MSLD 520 Module 2- 10 Minutes a Day

                Andy Puddicombe’s TED talk All It Takes is 10 Mindful Minutes talked about the importance of focusing on our own minds. By spending 10 minutes a day doing nothing (no distractions), it allows ones to experience a greater sense of focus, in addition to establishing a calmer, clearer mind. Puddicombe mentioned during the talk that “things aren’t always as they appear” (2012). The key to this technique is to allow ones to think deeply, and see things we may have not been aware about in the first place.

                 Last Sunday, I witnessed a stabbing incident at a large public mall. Seeing the violence, in addition to running for safety created great stress, as well as a deeper fear of public places. Despite being safe, I constantly thought about this experience: which slightly affected my job performance, studies, and everyday activities. After using Puddicombe’s 10-minute technique, I was able to overcome most of the fear by looking at the situation from other angles.

                Prior to the exercise, I solely focused on the negatives. “I could have been hurt”, “I feel like this is going to happen again”, “this could have been my last day”: these were some things I constantly thought about, and it really brought my mood down. By spending 10 minutes focusing on my own thoughts, I branched out and examined the situation in other ways: such as positive things. The first thing that came in mind was that I managed to get away unharmed. Although it was not a pleasurable situation to be in, I also saw it as a rare opportunity to learn and experience a real crisis. I am now more informed and aware of what to do if a similar event happens again.

Puddicombe’s thinking technique is a useful tool for leaders as they help establish clarity. Personally, I believe that the exercise is an example of systems of thinking. The key is to break down a main thought, mission, or idea into smaller components, and examine these areas to gather new information or details for better understanding (Nosich, 2012). Before the exercise, I only focused on the past: the “negative branch” of the event. Since the goal of the 10-minute exercise is to focus on the present, I was able to reduce stress by thinking about the positives: that I’m alive and more prepared for potential crises. Thinking up-to-date is also critical to leaders. If we stick with an old habit or information, there will be higher risk of damage. Instead, leaders must be proactive: stay up-to-date and always be prepared for potential changes (Galoppin, 2011).

References:

Galoppin, L. (2011). The Giant Misunderstanding on Burning Platforms. Retrieved from http://www.reply-mc.com/2011/01/17/the-giant-misunderstanding-on-burning-platforms/

Noisch, G. D. (2012). Learning To Think Things Through: A Guide to Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum. Boston: Peason Education.

Puddicombe, A. (2012). Andy Puddicombe: All it takes is 10 mindful minutes [Video file]. TED. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/andy_puddicombe_all_it_takes_is_10_mindful_minutes