Tomorrow, 1st February 2008, it is Stress Down Day in the UK.
In conjuction with The Samaritans, the day aims to stamp out stress and asks eveyone to wear their slippers and take part in stress reducing activities.
Each of us cope with stress in different ways. Ask yourself the following questions:
On a scale of 1-10, how much stress do you have in your life at the moment?
How do you cope with stress?
What three things could you do differently to cope with stress better?
If you would like some hints and tips to manage stress in your life, visit the site for more information. Go to http://www.stressdownday.org/.
Thursday, 31 January 2008
Monday, 21 January 2008
Miserable Monday - the bleakest day of the year
On the radio this morning, it was announced that today is the bleakest day of the year. It is the day when many of us have run out of money after Christmas and are facing our credit card bills, the weather is terrible and we've broken our New Year's resolutions! How was today for you? What did you do to counteract this tale of doom and gloom?
Here is my advice to you:
1. Take time to be grateful for all the good things in your life.
2. Don't just make New Year's resolutions every year, but set yourself realistic and achievable goals to make long lasting change in your life.
3. Plan things that you are going to enjoy in your life, whether it is going out for an evening with friends or planning your dream holiday.
4. If you are feeling low, get some fresh air and exercise - take a walk around the block.
5. And if you are not happy with something in your life, what is stopping you from making a change?
Oh and ignore the media hype and just believe that you are going to have a fantastic day!
Here is my advice to you:
1. Take time to be grateful for all the good things in your life.
2. Don't just make New Year's resolutions every year, but set yourself realistic and achievable goals to make long lasting change in your life.
3. Plan things that you are going to enjoy in your life, whether it is going out for an evening with friends or planning your dream holiday.
4. If you are feeling low, get some fresh air and exercise - take a walk around the block.
5. And if you are not happy with something in your life, what is stopping you from making a change?
Oh and ignore the media hype and just believe that you are going to have a fantastic day!
Friday, 18 January 2008
How long is your commute?
According to recent research by Peninsula, which was published by HR Look www.hrlook.com on Thursday, it now takes the average UK employee 1 hour and 5 minutes to commute to work, which is double the time that it took in 2003 (35 minutes).
The study has shown that the following reasons affect the increase in journey times:
Public transport late or cancelled
Road congestion
Accident creating severe delays
Public transport breaking down en-route
Public transport too full to stop and pick up passengers
How long does it take for you to travel to work?
How does this impact on you?
How much of a consideration is commuting time if you are seeking a new job?
Please share your experiences - I look forward to hearing from you.
Oh and if you are seeking career change, subscribe to the free Self Discovery newsletter today at www.selfdiscoverycoaching.co.uk and you receive a career satisfaction quiz and career planning report
The study has shown that the following reasons affect the increase in journey times:
Public transport late or cancelled
Road congestion
Accident creating severe delays
Public transport breaking down en-route
Public transport too full to stop and pick up passengers
How long does it take for you to travel to work?
How does this impact on you?
How much of a consideration is commuting time if you are seeking a new job?
Please share your experiences - I look forward to hearing from you.
Oh and if you are seeking career change, subscribe to the free Self Discovery newsletter today at www.selfdiscoverycoaching.co.uk and you receive a career satisfaction quiz and career planning report
Friday, 4 January 2008
Rediscover your career in 2008
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.
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.
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.
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