Being mindful at work can skyrocket your productivity
Pausing and sitting in quiet contemplation isn't usually possible at work, but that doesn't mean you can't be mindful and use it to boost your creativity and focus. Read on to discover how to be mindful at work.
We spend much of our adult lives physically being at work; be that in an office, factory, vehicle, laboratory, hospital, learning environment or outdoors. Even working from home means having an actual workspace, either a dedicated desk or a corner of the kitchen table.
Whether we like our jobs or not, there’s more often than not an element of stress involved. Some level of stress, or pressure, is good for us. It keeps us motivated and feeling alive. But too much stress and we feel overwhelmed, upset or angry and ultimately, our productivity suffers.
One way to overcome the stresses and strains of work is to practice mindfulness. Practicing mindfulness teaches us to pay more attention to the present moment which helps to focus the mind, reduce stress and improve concentration. We might think that practicing mindfulness means sitting on our own, in quietude, eyes closed, legs crossed. So not not something that can be easily practiced at work.
However, practicing mindfulness outside of work can have benefits in all areas of our lives, including at work. The more familiar we become with mindfulness and the more it becomes our natural way of life, the less we’ll suffer the effects of stress. The less stressed we are, the less likely we are to feel anxious or worried about work and the tasks we have to fulfill and the calmer our mind will be. In turn, this allows us to experience better sleep, focus, concentration, creativity and inspiration. Which all adds up to a better performance at work, and in our personal lives, with better relationships and social interactions.
We can weave elements of mindfulness into our days at work too. Aside from a few moments of practice before work, we can make our lunchtimes more beneficial by taking a mindful walk. This means walking slowly, taking in the sights, smells and sounds around us and truly experiencing the moment we find ourselves in. Eating can be a mindful act too. Savour each mouthful, chewing slowly and noticing the changing flavours and aromas, and how the food feels on your tongue and when you swallow it.
Mindfully planning our days will also help to focus the mind, keep us on track and boost our productivity. Make sure your plan is achievable, by breaking tasks down into small, manageable chunks, and tick off each item on your to-do list as you go. Making sure we only ever mindfully focus on one task at a time will also aid concentration and output. Rushing to do three or four things at once might feel like the quickest way to get things done, but often, multitasking means each thing takes longer than if you were to tackle things one at a time.
Sitting on an exercise ball will also help to focus the mind. Doing so forces us to consider our balance, posture and stability, rather than mindlessly and awkwardly sitting slumped in an office chair.
Mindfulness takes time to become part of everyday life but regular, daily practice will mean that soon, you’ll notice the benefits that a calm, less stressed mind brings.
So try taking some steps to learn how to practice mindfulness in your spare time. Many books, apps and online learning tools can teach the basics of mindfulness and it will become a useful tool in managing stress and feeling more present and focused in all areas of your life.
Once you have the basics mastered, you can apply mindfulness to many other situations, such as being at work. Set a reminder to practice some deep breathing techniques for a minute or two at regular intervals during the day, whether at your desk, on a lunchtime walk or in the bathroom.
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