Technology For Mindfulness

In today’s episode, I’ll be sharing a few of the strategies that I use in my everyday life which help me to reduce distractions and improve my overall sense of productivity. There are so many factors that influence our ability to cultivate a healthy work-life balance and so many of them are within our control and are easily accessible to us.  

I’ll be diving into how you can best manage your notifications to quell anxieties that present themselves when given too much information, why practicing time management skills, and prioritizing a structure can improve our productivity, and how micro rewards can yield positive results in relation to our own motivations. 

If you’re curious to learn more, then tune in to Episode 85 of Technology For Mindfulness!

What you’ll learn:

• An introduction to today’s topic (0:42)
• Why it’s important to pre-plan your day (1:17)
• Tips to best manage your notifications (4:12)
• How to transform your desktop into a productive sanctuary (6:49)
• How to use micro rewards as a motivational system (8:43)

Connect With Robert Plotkin:

• Technology For Mindfulness Website
• Blueshift IP Website
• LinkedIn

Resources:

• Book: ‘The 12 Week Year’ Author, Brian P. Moran
• Website - ‘FocusMe’ 
• Website - ‘Freedom’

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As someone who has worked in the field of law for a number of years now, I have seen first hand how prevalent stress is within this industry and the effect that it has had on the individuals who are practicing professionally. 

Joining me today is someone who is combating that issue through specialized coaching and consulting, Sarah Tetlow! Sarah is a Legal Productivity Consultant at ‘Firm Focus’, a company dedicated to helping legal professionals streamline their workflow, better utilize their time management skills, and reduce the stress that many within the industry have suffered from throughout their careers. Through her work, Sarah has successfully assisted clients in managing their stress levels through productivity-based solutions that cater to each individual's needs. 

In this episode, Sarah shares her perspective on some of the common behaviors she’s seen within the lawyers she’s worked with and how her coaching methods have helped those clients create balance and efficiency in their work life. We also talk about the need to set realistic and measurable goals, particularly in this line of work, how technology can be utilized to amplify productivity, as well as how communication is such a vital step to ensuring a team is working efficiently and coherently. 

To learn more, tune in to Episode 84 of Technology for Mindfulness! 

Some Questions I Ask:

• How did you get started in a field that is so specialized? (5:30)
• What practical skills do you use when helping your clients? (12:19)
• How do you respond to lawyers who have a tendency to catastrophize urgent tasks and overwork themselves? (14:07)
• When your clients have a genuine emergency in their work, how do you set up a process that addresses and resolves that? (18:43)
• What could a client expect from working with you? (21:22)
• What do you take into account when interviewing new clients to work with? (29:56)
• Could you talk about how you help your clients’ reduce stress in their lives? (38:43)

What You’ll Learn:

• What Sarah’s ‘legal eagle’ system aims to achieve (9:44)
• How technology has permeated the legal profession & Created a sense of urgency around small tasks (11:19)
• What I’ve noticed about how lawyers respond to deadlines (25:50)
• Sarah’s take on using productivity apps and technology to help streamline legal processes and offload stress (27:18)
• How ‘proactive communication’ helps reduce the need to cram in work at the last minute (32:33)
• Why communication is so important, particularly now as most people have shifted to working remotely (37:21)

Connect With Robert Plotkin:

• Technology For Mindfulness Website
• Blueshift IP Website
• LinkedIn

Connect With Sarah Tetlow:

• Website - ‘Firm Focus’ 
• LinkedIn
• Email: [email protected]

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Continuing on from last week’s episode, today’s focus is all about maintaining productivity within your workspace while working remotely! I’m going to be discussing my key strategies and tips for conducting yourself effectively while operating from home, the nuances that come with communicating virtually with your team members, as well as how the very real effects of isolation must be taken into account by leaders in business.    

Now more than ever, our mental wellbeing needs to be prioritized within the workplace, and managing the complex and often overwhelming feelings that come with our new working arrangements is going to be a team effort. While this period has been and is going to be difficult for many of us, there is solace in knowing that there are ways to cope and that we are not alone. 

Join me on Episode 83 of Technology For Mindfulness to learn more!

