To Gain a New Perspective

Mindfulness encourages us to take the perspective of the "witness" or "observer." Instead of being directly identified with our thoughts, we can take a step back and watch them impartially, without judgement. We start to realize that our thoughts are merely perception, but not the reality. Over time, we can more consciously choose which thoughts we want to associate with and we can shift our perspective from an often negative one to a positive one. A difficult task at work may suddenly become more manageable when seen through a different lense. A perceived failure on a project can be reinterpreted as learning experience or call to growth. 

To Increase Productivity and Creativity

Mindful practices like meditation can help us improve focus so that we can push aside distractions that disrupt workflow. Meditation allows us to slow down our minds so that we can reduce redundant and irrelevant thoughts. By slowing our minds down for extended periods of time, we allow inspiration and much bigger ideas to arise from the depths of our minds.

To Manage Stress

Stress is one of the most prominent issues in the modern workforce. Employees are under the pressure of high workloads and deadlines. Managers feel the strain of setting and reaching ambitious project goals and giving presentations. Mindfulness helps us better identify stress when it arises, so we can take breaks from work as needed. Specific meditation exercises can help calm the nervous system and focused attention on the breath is scientifically proven to increase parasympathetic activity, responsible for "rest and digest." 

To Eliminate Negative Emotions

When we actually take the time to observe the largely automatic chatter that goes on unconsciously within our minds, we may begin to realize that much of it is negative and destructive. Only once we first become aware of negative thinking can we correct a negative thought with a positive one. All action stems first from our thinking. If our minds are filled with negative thoughts and emotions, we can't expect a positive outcome in our immediate responsibilities at work or long term career goals. 

To Build Interpersonal Skills

Mindfulness promotes not only attention to our inner experience, our thoughts and emotions, but also to our external surroundings. When we are more observant, we can more immediately identify problems at work that need resolution. That includes situations that arise with our coworkers. By extending awareness beyond ourselves, we can more readily assist coworkers in need. Interpersonal relationships are allowed to flow more smoothly and conflicts that would have drawn out can be identified early on.

To Be More Present

So much emphasis in corporate America is placed on setting goals and reaching the next level in our careers. While it's important that we strive for that promotion or push for that next milestone in our business, we can't turn our attention away from the present. Ultimately, everything that leads to our success in life actually takes place in the here and how. Our awareness is like a lightbulb. Instead of doing our work on autopilot, we can be fully present during our activities and more conscious with each action we take.