Mindfulness at Work

When I worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, I had close to 200 clients in my case load. The demands were overwhelming. Each person had a history of injury, disability, and needs that were often heart wrenching. The stress for both my clients and me was over powering at times. I was constantly filled with gratitude that I had a longstanding mindfulness practice that helped me deal with these challenges. However, it’s a very limited view to see mindfulness training in a work situation as valuable only as a stress reduction or wellness program.

Mindfulness is the capacity to be aware of what’s happening in the present moment with a quality of attention that’s curious, and accepting. The point is to pay close attention, to see more clearly what’s happening in the moment.

How is this helpful? When your mind is going round and round in circles, then slowing down, taking a pause, and listening deeply, allows inner wisdom to emerge and many options to appear. 

“When we succeed in keeping alive a connection to our deeper source of knowing, we begin to better tune into future possibilities.” Otto Scharmer