What do Jennifer Anniston, Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, and the billionaire founder of the world’s largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, have in common?
At some point, they might all have flown in the ridiculously luxurious Emirates airline. Their multi-million and billion-dollar incomes certainly can cover the cost. However, that is not the only potential thing that ties them all together. More accurately, these amazingly prosperous people share a daily habit you should adopt right now: meditation.
The Ingredient to Success
It’s worth noting what many successful people do as part of their daily routine. It turns out that a majority of Hollywood’s celebrities, high-performing athletes, and the wealthiest individuals meditate.
Jennifer Anniston has been practicing the transcendental technique for more than a year now. Michael Jordan, along with other basketball luminaries like Kobe Bryant, has been practicing the mindfulness techniques for years. Oprah doesn’t just make time to meditate but she has also incorporated the practice into her company’s daily routine, with everyone stopping to meditate in the morning and the afternoon.
And Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, has also been practicing for many years, crediting the habit as the single biggest ingredient to his success in life.
Beyond Managing Stress
When you meditate, every day, you will lower your stress levels, which is necessary for thriving in a remarkably demanding career. When Oprah brought the technique to her company, the results were astonishing. Employees reported sleeping better. And people who used to have migraines didn’t have them anymore. Interactions and relationships even improved!
But the benefits of meditating go far beyond managing stress. It can also improve cognitive function, allowing you to be more creative. You will also boost energy when you meditate, helping you stay productive even when there is a mountain of tasks ahead of you. By meditating, you can maintain a steady supply of physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental energy.
Meditating also increases your ability to resist urges and keep you focused, which is crucial for boosting performance whether you’re a world-class athlete or a soccer mom. Jordan’s legendary career wasn’t just about his skills; he also credits practicing the mindfulness technique to eliminating the distractions that resulted in the game-winning jumpers during the 1989 playoffs.
It Can Take Five Minutes or Less
But if you think you don’t have the time to meditate, think again. Because this introspective practice can be as easy as taking five minutes out of your day, to sit up straight, let the day’s concerns drift away, and to focus—solely—on your breathing.
When distractions (from the kids fighting in the other room to sudden thoughts) intrude, bring your attention back to your breathing. Breathe in. Breathe out. Practice it every day. Work your way up to meditating 20 minutes, twice a day. And you will find yourself more ready and able to achieve a level of success.
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