been linked to success in various aspects of life. A growing body of scientific research suggests that regular meditation can lead to a number of cognitive and emotional benefits that can help individuals achieve success in various tasks.

These benefits can help improve your overall well-being and can help to lead to success in many areas of your life. For example, being less stressed can help you make better decisions, and being more focused can help you work more efficiently and effectively. 

Also, meditation has been shown to improve memory and cognitive function, which can be useful in many professional settings. 

Overall, incorporating meditation into your daily routine may help you be more successful by improving your mental clarity and ability to handle stress.

Meditation and Success: The Science behind it

As I said earlier, don't just take my word for it - there has been a lot of studies done recently on the benefits of meditation...

A study published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that regular meditation can lead to improvements in attention, working memory, and executive function. These cognitive abilities are important for achieving success in various tasks, such as problem-solving and decision-making.

Research published in the journal Perceptual and Motor Skills also found that meditation can increase creativity and problem-solving abilities, which can be beneficial for achieving success in various domains, such as business or arts.

A study published in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience found that regular meditation can lead to improved emotional regulation and self-control. This can be beneficial for achieving success in various domains, such as relationships, personal development and professional life.

A study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology found that regular meditation can lead to improvements in cognitive flexibility, which is important for adapting to changing circumstances and achieving success.

Additionally, a review of studies published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine found that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, which can help improve focus and overall well-being.

So, as you can see there is plenty of research to back up the benefits of meditation and how it can help you in your journey to find your own version of success.

Incorporating meditation into your daily routine can lead to a number of cognitive and emotional benefits that can help you achieve success in various aspects of life. 

The science behind it suggests that regular meditation can improve focus, increase creativity, boost productivity and reduce stress and anxiety which are all important for achieving success.

How to meditate

Meditation is a simple practice that can be done by anyone, regardless of their experience or background. Here are some basic steps to help you get started with meditation:

• Find a quiet and comfortable place to sit or lie down - a meditation cushion can help.
• Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to relax your body and mind.
• Focus your attention on your breath, and try to let go of any other thoughts that arise. If your mind wanders, simply acknowledge the thought and then let it go, returning your focus to your breath.
• Continue to focus on your breath for 5-10 minutes, or for however long feels comfortable.
• When you're ready to finish, slowly open your eyes and take a few moments to reorient yourself to your surroundings.

Remember, meditation is a practice, and it may take some time to get the hang of it. 

Be patient with yourself and try not to get discouraged if your mind wanders or you have trouble focusing. With regular practice, you will likely find that your ability to focus and be present improves over time.

When should I meditate?

The best time to meditate is whatever time works best for you and fits into your schedule. 

Some people prefer to meditate first thing in the morning as a way to start their day on a calm and focused note. Others find that meditating at night helps them relax and unwind before going to sleep. 

Still others may prefer to meditate during their lunch break or at another time during the day when they have a few minutes to spare. 

Experiment with different times of day to see what works best for you. It's also important to make sure that you are in a quiet and comfortable environment when you meditate, so that you can focus and relax without being disturbed.

What are the health benefits of meditation?

Meditation also has a number of health benefits. Regular meditation can lead to a reduction in stress, which can have a positive effect on physical and mental health. Here are a few examples:

• Meditation can help to calm the mind and body, which can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
• By practicing mindfulness and being present in the moment, meditation can help improve your ability to focus and concentrate.
• Some studies have found that meditation can help to lower blood pressure, which can reduce the risk of heart disease and other health problems.
• Mindfulness meditation has been shown to help reduce chronic pain, such as headaches and fibromyalgia.
• Meditation can help to calm the mind and relax the body, which can improve sleep quality.

Meditation has also been shown to have many other potential benefits - such as improving mood and self-esteem, boosting the immune system, and even slowing down the aging process!

What is the best meditation for success

There is no one "best" meditation for success, as different people may find different types of meditation to be more helpful for them. 

Some people may find that mindfulness meditation, in which you focus on the present moment without judgment, is helpful for improving focus and concentration. 

Others may find that a more structured meditation, such as mantra repetition or breath awareness, is more effective for them. 

Ultimately, the best meditation for you will depend on your personal preferences and goals. It may be helpful to try out different types of meditation to see which ones resonate with you the most.

What are the different types of meditation?

There are many different types of meditation, and different people may find that different types of meditation work best for them. Here are a few examples of different types of meditation:

• Mindfulness meditation: This is a type of meditation that involves focusing on the present moment without judgment. This can be done by paying attention to your breath, or by focusing on other physical sensations in the body.
• Mantra repetition: This type of meditation involves repeating a word or phrase (called a mantra) to help focus the mind. The mantra can be anything that resonates with you, such as a word that represents peace or calm.
• Breath awareness: In this type of meditation, you simply focus on your breath and pay attention to the sensations of inhaling and exhaling. This can help to calm the mind and bring you into the present moment.
• Transcendental meditation: This is a type of meditation that involves the use of a specific mantra or sound. The goal of transcendental meditation is to go beyond the mind and access a state of pure consciousness.
• Loving-kindness meditation: This type of meditation involves focusing on feelings of love and compassion, and sending those feelings to yourself and others. This can help to cultivate a sense of connection and well-being.
• Body scan meditation: This is a type of meditation in which the focus is on becoming aware of different parts of the body in a systematic way. The practice typically involves lying down or sitting comfortably, and then bringing attention to different parts of the body, starting with the toes and moving up through the legs, torso, arms, and head. The goal is to become aware of any sensations, such as tension or discomfort, and to release them through relaxation and mindfulness.

These are just a few examples of the many different types of meditation that are available. It may be helpful to try out different types of meditation to see which ones resonate with you the most

What is guided focus meditation for success?

A guided focus meditation is a type of meditation that involves using a guide, such as a recording or a teacher, to help you focus your attention on a specific object or sensation. 

This type of meditation can be helpful for people who have trouble quieting their mind and maintaining focus during meditation. The guide can provide instructions and guidance to help you stay focused on the object or sensation, and can also help you to release any thoughts or distractions that arise.

As mentioned above, particularly when first starting with meditation, it can be difficult. Using a guided meditation technique can help you to stay focused and can be a great way to start meditating and start receiving all the benefits that meditation can provide.

There are some great guided meditations out there, such as 7 minute mindfulness, which are perfect if you are just starting off.

Conclusion

OK, so hopefully that gave you enough information about meditation, it's benefits and how it can help you in your success journey.

Meditation can help you to improve your focus and memory, increase creativity and problem solving skills, reduce stress, improve your emotional control and help you to make better decisions - to name a few, and that's not even covering the health benefits.

You now know that although there are a tonne of different types of meditation, there is no right type or time to do it. Just pick one, find a time that suits you and start.

You have some simple steps to get started if you are happy to go it alone, or, you know that you can use a guided meditation to help you get started if you wish - personally, I just like to stick on the noise cancelling headphones, listen to some nature sounds and zone out, since in a house of 5, a quiet room isn't likely!

If you found this article helpful - let me know in the comments below, and why not share this article with someone else who you think might benefit from reading it? It would be really appreciated!