An Idea for the New Year

A few months ago, a friend suggested that I offer executive coaching in my consulting practice. He was joking, but the idea is not completely out of my wheelhouse. I have maintained a consistent Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga practice that started alongside my first consulting project almost two decades ago. Aside from good health, an appreciable consequence is improved mindfulness – which for me, has led to unconventional but effective solutions at work, and some offbeat life choices. 

There are other, less intense ways to cultivate mindfulness. I like the simple explanation by Ellen Langer, Harvard psychologist and mindfulness theory researcher for over forty years:  

Mindfulness is the process of actively noticing new things. 

In her book Mindfulness, Langer elaborates: 

Mindlessness is the application of yesterday’s business solutions to today’s problems. And mindfulness is attunement to today’s demands to avoid tomorrow’s difficulties. Mindfulness helps you recognize that there are no positive or negative outcomes. There’s A, B, C, D and more, each with its own challenges and opportunities. 

I will not be executive coaching anyone anytime soon :) But I believe that paying attention to each moment can help life become happier, less stressful and more meaningful. 

Happy 2025.