5 Ways Daily Meditation Benefits Your Career
Before we dive into the benefits of meditation and how it can help take your career to the next level, let's take a step back and speak about what meditation is. In the technical sense, meditation is a practice where an individual uses a technique such as mindfulness to focus on a particular object, thought, or activity to train attention and awareness and achieve a mentally clear, emotionally calm, and stable state.
On a spiritual level, I like to think of meditation as the openness to receive a metaphysical download from your higher power or higher self. Meditation opens the mind to receive information that is most important and relevant to the person receiving it.
There are many forms of meditation, but the two main categories are guided meditation and unguided meditation. In guided meditation, a teacher guides you through the basic steps of the practice. In unguided meditation — also called silent meditation — you meditate alone, without someone else explaining the process. When you first begin a meditation practice, it is encouraged that you find a guide to help you navigate meditation.
Always remember meditation was not created to silence the mind completely but instead was formulated to focus your thoughts. Our minds will never completely be silenced, but we can train our minds to focus on the thoughts that are most beneficial to use in each passing moment.
Now that you have a firm understanding of what meditation is, here's how a daily practice can benefit your career.
First, it increases your focus and concentration.
If you find yourself constantly getting distracted at work or missing important deadlines because you're not focused on the task at hand, meditation can help you improve this immensely.
Second, it improves self-esteem and self-awareness.
By having an increased sense of self, you'll thoroughly understand where your strengths and weaknesses lie and can leverage that to your advantage in your career.
Third, meditation reduces stress and allows you to use your breath to regulate your nervous system.
If you have a high-stress job and often find yourself spiraling mentally at work, this will give you the tools to remain calm regardless of what's happening around you.
Fourth, it helps manage anxiety.
If you're someone with high anxiety, meditation will help you regulate your thoughts to reduce the impact anxiety has on your life, and specifically your career.
Lastly, meditation helps exercise your intuition which can give you the upper hand at work during projects or special presentations.
Increased awareness of your intuition allows you to tap into your higher self and enter into a space that athletes call "the zone." When you're in full alignment with yourself, you perform at the top of your game, so think MJ Game 1 NBA finals 1992.
You, too, can create historical moments in your career by simply implementing a daily meditation practice.
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ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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6 Spring Events To Boost Your Professional And Social Networks
When spring arrives, we all want to be outside, looking fabulous, and back to socializing. And now is the perfect time to add a few great events to your calendar to get you through the quarter in order to make new friends, build new partnerships, and talk new opportunities to level up.
Spring is a high season for networking and social events for Black women, with many organizations and event entrepreneurs booking prime locations and offering dynamic experiences that you can maximize in whatever way possible. Write down your goals, and get out there. Start with a few of these events between now and the start of summer:
New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival, April 23 - May 3
The New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival is a 10-day event held over two weekends, bringing together thousands of musicians, craftspeople, and food lovers to share in common threads of culture in the heart of New Orleans. You'll get to enjoy works by artisans local to Louisiana as well as from across the U.S. and around the world.
Black Food Truck Festival, April 26-28
Hosted in Charleston, S.C., the Black Food Truck Festival includes an opening party, access to more than two dozen food truck vendors, and a time to workout with other attendees. Charleston has long been known as a Southern foodie destination, with global recognition due to James Beard-awarded chefs heading popular restaurants there and a renewed focus on Gullah and Geechee culture and food in the region. And what better conversation ice-breaker than to talk about food with a new acquaintance?
Black Women's Mental Health Conference, May 4
Hosted by New York University, this is a one-day event to tackle issues of mental wellness and health that uniquely affect Black women and girls. The keynote speaker for this year is Kim Young, MSW, LCSW, founder of Dope Black Social Worker® and host of the podcast Revolutionary Hoodrat, and leading licensed professionals in the field will offer their insights and share their experiences. And, of course, no college-led event is without time blocked specifically for networking.
Strength of a Woman Festival, May 11-12
Anything with Mary J. Blige headlining or leading is a win, especially if we're talking about women's empowerment and enjoyment. This event will be held in New York City, and beyond the performances from some of our favorites like Muni Long, Jill Scott, and The Clark Sisters, there will be a Gospel Brunch. And even if you're not able to attend or concerts aren't your thing, just being in the city during that time will mean you're bound to run into plenty of other women to network with at local bars and restaurants nearby.
Carefree Black Girl Cookout, May 4
Held in the Queen City, Charlotte, N.C., this is a day festival amplifying the voices and brands of Black women entrepreneurs, artists, and creatives. There will be vendors, glam and beauty bars, and complimentary meals for the first hour (according to the platform's website). They're hosting another cookout in Philadelphia on May 25.
Black Women Leading Live, May 13-16
Touted as an “intimate retreat + conference,” this Virginia Beach, VA event will be held on a resort and is offering a professional development experience led by Laura Knights, founder of the Black Woman Leading® program and podcast. It’s an ideal fit if you’re a mid-level or senior professional, as the topics and approach are set to cater to those levels of career experience, with coaches and speakers pouring into attendees with a holistic approach.
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