This article has also been published by the author in the health section of her website http://www.tearingmyhairout.com
For most of us, it the first day back at work following time off for Christmas and New Year. For some, it is just another Monday morning. If you are here in London, you will be greeted by darkness, snow and ice on the grounds as you make your way to work this morning.
And as you get stuck in with work, sneaking in a quick sandwich lunch at your desk, you will probably not be out in the daylight until the weekend. It all sounds cold, dark and depressing. It would have been good to have had a less frantic start to the week but it appears that everyone else is on a different timetable to you and suddenly you are inundated with a million and one urgent deadlines.
You feel the benefits of the time off quickly dissipate, as the stress of your workload start to build up. It seems as if you had never been away from work. That holiday seems like a lifetime ago and you are starting to lose control.
But don’t worry, help is at hand! Life doesn’t need to suck and there is no need to tear your hair out. Check out below our top tips for energising yourself, being productive, retaining control and being happy.
10 tips to maintain control and banish the blues in 2009!
1. Start your day by being good to yourself
Turn your morning routine into a “me” ritual. Have you ever seen cats stretch in the morning? Have a good big stretch when you wake up. As you stretch, a little chant or mantra that you find helpful, will help you wash away any tension. This might sound silly, but try it, it works wonders. If you don’t have a mantra that helps you relax, how about something like “I wash away all my worries.” “I am goddess, I am beautiful and I am in control.”
You can repeat your stretch and mantra even right now at work. If you don’t have the luxury of your own private office or feel self conscious stretching in front of your work colleagues, take a toilet break, and stretch away.
As you take your morning shower, close your eyes and really enjoy the warm water trickling all over you. Repeat your mantra and feel yourself attain deep relaxation.
If you are so inclined, nothing would make you feel even more in control like a brisk walk before starting work, (perhaps your walk to the station), or working-out in the gym.
Enjoy a healthy breakfast before you start work and cut down on the caffeine.
2. Breathe
OK, so you are currently in the thick of things and can’t exactly go back to the morning ritual above. This is perfectly fine. Whenever you are, and what ever you are doing, you can simply breathe. Your brain requires the right amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide to function properly.
To achieve an immediate state of relaxation, take a few seconds to practice the following breathing exercise. Sit upright on your office chair, with your feet flat on the floor. Put your hands on your knees, relax your back, and breath in slowly, feeling the heaving from your stomach, and not just your chest. As you breathe in, hold your breathe to the count of 5, and breathe out slowly to the count of 5. Repeat this exercise 5 to 10 times and you will immediately feel yourself getting calmer.
3. Visualisation
The power of visualisation is one of the untapped mysteries of our times. Visualise yourself calm, in control and successful. If you are able to do this whilst doing the breathing exercises above, even better.
4. Make a plan
Nothing helps with retaining control than having a plan in place, ticking off things from your to-do list, and the feeling of regaining control by knowing that you are making some tangible progress. If you are inundated with seemingly demanding deadlines, take a few moments to plan a to-do-list. You may then realise that things are not as hopeless as they seem and that there are things in your list that are not as urgent as others. Be firm, confident, and negotiate deadlines if you are able to.
By making a list, clarifying your goals and mapping out your plan to tackle these tasks, you will feel more in control and will have the satisfaction of feeling less over-whelmed as you tick off things from your list.
5. Stop for lunch and get some sunshine!
Sometimes we get carried away with work and convince ourselves that we are too busy to even stop for lunch! It is so easy to fall into this habit but the reality is that the 15 minutes you spend wolfing down a sandwich with one hand, and tapping on your computer with the other, might not be the most productive use of your time.
Even if you are completely snowed with work, get into the habit of taking 20 minutes out of your busy schedule to have lunch. Buy your sandwich or salad and allow yourself at least 5 minutes in the daylight or sunshine for essential Vitamin D and some fresh air. A recent study indicates that the brain’s production of serotonin rises with increasing exposure to sunlight. Serotonin is the important chemical which helps the body perform functions which include control of appetite, sleep, memory and learning, temperature regulation, mood, behaviour, cardiovascular function, muscle contraction, endocrine regulation and depression
Chronic lack of sunshine can lead to depression, or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which occurs in the dark winter months.
