Hack

Hack: Quiet Mind Smart Mind

by Marga Odahowski - Director of Studies, International Residential College, Mindfulness Consultant at University of Virginia

July 7, 2010 at 1:14pm

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Contribution Summary

Summary

Teach Mindfulness for Innovation

Moonshot(s)

Problem

We need skills to team and innovate.

The University of Virginia has a number of mindfulness programs thoughout the University. Alumni have gotten on board supporting this new model of personal mastery education to be intergrated in the commerce school. Jeff Walker who is an alumnus and a compassion generator encouraged me to expand my work to the business community.

I have developed a Mindful Leader course in the Commerce School and in a University Seminar Course that provides rskills that cultivate mindfulness for building leadership skills of teaming and creativity.

I provide students with living assignments that work in your everyday life. It's simple. It works and it changes lives.

Solution

Mindfulness is a way of learning to relate directly to whatever is happening in your life.

Taking charge of your life— consciously and systematically working with your own stress, pain, illness, and the challenges and demands of everyday life. It’s a way of energy management. You can increase your positivity and let go of stress in a few seconds.

Mindfulness restores your balance.

The two qualities to cultivate are awareness and compassion.

Mindfulness is a time saver and a mood lifter supporting healthy team work and creativity.

Practical Impact

Research results on how mindfulness support well-being. creativity and connection.

I teach MBA executives a program called Quiet Mind Smart Mind.
It includes mindfulness, relaxation and positive psychology.
I share the best practical everyday ways to manage your personal energy.

Mindfulness-based programs are taught across the country and at UVa

Increased self-awareness, self-trust, and self-acceptance
Enhanced appreciation of life
More accepting attitude toward life and its challenges
Decreases in a variety of stress-related physical symptoms, including chronic pain
Significant decreases in anxiety and depression
Improved concentration and creativity
Everyday mindfulness practices
Enhance social connection

Challenges

Reframing mindfulness for business education.

First Steps

BREATHE then innovate

First Step: Create programs, workshops, newsletter that introduce people to mindfulness in business leadership.

Credits

I would like to give credit to Jeff Walker and Tussi Kluge for supporting my work with mindfulness in education.
I also thank educator, Jon Kabat-Zinn and the research presented by the Mind and Life Institute.