Mindfulness is becoming more widely accepted as a valuable business skill, but this mental fitness tool can also be a key differentiator for your business.
A byproduct of training our minds, is that we learn to think and respond more creatively and strategically. These strengths are essential in the increasingly competitive and challenging business environments we find ourselves in.
It is well known that mindfulness practices help us manage stress and anxiety more effectively, but there are also other positive outcomes from learning to be mindful:
By supporting more mindful work practices, you will help your people to thrive, which in turn helps your business to grow. Research by The School of Life indicates that happy, healthy people at work are 30 per cent more productive, make 30 per cent more sales, and are three times more creative.
Engaging in controlled breathing exercises helps to oxygenate your brain. which improves your creative ability and helps you to be more calm and focused, so that you can think more clearly and make better decisions. Apart from engaging in conscious breathing as part of a regular meditation and/or yoga practice, you can also do it for a few minutes sitting at your desk
Take regular breaks. Step away from your desk and chat with your colleagues face-to-face (not via chat message or email). Get outside for some fresh air and focus more intentionally on what’s happening in your environment
Initiate set times during the day to do ‘single task’ work with no distractions. Close your inbox and unnecessary browser tabs (including social media) during this time. Keep your phone in your drawer or bag, and turn off sounds and notifications that impact on your ability to focus.
These simple steps can have a profound effect on performance and productivity. Helping your team to engage more mindfully at work, and with their work, is sound business practice. It benefits your team and bottom line, and helps you to grow your business.
So, give some thought to what you and your team are putting your mind to at work?
Michelle Bondesio is a communications and behaviour design consultant. Her mindfulness-focused workshops support business teams to build their resilience, unlock more of their creativity and improve their productivity.
She set up the business after receiving support through Boost’s Growth Support Programme and now reaches a wide network of business clients across the county. Read her growth story here: Stress-busting business mentor gets a Boost
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