Mindful Decision-Making: Aligning Your Heart During Times of Change

May 14
3 min read

Updated: May 16

Lindsey Frank, M.Ed.

Educating Mindfully President & Director

Co-Creator of Educating Mindfully's Mindfulness-Based Learning Micro-Credential Program and Framework

Former PreK-8th Grade Districtwide Climate & Social-Emotional Learning Coach

Former K-5 Special Education Teacher, K-8 Interventionist, and 7th Grade Teacher

Transformational Coach

Illinois, USA

Picture taken by Lindsey Frank in Door County, WI during a sunset right after a storm to symbolize the changing times and how the sun still shines--no matter the storm.

Mindfulness-Based Learning Framework Components: Mindful Decision-Making

Listen To the Learncast Episode

May 15, 2026

As we close this final chapter of Educating Mindfully, I have been reflecting on the role--and framework component--Mindful Decision-Making plays in our lives as educators, leaders, and humans navigating change.

Often, when we think about decision-making, we focus on outcomes. We ask ourselves if we are making the “right” choice, saying the “right” thing, or moving in the “right” direction...

Yet mindfulness invites us into a different relationship with decision-making. It asks us to slow down enough to remain connected to ourselves while making the decision. To notice what is happening internally, to reflect on the impact our choices may have on others, and to lead with intention instead of reactivity.

The way we respond to stress, conflict, uncertainty, and transition shapes the emotional tone of the environments we create. The whole learning community can feel it when a decision is made, mindfully.

Mindful leadership is about presence. It is about being willing to pause, reflect, listen, and move forward in ways that align with both integrity, humanity, and your heart.

Over the years, I have also found myself thinking less about “leadership” as a title and more about the ripple effect we each create through our presence and actions. Every educator, caregiver, student, leader, and community member has the ability to become what I call a "heart-centered changemaker". In the learncast episode, I share the background of this important leadership reframe.

As Educating Mindfully enters its sunset phase, we are filled with deep gratitude. Gratitude for every mindful educator, leader, partner, supporter, and community member who believed in this vision and helped bring it to life.

Gratitude for the countless ripples created within classrooms, schools, and communities around the world. Gratitude for the reminder that meaningful work does not disappear simply because its form changes.

My hope moving forward is that the heart of this work continues to live within all of us. That we continue making mindful decisions rooted in compassion, reflection, courage, and care for humanity. Our call to action as a collective is to continue advocating for learning environments where belonging, well-being, and presence are valued.

May we all continue remembering that even the smallest mindful action can create ripples far beyond what we can see.

Thank you for being part of this journey. It has been an incredible honor to learn, grow, reflect, and share space together--espeically these past four years guiding our organization together.

Thank you for being you!

Invitational Practice:

A heart-centered decision-making strategy that I like to share with my clients and that is also available in my children's book (and teacher's guide), The Superpower of Your HEART, is the HEART strategy:

H - Health

How are your body, breath, emotions, and thoughts in this moment?

E - Environment

Do you need to make a change in your environment to support your decision?

A - Affirmation

What "I am" statement(s) can you tell yourself to propel your actions in alignment with your decision?

R - Response

What action do you choose to take?

T - Transform

How did either you or your experience change because you followed your HEART?

Consider pausing to ask these questions the next time you are engaging in Mindful Decision-Making. Share this strategy with your learning community!

Lindsey Frank, COSEM President & CEO of The Butterfly Within

About the Author

Lindsey Frank, M.Ed. is the President and Director of Educating Mindfully where she led the development of the Mindfulness-Based Learning Framework and co-created the Micro-Credential Program. She continues to guide program participants as a mentor and instructor.

She is the creator of The Butterfly Within®, offering transformational coaching and experiences to empower educators, leaders, and communities as Heart-Centered Changemakers within and beyond the classroom. Lindsey is an award-winning author of Big Change, Better You, Beautiful World; The Superpower of Your HEART; and a contributing author in Educating Mindfully: Stories of School Transformation Through Mindfulness.

With over 13 years in education, Lindsey has served as the districtwide (early learning through eighth grade) climate and social emotional learning coach, special educator, and interventionist. She holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership.

Lindsey is a certified integrative transformational coach, mindfulness and meditation teacher, and yoga instructor, specializing in trauma-informed and inclusive practices. Additionally, Lindsey has been featured on educational podcasts and publications.