Episode 209: Mindfulness and Honoring the Pause with Shawnta Hooks

"I needed to embark on a journey to reclaim my connection, both personally and professionally." Shawnta Hooks ~ Leading Belonging and Mindfulness Speaker. Shawnta Hooks was never a believer in meditation or mindfulness. Working in accounting and corporate compliance during her 20 year corporate career, Shawnta found herself in a toxic work environment after a company reorganization, feeling completely disconnected, unseen and unheard. Her first instinct was to lay blame on the company, until she realized it wasn't entirely her work environment that was causing her challenges. Having just lost her father and become a new mom, Shawnta realized that she was not only disconnected from her work, she was disconnected from herself. Aware of a "crushing pressure to contatntly perform," both professionally an personally, Shawnta realized she had some work to do, and set out to learn how to reconnect to her world. Her search led her to meditation and mindfulness, and "honoring the pause"--that moment of neutrality between our thoughts and actions, when we can more accurately assess our feelings and behaviors. Now a leading authority in building connection and mindfulness in corporate America, Shawnta notes that while words like mindfulness and authenticity may not seem to fit into business, many organizations are embracing the opportunity to help their employees find connection through mindfulness, or as Shawnta notes, "Paying attention to the present moment, on purpose, without judgement." Being Brilliantly Resilient requires checking our perceptions and telling ourselves the truth, which fits well with Shawnta's advice. During this hectic time of year, consider beginning a meditation practice, even of only a few minutes a day. Seek mindfulness and neutrality, avoiding judgements (especially as emotions run high around the holidays.) Check out this week's podcast to hear more of Shawnta's Brilliance. Visit her website at https://www.shawntahooks.com/ and be sure to listen for these additional bits of Brilliance: There is a huge impact that moments of calm can have on your productivity, on your focus, on your ability to operate at peak performance. When employees feel more connected to their environments, they produce greater results and one way that you can get employees to feel connected to their environment is to help them learn how to be connected to the present moment. Belonging requires connection and you can't do that if you stay in your own little box. For me, belonging is really when you, as an individual feel heard and supported in your environment. Just because you think a thought doesn't mean you have to believe it. This is about honoring your emotions. Emotions are clues. By not honoring that, you're missing an opportunity to connect with another. Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together! XO, Mary Fran