Develop high emotional intelligence by becoming comfortable with your emotions without being owned by them, and foster transparent, loving relationships.
Practice ‘knowing yourself and going beyond yourself’ by genuinely caring for others, fostering a sense of belonging to the world, and cultivating a radical sense of safety and contentment in the present moment.
Cultivate a deep appreciation for the ‘work’ of self-discovery, mindfulness, and waking up to life by engaging in practices like meditation retreats, daily sitting, reading, and listening to relevant content. This also involves appreciating even the difficult and ornery aspects of life.
Implement a consistent daily meditation practice (dedicated practice) and consciously integrate its principles into all aspects of your daily life, relationships, and work (integrated practice).
Approach relationships and mindfulness practice with openness and curiosity, recognizing that true expertise involves continuous learning and flexibility rather than fixed knowledge.
Practice connecting to your own pain and difficulties, rather than pushing them away, by acknowledging challenges, unmet desires, and the inherent hardships of being human as part of your common humanity.
Actively counter the tendency to reduce empathy as responsibility increases by consciously connecting with the common humanity and pain of others, especially in leadership roles.
Recognize that modern work demands collaboration and actively depend on others, fostering psychological safety where everyone feels comfortable contributing equally.
Combat the ‘religion of busyness’ by consciously simplifying your approach, focusing on what truly matters, and integrating moments of spaciousness into your day with intentional breaths, especially during transitions.
During meditation, reframe noticing your mind wandering not as a failure, but as a victory, because this awareness is the essential practice of becoming less owned by your inner life.
Approach challenging, high-pressure work situations as advanced practice opportunities to learn about yourself, cultivate emotional intelligence, and develop skillful ways to work with your natural tendencies.
Promote emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and good communication skills in the workplace to create a healthier, more dynamic environment that also improves business outcomes.
Guide your decisions toward a balanced and fulfilling path by regularly asking three core questions: ‘Where can I have the most positive impact?’, ‘What do I most love doing?’, and ‘What sustains me financially?’.
Ensure all team members feel comfortable speaking up and contributing equally, preventing any single person from dominating discussions, to foster a psychologically safe environment.
Use a soft mental whisper (e.g., ‘anger,’ ’thinking’) during meditation or difficult interactions to orient yourself toward direct experience, which can help you refrain from reactive speech and make you less likely to say something you regret.
Regularly evaluate your meditation journey by asking Joseph Goldstein’s 10 questions, such as whether you are less reactive or more aware of your wandering mind, to track your development over time.
Cultivate awareness of rushing in daily life, recognizing it as feedback that you are ahead of yourself, and use this noticing as an opportunity to take a breath and settle back into your body.
Opt for in-person meditation teaching if accessible, as it offers immense value and is an optimal way to learn, while also integrating self-guided or app-based practices into your routine.
Try writing down thoughts before meditation to clear your mind, but be prepared for thoughts to still arise and practice noticing them without judgment, then returning to your meditation object.
Utilize the ‘Letting Go of the Outcome’ meditation to reduce fixation on getting your way and cultivate openness, particularly in work situations.
Offer detailed feedback to organizations or projects you care about, as this input is meaningful and incredibly helpful for their continuous improvement.
Critically re-examine assumptions about how we treat each other, especially regarding gender dynamics in the workplace, and recognize the ongoing work needed to appreciate and support all individuals.