A colleague recently shared an observation with my business partner and me, a comment echoed by other coworkers as well: “It looks like Renee and Terry have hit the reset button.” We both agree those words are a compliment of the highest order as they perfectly capture our intentions while also providing evidence that our strategies and practices continue producing positive effects in many areas of our lives.
One tool that’s helped us progress on this reset path is Sharon Salzberg’s book, Real Happiness at Work: Meditations for Accomplishment, Achievement, and Peace (Workman, 2014). Salzberg organizes the book around her eight “Pillars of Happiness in the Workplace” and provides exercises, “stealth meditations,” examples, and Q&A for each pillar. Below are her definitions and some of the ways I’ve implemented each pillar to help me hit the reset button at work.
8 Pillars of Happiness in the Workplace
1. Balance, according to Salzberg, is “the ability to differentiate between who you are and what your job is.” How often are our jobs and our family obligations the first things that come to mind when asked about ourselves? Like most of us, I play a lot of roles at work, but realizing I am not those roles has helped me detach from over-identifying with my work and allowed me to embrace my deeper essence. Knowing that who I am at the core of my being remains steady and constant in the midst of whatever role I am performing allows me to experience better balance at work and a fuller sense of presence in all areas of my life.
2. Concentration, according to Salzberg, is “being able to focus without being swayed by distraction.” Here is where I truly try not to multi-task and to give my attention fully to one thing before moving on to the next. I don’t always succeed, but I keep practicing. Two strategies that have helped direct and maintain my concentration are keeping a prioritized to do list and using a timer for 10- to 60-minute work sessions.
3. Compassion, according to Salzberg, is “being aware of and sympathetic to the humanity of ourselves and others.” Lovingkindness meditations are great for developing recognition of our common humanity as is refraining from harsh judgments and gossip. Also, not speaking to myself in ways I wouldn’t speak to anyone else and keeping my medical and self-care appointments regardless of whatever unexpected obligation pops up at work were essential steps toward self-compassion and resetting my work habits.
4. Resilience, according to Salzberg, is “the ability to recover from defeat, frustration, or failure.” Focusing on the facts surrounding whatever happens at work instead of the story I could tell myself about it and zooming out to see the bigger picture, including an acknowledgement of what I can and can’t control, have allowed me to open up to focus on doing what I can with what I have to work with within my sphere of influence in that present moment. I develop my resilience by reframing setbacks as opportunities, avoiding the tendency to absorb every crisis that comes my way, and connecting with supportive and loving communities.
5. Communication and Connection, according to Salzberg, is “understanding that everything we do and say can further connection or take away from it.” She suggests we ask ourselves three things before we speak: “Is it true? Is it useful? Is it kind?” In addition to asking those questions, I now strive to listen more and speak less, which has enabled me to hear valuable perspectives I may have missed in the past. Engaging in appreciative inquiry, giving compliments, using positive self-talk, and, as Toni Morrison says, making sure my “face speaks what’s in my heart” are other ways I’ve applied this pillar to resetting my work life.
6. Integrity, according to Salzberg, is “bringing your deepest ethical values to the workplace.” At first, it seems so obvious to “align our actions at work with our own core values,” but a deeper dive opens up the concept of integrity to include authenticity, our intentions, and “what we believe is possible for us.” Now, I set my intentions before every meeting, speak my truth in ways I hope will move things forward or further communication and connection, and strive to be responsive instead of reactive by pausing and observing before taking action.
7. Meaning, according to Salzberg, is “infusing the work you do with relevance for your own personal goals.” Because our core essence comes with us into our jobs, we are responsible for merging who we are with what we do—or not—regardless of the circumstances in which we work. I do that by gratefully acknowledging the benefits my work provides—new skillsets, amazing people, creative opportunities, making a difference, and of course, financial compensation. At the same time, outside of work, I’m enjoying experiences that increase my happiness and make life more meaningful.
8. Open Awareness, according to Salzberg, is “the ability to see the big picture and not be held back by self-imposed limitations.” This last strategy ties together all the other pillars and pays homage to the power of these practices to change our lives for the better. Developing equanimity, realizing I am not my thoughts, releasing attachment, and opening to possibility are strategies I’ve learned from immersing myself in mindfulness and meditation, and ultimately they’re what’s empowering me to hit the reset button at work.
This post originally appeared on our Mindful Life Connections website.
If you would your employees to experience Don’t Worry, Be Happy (at Work), an interactive, customizable workshop we deliver based on Sharon Salzberg’s eight “Pillars of Happiness in the Workplace,” connect with Mindful Life Connections.
Terry Shamblin Writes 