Centering: Purpose and Phrases for a Group
Centering: Purpose and Phrases for a Group
Purpose of Centering
A strategy called "centering" can assist a group in staying balanced. Centering focuses the energy so that it's used more efficiently. One of the simplest centering techniques is to become conscious of breathing. When you focus on your breathing, you turn the attention inward, the direction of your center.
Centering is especially effective at the beginning of a meeting because it sets the stage for balance and assists in tapping into the group's intention and deep source of energy. Of course, anytime the group seems to be off balance is the perfect time to suggest centering. You can use any of the following approaches whenever you need to be centered during your meeting.
Here are a few ways to talk about incorporating centering into your meetings. You may feel you have more influence when you're in an official leadership role. However, these approaches or comments can be just as effective and sometimes even more effective when introduced by a group member.
Some Statements you might Say
* "Before we begin today's meeting, let's take a few deep breaths and relax. Then we can all start feeling refreshed."
* "Let's take a few moments in silence to consider the topic (or topics) on our agenda."
* "I know you all have a lot to say about this subject. Before we start talking, though, let's just have some quiet time."
* "The intention each of us establishes for this meeting is so important. Please take a few moments to connect with your own intention."
* "I want to start our meeting in a relaxed and peaceful way. Here's some calming music, so just sit back and relax for a few minutes."
* "I need a little time to explore what I really think (feel) about this. Can we just sit for a moment with our own thoughts (feelings)?"
* "I can tell that many of you are burning to say something about this. Before we start speaking, let's take a few minutes to write down some of our ideas. After writing for three minutes, I'm going to suggest that you identify the most important idea you have on your list. Then we'll talk."
* "I know we've all come today from many different directions and responsibilities. Let's take time to be fully present and let go of all the other stuff. Just relax and close your eyes for a few moments."
* "This topic is important and I want to be certain that we don't just stay on the surface. So let's take a little time to open to the deeper issues silently. I'll let you know when it's time for discussion."
* "I have a video to start off today's meeting. It has beautiful nature photography to help us feel in greater harmony."
Create Your Own Statements
Consider the culture of your group and create additional phrases that will be appropriate for you and the members. Whenever you find the group agitated, stop and suggest silence, centering, writing, or reflection. If your suggestions are met with resistance, don't push. Try again another time.
Appreciate the Changes
You may notice changes immediately or over time. Appreciate whatever happens as a result of your intention to bring greater calmness and clarity into a group. Just as every person has his or her timing and needs, a group has its timing and needs. Loving patience opens a space for change to happen more effortlessly and deeply than dictating a change of behavior.
Centering Purpose and Phrases for a Group - To learn more about this author, visit Jeanie Marshall's Website.
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From time to time, participants in a group may seem off-center or out of balance. Too much chatter or arguing or confusion can create such a condition in an individual or the group as a whole. Circumstances that have no direct connection with the current group gathering can still greatly impact the balance and effectiveness of a group.
Purpose of Centering
A strategy called "centering" can assist a group in staying balanced. Centering focuses the energy so that it's used more efficiently. One of the simplest centering techniques is to become conscious of breathing. When you focus on your breathing, you turn the attention inward, the direction of your center.
Centering is especially effective at the beginning of a meeting because it sets the stage for balance and assists in tapping into the group's intention and deep source of energy. Of course, anytime the group seems to be off balance is the perfect time to suggest centering. You can use any of the following approaches whenever you need to be centered during your meeting.
Here are a few ways to talk about incorporating centering into your meetings. You may feel you have more influence when you're in an official leadership role. However, these approaches or comments can be just as effective and sometimes even more effective when introduced by a group member.
Some Statements you might Say
* "Before we begin today's meeting, let's take a few deep breaths and relax. Then we can all start feeling refreshed."
* "Let's take a few moments in silence to consider the topic (or topics) on our agenda."
* "I know you all have a lot to say about this subject. Before we start talking, though, let's just have some quiet time."
* "The intention each of us establishes for this meeting is so important. Please take a few moments to connect with your own intention."
* "I want to start our meeting in a relaxed and peaceful way. Here's some calming music, so just sit back and relax for a few minutes."
