A pause does not need to make you more productive.
There is often another task waiting. An unread message, something to arrange, a decision you have carried from the morning into the evening.
There is often another task waiting. An unread message, something to arrange, a decision you have carried from the morning into the evening.
A pause can be a small space in that day. It does not need to prove that it will make you a better manager or help you get through more work.
Keep the invitation modest
If you are curious about meditation, you could begin by finding a comfortable place to sit and briefly noticing your surroundings or the ordinary movement of your breath. There is no need in this suggestion to force a breathing pattern or achieve a blank mind.
This is an invitation to explore, not a tested treatment programme or a prescribed duration. You can stop if it is unpleasant.
NCCIH describes possible benefits from meditation and mindfulness, while also noting mixed results, study limitations and differences between practices. Findings from a structured programme do not automatically apply to a moment at your desk. [1]
Pay attention to the experience
Some people find meditation useful. Others experience distress or do not enjoy it. Feeling worse is a reason to stop and seek appropriate support, rather than push through to maintain a streak. [1]
And a pause cannot, by itself, fix an unreasonable workload. You may still need a conversation about what can realistically be done.
Keep any ongoing mental health care in place. Meditation should not become a reason to delay assessment or replace treatment. [1]
You can try a quiet moment without turning it into another measure of achievement.
Sources, evidence and limits
Evidence basis: Full MBG book-excerpt personal account read; article promotes an MBG meditation course. NCCIH meditation/mindfulness overview reviewed, particularly safety, evidence limitations, stress/anxiety and tips. Underlying trials not independently read for this piece.
Least certain: Whether this informal brief practice helps a particular reader; no evidence established here for improved CEO performance or productivity.
Contrary evidence and context: Structured mindfulness programmes show benefits in some studies, but results differ by comparator and practice. Adverse experiences are reported; informal desk pauses are not equivalent to studied programmes.
What would change the conclusion: Individual distress or a clinical condition changes suitability; better controlled studies could establish particular workplace outcomes for specific programmes.
Reading behind this piece
Topic inspiration: How Meditation Made Me A Better Entrepreneur & CEO — Jason Wachob, mbg Founder & CEO, 2016-10-20. Full archived article body read, including the ending; not a newsletter-only reading.
Original wording for Everyday. A focused evidence check, not a systematic review.