How to practice mindfulness at work

Sep 14

HEIDI’S JOURNAL ENTRY | 004

HOW TO practice MINDFULNESS at WORK

You couldn’t be blamed for thinking that a mindfulness practice is something that only really happens in the yoga studio, at wellbeing retreats or as part of a 5am morning routine before the daily chaos takes over.

By Heidi Hauer

In our work-heavy lives, just getting through our to-do lists can feel overwhelming. We may know that certain wellbeing commitments ‘should’ be on the agenda, but struggle to see how anybody with ‘real life’ obligations could even have the time for them.

But while mindfulness is a practice, it’s less about what you do and more about how you do it.

Meaning? It’s not a task you have to tick off! Mindfulness doesn’t exist on the list, it’s actually what helps you move through your tasks in a nourishing, relaxed, sometimes joyful way.

The beauty of mindfulness is that it can be integrated into all areas of life. And the best bit? It delivers immediate rewards.

In essence, mindfulness is about two core things:

1. Channelling your attention into the present, and

2. Releasing judgement so you can receive the information that is there.

AN EASY WAY TO BECOME present AND aware IS TO THINK OF THE ‘ME, US, IT’ approach.

01. Me

What am I experiencing?

Take a moment to tune into your internal experience.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF:

What thoughts, feelings or physical sensations am I experiencing in this moment?

What do I need right now to feel energised / calm / safe / centred?

How can I guide, support or parent myself today?

02. Us

What are we experiencing as a team?

This is where you get a little bit of context to your own internal experience by observing what is happening between you and those you work with.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF:

What is the team or organisation experiencing today / right now

Which dynamics are being displayed within the group, e.g. in this team meeting?

How am I perceiving other people?

03. It

What is my response?

Finally, get present with how you are responding to, or feeling about your work. This is where you start to understand your relationship to your work and workplace.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF:

What am I currently spending most of my time on?

Is this aligned with what I want or need to be doing?

How am I showing up for work?

What is my emotional, mental or physical state when I start the day?

What do I think or feel about the tasks I am currently responsible for?

These are just a few questions that will bring you into a state of awareness regarding what is happening around you right now.

When it comes to our work, we can get so caught up on planning, goal setting and trying to multitask so much that we begin to lose sight of what we do and why.

Yes, vision and flexibility are keys to success. However, if you forget to check in with the present moment as you storm ahead down a predefined path, you miss out on extremely important information that shows us what works, what doesn't, and what feels good!

Presence is a powerful game-changer.

All you have to ask yourself is whether or not you’re ready and willing to know the truth that each moment holds.

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How to practice mindfulness at work

Heidi Hauer

How to practice mindfulness at work

HOW TO practice MINDFULNESS at WORK

But while mindfulness is a practice, it’s less about what you do and more about how you do it.