High achievers are known for their strong work ethic, often expending their intellectual energy daily. To foster stability in their lives, High Achievers should consider incorporating mindfulness meditations into their routines. Mindfulness meditations involve the practice of focusing awareness on specific objects. There are numerous meditation types, each with its distinct advantages. In this blog, I will highlight the benefits of two meditation techniques.

The first meditation method is mindfulness of breathing. Breathing meditation has gained considerable popularity in Western society over the past decade, partly thanks to meditation apps like Headspace. Through breathing meditation, High Achievers train themselves to concentrate solely on the rhythmic flow of their in- and exhalations, gradually calming their minds. As a result, breathing meditation can ease stress and help high achievers maintain a sense of stability in their hectic working lives.

Mindfulness of breathing effectively alleviates pressure by relaxing the mind. However, when High Achievers unconsciously pursue success due to deep-seated emotions like anxiety or pride, breathing meditation alone may not fully relieve their tension. Although refocusing on the breath can provide temporary relief, difficult emotions still linger subconsciously. For example, after a session of breathing meditation, the compulsion to achieve might persist as a way to cope with the anxiety of meeting deadlines or appeasing a demanding boss.

To reduce the impact of challenging emotions, High Achievers must learn to engage with them directly. The second type of meditation, Vipassana meditation, can address this need. This meditation practice encourages High Achievers to recognize and feel the bodily sensations that come with specific emotions. As such, Vipassana meditation teaches High Achievers to process difficult emotions through experiencing the associated sensations in the body, instead of resisting them. The result is that High Achievers lessen their urge to evade difficult emotions by striving for success. When applying Vipassana meditation, High Achievers can also expect to experience a greater sense of lightness and joy, since distress diminishes in proportion to resistance.

Meditation is a learned skill that requires patience and practice. It is generally advisable to start with breathing meditation before delving into more advanced techniques like Vipassana meditation. As a life coach, I can help you start if you're unsure how to begin.

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