-
=X
Log out Welcome back
Are you a life coach, business coach or NLP practitioner? Join us Log in
Find a coach
  • Home
  • Coaching Areas
  • NLP
  • FAQs
  • Articles
  • Local events
  • Your stories
Welcome !
Member's AreaLog out
Log inJoin us
Bookmarks (-)
  • Home>
  • Articles>
  • Have we all become mindless?

Have we all become mindless?

David Bredin
by David Bredin, listed life coach
15th January, 2018
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
Bookmark
15th January, 2018
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
Bookmark

‘Modern man’ is afflicted with an almost constant source of stress in their daily lives. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is predicting that ‘stress’ will be the biggest ‘killer’ this Century and in the UK it is estimated that stress is the greatest cause of absenteeism in the workplace

Thousands of years ago ‘man’ was used to a very different way of life; his brain was hard-wired to deal with infrequent, but sudden, extreme situations where stress was generated as the ‘by-product’ of the survival functions of flight or fight; the inevitable consequence of having to take action in adverse or demanding circumstances. Notwithstanding this, normal and routine tasks were given little thought and considered only ‘in the moment’ thereby not anticipating or fearing a situation where stress might be generated.

Today, the hard-wired brain that experienced extreme stress as a consequence of imminent danger in the past, still persists. However, the knowledge now used to formulate the learned instructions that trigger the chemical reaction preparing the body to respond to danger, are seldom informed by instances as extreme as our forebears had to face. Instead today’s ‘imminent danger’ is informed by a constant source of pressure, frustrations and thoughts of inadequacies that create that “stored knowledge” and become the default trigger for the chemical reaction resulting in stress. Conversely, our ancestors paid little attention to these relatively routine ‘stressors’ since they weren’t life-threatening.

These modern-day “adverse or demanding circumstances” are brought about, in part by the plethora of tasks we now have the ability to carry out; something that has increased exponentially over the recent past decades, frequently enabled by rapid advances in technology. Add this to man’s inherited ‘herd instinct’ that encourages people not to be singled out thereby persuaded to comply with the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Research now concludes that with the ever-increasing number of tasks required of us, the stress induced, reduces our ability to focus on any one thing at a time.

Meditation has been part of Buddhist teachings for generations: used as a practice where an individual focuses his or her mind on a particular object, thought or activity to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state. Now scientific research has confirmed the benefits of “mindfulness”. Indeed the UK National Health Service (NHS) recognises “mindfulness” as a very practical and effective therapy for reducing stress following the development by Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Therapy (MBSR). The plethora of evidence from modern cognitive psychology and neuroscience point out the positive effect of meditation on the brain and our ability to focus with a purpose.

Willie Horton, a coaching psychologist argues in his recent paper "Mindfulness-Based Leadership Development" - Nov 17, that focus is the key to being mindful. He further suggests that unless we are ‘mindful’ we are ‘mindless’. When we are being bombarded constantly with ‘low level’ stressors we adopt the default state of mind; one of mindlessness, a lack of focus resulting in a cycle of events which often leads to illness and death.

In his paper, Horton asserts that if we can learn to focus we enable ourselves to be ‘mindful for a purpose’; something greater than simply a stress reducer; more a state of mind that enables greater and more effective achievement, much like a sprinter before a race focuses on the job in hand, blocking out extraneous matters that get in the way. Once the race is over the focus can shift to the next important matter.

Willie Horton suggests that there is a need for leaders everywhere to learn how to properly focus though mindfulness-leadership development because if you can focus, all other matters become clearer and more manageable. The responsibility for ensuring this happens is the coach!

Personal development
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Life Coach Directory is not responsible for the articles published by members. The views expressed are those of the member who wrote the article.

David Bredin

About David Bredin

David Bredin was a soldier for nearly 20 years, a practicing coach for over 16 years and a magistrate for over 12 years. His experiences emanate from the highest hills of the Himalayas to the individuals he coaches - he never stops learning!… Read more

Located in Newmarket.

Can also offer telephone / online appointments.

To book an appointment, please get in contact:

View profileEmail meCall me07802510548
How to set and keep New Year’s resolutions (or any new habits) Are you having a bad day? Turn it around with these tips
Find a business or life coach near you
advanced search

print this page

Related articles View all

Personal development
How to create a 'bucket list' to live a more fulfilled life
How to create a 'bucket list' to live a more fulfilled life
By Kaidi Bowen, CPCC & ACC
The term 'bucket list' was initially used for people who wanted to get a whole load of...
Personal development
5 strategies to find your life task
5 strategies to find your life task
By Fabrizio Ricciardi Life & Leadership Coach
You are unique! There is not anyone else in this world like you. You and only you can do...
Personal development Confidence
Essential mentoring skills
Essential mentoring skills
By Sarah Clark - Mariposa Coaching
As we go through our lives, we often find ourselves in a mentoring role, but what is...

Connect with us

Facebook
Twitter
"New supervision group - one year of supervision", ongoing event in Reading https://t.co/knITwWLxIj @illumdandelion
Get involved
More information
  • Home
  • About
  • Legal terms
  • Cookie policy
  • Privacy notice
  • Browse by region
  • Links
  • Press Centre
  • Site help

Company Details

  • Life Coach Directory, Building 3
  • Riverside Way, Camberley
  • Surrey, GU15 3YL
  • Membership Services Team: 0333 325 2501 *
  • Contact us
  • * Calls to 03 numbers cost the same as calling an 01 or 02 number and count towards any inclusive minutes in the same way as 01 and 02 calls.

Copyright © 2019
Site by Memiah Limited

Healthy ideas that change the world

Get our free monthly e-magazine straight to your inbox

Find out more at happiful.com

Happiful magazine cover
Before using our site, please take a moment to review our Privacy Notice and Cookies policy. By continuing to use this site we'll assume you agree to both.
Ok