People are confused by the term mindfulness. They think it’s the stuff of gurus on a high mountain ledge or some mystical force only available to those with innate powers. However, it is neither of these. Although, it’s possible both of these groups could put mindfulness to good use.
When you are mindful, you are concentrating on what is important in your current situation whatever that situation happens to be at the time. For instance, when you are at work, you should concentrate on your job and do the best job you can do. Try not to be daydreaming about your next trip to Hawaii, or wherever. Focus on the tasks assigned to you and make an effort to complete them.
It’s okay to interact with other employees and talk about your personal life while at work. In fact, that is necessary to build good team dynamics. However, this should not be where you concentrate most of your effort. You will see people speak for long periods and fall behind on their work. They are not mindful.
When you arrive at home, leave work at the office. You need to be mindful of your family and their needs. You also need to focus on your needs when at home as well. Once again, it’s okay to think about tasks at the office once in a while, but don’t obsess over them when you’re home.
Mindfulness also has to do with focusing on the present. You know that you cannot change the past, and the future hasn’t happened. The one true period you can make a difference is right now, the current period. Therefore, it’s best to focus as much of your energy on that period. If you do that, you won’t have time to worry about the future or dwell on the past. You will keep busy doing something that makes sense, i.e., being mindful of the here and now.
While the present is important, you do need to make a plan for the future. Going through life spontaneously jumping from one situation to another won’t get you very far. You may get lucky on occasion. But, on the whole, you will get more done by creating a plan. Even here, it pays to be mindful of creating the right plan and sticking to it, unless there is a valid reason to alter it.
Mindfulness works and can help you to leave behind the past as well as deal well with the future. It allows you to create the proper balance in your life.