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Being mindful simply means that your mind is uncluttered and free to focus with clarity and vision on a single event, item or activity.

This concept while popular in Eastern societies is not as common in our Western culture. Our beliefs are more aligned with the benefits of mental multi-tasking: holding “many” thoughts simultainiously in an effort to be productive. This behavior is often rewarded and reinforced by society.

Not so fast though. A recent  New York times article titled, “Slow Down, Brave Multi-tasker” debunks the notion that multi-tasking is the key to productivity.  Neuroscientist René Marois, from Vanderbilt University posits that that “the human brain, with its hundred billion neurons and hundreds of trillions of synaptic connections, is a cognitive powerhouse in many ways. But a core limitation is an inability to concentrate on two things at once.”

Try these mindfulness exercises:

Really listen to your friends, associates, partner or child. The next time you are approached with a question, actually stop, look at the person, clear your mind and focus on the content of the message. This is mindfulness.

Be present and in the moment. If you are sitting in a meeting, conference or other gathering, clear your mind and focus on the speaker’s every word. If you’re thinking about where you’re going to have lunch, or what you’ll be doing on break, you are NOT being mindful.

Becoming mindfully centered is a gift that will improve relationships, careers, and decision making to name a few.

Please share your tips on becoming mindful.