Here are a few words on one of my favorite topics, Goals and its sidekick, Balance. As you know, my focus is on work and career related goals; those in others areas oftentimes take a backseat to things I want to accomplish in business. When overwhelm creeps in, along with that creepy procrastination, it’s a good time to re-evaluate where I’m spending my time. It brings up that phrase we’ve heard over the years – “Life-Work Balance”, which not surprisingly, I’ve not yet mastered. You?
What to do? Write these goal categories on a piece of paper: Career, Financial, Family, Personal, and Spiritual. List what you want to achieve in each of these areas in the coming months or by the end of the year. This helps remind you what else matters to you besides work and realign how you spend your time – doing things that are most important to you in all areas of life. And then, each day, and definitely each week, spend time taking steps toward those goals in those areas.
Wise words from the Mayo Clinic website: “Remember, striking a work-life balance isn't a one-shot deal. Creating balance in your life is a continuous process. Demands on your time change as your family, interests and work life change. Assess your situation every few months to make sure you're keeping on track.” (read here for their article on work-life balance: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/work-life-balance/WL00056) Goal setting is imperative to succeeding in life…all areas of life. Don’t forget to balance out your goals among them.
How do you achieve balance while working toward your goals? Please post a comment!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Stress Relief in Job Search and Job Security
I ran across a good internet article last week when researching “job search stress”. It discusses primary causes and ways to decrease anxiety. I think the information applies to not only people stressing about being out of work, but also the numerous others stressing over job security. It all boils down to one’s thoughts about a situation – we create our experiences by what we think. Read on and be sure to pass it along to someone who can use some de-stressing tips right about now...
The author, a resume-writing specialist, says that by avoiding these 5 things, more peace of mind is possible. I agree and have added some of my own thoughts:
Perfectionism – creating an outstanding resume is important, but don’t obsess about it. I’d add that focusing about the possibility of losing a job or going way over the top with overzealous performance in order to keep it are also forms of perfectionism and detrimental in the long run. Do your best. That’s good enough.
Procrastination – letting things pile up during a job search simply add more stress to the mindset of joblessness. Same goes for job security – putting things off at work and home adds more worry to the situation. Focus on what’s right in front of you rather than projecting into the future. I like the author’s two mottos: Touch it once and Do it now.
Powerlessness Feelings – thinking that others are in control of our destinies with regard to hiring and firing decisions wears a person down, no doubt. Instead, focus on what you do well, concentrate on strengths and accomplishments. Keep a positive attitude and recognize that you are in charge of your life and most definitely are not helpless.
Problem People – Avoid them. Plain and simple. Others’ negative attitudes do you no good so protect yourself especially while in a sensitive situation. When they start talking about the bad economy, unemployment statistics, and who’s laying off, walk the other way or change the subject.
Pessimism – staying positive may be easier said than done when in uncomfortable employment circumstances, so it’s very important to take a break and pull your mind away from this one overwhelming area of life on a regular basis. Schedule time to exercise, garden, chat with positive friends, work your hobby. Volunteer and help others reach their goals. Find those spots of enthusiasm and optimism – let them grow and enter into to your work life.
Whether in job search mode, worrying about possible lay offs, or even business building in a tight economy, I believe these are indeed good things to keep in mind. Protect yourself, take a break from burdensome tasks, optimistically forge ahead with a solid plan for building your future, and create the live you’ve imagined.
This week: Take it easy on yourself, Do it now, Know you are in control, Avoid the naysayers, Build on your optimism and pass it along to others in need.
Got some other stress busters while in job search mode or overcoming job security worries? Post them here!
The author, a resume-writing specialist, says that by avoiding these 5 things, more peace of mind is possible. I agree and have added some of my own thoughts:
Perfectionism – creating an outstanding resume is important, but don’t obsess about it. I’d add that focusing about the possibility of losing a job or going way over the top with overzealous performance in order to keep it are also forms of perfectionism and detrimental in the long run. Do your best. That’s good enough.
Procrastination – letting things pile up during a job search simply add more stress to the mindset of joblessness. Same goes for job security – putting things off at work and home adds more worry to the situation. Focus on what’s right in front of you rather than projecting into the future. I like the author’s two mottos: Touch it once and Do it now.
Powerlessness Feelings – thinking that others are in control of our destinies with regard to hiring and firing decisions wears a person down, no doubt. Instead, focus on what you do well, concentrate on strengths and accomplishments. Keep a positive attitude and recognize that you are in charge of your life and most definitely are not helpless.
Problem People – Avoid them. Plain and simple. Others’ negative attitudes do you no good so protect yourself especially while in a sensitive situation. When they start talking about the bad economy, unemployment statistics, and who’s laying off, walk the other way or change the subject.
Pessimism – staying positive may be easier said than done when in uncomfortable employment circumstances, so it’s very important to take a break and pull your mind away from this one overwhelming area of life on a regular basis. Schedule time to exercise, garden, chat with positive friends, work your hobby. Volunteer and help others reach their goals. Find those spots of enthusiasm and optimism – let them grow and enter into to your work life.
Whether in job search mode, worrying about possible lay offs, or even business building in a tight economy, I believe these are indeed good things to keep in mind. Protect yourself, take a break from burdensome tasks, optimistically forge ahead with a solid plan for building your future, and create the live you’ve imagined.
This week: Take it easy on yourself, Do it now, Know you are in control, Avoid the naysayers, Build on your optimism and pass it along to others in need.
