Mindfulness at work - just another fad?

Throughout our careers, we spend considerable time building our technical and professional skills to be able to do our jobs effectively. However what is missing is an equal focus on building mental strength, so that we avoid burnout and are at our psychological best when we are at work. Developing mindfulness at work is catching on with Google, eBay, General Mills and many more employing successful and much sort after mindfulness programs.

What is it? Mindfulness is the awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally. The emphasis of mindfulness training is on refocusing your energy so that you can be more productive, more aware and build stronger relationships at work.

So how to develop it?

• Paying attention: The first step is learning to pay attention. We expect adults to pay attention but most of the time we are focusing on areas we are not supposed to. This means avoiding looking at your phone or out the window, come back to the moment and focus on what is important.
• Present moment:  Next is about learning to pay attention to the present moment. Often we are caught up in past events or worried about the future. The issue is not about thinking about the past or future, but that we spend too much time lost in thoughts and planning for future events, rather than being in the here and now.
• Mindful attitude: Beyond paying attention to the present, mindfulness is about adopting a conscious attitude of warmth, kindness and friendliness. Our brain is hardwired to think more about negative than positive events. By choosing a positive mindset and warmth rather than anger and regret helps avoid destructive thoughts and stay in the present.
• Curiosity: Mindfulness is also about openness and curiosity. This is about tuning in and being interested in the state of your mind and external surroundings, people, etc. It is taking a walk and tuning into the warm breeze, the hot sun, the smells around you – rather than getting distracted by text messages/social media/thoughts about work.
• Acceptance: Finally, welcoming and letting difficult emotions be – instead of pushing them away or trying ‘not’ to feel them – enable you to ride out these painful experiences. By accepting the natural cycle of negative and positive emotions we experience as a human, reduces their significance and allows us to still be OK.  

By playing the role of ‘conscious’ observer and becoming curious about your current surroundings, the noises, smells as well as your bodily sensations, emotions and thoughts, will help focus our attention and stay in the present. So that when you have a bad day, e.g., you have lost a deal, have had to deal with a customer escalation, or when things just haven’t gone right for you – staying true to the principles of mindfulness will allow you to reset yourself, recharge emotionally and be ready for the next day.