I start my remote workday with a 10 or 15 minute mindfulness meditation. No app, just a timer and my breath.
Since I started doing this back in October I’ve seen great improvements in focus, stress level, and productivity.
I’ve done mindfulness meditation on and off for years, but never made it a daily practice. The benefits start to compound in a unique way.
It is a remarkably high leverage activity; I would recommend anyone try it. Especially great for us product managers, our days are crazy.
If you want to give it a shot here’s the practice I use:
> Sit down a bit forward on a chair, with your back straight & unsupported
> Rest your hands on your legs
> Start a timer for 5 minutes (or more if you want, 5 is a great starting place)
> Close your eyes & focus your attention on your breath. The sensations of breathing through your nose (mouth is fine too) and the movement of your belly and chest
> Let all other thoughts, emotions, sensations, and sounds drift by. Acknowledge/observe them briefly. then bring your focus back on your breath.
> If you get distracted, identify the distraction with as simple of a category as possible: “thought” “emotion” “sound” “sensation” then move your attention back to the breath
> When the timer goes off open your eyes and move on with your day
The point of this isn’t to be “successful” in it, just to work your attention muscles.
There are a lot of other benefits besides focus, stress level, and productivity, but that’s a more in-depth discussion.
What is the most important part of your remote workday morning?
Dan McMillen 