The Art Of Office Zen

This is not the Karate Kid performing the Crane kickWhen the mind is relaxed and centered you are
down at the beach with Mr. Miyagi, nor is itmore productive.
meditating like a Buddhist monk high in the mountainsThe Zen of your work environment is a tool that can
of Tibet. The word Zen gets thrown around all overbe used to help focus on one aspect of your
the place; think of all the books labeled "The Zen ofeveryday life, which in turn makes all the other areas
Blank". I do not wish to take a heavily used word likemore peaceful.
Zen and attach it to something that people will takeThis idea may seem too simple, and your mind
and alter their life, consciousness, or spiritualalready wants specific things to do, or tasks, but
understandings. No, I am going to use the word Zenthat's it. It's a very simple idea and that's the point.
how it was meant to be used and apply it to aWhen you can manage to focus on one thought at a
specific aspect of life that we all deal with on a 9-5time, and do each to the best of your ability, it will
basis, 5 days a week � Work.transcend through out your life. The most efficient
Across the planet people have all sorts of jobs andpeople do this, they are not gifted with some super
some lucky people don't need them due to financialpower, they are able to focus the task to their ability
security. Applying Zen to your job is first applying aand better understand it.
simple lighthearted approach to the pressures in life inAs simple as it is, people over look it all the time. You
general. So I am not going to set up rules that mustcan make your environment great or a nightmare
be followed, nor should we look for a certain goaldepending on you perception of it. If you are a white
other than a more peaceful work environment.color worker, your office or cubicle can be groomed
Office Zen � A guide to Peaceful Workthey way you want it to keep you happy and
The aim to here is to make your work environmentrelaxed. You may have an overload of emails,
soothing, productive, and peaceful. Now the wordmemos, and every day routines. The secret to multi
Office will apply to the environment that you work intasking in an office atmosphere is to focus on one
regardless if you are in a literal office or not. If youthing at a time. Having all your attention on one task
are in a home office, with desks, bookcases, and alllets you understand and evaluate it more. The more
sorts of other office furniture, well that's youryou understand, the simpler it becomes which
surroundings. If you are pumping gas, flying anreduces complexity and makes everyone much
airplane, or driving a truck, that's your office.happier.
One Simple RuleLets say you are a blue collar working, granted you
Simplicity is the first step toward a better workingmost likely are not sitting in a nice cushy ergonomic
environment. When things are simple, they are easychair. Still nonetheless, be mindful of things that need
to accept and understand.to be done, but focus on one thing at a time. You
When things get too complicated, that's when thingswould be surprised how well this works for anything.
get stressful and start to invade any peacefulnessThe Art of Office Zen is an attempt to reduce the
you had established. So first off, see complex thingsmental noise of complexity that we overload our
as simple. Complexity arrives when it is too much forminds with. All these negative things hurt your
you to handle, you feel out of control andchances to be happy at work, home, and in life.
unorganized. It's the mental anxiousness that looksA happy worker is a productive worker, which is a
for what needs to be done, how, when, and why.benefit to what you do as well to yourself. Without
Don't linger over what you should have done or whatdelving into any spiritual hocus-pocus, we took one
you should do, but instead think of the now. Makesimple idea that works for anything.
your Office, your own. Find something small that youNo matter what you do for a living, keeping things
enjoy doing at work, and focus on that one simplesimple wont make living complex work. No rules, or
thing. By doing that, it helps set up a foundation ofwrong ways about it, everyone is different, but one
seeing simplicity in even complicated demands. Thething Office Zen can show that we all have in
complexity happens when you try to think ofcommon is to be happy.
everything at once, instead of focusing on one taskThis article may be redistributed freely on the
at a time. When you focus on one idea at a time it'sInternet as long as the links and copyright stays
digestible, and reduces stress, which in turns makesintact.
you happier.Copyright 2006 by Damon N.