Incorporating Mindfulness Into Your Everyday Life Brings Untold Benefits
Dr. Celine Mullins
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Image by Adaptas Training.
Are you feeling busy?
Are you living focused on the next meeting, the next meal, the next email that needs to be responded to. Right now, are you focused on that holiday you booked six months ago and is finally arriving in the next week or two?
Or are you living in the past, regretting what you have done or not done? Or are you feeling angry at how you were treated by someone or how you didn’t make it to the gym, or because you ate that second croissant when you promised yourself you would turn over a new leaf for the month?
Are you attempting to get 3 documents completed, respond to 5 separate emails and take 2 calls?
Or are you living presently and focusing in the moment?
Are you using one of the oldest practices in human history?
You are probably well aware that mindfulness, one of the oldest practices in human history has become one the newest 'breakthroughs' in managing thoughts and mental well-being in the workplace.
It is more important than you might think to start taking this seriously. Research consistently shows us that Multitasking is literally the enemy of productivity. Did you know, that when you divide your attention between tasks, it takes 50% longer to accomplish a task, and you are 50% more likely to make errors?
I started attempting to focus on living presently, using mindfulness and meditation a number of years ago, when approximately 20 years after being introduced to meditation and mindfulness, I finally was adult enough to start giving it a real go. The impetus was the realisation that if I didn’t focus on one thing and on the NOW, that life would pass me by and I’d have missed out on just experiencing rather than thinking about what was coming next.
We have been recommending Mindfulness to our clients for years. Many of the middle and senior managers we work with insist they don’t have time to be mindful. Yet those that take it on see the benefits very quickly. They feel more focused, more calm, and in control of their emotional reactions.
Can living presently help you to succeed in achieving your goals?
Sometimes you hear the message; 'Focus on the goal' and other times you hear the conflicting message; 'Be more mindful'. The real story is that goals can help spark our initial interest, but then we must consistently focus on the process rather than being overly focused on the end goal.
Research shows that people who focus on being mindful rather than focusing on the end goal are more successful (e.g. Fishbach & Choi, 2012). It is much better for the outcome, if we focus on the experience rather than the benefits. As Dr. Christian Jarrett (author of 'Great myths of the brain') said 'Once you are doing it (e.g. exercise, work-based project), let your long-term future-based mission fade into the background.'
Mindfulness is not an easy habit to adopt however! It involves being present in the here and now; when eating, when walking, when speaking, basically in every moment. And let me tell you, it’s a struggle. When I started this approach, I had to constantly remind myself to be in the present and to focus 100% on the conversation I was having, or the document I was working on and really just slow down to experience fully what was happening.
If it is so difficult to be mindful or present in this moment, then why bother?
If it is so difficult to be mindful or present in this moment, then why bother?
There is empirical evidence that mindfulness:
- reduces the physiological and psychological effects of stress.
- correlates with emotional intelligence.
- improves well-being and happiness.
- improves attention and emotional regulation.
(see Keng, Smosku & Robins, 2011 for an extensive review of the empirical studies on the effect of mindfulness on psychological health)
Personally speaking, when I am being mindful, I feel more tuned in to the people I am with, the conversations we are having and the accompanying sensory information in the environment. I feel more grateful. You may be aware that there is tons of research showing that gratitude is associated with reduced depression, more positive relationships, greater competence, resilience, self-acceptance, less stress, better sleep and much more. All in all, being Mindful leads to a life that is much richer and much more enjoyable.
About The Author
Dr. Celine Mullins is a business psychologist, leadership coach, trainer and speaker working in Ireland and internationally across Multinationals, SME’s, Governmental and Educational agencies. She is the founder and CEO of www.adaptastraining.com.
Celine also has a background as an actor and writer. She combines skills, techniques and experience from this variety of areas to create unique and impactful learning & development, including creating Virtual Reality Products that take client learning to more immersive potential.
Celine obtained her BA (Hons) in Psychology at University College Dublin and her PhD at Trinity College Dublin. She also has a Certificate in Training and Development, Diploma in Statistics, Diploma in Personal and Executive Coaching. Celine has appeared on TV, radio and in the national press, contributing psychological input on a range of topics.
Celine’s focus is on developing Managers and Leaders from the inside out, helping them understand their thoughts, emotions and how their brain works; to be more effective in their roles and in how they collaborate and influence their teams.
With a focus on narrowing the gap between the training room and real world, and using what we know about the brain and behaviour from psychology and neuroscience. Celine’s specialities include; leadership communication, eradicating behaviours and limiting beliefs that restrict performance and relationships while improving team communication and collaboration.
Recommended Reading
Our Learning Brain is the first in the MAXIMISING BRAIN POTENTIAL series. The MAXIMISING BRAIN POTENTIAL series is based on the most up-to-date scientific research of how our brain potential can be maximised for habit change, learning, productivity and health.
As a psychologist and coach working in organisations worldwide and with individuals, groups and teams, Dr. Celine Mullins – founder of Adaptas – noticed over the past 10 years that very few new discoveries from neuroscience are being integrated into education, learning and development or soft skills programmes. Scientists have made many exciting and ground-breaking discoveries on how the brain learns and changes throughout adulthood. However, much of this recent research from neuroscience, physiology, psychology and more is not being implemented into how we learn as adults. This ebook seeks to change that. It will:
- Help you to use your brain more effectively when learning new skills, by offering simple and practical tips.
- Support you in breaking old habits and creating new ones.
- Give you great insights into organisational learning and development-related topics that you can use in your organisation.
You can buy this excellent book on Amazon via the following link:
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