Leadership and Mindfulness… a conversation with Jane Grafton

Today Ross and Antoinette met with Jane Grafton…. Jane is a certified coach (ICF) and senior trainer with the Potential Project, a leading global corporate-based mindfulness training company. Jane shares the central insight she gained through her work with the Potential Project: the distinction between the talkative and the observing mind. The wandering, narrative mind goes off in all sorts of directions, and we have hardly any control over it, whereas that other part of us observes the wandering mind, and is a best described as a space of clarity and awareness. Ross agreed, “Mindfulness is an important aspect of connecting with yourself, to be more balanced so as to harness the right energies.” How can we sit in awareness? Jane shares, “the more we observe the wandering mind, the quieter it becomes over time.”The more we can withdraw from distractions and cultivate being present in the current moment, the more we can see things with clarity in ourselves and others and experience things around us thoroughly and without resistance. We then don’t draw upon the past or the future. To experience this space, we need to be here, now with a clear mind. To connect meaningfully with each other having a clear mind is essential, as otherwise our perception is tainted by judgment, thoughts, preconceived ideas and we don’t see the other for who she or he is. Being present with what is at this exact moment; to accept and feel what is happening, and to be present with family members, co-workers, a crisis, my fear or my energy. Jane, “We can’t develop this capacity to be present without some serious pausing practice.”In this state of presence, valuable information is more likely to come to us compared to being in a hectic, panicky mode.“Slowing down, reflecting on what is happening around you and taking in the situation for what it is, keeps the mind free of assumptions,” says Ross. Please listen to this podcast to hear all about the “IT” and how it is essential in our life. Book recommendation of Jane: ‘The Mind of The Leader’ by Rasmus Hougaard and Jacqueline Carterhttps://www.potentialproject.com/books/the-mind-of-the-leader/ Further links:Jane Grafton: https://www.simplytorealise.com/new-gallery/Potential Project: https://www.potentialproject.comMindfulness Professionals Network Singapore https://business.smu.edu.sg/mindfulness/Programmes/Mindfulness-Professionals-Network-Singapore