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• Statistics showing that remote work was already on the rise before Covid-19 (1:23)
• My four key tips for Managers to help their teams work effectively in a remote environment (2:47)
• Why sticking to a daily routine is so imperative for workplaces right now & The power that our triggers have over us creating habits (2:55)
• Examples of positive triggers that can help to simulate a work day (6:17)
• Understanding how intentions and perceptions can affect virtual communication between co-workers (10:51)
• What you can do to rectify a miscommunication or potential negative interaction with someone you work with (15:07)
• Why we should stay aware of the effects that isolation can have on us while working remotely & Why leaders in business should be understanding of this and offer assistance to employees where needed (16:22)
• What I think the workplace will look like after Covid-19 (22:17)

Connect With Robert Plotkin:

• Technology For Mindfulness Website
• Blueshift IP Website
• LinkedIn

Resources:

• Book: ‘Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones’ Author, James Clear

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There are many critical aspects to creating a space within our home environment that is conducive to productivity. Not only can this mental boundary assist in efficiency and boosting our motivations professionally, it can also be a healthy bridge for us to open communication between ourselves and those of us who we’re sharing space with. 

Particularly now in the midst of this global pandemic, learning strategies that help alleviate some of these stressors has never been more important. In today’s episode, I share a few mechanisms that I use to schedule my work day effectively while working remotely, as well as discuss why having honest expectations with ourselves towards our productivity at the moment is so vital to our well being. 

To learn more, tune in to Episode 82 of Technology For Mindfulness! 

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• An introduction to today’s topic on productivity and remote work environments during Covid-19 (0:50)
• A few things that will factor into each individual’s capability to work remotely (3:33)
• Why it’s important to remind ourselves that we’re going to be less productive during this period of time (4:52)
• The practical benefits of bringing our attention towards the drop in productivity (7:05)
• How we can establish clear mental boundaries between our home and work environments (10:00)
• A breakdown of ‘physical boundaries’ (11:32)
• A breakdown of ‘temporal boundaries’ (15:46)
• A breakdown of ‘personal boundaries’ (18:25)
• How we can effectively manage external interruptions and improve focus while working from home (24:15)

Connect With Robert Plotkin:

• Technology For Mindfulness Website
• Blueshift IP Website
• LinkedIn

Resources:

• Book: ‘Your Brain At Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long’ Author, David Rock

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We’ve now entered our fourth month living in the midst of Covid-19. As all of us have begun to adjust to life in isolation and become accustomed to an ever increasing sense of uncertainty, the need for anxiety management tools have never been more pressing.  

There are so many benefits to practicing and implementing mindfulness into our routines, especially right now. In this episode, I share a few techniques that I’ve used to put difficult circumstances into perspective, why we tend to avoid accepting traumatic events, and how mindfulness allows us to build resilience and manage our anxieties in a healthy way. I also share some insights I’ve gained from others who have experienced bouts of stress during this pandemic and how their ways of thinking have helped me.     

To learn more, tune in to Episode 81 of Technology For Mindfulness! 

What You’ll Learn:

• An introduction to today’s topic on how Coronavirus is impacting our mental health (0:47)
• My first tip on using mindfulness to help you see things as they are (2:41)
• How mindfulness helps us decrease avoidance towards difficult circumstances (4:48)
• A mental exercise you can practice in your everyday life (5:37)
• Why mindfulness allows us to put our circumstances into perspective (7:40)
• Ways that mindfulness increases our resilience (10:01)
• What the ‘anxiety cycle’ is & The role fear plays in how we respond to crisis (11:31)
• The definition of ‘social contagion’ (13:58)
• How we can beat a negative feedback loop (14:56)
• The benefits of practicing ‘basic awareness training’ (18:23)
• Why we should engage in some form of ‘digital fasting’ during Covid-19 (18:46)

Connect With Me:

• Technology For Mindfulness Website
• Blueshift IP Website
• LinkedIn

Resources:

Academic Journal: ‘Personality and Individual Differences’ 

Article: ‘A Brain Hack To Break The Coronavirus Anxiety Cycle’, Juddson Brewer

Book: ‘24/6: The Power Of Unplugging One Day A Week’, Tiffany Shlain

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Mindfulness has become such a huge part of the world we live in and has integrated into mainstream culture. There are a vast number of traditional and spiritual practices that date back hundreds of years and span across cultures far outside of what we’re exposed to in the West and it’s important we educate ourselves on the origin of these methods. 

