As humans we operate most of the time on automatic when it comes to mental processing. This leads to set patterns of behavior otherwise known as habits which are necessary for us to get through the day, since we would otherwise not be able to cope with the myriad of decisions faced by each of us in our daily lives.
However, this becomes problematic when our daily actions include unsustainable behavior. Examples of this would include emptying our household waste into one bin, disposing of unused food and not bothering to turn off lights. These demonstrate how we are not even aware of the deleterious effects these mindless actions can have on our environment, often because our attention is elsewhere and especially when stressed.
In order to promote environmental sustainability then we need to become more mindful. Examples of this would include remembering to bring reusable shopping bags when going for groceries, using one’s own cup when purchasing beverages instead of a disposable one, and shopping at stores that demonstrate a concern for sustainability. This requires disengaging from our automatic thoughts when about to be engaged in these types of sustainable behaviors.
In addition to environmental concerns, there is the way we conduct ourselves socially and in business. After all how we do our job should be at least as important as what we do. In business we need to pay attention to the bottom line while at the same time respecting employee needs for example. This takes focus, empathy and calmness, or put another way; mindfulness.
Just like practicing fitness, mindfulness needs regular practice. It is a form of brain training helping us to learn to focus. Our mind naturally wanders unless we have a reason to focus. Meditation can help us develop this ability using the breath as an anchor for our attention. Each time we notice our attention wandering, we can bring our attention back onto our breathing. With each repetition of this practice we strengthen the neural pathways in our brain connected with this activity. Our attention naturally wanders and we need to realize strengthening focus takes time.
There are two opposing networks in our brain known as the default mode network (DMN) and the task-positive network (TPN). When one network is active the other is inhibited. The DMN is the default mechanism and provides a neutral state of being without a mental or physical focal point. It is this same unstructured network that allows us to daydream, remember and imagine, all important traits.
It is when there is a mental or physical task to perform, and when we willfully choose to be engaged in what is before us that the TPN kick in, making plans and performing complex physical tasks.The bottom line is that it takes conscious effort to engage the TPN mechanism in our brain and it is by exercising our ability to focus that we will build the neural pathways sufficient to have the awareness required to make mindful choices in our lives.
