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: 

1. Breathing exercises, including color breathing. 
2. The 5-4-3-2-1 technique for grounding. 
3. 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. 
• Enjoying the podcast? Leave a five-star review and share it with friends and colleagues. Your support helps us spread mindfulness to more workplaces worldwide. 
• Follow us on Instagram (@mindfulworkplacepodcast) for more insights and strategies on thriving at work. 

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.