That said, it’s not impossible to assure that workers are mindful and productive, and doing so will prove beneficial, financially and otherwise, with time.

Here’re six simple and highly effective steps that’ll help business owners and/or managers to emphasise mindfulness and productivity on the part of employees.

1. Nip Distractions in the Bud

As was mentioned, small distractions can cause large disruptions. Moreover, these disruptions can result in further distractions, with the end result being dissatisfied employees and many lost resources.

Thus, it’s imperative that distractions be nipped in the bud by workplace leaders. Inappropriate behaviour should be addressed promptly and directly, as should employee complaints. Non-business-related websites should be blocked on computers, and bosses should set an ideal example of the type of conduct that’s expected.

By focusing on professionalism, business owners and managers can prevent employees from causing distractions, which will also prevent other employees yet from being distracted. Ultimately, this will boost mindfulness and productivity.

2. Be Clear and Direct

Clear and direct communication is an integral ingredient in the recipe for workplace success. Unclear and indirect comments, criticism, and words of advice will distract employees from the task(s) at-hand. Productivity and mindfulness will therefore be compromised by an entirely avoidable factor.

On the other hand, clear and direct words will help employees to grasp what’s expected of them, and they’ll be better able to meet the challenges of today’s fast-paced professional landscape.

3. Make Time for Leisure

Mindfulness and productivity can be negatively affected by burnout, which commonly appears in the wake of high-profile assignments and difficult overtime work. Instead of attempting to “push through” this burnout, employers and managers should alleviate it by making time for leisure.

There’s nothing wrong with taking an afternoon off (by throwing a party) to celebrate recording a significant achievement or meeting a sizeable goal, and in addition to reminding employees that they’re valued, doing so will prevent burnout and aid mindfulness and productivity.

4. Intelligently Organise Employees

Fewer things contribute to lacking productivity like disorganisation does. Organisation begins at the top and travels down, and when employees’ assignments are unclear and/or miscommunication is rampant, much time will be wasted attempting to figure out what an assignment consists of, as opposed to completing the work itself.

Establish multiple lines of communication for employees to utilise, and remember to always be available to answer questions, while also fostering an environment wherein it’s easy to seek advice.

Stated in short, uncertain employees’ mindfulness and productivity will be lost as they try to figure out what’s expected of them. Intelligently organising employees, creating assignments, and answering questions will do much to speed work along and maximize its ultimate quality.

5. Create a Comfortable Environment

People work best when they’re comfortable, and while the workplace will never capture the relaxing qualities of home, it doesn’t need to be a place that employees dread. Moreover, if employees do dread the workplace, they won’t be as mindful and productive as possible.

“The little things”—soft chairs, a clean space, seasonal decorations, and perhaps even a new coffee maker in the break room—will boost morale and comfort, which will enhance mindfulness and productivity.

Similarly, it’d be smart to make a suggestion box available, thereby allowing employees to voice their concerns anonymously.

6. Don’t Micromanage

Last but certainly not least, micromanaging will harm mindfulness and productivity. Trust between bosses and employees is essential, and if a manager micromanages his or her employees, they’ll be prone to making more mistakes than they otherwise would have.

Think about it like this: The workplace is like a ship, and the boss is like a captain. If the captain spent much of his or her time watching the sailors complete their assigned tasks, no one would be charting the vessel’s long-term destination. And the sailors would constantly be looking over their shoulders.

As was noted initially, productivity and mindfulness pay for themselves in the long run, and it isn’t hard to justify taking some straightforward steps towards optimising efficiency today so that tomorrow is more fruitful.

Here’s to world-class productivity and mindfulness.