Mindfulness, Meditation, and Me

This is a very personal message for me.

About 10 years ago I took a bright, shiny new “dream” job. I was so excited, and felt like all of my hard work had finally paid off – more $$, more status, more opportunity for impact! I was beyond excited!

That dream came crashing down almost immediately, when I realized that I’d made a terrible error in judgment.

That’s when my inner critic became the narrator in my head. This was “evidence” of my poor decision-making skills, and hundreds of other flaws. I was so battered on a daily basis, both by the realities of the job, and by how I was punishing myself for my mistake, that I struggled mightily to find a way out.

There are few life circumstances that trigger our insecurities more than a job search. 

I was suffering, and my therapist suggested meditation. Now, I’m a natural skeptic, and balk at anything with a whiff of “woo-woo.” I also thought, “I can never meditate, my mind won’t be quiet…” It turned out that – like many people – what I thought meditation was, and what it actually is are two very different things. Ultimately, I’m forever grateful I persisted.

Since then, I have accrued thousands of hours of meditation practice. And I can tell you with 100% confidence that this tool  has sustained me and helped me be more skillful in handling difficult situations. It also has been the key to keeping depression at bay, after medications stopped working for me.

Another benefit I’ve enjoyed from my meditation practice is enhanced focus and clarity. When I turned that toward the poor job choice I’d made, I couldn’t help but wonder, “If I could make that mistake, having spent my entire career in the recruiting and career space, how in the world do others navigate this process successfully?”

That inquiry became the birth of Avarah Careers, and a transformation in how I wanted to serve in the world.

Over time, I’ve found ways to incorporate mindfulness strategies into my work with clients. It’s been a joy helping people use mindfulness strategies to overcome mental barriers, work on job search fears, interview anxiety, and get clarity on what they really want.

If you think you might be getting in your own way professionally, or you are curious about meditation, I’d love to chat about what worked for me and how I could help. You can schedule an appointment here.

Cheers to your career!

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