Negotiation & Mindfulness

Mindfulness = “the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something”

In my previous post about the resilient negotiator, I mentioned mindfulness as one of the top 5 areas to focus on when building resilience, today I want to share with you a 10-minute mindfulness technique I use before a negotiation or during a negotiation break.

- Start with a 4x4x8 core breathing exercise to release anxiety and stress (breath in through your nose for a count of 4, taking the breath into your stomach. Hold your breath for a count of 4. breath out slowly from your mouth for the count of eight), repeat this 4-5 times and feel your body relaxing.

- Continue to focus on your breathing and bring to mind a successful negotiation or business transaction you recently concluded.

- Focus on what it felt like closing that deal, how it uplifted your state of mind, the confidence it gave you, and continue focusing your awareness on how your strengths and personal capabilities worked for you during that negotiation.

By focusing on the positive and on your previous successes, you will be setting your mind to a pattern of success for your upcoming negotiation.

What is your favorite technique when preparing for a negotiation?