Posted by Lauren Stakutis, Feinmann, Inc.
We recently heard Peter Feinmann, President of Feinmann, Inc., present to EM NARI members about Mindfulness (or also known as Vipassana) Meditation. Peter has practiced mindfulness meditation for over a decade and is presently studying to be a teacher. Peter shared how this wellness technique can help transform your life both professionally and personally to align you for success.
With 30 years of experience running a design-build firm, Peter understands firsthand the challenges of wearing many hats, managing employees and exceeding client expectations. However, his work with mindfulness has changed how he approaches all of these common practices in running his business.
He described mindfulness as the ability to maintain a moment by moment awareness of thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations and the surrounding environment. When we practice mindfulness, our thoughts tune into what we are sensing in the present moment rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future. Mindfulness is a kind, non-judging awareness. We can strengthen our capacity to experience “things as they are” without the filter of critical thinking and habitual reactivity.
Peter’s main takeaways from his talk were how mindfulness can change one’s approach to interacting with employees, co-workers and clients. For example, it helps to reframe one’s way of reacting when managing your staff. It can also help one appreciate the uniqueness of your staff vs. focusing on their negative attributes. He continued to explain that it can help you move forward from employees who no longer choose to stay or who no longer align with your company’s values. Clearly there are strong emotions tied to these situations, but one can separate those emotions better while using the practice of mindfulness.
Mindfulness can train you to listen more effectively to your clients’ needs. It can also allow you to view your clients with more equanimity – accepting their differences and taking their behaviors less personally. This also helps to reduce the stress and anxiety you may feel when interacting with your clients.
By his own admission, Peter still messes up regularly, but with many employees having been with him for over 20 years, it is a testament to his commitment to constantly improve.
Peter closed the talk by translating how mindfulness has effectively changed the dynamics in his company to a place where people are encouraged to think, collaborate and appreciate each other. It has created an environment where he continues to look forward to coming to work every day.
For those of you that want to learn more, Peter will be offering:
Beginners Mindfulness Meditation Class
Starting December 4th at the monthly EM NARI meetings
4 week – 1+ hour beginner’s
4:15 – 5:30 PM
Limited to 12-15 people
The course will be offered as a
4 session program for $25 or
Individual sessions for $10 each.
Please choose appropriate option when registering.