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THE STUDENT BECOMES THE MASTER: OWNING YOUR BREATH

The mind is the king of the senses, and
the breath is the king of the mind.

—B. K. S. IYENGAR

You've got this! You're ready to Breathe like a Boss and live in the energy and mindset that will bring you whatever you have your (positive) mind set on. Breath is energy, and it will offer you a new level of clarity, confidence, creativity, connection, and productivity. Breath gives you access to your brain and emotions that offer you a new sense of leverage in reaching your goals. It's science! How you think and feel is a choice—a very important choice.

Breathing Like a Boss—mindful breath powered by personalized strategic positive thoughts and intentions in the moment when you need it most—that is true empowerment for success. There's so much to learn from experts, teachers, inspirational books, apps, podcasts, classes, events, conferences, conversations . . . but then you've got to bring it home and make it your own. Become a master. Owning your breath in your unique way makes it exponentially more effective and empowering because you never have to wait for anyone or anything to use the power of breath. Own your breath and own your peace. Therein lies the magic. You are your best teacher, healer, and motivator. The more you practice, the more inner strength you'll build so that the best version of yourself becomes your default mode.

Now you know how to:

• Be more self-aware and notice your thoughts and emotions.
• Choose to take control of your thoughts and emotions with breath and make the mind–body connection.
• Close your eyes and go inward.
• Visualize your dream business scenarios.
• Develop your intentions for mindful business.
• Create your own mantras to gain inner strength and confidence.
• Use different breath techniques—3DB, lion's breath, bee breath, alternate nostril breathing, breath retention, ujjayi. Mix and match them with the multipliers listed above.
• Be self-aware of your screen time, mental fatigue, and brain fog, and manage your digital wellness.
• Turn your morning routine into a powerful ritual.
• Fuel your brain/body with nourishing beverages and food.
• Build a new relationship with time and timing.
• Be an inspirational C.E.'Om.

I've felt the benefits of breath firsthand for thirty years now, and it sometimes feels so simple that it's silly: how a better state of mind is always only 3DB away. When I share the secret sauce, the feedback warms my heart. It's game changing. Breath is nothing short of miraculous. Breath is meditation—3DB at a time. Breathing mindfully is something you do for yourself, but it ends up being a gift for those you work with, too. It helps the greater good to share energy that's positive because it's contagious. Use your breath a bit every single day; it wants to help. Power it up with your thoughts and intentions for supercharged energy that is laser focused. Consider breath as much a part of your day as food and water. You need it to nourish and sustain you, and to bring out the best in you. Food. Water. Breath. Success.

Getting started is so simple, so keep it simple. There are no barriers; just breathe mindfully more often. The fact that you'll be using breath in under sixty seconds makes this new practice sustainable. No preparation required; just that new level of self-awareness. When you find yourself reacting to a moment that requires all you've got inside yourself to hold your tongue or to decide that you will not give up or that you will move forward, that's when your breath has the most impact. You'll recognize when your body is in stress mode; you'll acknowledge it and breathe. You'll silently talk yourself through something in a new way that feels empowering rather than defeating. You now have the tools to get your mind and body working in partnership.

We all experience business through the lens of our past experiences. Breath is an equalizer. It's a connector. It helps us be less judgmental and more compassionate so that we can work with gratitude and appreciation for our colleagues at all levels. We can't control other people, but we can try to relate to them and understand them better. The Socrates quote “Be kind because everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle” is certainly relevant in business. You don't know what experience someone brings to the table with them, but breath will bring an open mind for you to work mindfully and make people feel at ease and valued.

DON'T WAIT FOR A CRISIS

Two of the C.E.'Oms featured (Bertolini and Duane) admitted that they never would have gravitated toward breath, meditation, or mindfulness had it not been for their personal crisis. And then it massively transformed their life. Getting to a point of desperation is often what it takes before trying something that seems so outside your wheelhouse. But don't wait. The only thing that is constant is change. Breath will help you adapt to constant change.

