Awakening Self Esteem Exercise -- Practicing "Mindfulness Meditation"

This self esteem exercise focuses on practicing mindfulness, and being present. It helps you begin to silence the internal dialogue that is created from the beliefs behind low self esteem, shyness, and low self confidence.

It's not only one of the best meditation techniques for beginners...

...But it's also one of the best life-long habits for promoting personal growth and development.

You'll also discover that you have more energy, and get things done much more quickly, and efficiently. Here's how to begin...

...As you go about your day, practice paying complete attention to the task at hand. Do not think about what so and so said last week, or about how you will pay the bills next month. Stay focused only upon what you are doing. Don't do things mechanically. Do them with awareness. Use your thinking only to assist you in doing whatever it is you are doing.

If you are eating, do nothing else. Don't talk. Taste your food, and be attentive to your body. If you are sweeping the floor, pay attention. If you are walking, feel the ground under your feet. Breathe the air, and smell the flowers. Pay attention to your surroundings. Do everything this way.

If you do need to think about something, then think -- doing nothing else that may distract you.

You may struggle with resistance to this meditation at first if you have the subconscious belief that you must always be thinking about things or your world will fall apart...

...It won't.

If you are concerned that you will forget some of the important things that you need to take care of, start making lists. Get a "white board" and some markers and start writing things down -- with awareness -- then get back to whatever it is you were doing.

When intrusive thoughts do arise, don't engage them. Stop what you are doing, and simply observe them as you would puffy clouds floating overhead in the sky, and let them go. If it's about something important that you need to deal with, then either write it down, and do it later, or deal with it right then and there -- with focused awareness.

Your mind will bring up the things that are most important for you to address. Pay attention to it, but don't get lost in an internal dialogue.

You might find it difficult at first, but that's only because we find it hard to break out of fully ingrained habits. Stick with it until mindfulness becomes your new habit. The benefits are worth it!