Archive for the ‘Workplace’ Category

Given that we live in a stressful world, where we are often going full tilt and have many commitments and responsibilities, it is important to take time off. Stop the merry-go-round, take a break, do something totally different, something out of your ordinary work routine. It is a wonderful way to revitalize and re-energize.

Employees who don’t take breaks from work, tend to be more stressed and as a result their productivity and creativity declines. Perhaps they believe they can’t “afford” time away from their job. The reality is you can’t afford not to take time. It is critical to both your physical and mental well-being. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s Monday morning and you’ve only been at the office for a couple of hours.  The phone has not stopped ringing, you’ve barely made a dent in your emails, there is a project deadline looming, a team meeting to lead and your boss is concerned and hassling you about the project outcome.  Does any of this sound familiar to you?  Does it feel overwhelming? Read the rest of this entry »

Did you know that the average preschooler laughs or smiles 400 times a day? That number drops to 15 by the time people are 35 yrs. old. Isn’t it amazing what stress and too much responsibility can do. So who says that work always has to be serious? Work environments where humor is encouraged, tend to be happier, less stressed and more productive. Incorporating humor into our jobs increases feelings of solidarity and cohesion amongst co-workers and provides a non-threatening medium through which an employee or employer can communicate with others. This is the type of environment most people prefer to work in. Read the rest of this entry »

You have just been promoted at work and you are excited and proud because you have been working towards this for a long time. At the same time you are nervous about all the changes this will bring.

Change is defined as the “act, process or result of altering, transforming or modifying something.” We all know change is inevitable and even though we may not like it, accept that it is part of life. Some changes we know are coming and we prepare for them. The change of seasons, the first day of school, and special holidays like Christmas or a birthday. Other changes may be thrust upon us, like losing a job, a major illness or loss of a relationship or a loved one. Read the rest of this entry »

At some point in our lives most of us will be working for someone else, so it is important to fully understand what makes our boss tick and how best to interact and influence him or her. How much attention have you given to your boss’s personality style? How does she function? What seems to agitate or please her? If we have a difficult boss we focus on what drives us crazy. If we have a great boss we tend to take things for granted. Recognizing the factors which contribute to creating the most successful, powerful working relationship is a skill to be utilized throughout one’s career.

One of the ways to do this is by identifying your boss’s personality type. Let’s look at a few examples. Jo’s boss is extroverted, high energy, with lots of ideas which he makes happen. He tends to move quickly and rarely acknowledges the good work his staff does. He assumes they know he appreciates and values them. Bill’s boss is hard working and organized but tends to micromanage her staff. Bill worries that his boss does not trust him to do his job and therefore would not recommend him for a promotion. These are two different kinds of bosses , with different personality types . What does this mean for their colleagues and staff? Read the rest of this entry »