Today, I’m joined by thought leader and established teacher, Ron Purser. Ron is a Professor of Management at San Francisco State University, and Published Author of the best selling book, ‘McMindfulness’. He shares a unique perspective, having integrated traditional Buddhist practices into his life, he does a brilliant job of challenging the ideals that are emphasized through modern mindfulness tools. 

To hear more insights from Ron Purser and learn more about his personal approach to this topic, tune in to Episode 80 of Technology for Mindfulness!

Some of the questions I ask:

• Could you talk about your personal background with mindfulness? (4:08)
• What are your concerns now that mindfulness is such a mainstream ideology? (9:17)
• What does mindfulness mean for you in a broader sense and in relation to traditional Buddhist teachings? (14:41)
• Could you elaborate on how you believe mindfulness apps are being used as overtly solitary experiences (30:22)
• From your experience, what is mindfulness other than a self-help technique? (37:10)
• Would you agree that a lot of self-help apps are too introductory and don’t cover mindfulness in a broader sense? (40:19)
• What would you recommend to those wanting to learn more about mindfulness? (43:09)

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The history of Martial Arts and Shotokan Karate (1:20)
• How Buddhism has become synonymous with mindfulness (7:44)
• How mindfulness ideologies have become part of the mainstream and integrated into Western culture (18:40)
• The commoditization behind mindfulness in corporate environments (23:44)
• A brief excerpt from ‘McMindfulness’ - How the US Army have militarized the clinical application of mindfulness (27:24)
• The privatization of stress and the connection that has to our bodies (33:16)
• The political ideologies and connotations behind fanatic mindfulness (35:23)

Connect with Robert Plotkin:

• Technology For Mindfulness Website
• Blueshift IP Website
• LinkedIn

Connect with Ron Purser:

• Website
• The Mindful Cranks - Podcast 
• McMindfulness - Book

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Today I’ve repurposed an old episode of ‘The Paul Minor’s Podcast’ which I was fortunate enough to be a guest on, to share with all of you! Paul is a Productivity, Business and Self Improvement Consultant who has helped over four hundred clients reach peak efficiency in their line of work. 

In this interview, we discuss how the consumer's relationship with technology has evolved, how we can incorporate mindfulness into our daily practices, and more on my personal journey intertwining Japanese martial arts techniques with technology use.

We also dive into the importance of understanding your responses towards notifications. For us to respond efficiently, we first have to draw our attention to internal solutions and focus on how we can catch bad habits before they become a part of our norm.  

If you’re interested to learn more, then have a listen to episode 120 of The Paul Minors Podcast!

What You’ll Learn:

• A brief background on myself (1:46)
• My journey shifting into japanese martial arts from a computer science background (3:28)
• How to respond internally to an ‘attack’ from the technology around us (4:45)
• The neuroscience behind responding to notifications (7:01)
• How I’ve integrated martial arts practices into my use of technology (8:50)
• The contrast between notifications feeling overwhelming or something that makes us feel good (9:49)
• The consumer issue I’m trying to solve through my work (12:40)
• Key points in the evolution of technology and the way users interact with it (14:34)
• The challenges of working with algorithms that are designed to keep us engaged (19:46) 
• How we can catch bad habits within our device usage (26:34)
• Tips for practicing mindfulness in a team environment (28:34)
• Meditation techniques that aren’t time consuming & How we can be mindful when we’re busy (35:01)
• Apps I use to practice mindfulness and relieve my anxiety (42:51)

Connect With Paul Minors:

• Website
• Youtube Channel 
• Twitter 
• Instagram
• Facebook 

Resources:

Book: “Digital Minimalism” Author, Cal Newport

Book: “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” Author, Stephen R. Covey

Book: “It Doesn’t Have To Be Crazy At Work” Authors, Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson

Book: “Sleeping With Your Smartphone” Author, Leslie A. Perlow

Book: “Deep Work” Author, Cal Newport 

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In today’s episode, I’m joined by Corporate Meditation Teacher and CEO of Peak Wellness Co, Kayla Kozan!

After experiencing a sudden onslaught of issues surrounding her mental health and observing how many workplaces were in need of wellness resources, she was inspired to launch her company and influence businesses to prioritize the wellbeing of their employees. By implementing strategies into her programs that have benefited her own life, she has successfully helped businesses across all different fields create a solid wellness structure and received many outstanding reviews.

