Most days we can probably be found running around on autopilot. Dragging ourselves out of bed, mindlessly making coffee for that first hint of life in the morning then scarfing some breakfast all while worrying, planning and scheming about our day ahead. When was the last time you had a morning cup of coffee you really enjoyed? What about work? Whether you love your job or hate it, how often are you really aware of what you’re doing?
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It could be said that we spend much of our time in a state of mindlessness. That is not to say we’re not thinking or using our brains as we go about our daily tasks; more that we are not truly experiencing our lives as they unfold. Our minds are constantly running through past mistakes and future scenarios which might not even come to pass. How much time does that leave for the present?
One way we can improve our experience is to practice mindfulness, which is often associated with Eastern philosophy and meditation. But mindfulness is not some esoteric spiritual practice as much as it is, or can be, a way of life. One simple definition of mindfulness is simply paying attention on purpose. It is being fully aware of the present moment without judgment. It’s about opening up as completely as possible to your present experience as it happens minus the constant and automatic flow of judgments and proclamations of worth.
How does this apply to work you ask? By paying full attention to what we are doing in the present moment we can bring our full talent to bear on the situation or task. Mindfulness can help us to enjoy the process itself and stop worrying about only the end result. All too often we begin a task only to rush through it to get it done, to get on to the next task, as if what we are doing at any given moment isn’t really worth our time and full attention. It is at times like these that we would do well to remind ourselves that we only have our present moments. All of those future scenarios we worry about on a daily basis are simply present moments that haven’t happened yet, and those past memories that constantly worm their way into our minds as we go about our days are present moments that are long gone. We actually live in present moments; it is only the habit of our minds to attempt to be somewhere else. Or, as is common in today’s high speed culture, many places at once.
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There is a case to be made for avoiding attempts to do too many things at once. Studies have shown that single tasking, rather than multitasking can actually prove more effective.
Mindfulness can help bring our awareness to what is really happening in our lives, and our work. When we can see clearly what is before us, we are better equipped to deal with whatever arises. We don’t have to fly off the handle at our boss or a coworker; we don’t have to succumb to an anxiety attack at the seemingly impossible tasks given to us. If we can plainly, and mindfully see what it is we experience as we experience it, then we can determine our best course of action.
The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, whether at work or not, stop. Try to see the situation without automatically characterizing it as bad or good and just notice. Notice how you automatically react, how you might tense up and get upset. Try just noticing, and not just reacting. You may find your stress levels going down, and your appreciation of the moment increasing. That just might help carry you right into the next moment, and one after that.
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