In 2007, various studies were undertaken by organisations in the UK to measure employee satisfaction.
In a recent "Happiness at work" survey undertaken by Badenoch and Clark, it revealed that one in four office workers were unhappy with their job. It cited that the most disenchanted workers are men working in IT and telecoms, and more men said they were unhappy at work than women.
As stated by Buckminster Fuller, "the moment you know what you really want to do, it's really a different kind of life".
"No one is in control of your happiness but you; therefore you have the power to change anything about yourself or your life that you want to change" - Barbara De Angelis
Think about this, what is important about your job?
Does it give you a feeling of happiness or satisfaction?
Does it give meaning to your life?
Or is it just something you do to pay the bills?
The concept of a job used to focus on the importance of a good salary, security, pension and benefits. But for many people, a greater importance is placed on feeling satisfied. This includes job satisfaction, career enhancement and being fulfilled at work.
There is no longer the concept of a job or career for life. More people want freedom and work life balance and there has been a greater shift in expectations and desire.
It is not always easy to plan your career, but your future success depends on how well you plan and the decisions you take.
Do you want to rediscover your career in 2008?
Sign up to the Self Discovery newsletter to receive the free career planning mini e-book to help you to plan your career in 2008. You will also receive monthly tips to help you to rediscover your career. Go to www.selfdiscoverycoaching.co.uk for more information.
Friday, 4 January 2008
Sunday, 30 December 2007
How can you achieve your goals in 2008?
In my last post, I asked you to review your achievements in 2007, and start to plan what you want to achieve in 2008.
However, we often set out with good intentions at the start of the year, but it is easy to lose focus and break our resolutions within the first couple of days.
So, how can you actually achieve these plans? One way of doing this is by goal setting. This allows you to set out on paper exactly what you want to achieve and by when. Follow my top 10 tips to setting and achieving goals.
1. When you set goals, make sure they are things you actually want to achieve. You should forget the 'should do's', 'oughts to's', and 'must do's' and set yourself targets that you really want.
2. Phrase your goals positively, focusing on what you want rather than what you don't want.
3. Be specific and precise about what you actually want to achieve and how you are going to do it.
4. Start to plan your achievement, including mini-reviews. Set yourself time limits for achieving your target - why don't you make a note in your diary to check your progress.
5. Make sure your goal is realistic. If your goal seems too big, it will appear impossible to accomplish. You might find it easier to break it down into manageable chunks that are more within your control.
6. Write down your goals and pin them up somewhere you will see everyday - this will help you to regularly focus on your objectives.
7. Consider what it will be like once you have achieved your goals. What will you see and hear? How will you feel? It can be a great motivator to visualise how things will be different when you have achieved your goals.
8. Think about any difficulties or obstacles you might face and how you can overcome these.
9. Believe in yourself - you can do it!
10. Think about who can support you. Tell a partner, friend or colleague who can encourage you to achieve your targets and celebrate your successes.
And don't forget to reward yourself for your achievements along the way and when you have accomplished your dreams!
If you would like regular inspiration and support to achieve your goals, sign up to the free Self Discovery newsletter. Go to http://www.selfdiscoverycoaching.co.uk/, and you will receive a free Career Planning mini e-book.
However, we often set out with good intentions at the start of the year, but it is easy to lose focus and break our resolutions within the first couple of days.
So, how can you actually achieve these plans? One way of doing this is by goal setting. This allows you to set out on paper exactly what you want to achieve and by when. Follow my top 10 tips to setting and achieving goals.
1. When you set goals, make sure they are things you actually want to achieve. You should forget the 'should do's', 'oughts to's', and 'must do's' and set yourself targets that you really want.
2. Phrase your goals positively, focusing on what you want rather than what you don't want.
3. Be specific and precise about what you actually want to achieve and how you are going to do it.
4. Start to plan your achievement, including mini-reviews. Set yourself time limits for achieving your target - why don't you make a note in your diary to check your progress.
5. Make sure your goal is realistic. If your goal seems too big, it will appear impossible to accomplish. You might find it easier to break it down into manageable chunks that are more within your control.
6. Write down your goals and pin them up somewhere you will see everyday - this will help you to regularly focus on your objectives.
7. Consider what it will be like once you have achieved your goals. What will you see and hear? How will you feel? It can be a great motivator to visualise how things will be different when you have achieved your goals.
8. Think about any difficulties or obstacles you might face and how you can overcome these.
9. Believe in yourself - you can do it!
10. Think about who can support you. Tell a partner, friend or colleague who can encourage you to achieve your targets and celebrate your successes.
And don't forget to reward yourself for your achievements along the way and when you have accomplished your dreams!
If you would like regular inspiration and support to achieve your goals, sign up to the free Self Discovery newsletter. Go to http://www.selfdiscoverycoaching.co.uk/, and you will receive a free Career Planning mini e-book.
Thursday, 27 December 2007
What have you achieved in 2008?
At this time of year, many people take a break and have the time to reflect on their lives and plan for the future.
Before you make your plans for 2008, take a few moments to think about what you have achieved in 2007.
What plans did you have for 2007?
What did you actually achieve?
What did you plan to do, but not achieve?
Is this still relevant?
This should allow you to focus on your achievements and start to generate some ideas for your plans in 2008.
So, if you were going to repeat this exercise in a year's time, what would you have liked to achieve?
Go on, brainstorm some ideas, and I will help you to focus on your goals for 2008 in a few days!
Before you make your plans for 2008, take a few moments to think about what you have achieved in 2007.
