The No. 1 skill in business and life HARVARD VERITAS
THE No. 1 skill in business and life is cultivating a peaceful mind. The No. 1 killer in the world today is stress and the disease and dysfunction that stress brings. It would follow that the No. 1 life- giver is mental peace. It is truthfully a skill which can be learned and developed. When the mind is agitated, angry, or confused, it stops the flow of constructive ideas, right solutions, and peaceful outcomes. The mind is hampered and there is psychological and emotional blockage. What are ways to cultivate a peaceful mind?
— Quiet reflection, or identifying what is causing a negative emotion.
Why does a particular person agitate us? Why does a particular situation cause us stressful or anxious feelings? Cultivating a peaceful mind does not mean that we never have negative emotions; rather, those emotions signal us that there might be a problem which needs to be addressed.
Rather than wallowing in the negative emotion or ruminating on how bad things are, we need to consciously re- direct our minds to look for a way out. We can sabotage ourselves by believing that there is no way out, but once we question this belief and open up to the possibility that there a way out, panic melts away and the spark of optimism can guide us like a light to an escape route.
— Having a solution- mindset. — Taking action.
A peaceful mind is not the product of laziness or denial, but quite the contrary — it may mean that something major in life needs to change, and may mean quite an effort! Arriving upon what needs to be done can be a process: for some, this involves time in prayer, meditation, consulting with those who can help us, fact- finding, deliberation, changing our perspective, and making difficult life decisions.
— Accepting what cannot be controlled or changed and moving forward.
There are some challenges in life which we cannot control or change — the death of a loved one, for example. There are no simple answers, and consolation and peace seem like near impossibilities when dealing with such painful emotions. Sometimes the best that we can do is to “hang in there” — endure and live through what is happening, with the hope of a better tomorrow, even if it’s unclear how tomorrow will be better. Life is not static, but a dynamic journey of rising and falling circumstances and emotions. Sometimes a kind word, a loving touch, a piece of encouragement, or a new friendship can give our minds solace, helping to return us to a sense of mental clarity and peace. The peaceful mind is a patient mind when you know that you’ve done your best.
— Learning what is and is not important.
When we were children, perhaps the smallest thing would upset us — having to stop playing with a toy or mom turning off the television. It would be unreasonable to be angry for an entire day over something like this. But sometimes as adults we do not regulate our emotions to be commensurate with the “offense.” We might blow something out of proportion or allow someone’s harmless idiosyncrasies to anger us. The peaceful mind is also an understanding, forbearing and compassionate mind. Sometimes we have to tell ourselves — even repeatedly — to let go of the anger, irritation, or frustration, because it just isn’t worth it.
We cannot force a peaceful mind if our minds are filled with unresolved problems or stresses which need to be dealt with. We might need to exercise personal reflection, solution- seeking, acceptance or letting go of a situation, or simple understanding and forgiveness. Peace of mind is a skill which we can cultivate, being an example to others and teaching our children. This is the secret which unlocks the door to a life of longevity, contentment, and true happiness.