What the Hell? Pavel Tsatsouline (@strongfirst), the kettlebell guru, introduced me to this concept in the physical arena. Pavel describes this effect as the result of doing an exercise to build strength in one discipline and experiencing unexpected benefits during other unrelated tasks. This new found ability is punctuated by exclaiming "What the Hell" (WTH).
I have experienced this phenomenon while practicing self-control. Saying "no" to the bagels and donuts in the office kitchenette gives strength to say "no" to buying yet another tool during the evening trip to The Home Depot. Doing the morning workout increases the chance I will get to bed on time, instead of scrolling through two hours of cat videos.
Last week, I waited for a co-worker outside of his cubicle farm before a meeting. I stood still for about 90 seconds, and a manager approached from behind asking if I was alright. I assured her that I was perfectly fine and I was just waiting for my co-worker. This expression of patience was a WTH moment that caught both of us off guard. The office staff doesn't stand still, and this was just one more example of me being a bit strange.
I learned this expression of patience during my mindfulness practice. If the current gig doesn't work out, maybe I can be a statue in the park. I am confident the spooked manager would give me a couple of bucks for my performance.
The Harvard Business Review published the following list of benefits of meditation for CEOs:
Builds resilience
Boosts emotional intelligence
Enhances creativity
Improves relationships
Helps focus
What are your WTH moments you attribute to your meditation practice?
Share in the comments and tag a friend who shared the moment!
Going Further: How long did it take before you experienced any benefit from a meditation practice? Have you encountered any unexplained benefits? Has your disposition changed since you started? Are there any benefits you have yet to realize? What about your practice are you most encouraged?