Be Present or Lose it
Mindfulness is not a new concept.
Yoga practitioners and followers of Buddhism have long practiced it as part of their discipline.
As we enter the new millennium, the concept is fast moving from these niche practices to mainstream life. One area where mindfulness can be applied in our daily lives is our communication with others.
The Essence of Mindfulness in Communication
Mindfulness in communication relates to being present in the moment. As humans, we can be physically present, but our minds are somewhere else. What we mean is when discussing or meeting with someone, we must focus on the person and activity. We must center our minds, give our undivided attention to the other party, and focus on the conversation.Our minds must not wander about different things that might distract us from the conversation.
I am sure by now you have had conversations with other people and sensed their minds and focus are elsewhere; how does that make you feel?
Or you are talking to someone, and they are busy typing away on their mobile phones. How does that make you feel?
Lousy right?
I am sure other parties will feel the same if we exhibit similar behaviors. Hence, we must refrain from doing other things when someone is talking to us.
The Gift of Presence
In today's fast-paced world, where everyone's life is filled with schedules, commitments, and various priorities, having a face-to-face meeting with someone should not be taken lightly.
Remember, the other party could always be elsewhere doing some other things. They have intentionally set aside time from their busy schedules to meet with you, gifting you their undivided attention and presence.
You want to appreciate this gift by dedicating your entire being to being physically and mentally present. Give your undivided attention to those who have gifted you their time and attention. Do not squander this precious gift.
You will come across as a person of good manners and know what is important. This is an excellent way to build rapport and credibility.
Mindfulness and Mobile Devices
A major distraction and bane of modern life is our mobile phones. They have become part of our being, as they are never far from us.
When in a meeting, our phone might ring, and we may have to attend to it. It's considered impolite to prioritize a call over the one you're meeting with. The best approach is to answer the call promptly and end it quickly or choose not to answer it. It's important to maintain focus on the person you are conversing with.
If you receive a text message, if necessary, quickly review the text and get back to the conversation. This can enhance the quality of your communication and strengthen your connection with the other person. In short, never keep the person in front of you waiting. Prioritize them as much as possible over someone not physically present with you.
This way, the other party will feel respected, and you are not wasting their time.
The Message in Every Meeting
In a world driven by haste and distractions, focusing entirely on the present moment becomes imperative.
People sometimes are messengers. They bring a message when we converse with them. They often bring a message to inform, encourage, or even warn us. If you believe everything happens for a reason, your meeting has a purpose and could bring a life-changing message.
As such, to get the most out of your meetings, be present at the moment and listen well. Only when we are present and listen well will we catch that message.
Non-verbal Cues
During our interactions with others, non-verbal cues may surface. These cues are as important as the spoken words. Cues such as posture, gestures, and facial expressions conveyed through body language during interactions will help us understand the authenticity of spoken words. Hence non-verbal cues are critical in trust-building.
As Buddha articulated, “The mind is everything. What you think you become.” Trust flourishes through mindfulness, compassion, and presence in all interactions. Through mindful behaviors—both verbal and non-verbal—stronger bonds are formed.
Mindfulness in Sales
In sales, being present is particularly critical when meeting with a prospect or client. The last thing you ever want to do is to make the other party feel unimportant. That is one quick way to lose them and eventually any hope of doing business with them.
Being present would also allow you to get the most out of the meeting. This is critical in sales, where snippets of information can leave clues to close that sale. These clues can help you understand where you stand in your prospect's mind and give you some idea of what your next moves should be.
When you are mentally present, you are ready to ask relevant questions. This is important as it demonstrates whether you are paying attention and actively listening.
Remember, the other party always has other things they can do with their time. They can always walk away from the conversation if you do not focus on them. I am sure you don't want anyone, least of all a prospect, to unexpectedly stand up and walk away from you in a meeting. A negative experience with you is not going to help you.
Conclusion
Mindfulness in communication is a transformative approach that enriches daily interactions. By cultivating attentiveness and presence in conversations, we lay the groundwork for deeper emotional connections and more meaningful relationships.
So you want to be present at the moment and get the most out of your meetings.