Ei Tips: Ways to Be Mindful & Terminate "Good Job"

Tip #1: Elevate Through Stillness--Practice Mindfulness
One of the best ways to take control of your own emotions and your reactions to others' emotions is to take time to do. . . well . . nothing. Taking time to create stillness in your own mind will help you recharge and gain awareness of the present moment. Here are two simple breathing exercises to get started on your mindfulness journey: 
2 Minutes of Breath: Set a timer on your phone or computer for two minutes. Simply count the number of breaths you take over that time. Close your eyes and take deep breaths. If your mind wanders, acknowledge it without judgment, and resume counting on the next breath. If you forget what number you are on, don’t worry. . . simply start again at number one–again, without judgment. 
Square Breathing: This technique follows a series of four-second intervals: breath in for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 4 seconds, release for 4 seconds, and relax for 4 seconds. Repeat the process 4 times. 
What’s the advantage? Some of the benefits of consistently engaging in mindfulness meditation include decreased emotional reactivity, elevated self-awareness, reduced stress, improved focus, and increased positive relationships.

 Tip #2: Terminate “Good Job”
When you want to offer praise to an individual or group, one phrase that has little to no impact is “good job”. Instead give truthful and specific feedback whenever possible. 
Here are some "meh" and "GREAT" examples:
Meh: Good job on that report.  
GREAT: I really appreciated the effort and attention to detail you had on the X report. It was easy to follow and you included information I never thought about. It was fantastic!
Meh: Good job with that tough client. 
GREAT: I saw how you handled that difficult situation with the X team.  Your ability to listen, empathize, and provide solutions was exactly what the situation needed. 
What’s the advantage? When you dive into the details, your team members know you care about the time and effort they are investing. It helps you develop positive relationships and connect on a deeper level. When your team feels valued and cared for, they are happier at work, and their performance will continue to grow.