The Daily RICHual

Sometimes the Daily RICHual is silence.

Sometimes when there is little or nothing on your mind, it is best to leave it that way.

Is nothing something? Today it is and THAT is your Daily RICHual.

There is an episode of How I Met Your Mother called the Bracket and in itMarshall has to pretend like he’s minding his own business. His problem is he doesn’t know what to do with his hands.

Up until a few weeks ago, I had the same problem meditating. Nice seque, huh?

My initial guided sessions didn’t really give any advice, so I did what any inquiring, self-motivated person would do, I googled it.

Here’s what I learned…

There have been quite a few things about this Corona Virus crap that has made our last couple of months challenging.

First, don’t get me wrong, the sickness, death and devastation to many families has been terrible and I struggle to find the words to fully express that.

I am just grateful for my health and the health of those close to me.

Having said that, I got something today I have needed for two months….

While adding some updated information to a Zoom class I’m doing tomorrow on video marketing, I found 7 interesting statistics:

•In 2019 85% of all internet users watched video

•They spend 88% more time on a website with video

•Internet users spent 6:48 hours watching videos per week

•Mobile video consumption is still rising over 100% per year

•1 billion hours of video is consumed each day on YouTube

•Video adds 300% more traffic to websites

•It is predicted that by 2022 82% of internet traffic will be people watching video

So I’ve been doing quite a bit of meditation the last four weeks. A key concept that comes up over and over is mindfulness. Being mindful allows people to train their mind to observe their own thoughts, feelings, and sensations with an objective view.

Almost like an outsider looking in who doesn’t care.

Some of the benefits of this have been found to be Higher brain functioning; Increased immune function; Lowered blood pressure; Lowered heart rate; Increased awareness; Increased attention and focus; Increased clarity in thinking and perception.

If you asked my sons what they learned from me growing up they would tell you TWO things:

The 1st was to Be aware. If one of the boys was reaching across the table and knocked over their milk, no one was angry about the milk. The lesson was that next time, you should be aware of your surroundings.

Headspace fonder, and former Buddhist monk Andy Puddicombe had a teacher who said, "There is no such thing as Good or Bad meditation, there is only awareness or non-awareness."

So our brains produce substances that can improve your health, stuff like endorphins, gamma globulins. These chemicals strengthen your immune system

Recent research has shown that what your brain produces depends, at least in part, on your thoughts, feelings and expectations

And in their study, Drs Heather Rasmussen, Michael Scheier, and Joel Greenhouse, showed that when you’re sick and you have hope, a positive attitude, AND believe that you’ll get better, your brain produces the appropriate chemical response.

Your strengths aren’t just for you and they’re not just for marketing. Your strengths, if you think outside of the box a bit, could be used to help others.

•Are you Well connected? The right introduction could lead to a job prospect getting a job, or maybe just a new friendship.

•Love fitness? Sign up for a charitable walk or run and give to a cause you care about.

•Expert swimmer? Volunteer to teach children how to swim at your local gym or YMCA.

I saw an article in Psychology Today that listed 10 benefits of focusing on your strengths. I’d like to share them

We talked some last week about strengths and self-awareness and such.

To me, understanding your strengths, expertise, great talents, skills, and characteristics is the entire key to successful marketing.

You know your strengths, you know your audience and what they want, and you use your strengths to attract people to your business.