The Present Value of Mindfulness

“It takes skill and discipline to bat away the pests of bad perceptions, to separate reliable signals from deceptive ones, to filter out prejudice, expectation, and fear. But it’s worth it, for what’s left is truth. While others are excited or afraid, we will remain calm and imperturbable. We will see things simply and straightforwardly, as they truly are—neither good nor bad.” – The Obstacle is the Way, by Ryan Holiday

While globalization and technological advancement have afforded us unprecedented levels of connectivity and opportunity, the potential downside to this level of accessibility is the uncountable number of forces competing for our attention at any given moment. The consequences too often take the form of stress, fatigue, and an inability to absorb information or the tendency to misinterpret information. Fortunately, there is a simple way to help make sure we are operating at our best, with the mental and emotional clarity to excel at our work and live fulfilled lives.

In an effort to prevent a chaotically paced world, with endless information streams, from deterring us from performing exceptionally well for each other and most importantly for our Clients, Yeske Buie has committed to practicing Mindfulness on a daily basis. By Mindfulness we mean a presence or awareness – a grounded state of being – not tied to a particular perception or points of view, enabling us to operate from a place of mental and emotional stability. As an evidence-based financial planning firm, we embrace Mindfulness because the scientific proof is now irrefutable. Mindfulness, which Yeske Buie practices in a secular manner, is the only proven method to enhance our level of consciousness, allowing us to access the means to effectively serve other members of the team and our Clients.

We incorporated mindfulness into our culture because we have learned and experienced that resting in awareness – in every moment – is one of the most powerful choices we can make. The way we practice mindfulness at Yeske Buie takes many forms. Prior to each internal or Client meeting, participating team members spend two minutes in silence and simply focus on breathing. During this time thoughts flow without judgment and points of view are not forced. The clarity provided by a few minutes of Mindfulness allows us to be present at each meeting and for everyone involved, regardless of the subject matter. Although I’ve been practicing for less than a year, taking a mindfulness moment feels as if the silence and breathing opens a space that is free of distractions – allowing me to think and act skillfully with compassion in an optimal state of mind.

Another example of our mindfulness practice is evidenced in our communication training. We see exquisite communication as one of the most essential attributes to develop while striving to become effective leaders within the profession. We labeled our foundational communication efforts – Honest, Direct, Respectful (HDR). And as we became more proficient in our communication, we added a key element – Awareness. Expanding our commitment to HDRA (Honest, Direct, Respectful, and Aware) adds deeper context and meaning to our communication. Mindfulness allows us to elevate our interactions so that instead of being imprisoned by judgments and points of view, we can engage in a more collaborative manner. As the Yeske Buie team continues our mindfulness journey, we are experiencing greater personal strength because we no longer see the need to indulge in fear-based habits. Instead, we are fostering an environment where individuals are able to identify the world they want to help create, empowering us to align the fundamental goodness inherent in our shared values and world views to lead courageously toward realizing Yeske Buie’s vision.

We have an incredible opportunity to impact the world by leveraging not only our financial resources but also our personal resources. Mindfulness is one way we have found to maximize our internal capabilities. It is encouraging that in just a short time we’ve learned clarity is right at our fingertips, available to everyone at every moment. If this resonates with you, we would encourage you to explore how practicing mindfulness can add to your life experiences. We would also encourage you to share your experiences so we can continue to learn from, and celebrate with each other. And maybe someday we will collectively see things as they truly are.