jan-2018

22 23 know,we all have somany tasks to do everyday.But,if we don’t reset ourselves,and pause in between,we’ll just increase our stress level.Where is the business if everybody is burned out? It’s a guidedmeditation. When you come out,imagine the difference in your day for yourself,your team,and your business. BVM: Ismindfulness a one-size-fits-all sort of disci- plinewithin a company? Krog Iversen: It works the same at every level,from CEOdown.Everyyear we have a strategyday,and last year our USX-peoplewere introduced tomindfulness. Manywere very skeptical at first,but afterwards some even thankedme,and said“Oh,my,that was so good.” TheMindful Recharge is totallyvoluntary.But the number who followis increasing.Now,30 percent of all employees are participating everyweek.Because they see the difference in peoplewhen theycome out of the session.More energized,more focused,more positive.Themindset has changed.The staff then share ideas and grow.Some take upmindfulness class- es on their own.We travel a lot,and some usemind- fulness apps when they’re on themove.We nowalso invite external partners and stakeholders to our online mindful recharge sessions,so they too can benefit. BVM: Howshould a company start to implement mindfulness? Do theyneed a DNA&CultureOfficer for leadership? Krog Iversen: Not everyone is as luckyasTimeXtend- er to have a DNA&Culture section.Whether you’re a little start-up company,or a large,older,private- ly-owned business,beginwithmindfulness apps,start a dialogue about it,thenmove on tomore structured sessions.Start small and let the structure grow.Be an inspiration,yourself.Even if you’re a commercial leader, or CEOof the company.You’ll seewe reallyneed this becausewe’re‘doing,doing,doing’all the time,andwe EXECUTIVE VIEW ANNE KROG IVERSEN need it tomake the right decisions and performwell.Of course,if it’s a big enterprise,you need to bemore structured about it. BVM: Howdid you become in- volvedwithmindfulness in business? Krog Iversen: Sixyears ago,I was unlucky to get whiplash,and I found out as a companyowner,I couldn’t just call in sick.I had to find away to deal with it,and I discovered how powerful mindfulness really is.Not only to heal,but also to prevent.Top athletes have known this for a long time.Theyneed toworkon their pro- fessional andmental skills to perform at excellence every time.We need to be at our best in business,as well, and love the journey.Mindfulness is what makes the difference. As a business owner,I see it as a social responsibility.If we’re going to build a sustainable business in a worldwherewe’re online all the time, thenwe need to train balance.It’s about connectingwith ourselves and prioritizing our time.Just lookat all the global businesses out there.So manywork like freelancers with our laptops fromanywhere.The problem is,if you don’t connect to yourself, if you don’t knowyour boundaries, you can’t sayno to doingmorework. Mindfulness trains you to knowwhen you need a pause,so you can keep your balance.