Meditation is not only for the monks (I)
The board meeting was scheduled at 11:00am on Monday morning. It was my first in person meeting with the board. There were several important items on the agenda including $63 million proposal for the plant extension, decision on launch of two new products and a major organisational structure change. The meeting extended beyond its scheduled time and finally got over at around 7:30pm. I was glad that it was finally over. I grabbed by bags and rushed to the parking lot. Got into my car and hit the highway.
On my way back home, which is mostly a highway drive, I started ruminating over the events of the day. How did the meeting go? Did I leave a good impression on the board members? It is good that I was able to sell plant expansion. Why did they not agree on my proposal on the org structure? I should have prepared it better. We now have a tight deadline to roll out the new products. Getting the plant ready in time might be a challenge. The org structure change is must to get all this done. The train of thoughts continued only to be broken when I found that someone else has parked in the spot allocated to me in my apartment building.
It struck me hard. I have been driving for last 90 minutes completely submerged in my thoughts. I managed to navigate through the chaotic traffic of Mumbai without getting into any fender bender. Was I driving safe? How could it be safe when my mind was totally onto something else. I did notseem to remember anything about last 90 minutes. Is this normal? I shrugged those thoughts aside and moved on.
Does that sound familiar to you? Can you recall an experience having gone through an activity with your mind completely elsewhere? How productive was that activity? How did you feel afterwards? Research tells us that the odd of you having experienced this to some degree in last one year is close to 100%. If this is not true in your case, my congratulations to you. For others, I would like to share some principles and tools I have personally benefited from in Part II of this article.
In the meantime I invite you to share your experience, if any.
Editor in Chief, Journal of Quality and Standards, Metrology Expert, Soft Skills and Life Skills Coach , Corporate Communication/ Newsletters for Niche Branding.
4 年Anshum : It is great to read your article on Meditation. I also posted a similar article on my Facebook Page of Anil Jain. You may read it. Where are you these days ? Long back when I listened from you or met you at Ambala . Please keep in touch with your contact information. Love and Regards Anil Jain 9812038997 [email protected]
Senior Finance Leader | CFO | Member of the Board, Audit & Investment Committee | SAP S/4 HANA | Kirloskar Brother Group | Ex - Wirtgen/John Deere/ Bilcare Group / Indus Towers /Reliance/DFPCL
4 年Impressed with your idea of taking this challenge on professional platform like this. Hopefully fraternity members well contribute this with their experiences. Personally for me it's the same what you mention.
Global Director, Supply Planning and Logistics | Industrial Engineering, Six Sigma
4 年Indeed great insights Anshum and Yes..it happens.... It's more becuase we anticipate our past in a different way to make it better and sometimes becomes the Prisoner of past. This swallows the present moment which is gratuitous and sometimes unsafe.. In a way Don't Be a Prisoner of Your Past and that would need meditation... Looking forward to next one..