George Mumford | In the Eye of the Hurricane  “When you get rid of noise and clutter, nothing's there. But because nothing's there, there could be anything there.” — George Mumford   This week I chatted with George Mumford, renowned teacher and coach on mindfulness and performance. George has worked with such athletes as Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal and many other elite athletes and executives. Mumford is the author of The Mindful Athlete: Secrets to Pure Performance.   In our talk George explains why his company is called "Eye of the Hurricane." He strives to teach people about that still center in themselves, just as in the middle of a hurricane there is a quiet, still point. Mindfulness, George explains, can be the tool that gets us there. However, mindfulness must be guided by wisdom, love, faith and trust. Mindfulness can help guide us to create that pause we need between stimulus and response. Just being able to stop and become aware is immensely valuable. If you struggle with anger, a good first step is becoming aware of what triggers you. Then, he says, try to get intimate with it. Observe what happens to you, and try to learn from it. Whatever you do, George teaches, be fully engaged with the present moment.    George reads a book a week, and often re-reads books in order to learn from them at a deeper level. For the same reason George offers programs where students are encouraged to become lifelong learners, returning again and again to the material from different perspectives and in different contexts. In our talk, he referenced Kierkegaard, Socrates, and Erich Fromm, among others. George integrates all he learns to teach others how to not just survive, but thrive, and encourages us all to be authentically who we are.    In this episode of Leading with Genuine Care, you’ll also learn: How going slower will get you where you want to go quicker  How knowing your core values will help you with your practice What the "superpowers" are and why you need them  How to deal with anxiety in today's world  What Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan learned from George Mumford Why his teachings are not just for athletes    Why trying too hard can be counter-productive What flow is and how to harness it What it means to have an empty mind    Connect with George Mumford   Website www.georgemumford.com   Facebook www.facebook.com/mindfulathlete   Twitter @gtmumford   LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/george-mumford   Instagram  @george.mumford   Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfAqkXr3IpLgiNw88 qjLKtA   Learn More from George Mumford www.georgemumford.com/the-mindful-athlete-course   Sign up for the 2022 Leading with Genuine Care Retreat! The Leading with Genuine Care Leadership Retreat is a mindfulness meditation retreat specifically designed for business leaders and entrepreneurs. Suitable for meditators at all levels, the retreat will enable you to cultivate a deeper, leadership-based mindfulness practice while in a peaceful and rejuvenating mountain location. Previous attendees have reported experiencing increased productivity, increased focus, and new perspective – among other benefits – as a result of what they learned.  https://www.shambhalamountain.org/program/lgc1022-leadership-retreat-leading-with-genuine-care/ At the retreat you’ll: Unplug from your busy lives Immerse yourself in nature Learn from renowned guides and teachers Connect with other mindful leaders And so much more!    Get Rob’s Weekly Newsletter Never miss an inspiring conversation about compassionate, positive leadership on the Leading with Genuine Care podcast plus other great articles and insights. Click below, and you’ll also get a download of his favorite mindful resources.   https://www.donothingbook.com/resource-guide    Follow Rob Dube on Social Media  LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/robdube    Facebook:  www.facebook.com/