Mindfulness isn\u2019t a new concept. In fact, the idea of mindfulness has been around for hundreds of years, since the birth of early Buddhism (5th of 6th century BCE). However, deliberately bringing mindfulness into the workplace is fairly recent in our evolutionary history. The idea came about in the late 1970s, when pioneers like Jon Kabat-Zinn developed mindfulness-based programs like the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs embraced Buddhist teachings (and a little LSD) after discovering ancient practices.<\/p>\n
Today, some of the esoteric, new-agey fascination around mindfulness has worn off, and what\u2019s taken its place are scientifically backed programs and clinical research that has proven the benefits of mindfulness. Large employers, including corporations and school districts, have taken notice of these benefits. They have developed their own workplace programs or have hired consultants to provide guided instruction on how to \u201cdo\u201d mindfulness, and what the benefits really are.<\/p>\n
As an employee, mindfulness might seem like one more thing you need to figure out how to fit into a busy work day. You have emails, phone calls, meetings, reports, and presentations that you need to deal with. How can you apply the principles of mindfulness so that you can reap some of those proven benefits?<\/p>\n
This article will examine the benefits of practicing mindfulness at work. We will give you some context by offering descriptions of some of the companies that have started formal mindfulness programs. We will provide you with some ideas for practicing mindfulness both in an at-work and a work-from-home situation.<\/p>\n