
The Power of the Present Moment: Transforming Your Workday with Mindfulness

Description of The Power of the Present Moment: Transforming Your Workday with Mindfulness
Host: Shaun Southworth
Guest: Elisabeth Bletsch, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Trauma-Focused Therapist
Episode Summary:
In this episode, host Shaun Southworth explores how embracing the present moment can revolutionize your experience at work. With insights from his journey as a mindfulness practitioner and employee rights attorney, Shaun discusses practical techniques to combat workplace stress, distractions, and anxiety. Joining him is licensed clinical social worker and trauma-focused therapist Elisabeth Bletsch, who shares how mindfulness and techniques like EMDR can support healing and resilience.
Episode Highlights:
The Ripple Effect of a Single Mindful Moment: Shaun explains how even a brief mindfulness practice can positively influence your entire day.
Understanding the Harvard Study on Mind-Wandering: Learn why 47% of our waking hours are spent thinking about something other than what we’re doing and how to break that cycle.
Practical Mindfulness Tools:
Breathing exercises, including color breathing.
The 5-4-3-2-1 technique for grounding.
Gratitude practices to shift perspective.
Elizabeth Bletsch on Trauma and Healing: Discover how EMDR therapy reprocesses traumatic memories and why mindfulness is a cornerstone for emotional regulation.
Tips for Workplace Resilience:
How to focus in hostile work environments.
Creating mindful moments during the workday to reduce stress.
Ask Shaun Southworth Anything:
Shaun answers listener questions on common workplace challenges:
1. Struggle with Overwhelming Work: Samantha from Boston feels buried by constant interruptions and endless tasks.
Advice: Shaun suggests implementing digital boundaries, using mindful breathing to reset during the day, and experimenting with the Pomodoro technique to structure focused work sessions.
2. Fear of Probation Failure: Raj from Seattle is struggling with anxiety about passing his federal probationary period.
Advice: Shaun advises a holistic approach using the “5 F’s” (Fitness, Focus, Friends, Faith, and Forgiveness), emphasizing mindfulness practices, physical exercise, and connecting with support systems to navigate stress.
3. Team Disengagement: Elena from Miami wants her team to be more present during meetings.
Advice: Shaun recommends starting meetings with a one-minute mindfulness exercise to center everyone’s attention, setting clear expectations for engagement, and incorporating activities that encourage participation.
Key Takeaways:
Mindfulness doesn’t require hours of effort—start with just five minutes a day.
Your mind is a tool; learning to manage it can transform both work and life.
Small, intentional practices like gratitude or mindful breathing can create profound changes over time.
Resources & Links:
Harvard Study on Mind-Wandering (View Study Details)
Engage and Stay Connected:
We love hearing from you! Submit your questions for our Ask Shaun Anything segment by calling or texting 404-490-2193.
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Closing Thoughts:
Thank you for tuning in! Remember, mindfulness is a journey. Embrace the present moment, and together, we can create more peaceful and productive workplaces.