Let’s be real. Most of us don’t have time for a 20-30 minute meditation session when we first sit down at our desks in the morning. In truth, the beginning of the day can be quite hectic, filled with interruptions and emergent tasks that need immediate attention.
- MORE MINDFUL MONDAYS
- Mindfulness & money: How to make the most of what you have
- Say bye to 'tech neck': Simple stretches to avoid neck and shoulder pain
- Draw on past experiences to make 2017 the best year yet
For that reason, even the most efficient employee can benefit from a system of Mindful checks and balances at work. Paying attention to a few key things in your workplace can undoubtedly skyrocket productivity levels.
Follow my guide below and do just that.
Get rid of physical clutter
A cluttered physical space leads to a cluttered mind. The first thing you must absolutely do is to organize your workspace. Having a place for everything, and everything in it’s place, will not only save you time, it will save your sanity. Get rid of unnecessary papers, go through every piece of mail, and clean the surfaces of your office at least once a week. Keep only what you absolutely need.
Get rid of digital clutter
Once you have cleaned your physical workspace, organize your computer desktop. Create digital folders to sort your files. Also, be sure to organize your email inbox. Unsubscribe from lists that you are no longer interested in. Delete junk mail. File emails that you need to save according to category for easy retrieval. Your inbox should be just that, a place for new and pending messages. This will help you see exactly what you have to do.
Examine your environment
You’ll want to take a hard look around your office if you are going to be spending 40+ hours per week in the space. What are your senses picking up? Does florescent lighting bother you? If so, consider bringing in a lamp or two so you can have the option of turning the overheads off. Is the smell in your office sterile? Perhaps you want to bring in a plug-in air freshener to make the space feel more like home. Do you have any green plants? Indoor plants can reduce levels of Carbon Dioxide, increase humidity and even decrease certain pollutants found in the air. Do you have personal items in your office? Displaying family pictures and awards or achievements can be very motivating. Consider how your space is affecting you.
Allow yourself extra time & adhere to a routine
Although it is tempting to hit the snooze button and stay in bed until the last second, think about how the start of your day dictates the tone of the rest of it. Set your alarm 30-60 minutes before you actually have to get up so you can have a peaceful morning. Also, do what you can the night before, (pack lunches, prepare coffee, get your workout clothes or gym bag ready) to make mornings more pleasant. This way you can relax, watch the news, check your email, workout and throw in a load of laundry, all before 7am! It’s amazing what you can do with a little extra time. My roommate in college taught me this. She used to say, “You have to take control of your day before your day takes control of you.”
Set daily intentions
Sometimes an intention can be as simple as a passing thought. You don’t have to get overly complicated with this. I usually think of one word that will be my theme for the day. Some days that word is grateful. “I want to be more grateful today.” Some days that word is patient, compassionate, thoughtful, committed, curious, graceful; it can really be whatever you want. It is, after all, your intention. Setting an intention for the day will center you and help you remember what is really important through all of the madness and chaos that life brings.
• • •
I hope these tips help you as much as they have helped me. I will continue to keep you posted on my health journey. Follow me for updates @christiemandia.