Interest in developing mindfulness in business is at a tipping point, due in part to the detrimental stresses of the modern world (typified by the acronym used by the US Military Academy: VUCA - Volatility, Uncertainty, Chaos and Ambiguity).
The stress-reducing effectiveness of mindfulness has been demonstrated in research that shows a reduction in cortisol as well as anxiety and fatigue.
Mindfulness in action
Mindfulness is simply about noticing the way things are - just so. It's not a technique, says Gonzalez, but a skill - the skill of being aware without grasping or denying. She suggests that being mindful can be applicable to everything that happens in your day.
Practical mindfulness entails four key concepts:
- equaniminty - accepting what is without resistance, just noticing that it is so
- concentration - giving your undivided attention for as long as you choose
- clarity - awareness of what is going on, both externally and internally
- purification - clearning away of habitual, negative habits
How to develop mindfulness
The Breath - by taking a slow, even, conscious breath you can slow things down and reverse the cycle that causes ever-increasing stress. Staying gently focused on your breathing - inhaling and exhaling - for even just a few minutes will help you to relax. It's important not to judge yourself and whenever you find your mind wandering, just gently bring your awareness back to focus on the breath.
Internal Awareness - most of our mind space tends to be taken up with worry and fear, the future and the past. By training your mind to stay in the moment, you can start to live in the present, where life actually happens.
External Awareness - having the objective experience of being fully aware of what's going on around you helps you to stay in the present moment. This is the opposite of the experience of what Gonzalez calls "monkey mind", swinging relentlessly from one thing to another. She says that what we call 'multi-tasking' merely legitimises our inability to concentrate.
The 9 attributes of mindful leaders
- Being present - be in the moment rather than worrying about the future or past
- Being aware - recognise what is happening, both in yourself and in others
- Being calm - remain in control and face any situation, whatever the circumstance
- Being focused - deliberately channel time and resources to your priority
- Being clear - know what is important and what is motivating; focus on that
- Being equanimous - don't waste time resisting or fighting what can't be changed
- Being positive - inspire others by being a positive force, seeing what's working
- Being compassionate - care about others but stay focused on doing your best
- Being impeccable - accept responsibility with integrity (this does not mean being perfect, just the best you can be!)
"We shall not cease from explorationT. S. Eliot
And the end of our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time"