WJM expert offers mindfulness sessions

The law firm director who is also a leading mindfulness practitioner is offering free sessions for those who wish to try out the practice, which is said to enable busy people to de-stress and think more clearly.

Martin Stepek, director of culture and communications at Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie, will hold the lunchtime sessions at the firm's offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh, beginning this week. He will also sponsor and host free "Mindfulness in Business" talks to employers, business leaders, professional associations and charities throughout Scotland.

Mr Stepek, whose work was recently proflled in the Journal, joined WJM in 2014 with a remit to introduce mindfulness to the firm, a role he fulfils in tandem with other responsibilities, and has recently published his second book on mindfulness, Mindful Living 2. He says the empirical evidence is overwhelming.

“There are over 3,500 academic studies that have been published proving the benefits of mindfulness, and increasingly forward-thinking employers are recognising the benefits of mindfulness in the workplace as a means of reducing stress, improving well-being, productivity, relationships at work, enhancing decision making and leadership skills. Mindfulness teaches you how to calm the mind and concentrate on the present. It gives you greater clarity, focus and helps you to make small adjustments which means you can give more to the people you work with and those you live with.”

WJM chief executive Liam Entwistle added: “During the last year, we have been incorporating principles of mindfulness to WJM. It’s my strong belief that as a firm we owe it to our people to make sure they are fully equipped to deal with the demands of work and achieve a life work balance. That doesn’t just mean being good at our jobs, but being good business people in the midst of the challenges we face. Mindfulness goes a long way to fit the bill and we believe it is a cause worth championing so that others in the Scottish business community can benefit also.”

The free lunchtime sessions start on 5 February. Spaces are limited and can be reserved at www.wjm.co.uk/events. For more information about the "Mindfulness for Business" events email mindfulness@wjm.co.uk