Episode 335: How Gratitude and Mindfulness Boost Productivity by 50% with Lori Saitz

GUEST: Lori Saitz, Employee Well-Being Consultant and the Founder and CEO of Zen Rabbit

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We often talk about driving growth and increasing revenue.

However, we're not focusing as much on growing ourselves and dealing with stressful situations.

Nonetheless, more and more organizations are increasingly recognizing that employee well-being is a key element of productivity, creativity, and overall success.

The question arises:

What are some of the most effective strategies for a positive work environment and personal growth?

To help us with that, we have Lori Saitz, an Employee Well-Being Consultant and the Founder and CEO of Zen Rabbit. In addition to her consulting work, Lori is an award-winning author, speaker, and broadcaster. She also hosts the podcast "Fine is a 4-Letter Word," where she explores themes related to personal and professional growth. Her mission is to combat what she describes as the $650 billion distraction crisis affecting workplaces today.

The Simple Power of Gratitude and Mindfulness

Gratitude and mindfulness are powerful yet underused tools in the workplace. Starting meetings on a positive note, like having each team member share one thing going well or taking a moment for deep breaths, can dramatically shift team dynamics. These simple actions foster a positive mindset, boost creativity, and enhance focus. Gratitude can increase productivity by 50%, yet many leaders shy away from it, fearing it might make them appear weak. Breaking this mindset and creating space for recognition and presence can transform how teams solve problems and engage with their work.

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“People who practice gratitude are 50% more productive than people who don't.”

Lori Saitz, Employee Well-Being Consultant and the Founder and CEO of Zen Rabbit

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Simple Hacks for Better Meetings and Focus

To skeptical leaders looking for small, impactful changes, start meetings on a positive note by asking everyone to share one thing that is going well, as it sets a constructive tone and encourages creative problem-solving. Pair it with a brief mindfulness moment, like taking three deep breaths, to reduce stress, refocus attention, and foster clarity. Finally, eliminate constant distractions by muting notifications and scheduling focused work blocks. These simple tweaks can reshape your team's mindset, improve collaboration, and make your day more productive.

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“If some challenges and problems need to be addressed, people are going to be more creative in their ability to solve them as opposed to just complaining about them.”

Lori Saitz, Employee Well-Being Consultant and the Founder and CEO of Zen Rabbit

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The Simple Habit That Reduces Stress

Feeling productive doesn't always mean being productive. One of the best ways to recharge and truly boost productivity is to embrace simple grounding exercises. You don't need to spend hours meditating or clear every thought from your mind. Just 3 minutes a day can make a huge difference: focus on your breathing, stand barefoot in the grass, or take a distraction-free walk to reconnect with your surroundings.

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“We need to unplug to charge. But it's the same thing. If you throw yourself in the corner and don't recharge, you aren't going to be at 100% tomorrow.”

Lori Saitz, Employee Well-Being Consultant and the Founder and CEO of Zen Rabbit

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Lead by Example

As a leader, the most important step you can take to foster mindfulness within your team is to lead by example. Practice mindfulness yourself and openly share your experience. By doing so, you not only optimize your own productivity and well-being but also inspire your team to explore these practices for themselves. Providing them with the tools and resources to manage distractions will empower them to take responsibility for their own mindfulness journey, ultimately benefiting both individual and team performance.

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“The single biggest piece of advice is to do it yourself. Lead by example, and let other people around you know that you're doing it.”

Lori Saitz, Employee Well-Being Consultant and the Founder and CEO of Zen Rabbit

‍Now that you learned Lori's secrets to create a thriving work environment, discover the full list of episodes at The B2B Revenue Executive Experience. If you enjoy the show, instructions to rate and review it are found here.