6 Ways to Better Engage in the Workplace - 1 MindfulnessWelcome to the first of a series of ways in which employees can take responsibility for their own engagement. As we established in the introductory post, “An Employee’s Guide: 6 Ways to Better Engagement in the Workplace,” employees assume some measure of responsibility for their own engagement. Engagement is a choice.

 

As we begin to embark on your own individual engagement journeys, the first area we must consider is mindfulness.

 

Mindfulness Defined

“Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you’re mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience.”1

“So what is mindfulness? In its simplest form, mindfulness means awareness. Practising mindfulness offers a way to pay attention to the present moment, without judgement.”2

 

 

Mindfulness Benefits

“Mindfulness enhances emotional intelligence, notably self-awareness and the capacity to manage distressing emotions. It also delivers these measurable benefits:

  • Reduced stress
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Improved memory
  • Less depression and anxiety” 3

 

Reduced stress and anxiety r to less conflict while increased resilience and emotional intelligence improves communication in the workplace. 4

 

 

How Mindful Are You?

Fortunately, accessing your mindfulness is simple thanks to The Engaging Questions of Marshal Goldsmith or Gallup’s Q12 Index. Each of these options offers you the opportunity to begin determining where you excel and in what areas you can improve. I encourage you to complete both of them.

 

 

Becoming More Mindful

After completing the assessments above, consider your own MRI (My Role and Impact).  Use the assessments to diagnose where you can make meaningful progress toward becoming more mindful. Set goals for yourself. Track your progress as Marshall Goldsmith recommends. By focusing on being more mindful, you’ll become more mindful.

 

 

Mindfulness and Employee Engagement

Mindfulness is the first way we can better engage in the workplace. As I mentioned in Four Seconds to Engagement, engagement requires that you live in the present moment. Being aware of the role you play and the impact you have provides you with an improved sense of purpose and connection.  You’ll experience and create less stress. Less stress will lead to less conflict and better communication. Better communication brings greater focus and productivity. Increased focus and productivity leads to the faster attainment of goals. When goals are reached, all internal and external stakeholders benefit.

 

 

 

 

1 “Mindfulness.” Psychology Today. Psychology Today. Web. 02 June 2016.
2 Crossland-Thackray, Gill. “Mindfulness at Work: What Are the Benefits?” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 21 Dec. 2012. Web. 02 June 2016.
3 Hansen, Drew. “A Guide To Mindfulness At Work.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 31 Oct. 2012. Web. 02 June 2016.
4 Crossland-Thackray, Gill. “Mindfulness at Work: What Are the Benefits?” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 21 Dec. 2012. Web. 02 June 2016.

 

 

 

Fellow Agents, what are your thoughts on Mindfulness? How do you practice or plan to incorporate mindfulness into your work?

 

 

Let’s Engage!

I’m Agent in Engagement Simpson…Gregory F Simpson.

Employee engagement is a critical mission. I hope I can count on your help! Subscribe to the RSS Feed to receive the latest intelligence/insights and/or register to make entries in the comments log.

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P.S.  First contact? Welcome to the Agent In Engagement community. Explore and join fellow employee engagement operatives in targeting a known thief – alias: Disengagement. Together we can bring this thief to justice and make the world a better place for all companies and their employees.

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