Just read another brief article by Daniel Goleman on Mindfulness: an antidote for workplace ADD.  This has great application to family enterprise leaders, where ADD/ADHD appears to run rampant.  The presence of electronic distractions and more not only takes us away from some fundamental tasks we try to perform, they command a priority in our allocation of time.  And, as Goleman points out, they can hinder the basics of effective communication with others by averting our attention and ability to focus and stay in the moment.  Mindfulness exercises abound with already more than 5.5 million links on Google alone- a number that we suspect will increase dramatically.  With its Buddhist roots, the available books and articles hail the contribution these exercises make to mental, emotional and physical health.

More than 30 years ago, I took a course offered by The Philosophy Foundation (probably a precursor to the current organization with the same name http://www.philosophy-foundation.org/ ).  It’s bottom line? “Live in the Present Moment.”  The fundamentals of mindfulness?  Same process- new label.