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AJ Jain MCIPP, Payroll and Pensions Supervisor, Cambridge City Council, introduces the concept of the ‘payroll monk’ and explains the ways it can help you to work more effectively in your fast-paced, busy payroll role
I n his book, Think Like a Monk , Jay Shetty draws a riveting contrast between the monkey mind and the monk mind. Having spent significant time in ashrams and living as a monk himself, Jay shares powerful excerpts from that phase of his life. I found the book deeply inspiring – the more I read, the more I felt compelled to take these fundamentals and apply them to my own work. So, I thought… what if I brought the monk mind into payroll? Hear me out! Have you heard of the monkey mind? It’s that restless, easily overwhelmed, constantly distracted state of mind. And in a profession like payroll where
you’re endlessly reprioritising your to- do list, double-checking checklists and accommodating last-minute changes with tight deadlines, stress and anxiety can quickly become second nature. You get so used to operating in monkey mind mode that even when you try to switch off, your thoughts don’t. Holidays stop feeling like holidays, and no matter where you go, work seems to follow. In the following article, I’ve outlined a few simple ways to train yourself out of the monkey mind and start practising a monk mind – within the world of payroll. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still new to this myself, but I’m already noticing a real
sense of calm settling in. I no longer dread logging on to work each morning; in fact, I look forward to it. Introduction: who is the payroll monk? The payroll monk isn’t about who you are – it’s a mindset. A way of thinking. Something we can learn and practise every day. Where the monkey mind is reactive and constantly chasing recognition and reward, the monk mind works quietly behind the scenes, anchored in duty, grounded in routine and driven by a strong work ethic and precision.
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward | September 2025 | Issue 113 44
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