What plans did you have for 2007?
What did you actually achieve?
What did you plan to do, but not achieve?
Is this still relevant?
This should allow you to focus on your achievements and start to generate some ideas for your plans in 2008.
So, if you were going to repeat this exercise in a year's time, what would you have liked to achieve?
Go on, brainstorm some ideas, and I will help you to focus on your goals for 2008 in a few days!
Monday, 10 December 2007
Bullying at work
In my last blog I talked about combating stress at work as it was national stress day in the UK. On the same day, it was also national Ban Bullying at Work Day.
Statistics published last month show that one in four people have been bullied at some stage during their working lives, and could be as high as one in two.
Have you ever been bullied at work? This may be explicit sexual or physical bullying, or subtle bullying that causes you to feel unhappy or depressed at work.
Ban Bullying At Work Day, has heightened awareness of this controversial issue, and surveys are being carried out across the country encouraging individuals and organisations to speak about bullying and understand how it can be resolved.
Most organisations will have policies in place to deal with any instances and all complaints should be taken seriously, investigated and the appropriate action taken. Also, the company should take steps to create a working environment that is free from harassment and bullying.
If you feel you have been bullied at work, or know someone who is being bullied, seek support and take action to stop it from continuing in the future.
Statistics published last month show that one in four people have been bullied at some stage during their working lives, and could be as high as one in two.
Have you ever been bullied at work? This may be explicit sexual or physical bullying, or subtle bullying that causes you to feel unhappy or depressed at work.
Ban Bullying At Work Day, has heightened awareness of this controversial issue, and surveys are being carried out across the country encouraging individuals and organisations to speak about bullying and understand how it can be resolved.
Most organisations will have policies in place to deal with any instances and all complaints should be taken seriously, investigated and the appropriate action taken. Also, the company should take steps to create a working environment that is free from harassment and bullying.
If you feel you have been bullied at work, or know someone who is being bullied, seek support and take action to stop it from continuing in the future.
Wednesday, 7 November 2007
Stress awareness
Today, 7 November 2007, is Stress Awareness Day in the UK. Stress can take many guises and is often a word that is overused when people are under pressure or anxiety. Many people are confused about what stress actually is and the differences between pressure and stress. There are many different interpretations of stress, although one definition which I like is “a reaction to continued excessive pressure or responsibility when you feel unable to cope”.
Whether you are finding it hard to cope with stress or every day pressures, follow the link below to the National Stress Awareness site to find 10 tips to reduce stress in your life.
http://www.nationalstressawarenessday.co.uk/top10.aspx
Whether you are finding it hard to cope with stress or every day pressures, follow the link below to the National Stress Awareness site to find 10 tips to reduce stress in your life.
http://www.nationalstressawarenessday.co.uk/top10.aspx
Sunday, 21 October 2007
Taking some time out
After what I felt to be a very busy and stressful week, I took some time out yesterday at a Dru Yoga workshop in Southampton. I believe it is important to take this time occasionally and reconnect with what is important in life.
It brought me back down to earth and reminded me of something that I would like to share with you now.
We can all choose how we feel about things. If you want to feel stressed about something, you probably will feel uptight and anxious about it. You will then carry this stressed feeling into other parts of your life, and to other people. But you do have the power to change your attitude. You don't have to feel stressed about that thing - you can choose to let it go, learn and move on with your life.
In NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) terms it is known as reframing. This means taking a negative experience and reframing negative experiences in a new and more positive light. Now, this is an exercise I use with my clients regularly, but this has reminded me to refocus my own thoughts, so I hope you do too.
Now, here's to a fantastic new and chilled out week!
It brought me back down to earth and reminded me of something that I would like to share with you now.
We can all choose how we feel about things. If you want to feel stressed about something, you probably will feel uptight and anxious about it. You will then carry this stressed feeling into other parts of your life, and to other people. But you do have the power to change your attitude. You don't have to feel stressed about that thing - you can choose to let it go, learn and move on with your life.
In NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) terms it is known as reframing. This means taking a negative experience and reframing negative experiences in a new and more positive light. Now, this is an exercise I use with my clients regularly, but this has reminded me to refocus my own thoughts, so I hope you do too.
Now, here's to a fantastic new and chilled out week!
Wednesday, 17 October 2007
New experiences and fun
Gosh, its been a busy month. After running a series of workshops for a local school in Leigh Park for children, which was challenging - covering motivation, achievement and goal setting - I have now started running workshops for adults!
I ran the Build your Business Confidence workshop for the South East Hants Enterprise Gateway last week. This was a really great workshop focusing on strengths, beliefs and confidence for a group of ladies wanting to set up their own business. I had some fantastic feedback and learnt a lot myself.
I am also running the Make Time for your Life workshop on 27 October with a fellow coach. This will be a great morning, and again will focus on positive action people can take to make change.
To keep in touch with all my news, hints and tips, please sign up to my newsletter at www.selfdiscoverycoaching.co.uk/newsletters
I ran the Build your Business Confidence workshop for the South East Hants Enterprise Gateway last week. This was a really great workshop focusing on strengths, beliefs and confidence for a group of ladies wanting to set up their own business. I had some fantastic feedback and learnt a lot myself.
I am also running the Make Time for your Life workshop on 27 October with a fellow coach. This will be a great morning, and again will focus on positive action people can take to make change.
To keep in touch with all my news, hints and tips, please sign up to my newsletter at www.selfdiscoverycoaching.co.uk/newsletters
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