Nikolas Voth: Mindfulness at Work 1: Intention

Have you ever ended a workday feeling like the hours flew by, but unsure what you truly accomplished? In a world of constant meetings, deadlines, and notifications, it’s easy to lose sight of purpose.
As a consultant with years of experience supporting business transformation in international projects, I began integrating mindfulness into my daily routine. Through regular meditation and yoga, I’ve enhanced my focus, mindset, and impact on clients and colleagues. I’ve realized that mindfulness and the business world complement each other remarkably well: It’s a powerful tool for cultivating authentic relationships and achieving meaningful outcomes.
This article begins a series on simple yet powerful techniques that help professionals bring clarity, purpose, and genuine value to their workdays. So, where do we begin?
With a straightforward, powerful technique: setting an intention.
Let’s dive straight into our first technique!

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The Trap of Autopilot
In today’s fast-paced work environments, many of us are running on autopilot — rushing from one task to the next with little time to pause or reflect. This automatic mode increases stress and reduces satisfaction, leading to burnout and detachment from work and relationships.
How can we break free from this cycle to bring more presence to our days?
Start Your Next Day with Intention
Tomorrow, before diving into work, look at your calendar and take just two minutes to check in with yourself:
1. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and allow your mind to settle.
2. Ask yourself: What truly matters today? Identify a priority, an approach (like patience or clarity), or simply an energy you want to bring.
3. Set an intention. Hold a word or phrase that resonates — “focus,” “calm,” or “authenticity” — to guide you through the day.
This simple check-in centers you, helping you move through each task with a sense of purpose. Give it a try and see how it impacts your focus and energy.
Bringing Mindfulness to Meetings
Just as you start your day with intention, bring the same mindful approach to your meetings. Before jumping into the agenda, set a quick intention — something like, “Let’s prioritize the value for the customer today.” or “Let’s focus on open communication today”. Mindful elements set a clear tone, encourage open dialogue, and foster innovative ideas.
The Result: Authenticity and Value
By setting intentions for your day and in meetings, you start building work that reflects your strengths, purpose, and values. This practice cultivates authentic value in relationships, projects, and ideas that resonate with you and those you work with.
Mindfulness isn’t just a personal focus exercise —
It’s a pathway to work grounded in integrity, respect, and purpose.
Stay tuned for the next articles in this series, where we’ll explore more ways to incorporate mindfulness into your workday, beginning with the art of active listening.
Embark on this journey of bringing more authenticity and purpose into your work life.
For studies about the R.O.I. of mindfulness, I invite you to check out David Gelles’ Mindful Work!