Workplace Mindfulness

By Dave Potter, guest contributor

The concepts of “acceptance” and “non-striving" in mindfulness practice are difficult to understand because they seem to imply passivity and inaction. I don’t think I’ve ever taught a mindfulness class in which a student didn’t question mindful “acceptance” with concerns that it would lead to passivity:

“How does “acceptance” and “non-striving” apply when being attacked, verbally or physically?”

But “acceptance”, in the context of mindfulness, does not im…

By Larissa Hall Carlson, guest contributor

Working as a professional musician is incredibly demanding. Common challenges like intense competition, performance stress, long tours, burnout, and repetitive-movement injuries can prevent musicians from performing at their best. In their study of 2,536 adult musicians, Gembris, Heye, and Seifert (1) discovered that in addition to stage fright, when consistent pressure to perform well triggers music performance anxiety (MPA) in orchestral musicians pe…

By John J. Murphy, guest contributor

One of the most common challenges we face in the workplace is conflict with other people. Maybe it is a boss who gets under our skin. Or maybe it is a colleague who rubs us the wrong way. In any case, we know it instantly. We feel it. Our heart rate increases. Our stress hormones kick into gear. We may even begin to sweat. Now, we have proof that this difficult person is responsible for how we feel. The evidence is clear.

If this sounds familiar, you are no…

By Joy Reichart, New Ventures West, guest contributor

Zoomed Out

Yes, we are all “Zoomed out.” As connected as this wonderful platform has allowed us to remain over the past year of anxiety, separation, and loss, it carries with it a certain fatigue. For one thing, we are usually sitting down, hemmed in by a rectangle, perceiving ourselves, our colleagues, and our loved ones as only head and shoulders. For many it has become numbing, and we’re ready to be together again if only to remember we …

By Dorsey Standish, guest contributor

As Chief Mindfulness Officer of Mastermind, a brain health consulting firm, I bring research-backed mindfulness and emotional intelligence training to corporations across the state of Texas. I have worked with thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds, and I’ve noticed a common theme amongst my clients: struggling to balance work and personal life.

For many busy professionals, the phrase "work-life balance" can seem like an oxymoron. In today’s world o…

By Deirdre Guthrie, guest contributor

“We burn out not because we don’t care, but because we don’t grieve.”

- Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, a pioneer in humanizing medicine

Caring professions, such as education, healthcare, social work, and humanitarian development, are based on relationship-based service where workers expend high levels of emotional labor. While care-work is vital to any healthy society, as recent events have made abundantly clear, it continues to be undervalued and, for those…

By John J. Murphy, guest contributor

A slow computer. A traffic accident. A disrespectful boss. An annoying neighbor. A stack of bills to pay. COVID-19. There are so many situations that can trigger anger, worry, and doubt. How is one supposed to remain calm and at peace during these turbulent moments? 

Here is something to consider. The fact that you are upset is telling you that you are not present. Your conscious mind is somewhere else – either in the past, which you can do nothing about, o…

By Joy Reichart, New Ventures West, guest contributor

The assessment models used in Integral Coaching give us insight into our clients’ experience of life: the basis of how we work with each person. One such model is the Six Streams of Competence, which we explored earlier this year. Another foundational framework is called the Ten Ways of Development. 

The Ten Ways model gives us a sense of where the client is in their relationship with the world. Do they have the capacity to take on practice…

By John J. Murphy, guest contributor

The year 2020 has clearly introduced some major challenges to our personal lives and our business practices. Travel has been severely restricted, and in many cases, canceled all together. Obviously, this means we need to pivot and adapt to succeed, especially if we travel for a living. In my case, I had a major contract with a new client in San Diego come to a temporary halt and several speaking engagements around the country canceled. What is a speaker, coa…

By John J. Murphy, guest contributor

Meditation is an immensely helpful practice to bring harmony, balance, and inner peace into one’s life. It’s also a great way to boost creativity and improve performance. That’s why I do it every day to center myself, open my heart, clear my mind, and let go of anything weighing me down. Having said this, I am often asked about alternative practices or “tools” one can use to boost consciousness and elevate awareness. It’s not a bad idea to have more than one…