I have been on an interesting journey for the past month. I
decided to read a book that had little to do with project management. The book
is Breath by James Nestor. I was curious because I have sleep apnea and my wife
has asthma. I read it to improve my sleep which I believe is an important part
of my wellbeing. I did not read it to improve my project management capability,
I read it to improve my life in general. Little did I know that the journey I
started for sleep apnea would have an impact on many areas of my life including
my relationships, my general health, my energy level, and my career.
The books importance is teaching us about breathing as an
integral part of our lives and the impact optimal breathing can have on us physiologically
and mentally. What it did for me was to bring attention to the fact that I spent
little time thinking about the basic act of breathing and what it can teach me.
Most importantly it mentioned an
organization which teaches breathing techniques. I decided to take a shot and
see what it had to offer. I connected with the organization and have taken two
of the workshops it offers out of curiosity. That journey started on February 5th.
I began seeing benefits from the breathing and meditation practices i learned from The Art of Living organization and have done
some additional research since that first workshop. As a result, I have added breathing
and meditation to my morning routine. My mornings consist of focused breathing
and meditation for about an hour.
Project Management can be a stress filled job. The tug and
pull of project delivery, working diligently to find the balance between client
desires, team capability, budget, time, and the other constraints of most
projects can be draining. The continuous barrage of to do lists, action items,
issues, and risks while maintaining clear communication and creating an
environment that gets things done challenges most project managers. Between
meetings and creating deliverables there are too few hours to complete the
work. Working from home makes it even easier to work well over fifty hours a
week which puts a strain on your personal relationships. All of this causes
stress and stress has been associated with physical concerns such as muscle
tension, headaches, and sleep disturbance. Stress is also linked to psychological
issues such as anxiety, depression, anger, and reduced cognitive abilities. These
symptoms show up in our behavior such as exercising less, angry outbursts, over
or under eating and other less than healthy behaviors. If you have any of these
symptoms, meditation may be something to check out.
Why meditation? Studies have shown that meditation reduces anxiety, increases mental clarity, lengthens your attention span, improves sleep, and enhances self-awareness. These are just a few of the benefits of meditation. Why would this make it a competitive advantage? Consider the difference in your life if you were able to be in a stressful environment without reacting to that stress. Consider the advantage you would have if you did not react to a project not going as planned but navigated it by thoughtful consideration of the possibilities. Consider the difference in your life in general? Being in the present moment, grounded in the facts, and in a state of mind that is calm and aware allows anyone the opportunity to make decisions with clarity rather than panic, foresight rather than knee jerk.
What I am not saying. I am not saying that meditation is the answer to the project ills that project managers face. I am not saying that meditation will fix the problems associated with projects that are failing. I am not even saying that meditation will make you an exemplary project manager. I am suggesting that meditation may support your journey as you strive to be the best project manager you are capable of being. I am saying that meditation will do for you what the studies have shown it does for most. I am suggesting that it may make a difference in your life and your career as a project manager. I am also suggesting that practicing it consistently and regularly is a way to take time for your own well-being. A way to spend time with yourself and continue to expand your awareness of you. What are you practicing today?
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