How to Be Mindful at Work
Nov 30, 2021
If you’re like most people, you like the idea of being mindful. But it seems some environments—like work—make it difficult to be. It doesn’t matter whether you work in an office in a high-rise building or as a two-person team painting homes, you can still practice mindfulness. Here’s what do…
Focus on just one thing
Many people struggle with mindfulness simply because they’re trying to do too much at once. You aren’t a machine. You weren’t designed to do 65+ things at once.
Instead of trying to do everything, choose to focus on the most meaningful task right now. Which task will bring you closer to your goals or your boss’ goals for you right now? That’s the one to focus on first.
Turn off notifications
If you have trouble concentrating once you’ve picked your one task for the present moment, then try to silence notifications. This means logging out of your inbox, silencing your phone, or shutting down social media.
Remember, you can return to your notifications in an hour when you complete your task, or whichever one comes first. Doing this will improve the quality of your work as well as help you to stay present with the current task.
Do a brain-dump
Sometimes, it’s hard to be mindful simply because your brain is too busy. Instead of trying to ignore the thoughts that are making it hard to focus, grab pen and paper. Write down every single thought in your head. Keep the pen moving for ten minutes.
When you’re done, sort through the ideas and sort them into one of three categories: now, later, and someday. Once you’re done with this, you’ll clearly see where your focus for the day should be.
If you’re ready to gently deepen your practice—even in busy, demanding environments—I have a free resource called 6 Powerful Tips to Practice Mindfulness. I created it with real life in mind, especially for those moments when focus feels hard to access. You can download it on the freebies page and begin building a practice that truly supports you.
