Corporate Mindfulness – How to Thrive in a Distracted Work World

Understanding mindfulness, and why it’s essential to your success

By Molly Rudberg, MSC, ACC

Revenue. Profit. Deadlines. Hiring. Firing. Promoting. Reporting.Accountability. Teamwork. Communication.Stress. Anxiety. Worry. Pressure. Mindfulness.

Which of these things is not like the others? (Thanks, Sesame Street.)

The words above are very familiar to each of us. They’re a part of our everyday vernacular as leaders. We’re motivated by revenue and profit. We have to meet deadlines, manage our employees, promote those who are doing well, fire those who are not, and hire new people to fill gaps. We are held accountable by our performance, and, we hold those beneath us accountable. We hammer home the importance of teamwork and communication. And we are often filled with stress, anxiety, worry and pressure because of it.

Even when we succeed, though, we’re often left unfulfilled, distracted. That’s where mindfulness comes in.

But what is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is basically “paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment and non judgmentally.” That’s how Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, professor emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, popularized the idea back in the 1970s, while exploring mental means of combating physical pain.

Today, mindfulness is working its way into everyday Western society. It’s even become an integral feature of work-life balance at some large companies like Google, Aetna, General Mills and Target.

So what’s the big deal?

Stress, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed and exhausted are all things I’m seeing and hearing more and more as I meet and talk with executives – and that’s not even accounting for life outside of work. I met recently with a very successful, brilliant CEO on the edge of a breakdown. He was looking for the tools to slow down, gain awareness, get present, and get connected to joy again — all while continuing to powerfully lead his team and organization. He was in such a stressed state, he didn’t know what to do or how to do it.

And that’s the rub: Mindfulness can seem unattainable to those unfamiliar with it. It sounds very philosophical and far flung. The goals associated with mindfulness — to be well-rounded and feel fulfilled; to be of sound mind, body and spirit; or to just be — sound like the hooks to a ’60s hippie chant.

Thing is, mindfulness doesn’t have to be that “out there,” especially in the business world.

Mindfulness in the workplace — or, specifically, mindfulness for business executives — deals with calming the mind in stressful situations; taking a step back and focusing on the moment. It’s about being present, right here, right now.

When we focus on the future, we might weigh uncertainties and how things can go wrong. This can cause anxiety.

When we think of the past, we might consider what we did wrong, or decisions we made that we’re now second-guessing. This can cause depression.

Instead, practice focusing on the now — even just for 30 seconds at a time. Go ahead: try it. I’ll wait.

See? You’re already more mindful than you were when you began reading a few minutes ago.

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Ready for more play, less stress? More flow, less force? Game on. Send me an email at: molly@mollyrudberg.com.

Molly Rudberg, MSC, ACC, is a Chicago-based ontological life and career coach focused on working with extraordinary leaders, teams and businesses committed to realizing an impossible future. She facilitates workshops and speaks to organizations and groups about creating intentional, purposeful, passion-filled work, and is the co-author of “From the Yoga Mat to the Corner Office: A Mindful Approach to Business Success” (Highpoint Executive Publishing, 2014).