Tag: stress

Stop. Sharpen The Saw….

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Stop. Sharpen the saw. Then move ahead. What does it mean too sharpen the saw? The concept arose from celebrated Author Steven Covey who wrote the best selling book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. He shared this story to clarify his point:

Suppose you were to come upon someone in the woods working feverishly to saw down a tree.

“What are you doing?” you ask.

“Can’t you see?” comes the impatient reply. “I’m sawing down this tree.”

“You look exhausted!” you exclaim. “How long have you been at it?”

“Over five hours,” he returns, “and I’m beat! This is hard work.”

“Well, why don’t you take a break for a few minutes and sharpen that saw?” you inquire. “I’m sure it would go a lot faster.”

“I don’t have time to sharpen the saw,” the man says emphatically. “I’m too busy sawing!”

 

So the concept to sharpen the saw highlights the point that when you have been going, going, going, and going …and you can’t seem to see any results. Acknowledge that it’s time to stop. It’s time to refresh. It’s time for a break to get the rest you need to start thinking so you can be productive again.

So stop. Sharpen the saw. So you can move ahead.

Cheers!

The 10 Key Tips To Beat Workplace Woes…

Some days are just a mess. It’s even worse during prolonged Quarter or month-end report preparations or during times of change. It’s at those times that anything we can do to lessen the stress is welcomed. I fell aghast when I bumped into Amy Jackson’s 10 tips to beat workplace woes repeated by writer Ariana Huffington. Read the full piece here. For those who gotta have a quick peek, here I share the abbreviated list.

  1. Brighten up your Desk (make it personal)
  2. Do Something you enjoy during your Lunch Break (not errands)
  3. Plan things to look forward to (weekend getaways, vacations)
  4. Eat & Drink to boost your mood (water is good)
  5. Meditate (breathe)
  6. Make use of Perks (if you’re lucky to get them…check HR to see what exists)
  7. Chat to your Colleagues
  8. Laugh (look at memes or YouTube video)
  9. Look at your work life balance
  10. Identify if there’s an underlying problem

 

I found this list interesting to beat the workplace woes and I hope you will too. Any burning tip missing? Do share! We would love to hear.

Cheers!

 

13 Things I Learned From Working With A Micro Manager…

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 Give me guidance, not micro management

Micromanagement. It’s negative. Besides the organizational impact of higher turnover, stress, lowered productivity, team members suffer dire consequences when being micro-managed. We dare say that many still practice it… but is it wise? Is there a basis for micromanagement?

Micromanagement is a management style whereby a manager closely observes and/or controls the work of his/her subordinates or employees. Micromanagement is generally considered to have a negative connotation, mainly due to the fact that it shows a lack of freedom in the workplace

Below are some simple examples of reasons learnt from working with a Micromanager.

  1. Not to micromanage
  2. It’s frustrating
  3. Time goes by slowly and you long for weekends and holidays
  4. It induces lack of confidence
  5. You question yourself “am I doing it right?“
  6. You double and triple-check your work to make sure there are no mistakes
  7. You become insecure, often asking yourself; “am I going to lose my job today?”
  8. Productivity increases when the boss is absent because employees are ‘happier’. The opposite is also true because employees feel relieved, relaxed and become unproductive
  9. The micromanager rarely gives praise because he/she is focused on finding mistakes
  10. Micromanagement causes increased Stress which leads to health issues and absenteeism
  11. Individuals make irrational decisions when they become frustrated. Some even throw in the towel and resign without knowledge of the next steps.
  12. Turnover is high
  13. The micro manager is a control freak because he/she is often insecure 

Were you ever micro-managed? How did it affect you? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Self-Care. Get A Dog. 9 Reasons…

Everything I know I learned from dogs. ~ Nora Roberts 

Man’s best friend. In response to my article 9 Things to Do to Break the Monotony  one writer suggested that I add “get a dog“.  Hmmm… quite thought-provoking. From what others have said, a dog provides many benefits. Being the crazy researcher, I decided to dig deep to find out the benefits of having a dog (even though I grew up with dogs and my college student has a dog). So yes, they are a delight.

But why though? Here I share:

Benefits of Having A Dog

1.Dogs encourage physical wellbeing and healthy fitness routine

2. They reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and protect children from allergies

3. Dogs help encourage social interactions

4. There’s never a dull moment (tell me about it-smile)

5. They may save your life

6. They reduce anxiety

7. Teach children responsibility

8. Helps build self-confidence in children

9. They are good listeners. Bear your soul without fear of it coming back to haunt you

There you have it. Great reasons to get a dog and there are tons more. Are there any that would like to add? Do share, we would love to hear.  So go get your furry friend today.

