Sorority recruitment will look different this year. However, despite the facelift recruitment will be getting due to COVID-19 my advice remains the same: be mindful. You may be asking yourself what does being mindful mean?
Mindfulness is defined differently by many, but we’ll think of it the same way Psychology Today does, “Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention to the present. This state is described as observing one’s thoughts and feelings without judging them as good or bad.”
The concept of mindfulness may sound easy to you or it may sound extremely challenging. I have a certification in mindfulness, and I can tell you that I continue to work on mindfulness every day. Don’t let this scare you away from attempting mindfulness and using this tool during recruitment. Similar to learning to ride a bike, mindfulness is a practice that requires us to get back up and try again when we fall on the ground.
I recommend thinking about mindfulness as simple practices for everyday life, which can be a tool during recruitment to help you decide which chapter is right for you, to bring you back to your values and who you are.
Being Aware to Choose the Sorority That is Right For You
The key to mindfulness is awareness. We must be aware of our awareness and have the ability to maintain attention to present-moment experiences. As you prepare to visit chapters and talk with members, focus on your conversations. Think about how these conversations make you feel. Think about whether these conversations make you feel connected to these members and this chapter. Notice how you feel talking to these women. Do you feel at ease or at home? Do you feel like something is not right?
During these conversations try to avoid thinking about what the members may be thinking about you or how this chapter compares or differs from another chapter. These thoughts take you out of the present moment.
You may find yourself thinking that your mind is always with you. This is true, but the question is whether you are spending most of your time lost in thoughts about the past or future. Mindfulness is about actively giving you a choice with your thoughts. When you find yourself having thoughts about the past or future imagine them floating by like clouds. There will always be clouds and we can decide when we want to stare at them and choose what shape they look like.
Being Mindful to Improve your Decision-Making Process
By learning to develop and cultivate mindfulness, you can develop an accepting attitude to build kindness and compassion for yourself. It can also help in your decision-making process.
Learning mindfulness starts wherever you are and can be done wherever you are. Whether you are busy, distracted, anxious, jealous, peaceful or tired all you need to do is take a moment to pay attention to yourself. If you can stop and breathe, and notice what is happening in this moment then you have tapped into the power of mindfulness.
Below you will find three examples of how you can practice mindfulness during recruitment:
Listen Deeply to Yourself
We live in a world where we are constantly making decisions. Some are ordinary, such as what clothes we wear or what to eat for dinner, and others are more significant and life-changing, like which chapter you see yourself in. When it comes to making decisions, our bodies are full of wisdom and answers. Take time to quietly check in with how your body feels. It’s a valuable resource.
Me Time
Sorority recruitment is a busy time and can sometimes make you feel tired or overwhelmed. During this time, you may feel that you don’t have enough time for yourself. Although, by using this trick you can cultivate mindfulness anywhere, anytime. You can establish mindfulness by tuning into your breath or your posture. For example, inhale through your nose for three counts and pause at the top of the breath for one count. Then, exhale for three counts. Repeat this exercise three to five times. No matter what you are doing by becoming aware of your breath or rolling your shoulders back and down and lengthening your spine, you can be present around the clock.
Just. This.
Through mindfulness it allows us to be honest about what is happening inside us. One of the best ways to practice this sense of inner honesty is the practice of Just. This. Use this simple phrase to turn your attention toward whatever is happening in the present moment. Meet this experience with acknowledgment, allowing, and acceptance. You can even turn this into a mantra to use throughout your daily life.
Staying mindful during recruitment will help you make the decisions that are best for you. If you need a reminder during recruitment, try using a journal with these tips written inside. After each round of recruitment, take some time to reflect and prepare for your next round.