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as relatively passive participants."Awake at Work" sheds a whole new perspective on the workplace experience. I found Michael Carroll's "Mindful Leadership" great, too--but "Awake at Work" is entirely unique in my experience of management literature.The obvious benefit being "Awake" provides: you'll find work a much more pleasant, productive place--if only because you'll be better engaged with what you're doing, no matter how engaged you already are, or how yucky work seems. We often attribute the job of bettering the work experience to "them".or maybe even change the environment for our own groups or for the company at large.but in effect treat the people we want to benefit (and ourselves). Yet at the same time, we're often unconscious about these toxicities--maybe even distance ourselves from them or the jobs that create them. I love this book, have re-read it several times, and have sent dozens of people copies--virtually all of whom loved the book. Re-read it. How many books give you a whole new and very positive way to think about and experience a place you spend a lot of your time.can be used in a practical way (e.g., chapter a day).and are just a good read in the bargain. And a very easy, almost poetic read, too.
And, while most readers will suddenly like their jobs more, others may realized it's time to move on--but will be much more productive in doing so, since a lot of energy lost in complaining and distancing yourself in the job you don't like is more positively directed while you're in it, and finding a new one.Get this. But giving very specific lenses (35, in fact) on how to change the way work feels FOR US for the better, without the environment having to change one iota. It merits being mandatory reading for anyone with a job in a company with more than one person--whether you just got there and it looks great, can't stand it and are on the verge of leaving, or are someplace in-between.Why.How many of us work in companies where the environment isn't as healthy as we want it to be. In addition to that, because you'll be better engaged, you'll probably find some ways to actually improve what's going on around you. NOT just enabling people to see their own role in how they experience work. Brilliant. Read it. Pass it on.
This book's title has ".Buddhist Principles.", yet people adhering to any faith (or none) could benefit from the practical advice provided in this book. My favorite chapters are "At times of risk and stress, cultivate stillness". reminding us that challenge and difficulties are an opportunity for growth. It helped me retain my composure and think clearly despite the chaos swirling around me. This book can help you keep your balance during trying times and find the small pleasures at work often staring you right in the face. Some of that chaos was of my own creation (which this book also helped me identify) but much of it had nothing to do with me. This book effectively shepherded me through a very difficult time at the company I recently decided to leave. Also, "welcome the tyrant" was especially helpful.
I was then able to effectively plan my exit. keeping my relationships intact, along with my integrity and dignity. During a time where many people are living in fear due to the economy and taking it out on their co-workers, families, and friends, it is even more important that we find a way not to contribute to the mess, if at all possible. I only wish I'd found it years ago.
This book has really kept my sanity as I try to rise above the hustle of corporate life and yet keep my career interesting and challenging. It has helped me to put things into perspective on the everyday level and I read through parts during lunch and reflect, usually coming back to work energized and ready to face the remainder of the day. I highly recommend this title for anyone who gets the "blahs" from the everyday or is just living in fear that they could get a bad review at any moment because of one mistake they are destined to make at work.
Admitedly, I had always considered work as a necessary evil to pay the bills and the competitive rat-race as a hinderance to my practice. I am reading this now. As a buddhist, it's an excellent book with practical advice for being mindful and skillful in a competive workplace. His approach to work-life is completely the opposite, it's mindful acceptance and openness to the up and downs. As I read, it dawns on me that that's exactly as it should be.
Each chapter is a well-formed essay with historical perspective, practical modern day applications, and the benefits of each principle. Caroll's book cultivates mindfulness on the job via thirty-five slogans (or principles) designed to provide natural wisdom, openness, and poise in the workplace. Many chapters encourage the reframing of our thoughts and acceptance of what factors are within and beyond our control. The slogans in the book are derived from the spiritual practice of lojong described in the Tibetian Buddhist text The Root Text of the Seven Points of Training the Mind. Carroll recommends a four-step approach of identifying four primary slogans, randomly selecting others to study at your leisure, looking for spontaneously applicability of slogans throughout your day, and deliberating contemplating a slogan a day through meditation, a journals, or an index card system.The slogans are presented as much more than simple maxims. The reader is repeatedly encouraged to meditate and reflect to explore specific aspects of work. The appendix includes practical instructions for conducting a meditation session, strategies for contemplating the slogans, and tips for cultivating li (the social rituals of decency and goodness).
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