For many leaders, particularly in corporate offices, the idea of adopting a mindful mentality can feel foreign or intimidating to approach. However, providing a safe space for workers to treat their mental needs has been proven to not only increase morale and reduce stress, but also improve productivity and performance within the workplace. The time for these services has never been more needed, especially now as we have entered such unprecedented times and have had to adapt to new ways of working. 

For more information on Kayla and the incredible work she does, tune in to Episode 78 of Technology for Mindfulness.

Some of the questions I ask:

• What motivated you to launch Peak Wellness? (5:39)
• How did mindfulness help you during a period in your life when you knew your mental health was suffering? (8:09)
• What specifically have you found in corporate work environments that showed you there was a need for your service? (9:46)
• What are some new challenges you’ve noticed people facing in terms of their mental health since working from home? (12:47)
• How have you helped your clients with staying connected while apart? (15:05)
• What work have you done to help teams adapt to working remotely? (20:29)
• Have there been any other unexpected challenges that you have faced? (21:32)
• What would a company in need of your services expect from a Peak Wellness introduction? (23:26)
• How would you suggest ways to integrate a mindful work environment in corporate companies from a business standpoint? (26:03)
• Can you share any projects you’re working on at the moment? (28:16)

What you’ll learn:

• My take on mindfulness during the pandemic (1:34)
• How you can apply mindfulness practices in your home workspace (4:21)
• An introduction on Kayla Kozan (5:24)
• Kayla’s experience with formal education to becoming a Corporate Mindfulness Trainer (9:04)
• The challenges and opportunities Kayla has encountered in transitioning her business online in the wake of Covid-19 (10:37)
• Techniques and strategies Kayla promotes in her Peak Wellness seminars (14:10)
• Kayla’s advice for setting boundaries while working at home and why you should be implementing breaks for yourself (17:19)

Connect With Robert Plotkin:

• Technology For Mindfulness Website
• Blueshift IP Website
• LinkedIn

Connect With Kayla Kozan:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Peak Wellness Website

Resources:

Wellness Tool: Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

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Today’s focus on Technology for Mindfulness is all about productivity and social connections! 

In this episode, I discuss some creative ways we can connect with each other using technology, how to effectively set boundaries in your home, as well as sharing some personal insights from the years I’ve spent working remotely. 

Now more than ever, dividing time between our work and personal lives has never been more essential. We’re all finding our own ways to adjust to this new norm and work efficiently, but we also need to remember to make time for the things we enjoy too. Whilst there is a lot of change going on, there’s always a silver lining that can be taken out of the situation, even if it is hard to see. 

If you’re looking for advice on how to improve your own productivity, then join me on episode 77 of Technology for Mindfulness! 

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• How to set clear boundaries in your home to improve productivity (5:02)
• What my listener’s greatest challenges have been working from home (10:13)
• Ways to shift your thinking around boundary setting and structure (12:37)
• Strategies I learned from the early years of working remotely (13:46)
• How to deal with feelings of loneliness and isolation (18:05)
• Creative ways of using technology to connect and engage with each other (18:36)
• Why I’ve been actively communicating through video calls (23:39)
• How changing your physical appearance and workspace affects your productivity when working from home (24:53)
• How people in supervising positions should approach their work environment remotely (26:29) 
• Tips on how to adjust to your technological needs at home (29:04) 

Connect With Robert Plotkin:

• Technology for Mindfulness Website
• Blueshift IP Website
• Linkedin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 76, Mitra Manesh joins us for a conversation around the powers of storytelling, binaural beats, and integrating them into mindfulness practices. Mitra is a mindfulness thought leader, storyteller, educator, and founder of Innermap. She has over 3 decades of experience helping people develop a more mindful mindset at home and at work. 

Throughout our conversation, Mitra shares about her product Innermap and how it offers support for living a mindful life. She also offers advice on staying present, how to interact with both the past and future, and practices to help you and your loved ones feel heard every day. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn: 

• How Innermap helps people develop mindfulness practices. (3:37)
• How telling stories help transfer wisdom. (6:16)
• How binaural beats condition your brain to lead you into a meditative state. (16:50)
• How disconnecting from the present moment can lead to learning, lamenting, or anxiety. (27:43)
• Practices to help you and your loved ones feel heard. (31:57)

Connect with Mitra Manesh: 

Innermap

Lights On Podcast

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