Better mindfulness coaches talk about 'the approach', though other translations include 'the road' and 'preparation'. Our choice of words is important. 'Preparation' is not a good description, but it does highlight how a different mindset needs to underpin our thinking when we tackle meditation.
If we label this section 'preparation' we automatically devalue it. 'Preparation' implies that we haven't got to the important bit yet; it suggests that we need to rattle through this necessary but irrelevant set of formalities so we can get down to the actual job itself; and start mindfulling or whatever you call it.
In mindfulness the Approach - let's give it a capital A to make it feel more valued - is an intrinsic and important part of the process. As soon as you start the steps below - 'steps' is a good word - then you start to walk the road to mindfulness. Tread slowly, tread calmly, tread gently.
For a busy teacher, it's hard not to expect perfect results first time round; we don't expect failure, and we don't like wasting time. The reality is, though, that meditation takes practice, just like any new skill. Accept this. Also accept that your helicopter-engine brain isn't going to stop whirring round just because you want it to - that isn't what you want anyway, to impose control over your thinking. What you want is to build a new relationship between your conscious mind and your subconscious thoughts and feelings - a relationship which allows positive feelings to blossom.
For a busy teacher, it's equally hard to avoid scepticism. Meditation doesn't seem designed for the bustling battlefield of education, but if it's done properly, meditation works for everyone. It's fine to be cynical, it still works even if you're cynical... but it isn't OK to be casual or partial, you do need to follow the steps and miss nothing out. When you are an expert, you can experiment.
Apart from unrealistic expectations, the biggest problem for most teachers is trying too hard. In our world of constant effort and moving targets, this is the one area where pushing hard reaps no reward. Just go with the flow.
Use your back button to continue