You’re working and take a five-minute break to eat something. You return to your desk, but then find you need to stretch your legs for a bit. You return to your desk again. Then, a video catches your attention… it’s only four minutes long, so you watch it. Very soon, without even realizing it, your workday is over. However, you feel anxious because today you haven’t been too productive.

Does this sequence of events sound familiar to you? If so, don’t worry, because mindful productivity isn’t easy.

Nowadays, time is one of your most precious assets. In fact, it affects you in all areas of your life. However, for decades, there’s been the idea that, in the world of work, a great deal should be done in a very short time, even if it means working unpaid overtime. In fact, it’s probably not unusual for you to have lunch or dinner working in front of your computer screen.

In addition, you may not be able to concentrate on your work. This could be due to a tendency to procrastinate, or because you’re feeling sad, or lazy. You might not even know why you can’t focus. Therefore, we ask the question, in these kinds of contexts, is it possible to concentrate on your work?

Brain fatigue

Allowing your brain to rest is necessary for it to perform. Therefore, if you respect meal times, exercise, work hours, etc. you’ll be a little closer to reaching emotional homeostasis. This is essential for your mental rest.

However, it’s one thing to say it and quite another to put it into practice. Nevertheless, what you must do is keep the following in mind: the most important activity for maintaining a healthy mind and body is to sleep well. That’s because a tired brain is a poorly functioning brain. Indeed, drowsiness is a burden and a lack of sleep should be avoided at all costs.

Mindful productivity

Mindful productivity is based on the productivity required by a job or an academic career, according to the demand and the market that conditions them. However, it can also be applied in your personal life. For example, in respect of what you really want, such as a better physical condition, learning, or entrepreneurial skills, etc.

Mindful attention

To achieve mindful productivity, you must work on your mindful attention. This is the cornerstone of the process.

You must focus on yourself.  In fact, you should carry out an analysis of what you are, what you lack, what you feel, and what you really want.

When you’re clear about what you want, you’re exhibiting mindful attention. This must be constantly nurtured, with prudence, calm, self-recognition, and recognizing others and the world around you.

Focus

Once you’ve worked on your mindful attention and trained yourself to interact with the world, you can focus on what you want. Indeed, this is an essential stage for the acquisition of mindful productivity. In fact, regardless of the responsibilities you have toward your work, studies, and life, you mustn’t lose focus on what it is you really want.

Try keeping this formula in mind: “What you are + what you feel + what you lack + what you really want”. If one of these four items is missing, you’re more likely to lose focus, and therefore your mindfulness. This means goodbye to mindful productivity.

Emotional homeostasis

Once you’ve taken the steps we mentioned above, you’re more likely to feel empowered to regulate your emotions. Consequently, you’ll find it easier to achieve emotional homeostasis. Indeed, those who don’t understand their emotions are condemned to constant feelings of annoyance.

If this sounds like you, remember that you can always ask for help from a professional.

The basics of mindful productivity

Mindful productivity is the sustainable approach you achieve in a given time to meet your goals. These might be economic or academic aims or with regard to your wellness and emotional regulation. Furthermore, you must take into account the following elements to maintain mindful productivity:

• The how.
• The for what.
• The why.

Philosophy has dealt with these questions for centuries. Nowadays, we know that it’s difficult to achieve mindful productivity without taking on the challenge of answering them personally.

Mindfulness at Work: 6 Keys to Health and Well-being