How many of us dread going into a business meeting? We are well aware of the benefits of meditation to reduce stress and improve mood. And we know that top-level CEO’s and business executives are practicing meditation. Now, a study out of Japan has taken this concept of mixing meditation and business one step further to show how meditation can improve a business meeting.
As reported by Air & Business Travel News, the Kyoto Convention Bureau conducted a study in which a group of 20 participants did 5 exercises that included memory, language, comprehension and listening tests on two separate occasions. Before the first session, the participants had no preparation, but before the second session, they each did a 10-minute meditation exercise. The result?
The study found that after the second session delegates showed an average improvement of 12.5% in completing the tasks. The largest individual improvement across all the tasks was 21%, while the smallest individual improvement was 2%.Reverend Matsuyama, a Zen Buddhist priest, who conducted the meditation session, said: “It is a simple principle; if your tea cup is already filled, there is no point in pouring more tea in it.
“People who come to attend seminars and meetings are often under pressure and tired either because of long journeys or work based stress. If they are to take on-board new information they must first make room for it.”
This study shows us that positive benefits are possible by incorporating a meditation before the start of a business meeting. James Kent, from the Kyoto Convention Bureau said future events and meetings would likely include meditation. He added, “These simple 10-minute meditation exercises are not meant to take time away from people’s work, but to help them be more successful at their jobs.”
Do you practice meditation at work? What benefits have you seen in your productivity, stress-level or overall work experience? Please let us know using the comment box below.