Got some other stress busters while in job search mode or overcoming job security worries? Post them here!
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
So What do You Say to Yourself...at Work??
I just received this book, first published 20 years ago, in the mail and find it to be so timely and still relevant – What to Say When You Talk to Your Self by Shad Helmstetter, Ph.D. He says “Self-Talk is a way to override our past negative programming by erasing or replacing it with conscious, positive new directions. It is a practical way to live our lives by active intent rather than by passive acceptance.” I love that. Read on to learn about 4 levels of Self-Talk and how to move through them:
Level I – Negative Acceptance (“I can’t…”)
This is the lowest, least beneficial, and most harmful mode of Self-Talk. Not only do we say bad things about ourselves, we go on to accept them as truth. Unfortunately it is the most frequently used. Be aware of your “I can’t’s” and move toward replacing them.
Level II - Recognition and Need to Change (“I need to…I should…”)
This level recognizes the problem but offers no solution, instead it recognizes that you need to make a change but are stuck in that place of recognition without any action steps, creating guilt and disappointment in ourselves. “I really should get up earlier”, “I need to enroll in that training class”.
Level III - Decision to Change (“I never…I no longer…”)
The first level that begins moving you in the right direction – you know the need for change and also make the decision to do something about it. You are beginning to rephrase the old “can’t’s” into more positive, present-tense statements. “I no longer argue with my coworker about our responsibilities” “I never speak crossly with my employees”.
Level IV - The Better You (“I am…”)
The most effective level that is used the least and is needed the most. Here you are creating a new picture of how you want to be and giving the words to your subconscious mind as its new program, replacing old “cannots” with “Yes I can’s”. These messages inspires us, encourages us, excites and pushes us forward. “I am organized and efficiently get things done easily and effortlessly”, “I am worthy of promotions and recognition.” “I believe in and respect myself.”
This process helps break down the years of negative programming that our brains are used to and begins feeding it new directions. He says that the “subconscious mind will believe anything you tell it if you tell it long enough and strongly enough. It will simply go to work to carry out its new directives.”
Helmstetter adds, “just listen to anything you may be saying to yourself that could be working against you, turn it around, and start using the Self-Talk that works for you.”
This is only the tip of the Self-Talk iceberg. Pick up a copy of the book and see for yourself. It’s an easy, beneficial read guaranteed to make you look closer at what you say to yourself.
What we say to ourselves sets us up for success or failure, creates possibility or shuts us down in the face of choices. This applies to perfectly to our work lives as well as personal. The messages you give yourself during the day affect your interactions with customers and colleagues, your ability to get things done, and ultimately to be doing the work you absolutely love to do.
This week: catch what you’re telling yourself and eliminate and replace that negative Self-Talk. Write it down and consciously work through the levels above. Put a positive message on a stickie note and place it where you’ll see it daily. (“I approve of myself” was in my car for many years) Begin reprogramming your brain to think highly of yourself and that you are capable of achieving your goals. Live the life you have imagined.
Drop me a line about what you say to yourself during the workday!
Level I – Negative Acceptance (“I can’t…”)
This is the lowest, least beneficial, and most harmful mode of Self-Talk. Not only do we say bad things about ourselves, we go on to accept them as truth. Unfortunately it is the most frequently used. Be aware of your “I can’t’s” and move toward replacing them.
Level II - Recognition and Need to Change (“I need to…I should…”)
This level recognizes the problem but offers no solution, instead it recognizes that you need to make a change but are stuck in that place of recognition without any action steps, creating guilt and disappointment in ourselves. “I really should get up earlier”, “I need to enroll in that training class”.
Level III - Decision to Change (“I never…I no longer…”)
The first level that begins moving you in the right direction – you know the need for change and also make the decision to do something about it. You are beginning to rephrase the old “can’t’s” into more positive, present-tense statements. “I no longer argue with my coworker about our responsibilities” “I never speak crossly with my employees”.
Level IV - The Better You (“I am…”)
The most effective level that is used the least and is needed the most. Here you are creating a new picture of how you want to be and giving the words to your subconscious mind as its new program, replacing old “cannots” with “Yes I can’s”. These messages inspires us, encourages us, excites and pushes us forward. “I am organized and efficiently get things done easily and effortlessly”, “I am worthy of promotions and recognition.” “I believe in and respect myself.”
This process helps break down the years of negative programming that our brains are used to and begins feeding it new directions. He says that the “subconscious mind will believe anything you tell it if you tell it long enough and strongly enough. It will simply go to work to carry out its new directives.”
Helmstetter adds, “just listen to anything you may be saying to yourself that could be working against you, turn it around, and start using the Self-Talk that works for you.”
This is only the tip of the Self-Talk iceberg. Pick up a copy of the book and see for yourself. It’s an easy, beneficial read guaranteed to make you look closer at what you say to yourself.
What we say to ourselves sets us up for success or failure, creates possibility or shuts us down in the face of choices. This applies to perfectly to our work lives as well as personal. The messages you give yourself during the day affect your interactions with customers and colleagues, your ability to get things done, and ultimately to be doing the work you absolutely love to do.
This week: catch what you’re telling yourself and eliminate and replace that negative Self-Talk. Write it down and consciously work through the levels above. Put a positive message on a stickie note and place it where you’ll see it daily. (“I approve of myself” was in my car for many years) Begin reprogramming your brain to think highly of yourself and that you are capable of achieving your goals. Live the life you have imagined.
Drop me a line about what you say to yourself during the workday!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