CHANGE OFTEN BEGINS IN THE BUSINESS SECTOR

If we can all bring breath to work with us, the business sector can lead the way for a major shift in mindfulness in business. Business has transformed so much of our behavior and lifestyle, especially over the past ten years; it can do the same with breath and mindfulness. As you become your own source of empowerment with mindful breathing, you'll notice that you feel more to connected to people again. Your mind is more open because your eyes, ears, and heart are more open. You may find yourself asking your colleagues and business partners, “How can I help you?” You'll have more to give. More opportunities will come to you as well. Commit to taking charge of your thoughts and emotions. Choose to be the person that you want to be in business—use everything you've got inside to give it your all; follow your dreams; make an impact; and change, build, or create something special. Tap into your full potential for success. You are more connected to what matters now—yourself —and that leads to better connecting with others. Success in business is based on relationships, and breath is the connector to producing the energy and mindset to build successful relationships.

Growth and comfort do not coexist.

— GINNY ROOMETTE

I've saved one last application for Breathing Like a Boss until the end because so many people are frequently stuck in the same place: their comfort zone. If you're holding yourself back for the sake of comfort or feeling content, you're limiting yourself. I tend to be a creature of habit, so I'm speaking from experience. I will try to control situations so that I can stay in my comfort zone, but (I'm still learning) the best things happen when we take a leap of faith. Breath is the best tool to support you in taking new risks and doing things even though they're uncomfortable. Breath brings inner strength to your “new” zone, and often it doesn't take too long before you can find comfort in what was just unknown. Keep taking those leaps powered by your strategic thoughts and mindful intentions. Breathe them into something amazing—outside of your comfort zone!

A few years into my business, I got an exciting invitation to sell our Moisture Jamzz products on QVC. It was something I'd hoped for at every trade show. As I discussed the logistics of the products, the buyer casually mentioned something about the process of me selling on the air. Wait, what? I hadn't thought about that part. I didn't want to be on air. That was so outside my comfort zone. I liked working behind the camera. I majored in broadcasting and journalism and interned in newsrooms all through college, but I was behind the scenes—floor manager or holding the mic for the “person on the street” interviews, getting the soundbites—not being on camera. This QVC situation was an incredible opportunity, but I didn't want the stress of being on live international television. I told the buyer that I much preferred if our products go on one of their beauty-themed shows where there were occasionally products being sold by a professional host or salesperson. Although these were much shorter segments, it made me more comfortable having someone else do the talking on air. The buyer said that having the entrepreneur on was always better for sales. I decided not to believe her and proceeded with their purchase order (which was a custom-made product for QVC that I could not resell to another client) and having the host sell for us because that was comfortable. It wasn't brain surgery; the host could sell a pair of moisturizing gloves and moisturizer, right? The buyer reluctantly agreed but asked that I be there at QVC in the green room during the on-air presentation. We sat together and watched until I couldn't take it—after a couple of minutes I couldn't hold back, “What's happening? She [the host] isn't telling the viewers about this or that, and she's not describing it correctly. She forgot to say all those little details I had mentioned.” The coveted opportunity had been wasted, and I was beside myself. I was no longer comfortable in what I thought was my comfort zone. I had to take the leap! The buyer obviously knew what she was doing. She said, “Nobody ever has the same enthusiasm or insight as the entrepreneur.” Lesson learned. Speak up, and do what you have to do to get to where you want to go. When opportunities arise, even if you can control certain aspects, maybe you shouldn't if it will be limiting success. Thankfully, she let me come back. It was an important lesson on learning to take opportunities even if they're intimidating, because with breath, there will be a new level of comfort in any situation. You are ready for something bigger; step outside your current zone. Breathe Like a Boss.

It may sound cliché but it's true: you are your best teacher now. You'll see how breath can be a source of support like never before. Breathe like you mean it. As Bill Duane says, the best program is one that you'll do. Don't get hung up on the label or the details of your new practice. Call it whatever you want—just breathe. The results of your breath practice will speak for themselves. If you haven't experienced an extended feeling of “energized calm,” you're in for a nice surprise.

Everything you need to take yourself into next-level success is within you. You know what you need to do. Breathe into that. You know what you need to change. Breathe through that. You know what you need to let go of. Breathe that out. Breath is the vehicle. Where will you go? The choice is yours!