Yesterday I read an email from a collaborator suggesting that we finally meet for lunch: work food. In the email she comments that we could meet at the restaurant last time. Immediately I answer that perfect. For some mysterious reason I reread the email a day later and I realize that after that first line it also happens to suggest other restaurants that I would have liked more.
I keep thinking about the number of times that in the last few months I have limited myself to reading / scanning an email and lost information that in some cases was important. I reflect: That's why mindfulness is in! Because it suggests that we are in the present. When you eat, eat; when you walk, walk and when you read an email, read the email. ”
Both running to avoid being caught leads us to make inaccuracies and mistakes that often lead to delays or even start tasks again. There is no doubt that someone fresh, rested and focused on the task, with "mindfulness" is more precise and takes less time to perform a task than someone saturated. There is no doubt that someone who disconnects for a few minutes to watch a video on YouTube, go out to look at the clouds or make a brief call to a family member can return to work refreshed and make fewer mistakes, to read that email carefully. There is no doubt that a vacation, like these from which many of us return, represents a regeneration of our attention span that makes us more effective.
It is our responsibility not to deceive ourselves. Not thinking that if we just work non-stop we will be more effective. The precise balance between work and rest, time with our social support, family and friends can facilitate that ability to be present in everything we do and to read e-mails well. We could thus catch us at the same time and prevent it from catching us. If you need support, the Healthy Work Employee Assistance Programs can offer it to you.