What is Mindfulness? – And Why it is CRUCIAL for Working Professionals

What these proverbs have in common is a focus on mindfulness.

With the ever-expanding prevalence of social media, demanding careers and general life demands, mindfulness has been increasingly difficult to maintain. We live in a society of innovation, upgrades, and a “what’s next?” mentality. While that’s amazing, we have cultivated a collective “go, go go” approach to life that makes slowing down a near-impossible feat, or a guilt and anxiety-inducing thought for countless professionals. But what if I told you we’d be even better at our jobs, if we were more mindful?

If you’re an entrepreneur or working professional of any kind, this may sound like a fool’s dream. No distractions?–no way. How can I possibly slow down and still excel at my job? I’m here to tell you that not only is mindfulness a good idea, it’s the best idea to enhance the quality of your work and your life, simultaneously. Below, check out a few ways that mindfulness breeds success:

 1. Mindfulness helps avoid careless mistakes

When your head is constantly buzzing with deadlines, it’s easy to miss small details. Typos, incorrectly logged data, double-booked meetings, prematurely sent emails–these are just some of the poor work habits we fall into when we’re living on autopilot. Slowing down and setting intentions day by day as opposed to weeks or months in advance gives us the clarity to do things with intention and accuracy.

2. Mindfulness improves the quality of your work

Quality over quantity. Mindfulness is the difference between ‘done’ and ‘well done.’ Bosses and clients alike will notice when more care and effort is given to an assignment. Focusing on only the task at hand may open your eyes to a new angle or approach that takes the project in a creative and exciting direction. A rested mind is an innovative mind.

3. Mindfulness enhances the quality of your professional relationships

Even if you work with numbers and the need for creativity on the job is slim to none, every career calls for navigating relationships. When you’re mindful you give your full attention to the person you’re speaking with and you are purposeful and thoughtful in your responses. You remember small details about clients and you lend a personal touch to your work. Things like this are often remembered and come back around in your favor.

4. Mindfulness improves your work-life balance

A successful career or business does not have to mean a neglected personal life. When you’re operating from a place of mindfulness you understand that work is work, and home is home. You give your full attention to whomever is in front of you, be that your boss or your children. You’re able to switch effectively between the many hats you wear because you’re living in the now.

5. Mindfulness reduces stress

Somewhere along the line society seems to have conflated being successful with being out-of-your-mind stressed. It is true, to whom much is given, much is required, but you don’t have to go crazy to maintain a demanding career. Mindfulness offers an escape from your professional persona, and a return to who you really are at your core: a living, breathing being. Remembering that you are not a deadline, an agenda, an asset, or a liability is crucial to breathing easier when there are inevitable hiccups in your professional life.