Cheers!

 

 

 

 

I Was Failing From Success…

“I was suffering from success because I was winning but I myself was suffering for the win. I said, ‘this is what success is all about’? So instead of working hard I started working smart”. ~DJ Khaled 

How many of us have been there. Workaholics we call it. Grinding away and end up suffering personally. We don’t take the time to relax and chill. Just do nothing, or play with kids, or our four-legged friends. DJ Khaled calls it “suffering for the win”.

The point is in our quest for Success, Balance is important. When we get there and there’s no joy, there’s no meaning. Find that balance.

Cheers!

 

Selfcare: How Does One Engage In Self-Care?

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Do Whatever it Takes

We shared the  17 Self-Care Activities… Then one reader asked how does one find the time to engage in self-care activities? Naturally, most of us struggle with that too. So here’s what I do.

Make it Important

First of all I make it important. Then based on my schedule , I decide which I can do. Some can be done on a daily basis like stealing away to the restroom or my car to Just Breathe even for a minute or two while on the job. That helps to manage the daily stress. Find that Rivulet. Simply walk away.

Schedule It

Another Notable option …if it’s something that I like to do such as going to the beach, I schedule it once a week, or it might just be bi-weekly. Some activities may even be once a month. Whatever works.

Team Up With Others

I may also team up with people who are stronger than me. For example I need to exercise. So I ask for an accountability partner. I don’t pressure myself. I start with a little at a time such as walking up the stairs to the parking garage. For other things like travel, I team up with people like my daughter who likes to travel (for pleasure). I have done vast amount of business travel and it’s not the same. We may even travel somewhere for a night or two with friends or family (as in a weekend getaway), and that helps to take care of that activity.

Do Not Beat Yourself Up

For me personally, my passion is writing but finding the time is hard. For starters I do not throw a Tantrum or pressure myself. Sad as it is, I face my reality and reduce my time to whatever I have available and get it done.

So there you have it. Hope it helps. Do any of the above resonate? Can you add any? Do share! We want to hear!

Cheers!

17 Self-Care Activities…

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When the well’s dry, we know the worth of water. ~ Benjamin Franklin

Self care is important. It has become more common these days as the thrust to lessen the Notable stress in our daily lives Meanders. Suddenly, it becomes important when the daring effects plunge in.

Here are 17 activities you can engage (even in small spurts), to take care of you.

  1. Read
  2. Go to the beach
  3. Make a daily self-care plan
  4. Go for a bike ride
  5. Dance
  6. Go to the movies
  7. Go to church
  8. Go swimming
  9. Paint your nails
  10. Jump in puddles
  11. Eat a meal you enjoy
  12. Sing
  13. Exercise
  14. Breathe deeply
  15. Wrap-up in a blanket
  16. Draw
  17. Sleep in

Does any resonate? Are there more you can add? Do share.

Cheers!

11 Simple Ways To De-Stress…

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Life is amazing! But sometimes it gets Messy with on-the-job demands , caring for family, life conquests, desires, dreams, and the pursuit of our goals become overwhelming. When they all come together to intertwine, it can get downright busy. ith little Courage, we feel unable to manage them all.

That’s when wisdom steps in and urges us to step back. To breathe. That’s when we receive that inner call for time-out so you can refresh, revive and rejuvenate. It would be great to get away on a vacation and take a trip to Europe… but hey though that’s ideal, it’s not always possible to do getaway that far on a whim. So here I share a few tips gleaned for a quick reboot.

You may also like 9 Things To Do By Yourself…

  1. Go for a walk
  2. Cut back on the caffeine
  3. Watch a funny movie
  4. Enjoy a new hobby
  5. Write down your woes, then throw them away
  6. Visit a close friend
  7. Put away your phone
  8. Get some Exercise
  9. Plan ahead so you’re not so rushed
  10. Perform a random act of kindness
  11. Read a good book

Hope this list helps. Adopt one, two or a few, and start your journey to de-stress today.

Cheers!

Captiva’s Breathtaking Getaway…

Longing for a Quick Getaway? The Beauty and Serenity of Captiva Island, Florida provides just that. As you drive along the coastline you start to feel the Stress of the daily grind slip away.

Don’t Succumb. Take a Break from your busy schedule and join us at this Exciting Retreat at the South Seas Island Resort, on November 3rd, and let your 2018 Goals Ascend.

Cheers!