‘Penny has been running mindfulness sessions for Boult Wade Tennant and I have honestly learnt so much. Ask yourself the question how many of us have more than one e-Mail drafted ready for a reply and then another e-Mail comes in to your inbox and there’s another e-Mail in your Drafts, quite a few of us would be putting our hands up. The next question is can you turn your method of working around, YES is the answer.
Throughout this pandemic, we have been taking on more responsibility whilst working from home, whether it be homeschooling, looking after elderly neighbours, trying to do the best you can with seeing (or not seeing) your family and friends, albeit with the restrictions. It has been proven that we are can work to our optimum for 90 minutes and then our focus wavers, only 90 minutes ..... How to regain your focus and motivation is as simple as taking more breaks throughout the day, as you would if you were in the office, but, now via Zoom catching up with colleagues and having a coffee break. Use your diary to block out your breaks, lunch hour, coffee catch ups, treat these as you would any work meetings.
There are so many small steps to help you to change your habits, being mindful when you are drinking your coffee (wake up and smell the coffee or tea), whilst out walking or running, be aware of the birds singing, the smell of freshly cut grass, the flowers and changing seasons. Be aware of your feelings and emotions, we all know that this last year and more has been difficult for most, some of us have suffered bereavements, have not been able to see our loved ones and to recognise that these are not normal times and we may need some time out for ourselves.
Nobody is too busy for a mindfulness session, in fact, the busier you are, the better you will feel after a session.
These sessions have made me rethink my personal working processes, I try and finish one e-Mail before looking at the next one; I have a to-do list and YES, it is OK to carry work over to the next day; my working hours are still hit and miss, but, when we eventually return back to the commute and the office, I will return to my set hours, so now will be a good time to re-evaluate the hours you are putting in whilst working at home.
I always come away a lot calmer from Penny’s sessions, whilst feeling reenergised at the same time. Please remember to look after your yourselves. Thank you Penny’