Is mindfulness the key to the perfect workday?
For Elliot Wilson, a software engineer II at Narmi, mental fitness is not a one-activity-fits-all endeavor. Some engineers may thrive on morning walks, a neighborhood coffee run or a good book to get the day started on the right foot. Regardless of what a routine entails, finding a one that promotes mindfulness is the goal.
“Whatever you do, introspection is key,” said Wilson.
Unearthing this introspection can have direct effects on work and personal life. According to the American Psychological Association, a regular practice of mindfulness can reduce stress levels, improve relationships, boost memory and improve focus.
Carving out daily time to focus, especially during a busy work week, is a top priority for Rennie Song, a principal engineer at Personio. Staying organized and fostering flow state, is Song’s number one advice for sustaining a productive work life.
Built In New York sat down with Song and Wilson to hear about the daily practices they rely on to stay sustainably sharp and stress-free as New York engineers.
Personio offers an all-in-one HR software solution that supports small and medium-sized businesses throughout the entire employee lifecycle.
Tell us about a typical workday for you at Personio. What keeps you energized and productive throughout the day?
I start my mornings with a protein smoothie and the New York Times crossword. I’m usually in the office by 8:30, ready for my first round of meetings. Working for a European company, I make the most of the “golden hours” of overlap time — around 9 am to noon — to collaborate with my European colleagues. As the afternoons become quieter, I’m able to buckle down and focus on burning through my to-do list.
While I do enjoy the flexibility of remote work, I find that I’m most productive in the office. I’ll usually grab a Sweetgreen salad to go for lunch and take a short walk around the block in the afternoon to recharge and clear my mind.
What rituals or practices do you rely on to enhance your daily work?
My job involves a lot of context-switching, so staying organized is crucial. I take detailed notes throughout the day and am constantly referring back to them. I thrive on to-do lists, not only to help me prioritize but also to provide that dopamine boost that keeps me motivated.
Other daily rituals that keep me feeling sharp and energized include walking breaks, workout classes like Barry’s Bootcamp and having time to unwind after a long day.
What advice do you have for other New York tech professionals hoping to build sustainable and energizing daily routines?
Finding your flow state is crucial, especially when you only have a limited amount of time each day. Whether at home, work or with music playing, the key is to identify what environment best facilitates deep focus for you.
“The key is to identify what environment best facilitates deep focus for you.”
Narmi is a digital financial services company that offers digital banking and account platforms to financial institutions.
Tell us about a typical workday for you at Narmi. What keeps you energized and productive throughout the day?
The ingredients of my ideal day are pretty simple: running, caffeine, chit-chat and something to do after work.
Most mornings, I run through Brooklyn Bridge Park. Those views of Manhattan are so energizing! From a certain angle on Pier 2, you can see all the way to Trinity Church on Wall Street.
At work, tea is my caffeine of choice. I might brew a strong black tea, like Smith Tea’s Portland Breakfast, or maybe a Chinese green tea, which I buy in big scoops in Chinatown. If I’m taking a call from my kitchen, it’s to be closer to my kettle!
My team owns Narmi’s admin platform, so I work with people across the organization. More conversations mean more chances to trade favorite songs, laugh about pet peeves and solve difficult problems. Narmi doesn’t require many in-office days, but I often come in anyway just to chat.
Being in the office is also handy if I want to do something after work. Seeing a concert, eating out or just walking around can be a great motivator. I keep it budget-friendly by using my library card to get free museum passes. A recent fave? The New York Transit Museum, which is in an old subway station that you enter via a classic green MTA staircase.
What rituals or practices do you rely on to enhance your daily work?
I’ve felt empowered at Narmi to let my feelings guide my work. If something feels wrong in some way — needlessly difficult, boring or draining — then there’s probably something systematically wrong that can be improved. I feel the same way about my routines: they should feel good, and if they don’t, there’s nothing wrong with abandoning them. As much as I’ve dreamed about being the kind of Brooklyn software engineer who works from coffee shops, that work environment has never clicked for me — and that’s OK!
On the other hand, I know I have habits that wouldn’t match someone else. I typically take a real, offline lunch break and read a book. Many other people would prefer to work through lunch so they don’t lose focus or so they can finish earlier. More power to them!
“I typically take a real, offline lunch break and read a book.”
And of course, I feel lucky to work in an environment where I have the flexibility and encouragement to think about the experience of my work.
What advice do you have for other New York tech professionals hoping to build sustainable and energizing daily routines?
A routine can’t save you from a job that doesn’t inspire you. How do you feel on Sunday nights? If you’re regularly anxious about going back to work, it’s probably better to start looking for a job that will sustain you than to start jogging or brewing tea. I think of this as the “Sunday night test.” Since I’ve been working at Narmi, it has been such a delight to feel calmness, even excitement, when thinking about the coming week.
One more tip: Get a library card!
