WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A “MINDFULNESS-ORIENTED PERSON”?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A “MINDFULNESS-ORIENTED PERSON”?

A mindfulness-oriented person is someone who:

  • Knows how to listen to their body and mind.
  • Responds consciously, not impulsively.
  • Gives themselves space for pause and focus before important moments.
  • Cares about mental balance just as much as physical form.

You don’t need to be a meditation expert or a psychologist to achieve this. All it takes is curiosity, openness and the willingness to take small steps forward.

This is equally true for people who practice self-organized sports, such as going to the gym on your own, running, or training without a coach. Even if you don’t compete against others, every session is an opportunity to notice how you grow, what you learn about yourself and how you deal with challenges.

In the MindPlay approach, we see a life itself as a journey where:

  • You grow both physically and mentally.
  • Learning and personal growth are just as important as winning.
  • Emotional balance is key for long-term success.

And remember, self-organized athletes also need emotional balance, not only professional or team players. Whether you are training in a gym, practicing yoga at home, or running outdoors, these principles apply to you.

Exercise 1: “Ask & discover” (solo version)

Purpose: To get to know your own motivations, habits and emotions connected to your life and achievements.
Duration: 10-15 minutes
How:

  1. Take a piece of paper or a journal.
  2. Answer these questions:
    • What motivates you to train every day?
    • How do you feel when you make a mistake? (For example: missing a training session, forgetting part of your routine, lifting less weight than you planned, or losing focus during practice).
    • Which moment in training or competition brings you the most peace of mind?
  3. Read your answers. Notice if there are any repeating patterns or themes.
  4. This is your starting point; we will return to it in the next chapters!

    Exercise 2: “One word check-in” (solo version)

    Purpose: To quickly connect with your current state of mind and emotions.
    Duration: 2-3 minutes
    How:

    1. Take a deep breath and pause for the moment.
    2. Ask yourself: “ If I had to describe how I feel right now in just one word, what would it be?”
    3. Write that word every day down in your journal.
    4. Repeat this short exercise every day in a week. At the end of the week, look back at your words and notice patterns which emotions show up most often and in which situations?

      Why it works:

      This short exercise trains you to notice your emotions without judgment. It gives you a simple way to track your inner state over time and build awareness of how training, competition, or daily life affect your feelings.