Over the past few months, I have had the pleasure of speaking at events such as the Georgetown ITLN conference in Northern Virginia in September and the Phoenix ICF Conference in November. A question that often comes up in these talks is around what it means to be “mindfully successful”—and more specifically, what it isn’t.
Mindfully successful is not about aiming for a flawless state of calm or pretending that deadlines, challenges, and difficult conversations don’t exist. Instead, it’s about being present and aware of your actions and their impact without being consumed by stress or letting it control you. Here’s how I define it:
- Acting with awareness—knowing what you are and aren’t doing.
- Noticing the impact of your actions on yourself, others, and the organization you serve.
- While not being overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around you..
This approach doesn’t require you to walk around in a constant state of calm like the Dalai Lama. That ideal may sound tempting, but let’s face it: daily life can make that feel out of reach. However, small, mindful practices can help you bring balance and intention into your work and relationships.
Reflect on these questions for a moment:
- When you reflect on your day, were you fully present in your conversations, or were you already mentally preparing for the next meeting?
- Did you approach situations with a sense of calm and confidence, or were you distracted by inner frustrations?
- Can you look back on your actions objectively, or do you find yourself replaying events, critiquing what you could have done better?
Mindfully Successful is about navigating life with intention, acceptance, and presence—even when things are far from perfect. I hope these reflections encourage you to bring more mindfulness into your day.