I pressed the pause button
35 open tabs in my mind
Calendar tetris between coaching sessions, workshop concepts and private appointments.
Part of me loves exactly that: the diverse and dynamic. Another part longs for clarity and inner peace.
So I went to the monastery: Buddha's path in the Odenwald. Out of my auto pilot.
Qi gong in the morning. Silence in the evening. In between, meditation, mindful walks in the forest, just being.
As always when I come to this place, the slowing down was quickly noticeable. A deep, inner calm that creates space for clarity. The weekend reminded me that well-being is not just a state. It is a skill that we can train like a muscle.
Science meets self-leadership
The Four Pillars of Wellbeing retreat was inspired by the research of neuroscientist Richard J. Davidson, who has spent decades studying how our wellbeing changes through conscious mindfulness practice.
Just five to six minutes of daily mindfulness practice measurably reduces stress and strengthens our resilience. The basis for this is neuroplasticity: our brain changes as a result of what we do regularly.
⏸️ “We brush our teeth every day to maintain dental hygiene. Similarly, we need to train our minds every day to maintain mental hygiene.”
(Richard J. Davidson)
Davidson identifies four skills that we can systematically train. They have an impact far beyond the individual and are key skills for future-oriented leadership.
1️⃣ Awareness: being present, controlling your own attention, observing thoughts and feelings without judgment.
2️⃣ Connection: Living compassion, gratitude, appreciation, kindness.
3️⃣ Insight: recognizing inner narratives and patterns without being controlled by them.
4️⃣ Purpose: Clarity about values and direction in life.
Clarity begins within. Impact unfolds externally.
Information, sensory stimuli, deadlines, expectations of others - much of our everyday life draws our attention outwards. At the same time, we often lack the space and time to look inwards.
But this is precisely where the key leverage lies: what starts on the inside - with clarity, connection, insight and purpose - has an impact on the outside. In conversations, in decisions, in working together.
Sometimes it takes a step out of the ordinary or a mental break in a monastery. Sometimes small daily rituals are enough.
In any case, it requires awareness and the courage to face yourself honestly.
⏸️ What helps you to regain focus when you have a lot going on at the same time?
⏸️ How do you find your inner clarity in challenging times?
