365 Challenge-Day 20 A Visit from a Friend

Suppose a friend who has come a long way to visit is having a cup of tea with us. Mindfulness helps the time we spend with her to be a time we won’t forget. We’re not thinking of anything. We’re not thinking of our business, our projects. We just focus our attention on this moment when we are with our friend. We’re fully aware that she is there and that we can sit with her and enjoy a cup of tea. Mindfulness helps us to taste the joy of each moment very deeply. Thich Nhat Hanh, Your True Home

I just had the chance to spend time with one of my sons who had returned from a trip. He was really excited to share about his travels. It was one of our best visits in recent memory because I made the conscious choice to listen to all he wanted to share. I did not get up and clean the kitchen while he talked, or look at my phone, or interject with too many questions or comments. I listened. I learned so much about his trip, what he liked about it, what he didn’t like. I learned so much about him. Even thinking of it now, I am filled with the richness of the moment.

To be very transparent, at the beginning my mind was wandering a bit because there was work to do. I was tempted to interject a couple of times because I was familiar with the locals of which he spoke. Luckily, I caught myself.

Being present in this way is a good example of ‘simple but not easy’. I would challenge you to apply this practice more in your personal and professional relationships. The results might surprise you.

You will feel better.

You will have given a gift more meaningful than anything you could buy.

You will have a much clearer and deeper memory of your time together.

Try it and let me know how it goes either by leaving a comment or reaching out to me directly at .

My clients know that I am in the business of supporting the sustainable and profitable growth of their businesses. I have many more tips that I would be happy to share with you. Email for a free 30 minute consultation, . I work with business owners who are really gifted and talented at what they do and could use help building a better foundation for their business.

In gratitude,

Kristan