Are you a workaholic?
Are you a workaholic? I know without hesitation that I used to be when I worked as a lawyer in the City of London. I would get into the office early and leave later than most people. Even when I got home, I would not switch off. I was embarrassed once when I was contacted by the company that provided our management software, as I had been the only lawyer in the United Kingdom to log on during Christmas Day. They wanted my permission to mention it in an article! It is fair to say I received some ridicule from colleagues who saw the piece when it was published….. Honestly, like any addiction, I miss it and some days, I still feel that urge coming back.
Build a Team Culture of Speaking Up—and Listening
Build a Team Culture of Speaking Up—and Listening
Speaking up at work is crucial for fostering innovation, inclusion, and high performance. Here’s how to ensure your team is a safe community where everyone feels that their voice is heard and their contributions are valued.
Overcoming Burnout
Being overwhelmed and burnt out was commonplace when I was a lawyer in private practice. Individuals had their different ways of dealing with it: exercise, hobbies, alcohol, anger, and, in the worst cases, mental health issues. Such situations can cost businesses wasted time and the loss of effective, efficient, and productive time. More importantly, it isn’t a pleasant experience on a human level but can be overcome with healthy practices, creating a more positive and productive workplace environment.
S.M.A.R.T GOALS
Setting specific “SMART” goals is not just an essential requirement for life but a powerful strategy that can significantly improve our everyday lives. It's a familiar concept, but remembering the fundamental actions that can make our lives easier and more successful is always beneficial.
Planning, Preparing, and Performing!
Have you ever noticed how difficult it can be to focus on plans, especially for busy individuals, whether it is a business or personal task? What are the mental blocks, avoidance, or doing anything else before returning to your original plan?
One of the ways to help with this is to set clear and specific goals to help drive business success. Making meaningful progress is only possible with a roadmap outlining your goals. Here are four practical ways to set and define specific goals for your business.
WORK-LIFE BALANCE: THE ESSENCE OF NATIONAL WORKAHOLICS DAY
WORK-LIFE BALANCE: THE ESSENCE OF NATIONAL WORKAHOLICS DAY - I consider myself a recovering Workaholic, having been a City of London lawyer, a C-Suite executive in Manhattan, and now a self-employed Business Mentor and ICF Life Coach, but is there a fine line between being one and creating a healthy work-life balance? All need to understand at least the implications of working beyond the standard 40-hour workweek, and this, in part, is how National Workaholics Day encourages work-life balance.
Dealing With Poorly Delivered Feedback!
Responding to Poorly Delivered Feedback is never an easy area! Emotions, confusion, and frustration are usually part of the mix! But read on for some helpful tips!
Anxiety And That Sunday Evening Feeling!
Anxiety And That Sunday Evening Feeling! As I write this article, it is Sunday night; I have the football playing on my second computer screen, and I am thinking about Monday and what is on my list of things to do, my appointments, and other commitments. I’m busy, really very busy, and I also have to fit in a trip to the gym ......and I’m thinking about my vacation to Europe in a month’s time and, blah blah blah!
Is Hiring a Career Coach the Right Move for You?
Is Hiring a Career Coach the Right Move for You? Have you ever wondered whether working with a career coach would be helpful? Hiring one requires time and money, so it’s essential to do your due diligence before making the investment. Here are five reasons you might consider hiring one.
Increase the Chances That Your Best People Will Stay
Increase the Chances That Your Best People Will Stay. Managers are worried about losing their best employees right now — and they probably should be. The marketplace for talent has shifted. You need to consider your employees like customers and put thoughtful attention into retaining them.
Remember, Love Yourself Too!
Enjoy life. I do not regret giving service above myself, but I wish I had remembered to love myself and enjoy life for myself more than I did. It is a lesson we can all remember. We can love and care for others while loving and caring for ourselves too.
The Value of Experience and Knowledge of Others
This guy's walking down a street when he falls in a hole. The walls are so steep, he can't get out.
A doctor passes by, and the guy shouts up, "Hey you, can you help me out?" The doctor writes a prescription, throws it down in the hole and moves on.
Then a priest comes along, and the guy shouts up "Father, I'm down in this hole, can you help me out?" The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole and moves on.
Then a friend walks by. "Hey Joe, it's me, can you help me out?" And the friend jumps in the hole.
Our guy says, "Are you stupid? Now we're both down here." The friend says, "Yeah, but I've been down here before, and I know the way out."
The Optimist vs. Pessimist - There must be a Pony!
The Story of “There must be a Pony” by Jim Kirkwood is a favorite of mine. There have been many variations of the cover story which appears on the front of the book as well as jokes which have been adapted from it. For me, it can reflect our way of being. Is the glass half empty or half full? How we choose to reflect on life can affect our successes and failures. A lot of the hesitation we might have is usually just our negative interpretations. By getting elevation and reflecting on the tasks in hand, recognizing that in reality there are no obstacles to success other than those that we may place in our own way.
OVERWHELM!
It's a funny old world at the moment, and noticeable how many people find themselves in a feeling of overwhelm for a variety of reasons. But what does that mean exactly?
Are obstacles really in the way of your success?
What if there were no obstacles? Nothing to stop you from succeeding in your goals? Better still, what if our belief that there are obstacles that are impossible to overcome, is actually just an illusion, a figment of our imagination, something our brain does to play tricks on us, to convince us we just can’t do it? We can’t succeed!
“IF” YOU CAN KEEP YOUR HEAD WHEN ALL AROUND YOU ARE LOSING THEIRS!
Rudyard Kipling was a famous British writer born in colonial India in 1865. He wrote a number of notable works but there is one poem in particular that has always struck a chord and even now, despite its Victorian age, can be quite thought-provoking for individuals working in any high pressure or challenging environment. The poem is called “If” and was written in the form of paternal advice to his son, John Kipling, who was killed in World War One while serving as an officer with the Irish Guards at the Battle of Loos.
Mental Health Awareness
I woke up this yesterday morning with a deep foreboding of darkness. I had a meeting I wasn’t looking forward to and truth be told I’ve become quite isolated since Covid started affecting us in March 2020.
Although I tried reaching out to a couple of friends, they have their own lives and are busy so didn’t manage to speak. After several other busy commitments I spoke to an acquaintance who was coming in from out of town. We met for brunch and she smelt the flower on our table.
Saying Sorry Doesn’t Need To Be The Hardest Thing to Do!
A sincere apology should always be offered when your actions have had a negative impact on other people. Even if you do not fully understand why someone is so upset, respect their feelings, and accept that your actions are the root of the problem.
It Worked For Me!
I first came across General Colin Powell’s Thirteen Rules of Leadership several years ago but in all honesty, gave it little notice until I decided to listen to his audiobook a few months ago, which in turn prompted me to purchase the hard copy of the book. I was sad when he passed away in October 2021. He was an inspirational leader during his time in service and easy to admire.
Seven habits you need to break for a successful entrepreneurial business life
Life can be pretty tough at the best of times, but to have a successful self-employed life, it can sometimes feel like you have to put in more hours, take on more projects, some of which you do not actually want, and get yourself ‘out there as much as possible. But bad habits can form, even those built on good intentions, and frequently these can actually hold you back.