Listen to your favourite uplifting music on your i-pod whilst you are outside or do some breathing exercises. You will find yourself revitalised and energised by the short time spent outside, away from recycled office air.
6. Write yourself a love letter
One of my mantras is “I am goddess, I am beautiful and I am in control.” Feeling the love for yourself helps to relax, feel in control and to have the self belief and confidence that you can achieve any goal you set for yourself.
Even if no one else appreciates that fact, don’t forget that you are a babe, or the THE dude!
Write yourself a love letter stating all the wonderful attributes that you have and send it to yourself. Reading this private letter or email will reinforce your self-belief, wonderful thoughts and positive energy.
Alternatively, you can re-read a loving note, email or text from a loved one, or recall a conversation with someone who makes you happy. This will remind you of just how wonderful and much loved you are.
7. Surround yourself with happy objects
Some people have pictures of loved ones on their desk at work or postcards from their favourite holidays. You may even have your favourite object on your desk, perhaps a silly little object that means something special to you, a stress ball, laughing Buddha or that shell your loved one discovered by the seaside. Focus on these objects for a few moments. Rub the shell and recall the memories and joy associated with them. This will help sooth you and will help you relax and focus on your activities.
8. Be kind to someone and smile at strangers
The cliché giving is better than receiving might play a part here. If you are having a bad day, there must be someone out there who is having an even crappier day.
Have you ever had your spirit lifted by someone being unexpectedly nice to you? Let someone know that you are grateful to have them in your life. This does not need to be a loved one. How about some kind words or words of gratitude for your secretary or a junior worker who is having loads of shit dumped on them? Some psychologists believe that people who write “gratitude letters” to someone who made a difference in their lives score higher on happiness, and lower on depression and that the effect lasts for weeks!
Smile or say hello to strangers in the work lift and be cheered up by a smile in return. Practising a positive attitude can do wonders to your future happiness and outlook.
9. Eat healthily and drink water
Forget about loading up on coffee or sugary drinks to help you through a busy time. Drink water instead. Also, do not load up on junk food or takeaways because you are busy or stressed. Make sure you’re eating a healthy balanced diet full of goodness, especially B Vitamins and essential fatty acids which help with mood regulation. Ensure that you are eating plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, oily fish and whole grains.
10. Get in touch with your inner child!
Set aside a few minutes at the end of the day to play like a child. Fish out the mousetrap, yo-yo and even that Playstation game might do just fine! Savour everyday things, watch children laughing and playing. If you have children, play with their games or play with them! It is difficult to remain stressed when you have the ability to get in touch with the child within you.
Be happy
TMHOgirl is a London based professional fascinated by people, life and the internet. She has a website where she has embraced our right to choose to be a nation of opinionated moaners, whiners and wannabe writers. The website features articles and members’ posts. Check out more of her take on life, register for free and post your own articles at http://www.tearingmyhairout.com
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7/08/2010
10 Tips to Banish Monday Blues, Bad Moods, Stress and Get Back in Control! | Office Stress Relief Tips
PostPartisan - Millennials are dreaming a new American Dream
Brilliant article by a millennial responding to the American Dream article in the NY Times. Millennials redifining their perception of success.
Influence blog: Recruit talent by changing perceptions
Influence blog: Recruit talent by changing perceptions
Published: Thursday, July 08, 2010, 11:30 AM
Kevin Stotts
Perception can be an incredibly difficult thing to change. It is particularly true when attracting and retaining talent for West Michigan.
The discussion of attracting and retaining talent most often focuses on the Millennials attending colleges and universities across the region and the thousands who have entered the workforce. The emphasis is on the potential brain drain as these young minds with their energy, creativity and spending power are lured to other parts of the country deemed more attractive places to live and work.
In the end, the perception that West Michigan lacks what other parts of the country offer extends beyond Millennials to established professionals. This mindset must change for the region to be a competitive player in the creative economy, keeping the talent already here and attracting more from across the country.
Influence West Michigan
This story was featured in Influence West Michigan, a free weekly e-pub covering innovation, talent and sustainability. Sign up to get it in your inbox every Thursday.We are all familiar with the individual stories of recent college graduates moving to other parts of the country. Oftentimes it is the lure of the big city. And frequently it is because of the belief West Michigan doesn’t offer the career opportunities as they enter the workforce.
