How to Train Your Mind

Exploring the Productivity Benefits of Meditation

By: Chris Bailey

Narrated by: Chris Bailey

Length: 3 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

Book about benefits of meditation, not on how to meditate

This is book about great benefits of mediation, which are well explained in a very passionate way. However, book doesn’t really teach you how to meditate. Basically, you are waiting all book when author finally stops to talk about benefits of meditation and teach you how to meditate, but this never happens....

Good Read and Practice

Simple, practical and encouraging content. Excellent for meditation and mindfulness starter. Love the practice sessions.

the best book on meditation I've ever read

this is one of the few books I wish never ended. meditation makes so much sense now. perfect narration. practical and right to the point. absolutely loved it.

Awesome audiobook

Love it. My first time even learning about meditation. Will definitely make it an habit.

Fantastic Listen

what a fantastic Listen! I highly recommend this audiobook. Great for a newbie or someone needing a reminder on how and why meditate!

Habit Tracking 🤍

This was a great find, I’m glad I gave it an opportunity. I absolutely loved the walking meditation strategy. Thank you.

Good source of motivation to start meditating

Picked it up on a whim, and found it engaging and inspiring. It really took good advantage of the audiobook format, weaving short meditations in with the text.

Short and simple

I have just started the journey towards a healthier, happier self. This book was easy, short and informative. I give it 5 stars.

Excellent book

Enjoyed it! Got me started on meditation. Valuable suggestions and tips. For anyone skeptical about meditating, worth a listen.

repetitive and not very interesting

I found it extremely repetitive, and a felt like I was having dejavu. it might make a good drinking game if you take a drink every time he says meditation, focus or mind but you would be totally hammered in the first five minutes.

Thoughts on slowing down

I listened to this on double speed while doing gardening which clearly shows that I needed to hear something like this. I am trying to slow down and meditate and when I focus on my breath I have to think of this book and then I am getting irritated that the author called the wind pipe (trachea) “oesophagus” (which is the food pipe) twice. But overall worth a listen although I enjoyed the voice more on double speed than during the guided meditations for which I obviously slowed down.

Good book for a beginner like me

My first book on this topic so did not have any thing to compare with but I ended up listening to most of it one Sunday morning was not bored at all and how going to try.
Has a well spoken and calming voice

Eye Opening

Eye opening, worth exploring if you desire greater productivity in all areas of your life

Loved it. Better than expected

It is shocking that nobody has put these points across before and so well. The entire book is so understandable and relatable.

I feel I have invested my time very well with this one

Yes I called it a book. (In joke)

The key to peak performance!

I had no idea before reading this, the impact this book would have on my mental state of mind. Chris Bailey makes understanding meditation, easy and enjoyable. Meditation has changed my life. I feel calmer and am able to deal with life’s stresses and “to do” lists in a more manageable way. Thank you’ 5 stars!

Great work!

Written and read with rich clarity. One simple step to promote a better existence.

My first intro into meditation

My first induction to meditation and was straight forward and has got me going. The benefits described are worth taking on meditation and I look forward to my journey with thanks

Perfect to learn/be introduced to meditation

Was such a pleasure listening to, and really gave me a foundational motivation for meditating with a deeper understanding of why I want to do it.

Clear, simple and concise intro to meditation

This is a great audiobook for anyone, like me, who thinks meditation sounds like a good idea, but just doesn’t really get it. Maybe has tried the well known apps and still doesn’t manage to make it stick. The book explains the real benefits in a practical manner that is easy to digest. I look forward to re engaging with meditation with better expectations and understanding.