The Physicality of Confidence

Exercise, Meditation and Power Poses

This summer I spent three weeks in France with my family. It was wonderful…and so relaxing. I attribute a lot of that stress reduction to physical factors. Having less to do and letting time stretch so that the things I did do, I could do well. Letting the rhythms of nature — the tides, the sun, and our stomachs — guide the day. And finally, connecting with lots of extended family and friends. So nourishing and so restorative.

Scene change. Back in New York, how do you maintain that centered, resourceful, confident post-vacation feeling? There is no question that our bodies and minds are connected. Not all stress is bad, but you need to have the mental wherewithal to harness it, not get swamped. Here are some of possibilities to choose from:

• Exercise. Everyone knows this is key. As counterintuitive as it seems to stop everything for an exercise break, the burst of productivity it generates always pays back in spades. And, regular exercise makes it easier to withstand the bumps and bruises of daily life.
• Meditation. I wake up an hour before my family, sit on the couch and breathe, stretch, or just be with my own thoughts, uninterrupted. I like the meditation I use because it asks you to tense and relax your muscles, which keeps your thoughts from wandering. It is super effective: http://positiveintelligence.com/resources/pq-gym/
• Power Poses. If you haven’t seen this Amy Cuddy TED Talk please do. (And if you haven’t seen the parody of the power poses on the Kimmy Schmidt series, please do!) I use power poses when I go into interviews, have a call I want to be my best for, or just when I am brainstorming and need a little creative juice.
• Connecting with Others. Be grateful for colleagues, even those who occasionally drive you nuts! Being with others and having small, or big, conversations is key to feeling balanced and maintaining confidence.

Here’s to the beauty of fall’s changing leaves.

Claire