On the other end of the spectrum, recruiters around the region will tell you they hear the same refrain when talking to those outside the state — “How far is that from Detroit?” .... “Isn't everything tied to the automotive industry?” or “How can you be hiring, I thought Michigan’s economy was terrible?”
In reality, West Michigan boasts creative and dynamic industries and companies that are household names. Our economic base is more diverse than we give ourselves credit for, companies are hiring, and the region offers an outstanding quality of life. People who move here are often surprised at all West Michigan has to offer. How many times has someone visited you and been surprised at what they find?
Our challenge is perception — internal and external. There exists a lack of awareness of all West Michigan has to offer to those recruited from outside the state. (And that is after overcoming the negative impressions most have of Michigan.) There is also a lack of confidence, pride or even awareness of the great things happening across West Michigan.
Some who live here see the grass greener in other places, despite articles like the one recently published in Fortune magazine.
Yet, this is a great place to live and have a successful career whether you are a young professional or someone looking for the next major career opportunity.
Well over a year ago, leading employers across West Michigan came together to collaborate on this shared and persistent challenge — convincing top talent around the country to move to West Michigan for a career opportunity.
In January, these employers introduced the new organization Quaeris and www.hellowestmichigan.com to promote the region to talent recruited to live and work here. Potential hires can now access an ever-growing resource on housing, schools, entertainment, diversity, sports and leisure, arts and culture, etc. across the region as they make their decision about accepting a position and moving to West Michigan. Quaeris member employers are able to share resources and best practices, as well as provide a common message that West Michigan is a great place to live and work.
The initiative is now broadening its focus to ensure that West Michigan promotes itself and sees itself as a great place to live and work — for those thinking of relocating here and for all of us who call West Michigan home. In the end, each of us is a walking advertisement for West Michigan. It is up to us to share what a remarkable place it is.
Kevin Stotts is director of Quaeris and vice president of community leadership at the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce.
Changing perceptions you change the conversation in your head
Revitalizing the American Dream: Entrepreneurship Education Beyond Business Schools
Entrepreneurship Education for All
Why it's time to take entrepreneurship training out of business schools.
A Special Report by Adam Bluestein and Amy Barrett | Jul 1, 2010
Theresa Crowley
Entrepreneurship education could use some new ideas. One model is the Launch Pad at the University of Miami, which provides hands-on help to students and alumni with promising ideas. Justin Gaither (left) and Dan Thibodeau had a pretty good one. Now they have 16 staff members and 80,000 customers.
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In the late 1970s, about 500 colleges and universities offered courses in entrepreneurship. By 2005, more than 2,000 did so. Yet there has been no corresponding surge in start-up activity. "The things we've been trying on campuses have had a marginal impact, if that," says Dane Stangler, a researcher at the Kauffman Foundation. To be sure, there are individual programs that have a proven record of generating real companies. What they generally have in common is a belief that entrepreneurship training is for everyone -- not just M.B.A.'s, but engineers and art students, too.
A good case in point is MIT. The school's students and alumni start 200 to 400 businesses a year. One of the keys to that success is the school's Entrepreneurship Center. Launched in 1991, the center serves the university's five schools, acting as the nexus for entrepreneurship classes, clubs, and activities; connecting business students with scientists; and providing physical space, advice, and access to a network of entrepreneurs and investors -- all with the goal of creating new ventures. "We're the DMZ where the geeks can meet the suits and make companies," says the center's managing director, Bill Aulet.
Few schools, of course, can compete with MIT. The good news is that they don't have to. You don't need to be a tech hub to sell the idea of entrepreneurship as a career choice. Consider a program called The Launch Pad at the University of Miami, a private university in South Florida. Started in 2008, The Launch Pad invites students and alumni to submit a plain-English pitch about an idea for a company. Everyone who pitches an idea gets free advice. About 10 percent of applicants are selected to enter an individualized venture-coaching program, in which they work with volunteers from the local business community. Launch Pad staff helps students as needed, whether with financial projections or presentation skills. "Business is intimidating to people studying something else," says Susan Wills Amat, the program's co-founder. "Business people speak a different language and are very assertive. We get kids who are nervous about sharing and give them confidence and a support system."