* "I need a little time to explore what I really think (feel) about this. Can we just sit for a moment with our own thoughts (feelings)?"
* "I can tell that many of you are burning to say something about this. Before we start speaking, let's take a few minutes to write down some of our ideas. After writing for three minutes, I'm going to suggest that you identify the most important idea you have on your list. Then we'll talk."
* "I know we've all come today from many different directions and responsibilities. Let's take time to be fully present and let go of all the other stuff. Just relax and close your eyes for a few moments."
* "This topic is important and I want to be certain that we don't just stay on the surface. So let's take a little time to open to the deeper issues silently. I'll let you know when it's time for discussion."
* "I have a video to start off today's meeting. It has beautiful nature photography to help us feel in greater harmony."
Create Your Own Statements
Consider the culture of your group and create additional phrases that will be appropriate for you and the members. Whenever you find the group agitated, stop and suggest silence, centering, writing, or reflection. If your suggestions are met with resistance, don't push. Try again another time.
Appreciate the Changes
You may notice changes immediately or over time. Appreciate whatever happens as a result of your intention to bring greater calmness and clarity into a group. Just as every person has his or her timing and needs, a group has its timing and needs. Loving patience opens a space for change to happen more effortlessly and deeply than dictating a change of behavior.
Centering Purpose and Phrases for a Group - To learn more about this author, visit Jeanie Marshall's Website.
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Leanne Hoagland-SmithAre your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales or business success or one of the many who have failed to change? Are you tired of being told you are like everyone else? Then you may find my first book on sales of interest. Be the Red Jacket in the Sea of Gray Suits, The Keys to Unlocking Sales available at Amazon or at http://www.processspecialist.com/red-jacket.htm. This book is a reflection of my no-nonsense approach to improving sales to overall business results. If you are truly committed to making sustainable changes, then I can help you secure a positive return on your investment because I focus on executable solutions not telling you the problems you already know you have. From training to corporate (group) coaching to executive one on one coaching, my approach is to assess, create awareness, build a goal driven action plan and then execute. The bottom line question is "Not do you or your employees know it, but do you or they want to do it?" Please call for a free strategy session at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith's Website |
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Dave KurlanDave Kurlan is the founder and CEO of Objective Management Group, Inc., the industry leader in sales assessments and sales force evaluations, and the CEO of David Kurlan & Associates, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in sales force development. Dave has been a top rated speaker at Inc. Magazine's Conference on Growing the Company, the Sales & Marketing Management Conference and the Gazelles Sales & Marketing Summit. He has been featured on radio and TV, including World Business Review with General Norman Schwarzkopf, in Inc. Magazine, Selling Power Magazine, Sales & Marketing Management Magazine and Incentive Magazine. He is the author of Mindless Selling and Baseline Selling – How to Become a Sales Superstar by Using What You Already Know about the Game of Baseball. He created and wrote STAR, a proprietary recruiting process for hiring great salespeople, and he writes Understanding the Sales Force, a popular business Blog and is a contributing author to The Death of 20th Century Selling and 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life, Volume 2. - Visit Dave Kurlan's Website |
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John BrennanJohn Brennan Ed.D. Dr. Brennan is President of Interpersonal Development, LLC, a training and development firm. Interpersonal Development has provided sales training and coaching to more than 3,000 sales reps from over 100 companies. A native of Australia, Dr. Brennan received his doctorate from the University of Rochester. His dissertation researched the effectiveness of Behavioral Modeling Technology in training people in interpersonal skills. While he has spent most of his career designing or delivering training, he was also a Vice-President of Sales of a training and development franchise with operations in 25 markets. Dr. Brennan has designed and delivered sales training in North America, Asia, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. He has been a guest speaker at numerous national and regional professional conferences. When Microsoft wanted Best Practices articles on sales for their web site, they called Dr. Brennan. The results are at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/FX011387391033.aspx His firm’s clients have included Volvo, The Prudential, Merrill Lynch, Eastman Kodak, Gannett, Equifax Europe, the Economist Group and countless small businesses. - Visit John Brennan's Website |
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