The Mindful Game of Zen-ga
Imagine if finding your work-life balance were like a mindful game of Jenga 🧱
What kind of organisation would give you the best foundation for success?
Lets say you work for Organisation A or B.
Organisation A = mission focused
- Talks about wellbeing benefits.
- Champions inclusivity and diversity.
- Gives credit. Expects endless enthusiasm.
Organisation B = results focused
- Talks about business benefits.
- Champions autonomy and resilience.
- Gives responsibilities freely. Support, sparingly.
Organisation A: a wellbeing winner?
Organisation B: a recipe for burnout?
But both require balanced awareness ⚖️
Organisation A: It’s easy to overstretch. Push your limits.
“I love this company but why am I always busy?”
Organisation B: It’s easy to blame, not self-reflect.
“It didn’t start this way! Why did they change?”
In either organisation, we can be stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed. We can end up on that road to Burnout.
So what can we do?
We can always practice, or play the:
Mindful Game of Zen-ga
The 4 Pillars
Awareness
Attention
Intention
Attitude
The 1 Mindful Power: Choice
How does it work?
Pillar 1: Awareness and ‘noticing’
We strengthen our foundation. We regularly check-in on our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. We safeguard our boundaries, manage workload and connect with others. We ‘notice’ habits or issues we need to change.
🧱 We secure ‘foundation blocks’ for balance
Pillar 2: Attention and ‘focusing’
We ‘focus’ our attention where (body, breath, sounds) and when, it is needed, such as times of stress, added pressure, anxiety or overwhelm.
🧱 We adjust strategy in response to stress
Pillar 3: Intention and ‘being’
We set an intention to show up in a particular way. Today, I am ‘being’ more present, kind, giving, empathetic, open or non-judgemental.
🧱 We are purposeful in actions and behaviours
Pillar 4: Attitudes and ‘inviting’
We ‘invite’ attitudes of mindfulness when things don’t go to plan. We are patient and trusting. Open and non-judgemental towards outcomes.
🧱 We can re-start fresh with a Beginner’s Mind
The Mindful Power?
At each pillar, we have the power to choose:
- The wellbeing investments we make
- Our healthy responses to stress
- How we intentionally ‘show up’
- The attitudes we bring
5 day Mindful Wake Up
And when our choices run out? When we wobble? Or our tower crumbles? We have our resilient base of awareness. And this supports us to begin again.
More resilient and more knowledgeable.
More aware of what brings us work-life balance.
More ready for the next Mindful Game of Zen-ga
What pillar of Zen-ga do you need to invest in?
Resources
Wheel of Mindfulness: Guide
5 days of Mindful Ways: Free course
More resources on LinkedIn
To learn more mindful ways to manage your stress, or to arrange a talk, workshop or course, book a short discovery call today.
Wishing you a wonderful day,
Derek
Waking Waves
📧 hello@wakingwaves.com
☎️ book call to discuss courses or coaching
