Mindfulness In The Workplace
Humans are programmed to seek happiness and fulfillment in their lives. As we spend a substantial part of our lives at work, we ought to seek the same fulfillment in our workplace. Happiness has been found to be increased by pursuing intrinsic goals, behaving autonomous, satisfying basic psychological needs, as well as being mindful and acting with a sense of awareness.
The concept of mindfulness refers to a psychological state, the open awareness of present-moment experiences. There has been growing evidence of the positive effects of across various domains, in both academic, as well as corporate fields. Research has found evidence that mindfulness allows organisations to perform more efficiently and more reliably, which can be see crucial in today’s ever-changing environment.
Awareness of the present moment
Globalisation, environmental change, and organisational competitiveness and need for innovation bring about numerous challenges in the workplace. This can further effect the work environment and culture, as well as individuals’ levels of stress, engagement, and productivity. In order to tackle the challenging environment and obtain individuals’ full potential, we should fully acknowledge not only our skills and abilities, but increase our awareness of ourselves, and observing the present moment in which we are operating in.
Open your eyes
Mindfulness has been described as a type of mental training of stopping, observing, and understanding one’s present experience in order to reduce emotional distress and maladaptive behavior. Mindfulness includes awareness of current external stimuli, as well as of internal processes, such as emotions, perceptions, and cognitions. By becoming mindful, individuals tend to cease from unhealthy automatic thought and behaviour patterns. As a consequence, individuals are now more self-regulated and respond to their environment more effectively.
Slow down – maximise your potential
The concept of mindfulness in the workplace might appear as mere form of meditation for some, but the idea is not only to observe our existence in the present, but also improve our behaviour patterns at work. These might be more deeply rooted than we think. The mindful states of consciousness also allow flexibility, as individuals can be aware of everything taking place in the here and now or attend to situational details. Thus, contrary to common beliefs, slowing down can sometimes be necessary in the fast paced economy.
Benefits of mindfulness in the workplace
Mindful individuals neither dwell on the past nor worry about the future. This can be found particularly beneficial in the workplace.
Benefits of Mindfulness in the workplace
- Engagement
Mindful employees obtain, retain and protect the resources needed to be energetic, enthusiastic and immersed in their job.
- Decrease of stress
Mindfulness-based programs provide effective interventions to target high stress levels, sleep quality, and autonomic balance in employees.
- Conflict resolution
When people become more aware of what triggers their negative reactions, they become less susceptible to being blind- sided in conflict.
- Leadership skills
Supervisors’ trait mindfulness has been found to increase their employees’ well-being and performance.
- Promoting work-life balance
To reduce unwanted psychological preoccupation with work concerns, employees find their ideal way to manage their work-life balance.
- Increase of emotional intelligence
- Awareness of fine detail, providing the capability to discover and manage unexpected events.
Exercising mindfulness – practice makes perfect
Mindfulness strategies can be learned through coaching sessions or step-by-step approach. The fundamental practices for mindfulness are based on individuals being encouraged to pay attention to such experiences as the sensation of their breath, inner stream of thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations. Individuals can also develop triggers to everyday experiences, which would further remind them to be mindful. Key to mindfulness, as when learning any new skill, is practice and repetition.
Finally, when utilising mindfulness in the workplace, linking the exercises with 360 assessments may provide even more substantial way to dig into one’s potential.
So go on, embrace mindfulness in 2015!
