Mindfulness. What does it mean?

After last article, I feel I need to post something more positive. Specially since I have realised that I mostly focus on dysfunctions rather than accomplishments or success stories. This is my opinion, and is always debatable. Feel free to comment.

I really don't truly (well, not totally, at least) believe in the 16 personalities test, particularly because it changes depending on the mood.

This was me before:

And this is me now:

As we grow older, our perspectives on life naturally evolve. Our behaviors and motivations shift, reflecting changes in our priorities and values. In the words of Buddhists, our sati—mindfulness—also transforms. But is it mindfulness itself that changes, or the way we engage with it?

What does this mean for our professional lives? How does it influence our ability to be agile?

Mindfulness indeed evolves over time, especially in Western societies, where work dominates much of our lives. In these "modern" economies, people often become obsessed with work, driven by the pursuit of success, material wealth, and social status. Mindfulness, then, can become just another trend—like jogging or any other fashionable hobby. Many practice it because it's socially endorsed, but this superficial engagement doesn’t truly embody mindfulness. It’s a fad, and for most, it doesn’t significantly contribute to professional environments; in fact, it can seem to detract from time spent on work. This view is particularly relevant in countries like the US, where labor laws differ significantly from those in Europe. So, let's set aside the superficial mindfulness promoted in lifestyle magazines.

Regardless of whether we are introverts or extroverts, as we grow and gain life experience, our perspectives shift. Many of us become more introspective, and at the same time, we begin to let go of certain social filters and constructs.

Personally, I find myself less concerned with others' opinions as long as I perform my job well. However, there's a balance to maintain. Caring less about what others think doesn’t mean acting without regard for societal norms. For example, while I might walk barefoot at home even in winter, that doesn’t mean it’s appropriate to do so in the office.

Regarding agility, I believe that as we accumulate life and professional experience, we often, perhaps unconsciously, progress through the Shu-Ha-Ri cycle, particularly within the Kokoro stage. I wonder, Alistair Cockburn , could it be that some of us reach Kokoro without fully traversing the entire cycle? Aging brings new perspectives, and while we might not achieve complete mastery of a subject, we often reach a deeper understanding—a moment of clarity—where we grasp the essence of things. I welcome any thoughts on this.

Although I lack formal degrees in psychology or anthropology, I find myself experiencing these Kokoro moments. I study and research various topics daily, diving deep into many of them. Yet, I recognize that my understanding is often superficial, as I neither have the time nor the depth of experience to consider myself an expert. If we think in terms of T-shaped professionals, I might describe myself as a snowflake—unique, with a broad range of interests but lacking deep expertise in any one area.

That said, I believe that the wisdom gained with age has contributed to the evolution of Agile and its current understanding. After numerous setbacks, we—both the experienced and some of the new generation—have come to realize that we need to let go of "Agile" and focus instead on being agile in whatever form that takes. The corporate world has finally understood that: 1) Agile is not suitable for everyone; 2) Agile is not a one-size-fits-all solution; and 3) The key is not in the tools or methods you use, but in improving customer satisfaction and quality in a sustainable manner.

In conclusion, as we change along with the world around us, mindfulness becomes a natural part of our journey—not because we purposely strive to achieve it, but because it is an inherent aspect of growing older. Through the accumulation of personal experiences, we naturally become more mindful, and this mindfulness, in turn, enhances our ability to be agile.