Mark here. Here’s what we have in store for this week…
WHAT I’M WRITING ABOUT
Team Box Breathing
The best practice for cultivating an “Uncommon” workplace is box breathing with the team. Balancing a focus on results and tasks with growth and health is key, and most leaders ignore the latter. By prioritizing growth and well-being, you can set yourself apart as a compassionate and deeply connected leader, which are essential qualities to lead with during VUCA times.
Team Box Breathing is a simple and impactful practice that cultivates arousal control, attention control, and mindfulness. It will reduce stress and foster unity amongst your team members. Synchronizing breath in the structured four or five-count box pattern with deep diaphragmatic box breathing cultivates a calm and focused demeanor and connects your team in a way that is unique and enduring. I recommend Incorporating it into the start of each meeting, which is what I teach my client companies. I’ve been doing this with my core team for years, and we’ve experienced incredibly positive outcomes.
By balancing productivity with growth through box breathing, you will have a more motivated, connected, and healthy team. Burnout will disappear, and creativity will surge. So, I encourage you to reshape the meaning of success by box breathing alongside your team.
Effective collaboration transforms challenges into opportunities, where together we rise. -Bayo Akumolafe
NEW EPISODE – THE MARK DIVINE SHOW
Episode # 484
Mission Mindset
Mike Massimino is a former NASA astronaut, professor of mechanical engineering at Columbia University, and senior advisor for space programs at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. He completed two space flights, participating in the fourth and fifth Hubble Space Telescope servicing missions in 2002 and 2009. Massimino holds multiple degrees, including a PhD in mechanical engineering from MIT. He’s known for setting a team record for spacewalking hours in a single shuttle mission and being the first person to tweet from space. A frequent television guest and host of several science shows, Massimino is also the author of the New York Times best-seller “Spaceman: An Astronaut’s Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe.” His contributions to space exploration have earned him numerous awards and recognitions, including NASA medals and the Star of Italian Solidarity.
Podcast Highlights:
I had the pleasure of speaking with the remarkable Dr. Mike Massimino. He emphasized how seeing Earth from space profoundly altered his worldview. The experience led him to view our planet as a shared paradise, transcending national boundaries. His journey as an astronaut, engineer, and bestselling author is filled with wisdom and humor that truly inspired me. We explored the essence of leading with integrity, especially in high-stakes situations, and Mike shared invaluable insights on teamwork and focus. His lighthearted stories about his space exploration made our conversation engaging and entertaining. What resonated most was Mike’s commitment to paying it forward—he genuinely believes in uplifting others through shared knowledge.
Simplicity is key to promoting peace within ourselves, and my puppy Mahina embodies this truth beautifully. She’s always ready to chase after a ball, and her joy is absolutely infectious and inspiring. By engaging with her carefree spirit, I’m reminded that true peace comes from simplicity—a lesson we can all benefit from in our busy lives.
PRACTICE OR HABIT TO TRY
Gratitude Letters: This week, set aside 15 minutes on three separate occasions to write a gratitude letter to someone who has positively impacted your life—be it a coach, family member, mentor, or colleague. In your letter, express your appreciation for their support and belief in you. You can choose to send it or keep it for yourself. This simple practice will help cultivate gratitude, strengthen connections, and promote personal evolution.
P.S. If you enjoyed this email, reply here and let me know what you thought. I’d love to hear from you.
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Mark Divine is a New York Times best-selling author, leadership expert, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and retired U.S. Navy SEAL Commander. He is also the founder and CEO of Unbeatable and SEALFIT.
