How to Train Your Mind

Exploring the Productivity Benefits of Meditation

By: Chris Bailey

Narrated by: Chris Bailey

Meditation makes you more productive because it lets you earn back time. For each minute you spend meditating, you'll earn around nine minutes back, as Chris Bailey - author of The Productivity Project and Hyperfocus - will show in this candid and counter-intuitive guide to the productivity benefits of meditation.

How to Train Your Mind digs deep into the practical, tactical benefits of a meditation practice - and how to integrate a meditation ritual into your own life. In addition to calming your mind and allowing you to slow down in an overanxious world, research shows that meditation can de-stimulate your mind so you can think more clearly, procrastinate less, and be more effective at everything you do - at work and at home.

Featuring guided meditations designed to fit your busy, unpredictable schedule, How to Train Your Mind is the ideal guide for anyone looking to improve productivity without sacrificing time. While much has been written about the spiritual and intangible benefits of meditation, as far as our productivity is concerned, meditation is in a league all its own.

©2021 Chris Bailey (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC.

Started Listening By Accident

Honestly, I am only half way thru "How to Train Your Mind" but I HAD to stop long enough to write this review. This book was an "Accident" From choosing it, to listening to it. It is FAR, FAR from the kind of book I have ever read or listened to in my 52 years.
Although I have sorta attempted meditation in the past, especially when my three daughters were in their teenage years, at the same time and I was a single mother. (It was either meditation or alcohol....Ahem... Ummmm... Okay. Okay,,,,It was meditation AND alcohol. Less one, than the other. But thats a whole different kind of review) I never got serious or very good at it.
When the author and narrator, Chris Bailey began speaking I knew within seconds that I had ordered by mistake but it was only another few seconds that hesitation had my fingers hovering over the stop button. Before I even fully understood what the subject matter was it was Chris Baileys voice that first caught my attention. I immediately felt like he was a caring and trusted friend who was sitting down across from me as we were having an intimate conversation. He didn't sound like he was READING a book, He sounded like he was TALKING to me. I couldn't Stop listening.
That lead me to listen, more carefully and the subject matter was interesting. As I am not working anymore due to a disability, any kind of 'productivity" is not a concern or need in my life at this point but everything he was saying was still touching something very personal inside of me. It isn't JUST about increasing your productivity. However, he does tie it together and shows how and why productivity is a benefit from the practice of meditation.
Additionally, besides the intimate and awesome narration (5 PLUS stars) and the interesting and informative subject matter that compelled me to continue listening, it was his informative yet simple APPROACH to teaching the subject. It was the easiest and most sensible approach to beginning meditation that I had ever heard.
I have advised people who have complaints about their lives to try meditation as a solution. The common reaction I get is only varied by the intensity, From eye rolling and "psssht ,oh I don't believe in that ' New Age Crap'" ....to " I have tried but I don't seem to be able to do 'IT'...whatever 'IT' is." To which honestly I can relate to. So when the author, very early on had the first easy and very short guided meditation, and taught about the constant intrusion of thoughts while attempting meditation and HOW to get passed those. I was hooked. It was that simple and I felt like the dots were already beginning to connect!!!
The author really does teach you HOW. He teaches with small easy steps and I mean small baby steps that isn't forced or uncomfortable. The Author has a very very easy manner in which he reads his book. It's as if he didn't write the book first but rather just started talking and informing and THEN transcripted it into a book. You will know what I mean when you start listening. It is the ONLY audible book I have ever heard like this, (out of hundreds) and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It is so intimate, comfortable and peaceful.
As I mentioned I'm not done with the book but since I understand a little bit about the subject matter I also understand a little about the all encompassing benefits of what he is teaching here.
I am excited to continue with the book.I'd like to learn more about how our thoughts, most of which we are totally unaware of, effect our lives. I think in this day and age most people understand that our thoughts become actions become habits become a way of life. While we may understand this concept, we may not know where or how to start in turning this knowledge into something positive and powerful instead of negative and destructive. I am excited to continue with his practical, simple and gentle approach in training my brain.
I would recommend this book to every one.

nice high level overview of meditation and benefit

i enjoyed this - viewing meditation through an instrumental lens, and very practically, is pretty different from other things I've read and heard.

Mindfulness Finally Makes Sense!

From the practical application ideas, the notice and refocus tip, the “you don’t have to be a Buddhist,” to the MANY PROVEN BENEFITS ... I finally get it. I’ve been striving for perfection in my quiet time and just assumed I sucked at mindfulness. Turns out, I don’t! Thank you Chris Bailey. — Tammy

Resistant to meditation? I get it.

I've heard for years, as most anyone reading this has, that meditation is great for anxiety, stress, and a host of other things that ail many of us. It wasn't until the author caught my attention by claiming that meditation was good for productivity that I listened, and have it a try.

It seemed like a wasteful indulgence to sit on my duff for 10, 20, or 30 minutes and do nothing but listen to the noise in my head. Experienced meditators are probably shaking their heads at that last sentence, but if you're someone who feels your brain often works against you, and/or you're always short of time, it's a hard sell.

At this point, less than 2 weeks after beginning this audiobook, I can't tell you that I've developed a robust meditation practice, my entire life has changed, and yours will too. What I can do is strongly recommend starting with this book, and appreciating all it offers. The guidance. The research. The anecdotes and examples. And the author's friendly, calming voice (note: listen at 1x).

As of now I have meditated for about 10 minutes a day for 10 days running. It is still a struggle to quiet my mind, but I learned that that has nothing to do with whether or not you are succeeding with a meditation session. I feel more focused, and I've already been at least slightly more productive.

NB: The Medito app has been a helpful tool to put into practice what I've learned in this book.

Life Changing

The book is very well written, straight to the point, comical at times, and the subject matter is completely life changing.  I'd studied Alan Watts' speeches and books and, while he focuses on meditation increasing our ability to enjoy and live in the now as much this book, he does delve into a more metaphysical perspective of the universe.  This book, however, focuses solely on meditation and its benefits, both in terms of productivity as well as quality of life increase across every realm imaginable (with studies and scientific data to back the points up in many cases). 

I've meditated in the past and remember its benefits.  I wasn't sure if it was just a placebo affect or my youth, but ever since hitting my 30s and my career taking off, I've found myself less focused and less excited about life, even though I'm doing far more of the things I used to do as well as things I'd dreamed of doing when I was younger.

This book proves my original focus and excitement in life was a direct result of my meditations and focus on the now. 

Time to get back to it, with this books help and advice. 

GO AHEAD - GET STARTED

Just exactly what I was hoping this would be. I've tried to develop a mindfulness/meditation practice for many years but have always fizzled out. Maybe tried to do too much, maybe had unrealistic expectations, perhaps I was impatient. This retreat, presented in a practical (yet wise) nonthreatening, laid back manner, with strong fact-based information, was outstanding. I will return to this retreat whenever I need it. I've found my way to a meaningful practice.

very motivating

I really enjoyed the book and the fact that these are techniques that he uses on a daily basis

amazing

I've been practicing for a while now and came to deepen my practice, I received some great tips, fun facts about meditation, and remotivated me. I absolutely recommend it.

Pretty good

This is about how meditation can increase your productivity. It’s a new take on things for me.

everything I was looking for

was looking for a simple intro to meditation and mindfulness. this was a great way to start.