In the less than two years since the program started, nearly 500 ideas have been submitted, and 45 businesses have been formed. Only about 20 percent of participants have been business students. Among the breakout companies: a streetwear line, Voler La Rue; Audimated, a social media platform for connecting indie music artists and fans; and Elemental Stereo, which makes stereo systems for golf carts and boats. Dan Thibodeau, co-founder of URoomSurf, a college-roommate matchmaking site, says he and his partner, Justin Gaither, couldn't have done it without help from the center. "Neither of us had ever run an e-commerce company before," says the 24-year-old. Today, URoomSurf has 16 staff members and more than 80,000 registered users.
The Launch Pad model is easily replicable, and Amat hopes it will go national. In April, the charitable arm of investment firm the Blackstone Group announced a $2 million grant to bring the Blackstone LaunchPad, modeled on Miami's program, to the Detroit-area campuses of Wayne State University and Walsh College.
Bottom Line Arts and humanities and science students need entrepreneurship education every bit as much as b-schoolers.
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Great article about the real value of the new Entrepreneurship model of collaboration and unity.
Andrea Larson is Changing Commerce through Sustainability, Innovations in Technology, and Entrepreneurship
Andrea Larson is Changing Commerce through Sustainability, Innovations in Technology, and Entrepreneurship
The work of Andrea “Andy” Larson, PhD is in sustainability-related innovation--the creation of new products, processes, technologies, markets, and ways of organizing business--to systematically incorporate health issues, ecological impacts, community effects, and short and longer-term financial responsibility to stockholders and stakeholders. And she considers all sustainability-related innovation as having global impact. Her new Web site, www.changingcommerce.com, reflects her research, work, and publications towards global sustainability through new technologies.
(Vocus/PRWEB ) July 8, 2010 -- The work of Andrea “Andy” Larson, PhD is in sustainability-related innovation--the creation of new products, processes, technologies, markets, and ways of organizing business. Says Larson, “The growing “sustainability” imperative--to systematically incorporate health issues, ecological impacts, community effects, and short and longer-term financial responsibility to stockholders and stakeholders--presents strong incentives for companies to understand this changing competitive landscape and explore its inherent opportunities.” And she considers all sustainability-related innovation as having global impact.
Her new Web site, Changing Commerce, reflects her research, work, and publications towards global sustainability through new technologies.Andy Larson is an impassioned speaker, teacher, and consultant on these topics. She explores a distinctive concept of sustainability called Changing Commerce, approaching it in a completely different way, and helping new companies see it as an adventure instead of a burden. Her work and research with many companies, small and large, is part of her larger intellectual project to understand how entrepreneurial innovators guided by sustainability concerns generate new products and ways of conducting business. She has learned that a growing number of firms are engaged in product/process design, supply chain management, and corporate strategies geared to generating positive financial performance while addressing significant societal challenges. This is consistent with the Triple Bottom Line strategy which takes into account not only economic viability but also environmental and social responsibility.
Her captivating and provocative speaking style along with her relevant subject matter has made Andy an in-demand guest and speaker at industry events such as the Annual Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference; and she has addressed the U.S. Congress, giving testimony on this topic during recent congressional hearings.
An engaging teacher, Andy has earned accolades from the MBA students she has impacted at two of the top-ranked business schools in the world: currently at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia, and as a guest at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
In addition, she holds an esteemed position on the board of GreenBlue, a nonprofit institute that works to make businesses and the manufactured goods they produce more environmentally sustainable.
On her newly launched Web site, http://www.changingcommerce.com, you can link to her published case studies and research articles, view a video interview on local food production, learn about her current research, and read an abstract from her upcoming new textbook, "Sustainability, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship."
“Are environmental concerns merely to be added to the total quality management (TQM) agenda? Or could we be in a transitional phase toward a business model that acknowledges a company’s need to continuously adapt to responsibilities inherent in human co-evolution with natural systems?”~ Andy Larson
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Sustainability in the business world. A more productive solution.
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Entrepreneurship, the business fabric of the future. Reinventing the wheel to a cooperative and more human philosophy. It is about time, to bring back the human being to the business arena
Palestinians, Israelis Come Together Through Entrepreneurship
Great story of how the Cooperative Entrepreneurship of the 21st C is the new model for business. A model that can unite people beyond their nationalities, bringing them together as human beings to change the world
