How do I start a mindfulness practice?

Where do I begin?

Mindfulness is a deceptively simple concept that *sounds* easy to implement. It’s just paying attention, right? And breathing? And yet, so many of us struggle to engage in mindfulness as consistently as we intend. Why is it so darn hard to start a mindfulness practice? And where should we start? And if we have started SO many times, how do we keep going? 

One of the barriers to making mindfulness a habit is that our sights are often set too high. So first, set a SMALL goal for yourself. I mean really small. So small you feel like it’s barely a goal at all. For example, my current goal is to use the BREATHE function on my Apple Watch once a day. That’s it. Once you feel like you’re consistently meeting your so-small-it’s-barely-a-goal-goal, raise the bar, a teeny tiny little bit. Like making it two minutes. Or twice day.

Second, use technology to help you. We carry these awesome devices around with us all day that remind us to text people, email our colleagues, pay our bills, wish Aunt Ethel a happy birthday, argue with Uncle Bill about his political ideas, etc. So, let’s use our phones to help us practice ways to be mindful. Set alarms, or use an app like Calm or Headspace to remind you to take a minute to engage in mindfulness. 

Next, broaden the idea of what mindfulness might look like for you. Sometimes we get stuck in our misconception that only sitting cross legged on top of a mountain with the sun rising behind us can truly embody a mindfulness practice. Mindfulness can happen when you’re washing the dishes, packing those dreaded lunches for the next day, walking the dog, folding laundry, or gazing out the window. It’s an act of intention with attention, rather than a specific ritual that requires our bodies to be in a specific location.  

Finally, if you really want to find a practice that works for you, enlist the help of a coach. A mindfulness coach can assist you in setting goals, cultivating a habit, selecting the right resources and most importantly, practicing consistently. A coach can be a great fit for those of us who need to feel some accountability to set up new routines. Check out Greg Klym’s website for information and resources on mindfulness and enlisting the help of a coach to to start your own mindfulness practice.