Learning to meditate is the best thing I ever did for myself. I used to be at the mercy of my mind. It was impossible to focus for more than ten seconds at a time. Distracted was my natural state of being. Meditation taught me how to control my consciousness, which made a huge impact on my quality of life. Want to accomplish the same thing? Follow these thirteen meditation tips and tricks for beginners.

Meditation is not a competitive event. You wont get a trophy for meditating all day. Meditate for a minute. If you can do that everyday for a week, meditate for two minutes the next week. Repeat this process for as long as you like.

Its easy to have aspirations. Its hard to act on them. Dont just say, Ill meditate everyday. Youll get busy and forget. Set-up an alarm in your phone. When that alarm goes off, meditate right away.

Meditate at the same time consistently. Mornings might be best. Its easier to make time for meditation before your day gets crazy (and youll go to work with a calm, focused state of mind).

Sit outside and listen to the birds sing. Closeyour bedroom door and turn on classical music. Meditate in a quiet place where you wont be disturbed. The less noisy distractions, the better!

Texts can wait. Emails can wait. Social media notifications can wait. None of this stuff is so importantthat it needs to be answered immediately. Leave your phone in a different room.

You dont have to sit cross-legged. You dont need a special cushion. You can sit on a chair, bed, sofa, pillow, rock, or whatever. As long as youre not slouching, the specifics dont matter.

How do you feel (physically and mentally)? Dont over-analyze it. Trust your intuition. Dont judge any thoughts or feelings as good or bad. Accept them as they are. Everything is okay.

Paint a mental picture of a surfer riding a giant wave. If he loses focus for one second, hell fall. Ride your inhales and exhales with the same level of concentration. Be one with your breath.

On every inhale, say: One, I am breathing in. On every exhale, say: Two, I am breathing out. (Dont literally say it think it to yourself.) After you reach ten, go back to one anddo it again.

Breathe in through your nose. Follow your breath as it travels to your belly, lungs, and chest. Feel the sensation of air filling up those areas. In what order do those body parts rise and fall?

Dont get upset when your focus wavers. It happens to everybody. If your mind goes elsewhere, go back to one and start counting again.Its a meditationpractice (not a meditationperfect).

You are not your thoughts. Do not identify with them. Perceive them with love and compassion, not fear and judgment. As you continue to meditate, your thoughts will have less power over you.

Are you less reactive during times of stress? Were you able to stay calm when a client got angry? Do you find it easier to focus on your work or studies? Appreciate these benefits as they arise. This will motivate you to stick with your meditation practice.

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Meditation for Beginners: 13 Practical Tips to Easily Build the Meditation Habit - PakWired (press release) (blog)