The name of the game is CHANGE -- that's true at work, and it's also true in life. In both situations there are FOUR skills you can trust:
1. LISTEN TO YOURSELF. Try to trust your intuitive judgement. Often, this displays itself as the very first thought you have in a given situation. Another suggestion here is to use a small notebook to record your thoughts and ideas, how you're feeling at any moment, and any new thought about a plan or a purpose.
2. FOCUS ON ONE ?- OR A FEW -- ACTIONS AT A TIME; PRIORITIZE. Success, as change, occurs as a series of small steps. You don't have to tackle everything at once, just as you don't have to eat a whole meal in a single gulp. Take it easy. Think, "One thing at a time," then act on each thought, complete each action before going on to the next.
3. GIVE YOURSELF TIME. Science has shown that it takes many repetitions to establish a new pattern in humans...it takes about 21 days to establish a habit (or extinguish one). Be patient with yourself.
4. REVIEW ACTION IDEAS DAILY. Make a TO DO list every day (or every evening for the next day, or every Friday for Monday). Keep your action list out in the open, where you can see it, edit it, check off completed items, etc. And be aware of STRESS and how it affects you. Change on the outside usually produces some signals, symptoms or signs on the inside. Let's look now at THREE CATEGORIES in which you'll receive signals -- stress warnings ? that you should pay attention to.
- Physical signals ? may include headaches, rashes, feelings of exhaustion, stomach upset, minor pains and aches, and so on.
- Mental signals ? negative thoughts, confusion, inability to concentrate, reduced productivity, sleeplessness, or forgetfulness.
- Emotional signals ? anxiety, fear, feelings of frustration, depression, withdrawal, feelings of helplessness or powerlessness.
Which of these signals might you be feeling these days? Pay attention to them. Perhaps it would help to write them down, get them outside of yourself so you can see them more clearly. To repeat: What's going on physically? What's going on mentally? What's going on emotionally? Next, let's look at some of the things you can do to counteract the feelings that come up in changing times. There are four major categories of action from which you can get some relief from the stress responses to change.
1. DIET. Eat at least three meals a day and drink lots of water (remember that coffee, tea, and colas don't count as waterBalance your intake of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Maintain low-fat, low-sugar intake. Restrict alcohol use. If this information is new to you, or if you don't understand some of the basic principles of nutrition, seek out professional advice from your doctor, then perhaps enroll in a structured weight control program (Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, and so forth). This course of action is particularly advisable if you are chronically overweight, underweight or if your weight varies widely and/or quickly.
2. REST. It's more than just a good night's sleep. Arrange for some quiet time each day -- read, meditate, listen to music, or look at art. Refrain from eating late at night, and try doing relaxation exercises before bedtime.
3. EXERCISE. Walking is good...can you do it daily? Work out aerobically at least three time a week for at least 20 minutes at a time; participate in a game or sport, if you can, on a regular basis...by the way, bowling counts!
4. RECHARGING. Schedule regular time with family, friends. Don't talk about work or other problems, just enjoy their company. Establish, revise, review and record personal and professional goals. Meditation is productive here, as is yoga (for some), prayer (for others) or hand-oriented hobbies such as model building, whittling or playing a musical instrument. Also, take a few moments once or twice a week to assess what you've accomplished during the interval since your last assessment. You may be pleasantly surprised at just how much you've accomplished.
Copyright 2002, 2005 Optimum Performance Associates/Paul McNeese.
Paul McNeese is CEO of Optimum Performance Associates, a consulting firm specializing in transitional and transformational change for individuals and institutions through publication. His publishing company, OPA Publishing, is an advocacy for self-publishing authors of informational, instructional, inspirational and insightful nonfiction.
Email: pmcneese@opapublishing.com
Websites: http://www.opapublishing.com and http://www.opapresents.com
"People pleasing can leave you feeling empty and taken advantage... Read More
Having a mentor can mean the difference between success and... Read More
Every human feels anxiety on occasion; it is a part... Read More
Teachers enter the profession with the desire to help others,... Read More
When coaching, it's all about the client, be that as... Read More
Like so many in corporate America today, Susan needed more... Read More
Be conscious, aware, and alert. Pay attention. Remember when you... Read More
I think that we're all probably familiar with the fairground... Read More
If you work with people, as a company owner, manager... Read More
What's the alternative to making decisions?Allowing someone else, or circumstances,... Read More
Never understimate the power of a well-written word. Tens of... Read More
Freedom for all species and people, and freedom of stress;... Read More
Having found a coach you feel comfortable and excited about... Read More
Articulating repetitive statements with emotion will inevitably connect you to... Read More
We all put off making decisions and taking action sometimes... Read More
In the movie, "The Gladiator," Emperor Commodus' rose to power... Read More
"I don't see how I can just make up my... Read More
Having excellent persuasion skills is one of the most important... Read More
The underground train in London can get you anywhere when... Read More
When you read books on personal development and articles about... Read More
Can you hear your compassion? It's time to crank it... Read More
It's four weeks away and you don't have any plans.... Read More
What it takes to GROW!In almost every workshop we deliver,... Read More
That's what I needed when I delved deeply into my... Read More
The idea for this month's newsletter came from an unlikely... Read More
When we see people do things we cannot do, or... Read More
Personal or business coaching has helped thousands change their lives... Read More
The higher you climb the ladder in this organization, the... Read More
OK, so it wasn't quite that big of a deal.... Read More
So it's time for a change. You've taken that hard... Read More
Leaders today have many challenges when it comes to guiding... Read More
I have been a member of a group called the... Read More
It started out like any other Wednesday - reports to... Read More
Have you ever noticed that so many of us who... Read More
"There is a time for departure, even when there's no... Read More
We have all heard the expression, "Where your heart is?,... Read More
You know, what are you saying to yourself? There's always... Read More
Sometimes life can seem like one long series of unsolvable... Read More
For a self help book to work, we have to... Read More
Why are you so busy? Do you really have too... Read More
I know what you're thinking? "Here I am, completely stressed... Read More
We all need to decide whether to "play it safe"... Read More
The idea for this month's newsletter came from an unlikely... Read More
I'm calling you out. Issuing a Challenge. Relax, It's not... Read More
Being a Life Strategy Coach doesn't mean I'm always on... Read More
Quite often I am in contact with people who discuss... Read More
Thoughts are real things. As soon as you realize how... Read More
As winter descends we begin to feel the chill of... Read More
"Fortune befriends the bold." - John DrydenI regularly work with... Read More
I talk and write a lot about Life Design ?... Read More
How often have you heard yourself say, "I've got so... Read More
Often our clients refer someone to us for Executive Coaching... Read More
Every relationship has conflicts. In some relationships, conflict is a... Read More
What If You Could Ask Anyone For Help?Have you ever... Read More
Things are the way you think they are, because you... Read More
First of all, criticalness breaks up more relationships, than anything... Read More
The most valuable assets of a 20th century company were... Read More
"Joan, I'm working so hard and I'm not getting anything... Read More
People of two opposing ideas can stir up arguments and... Read More
In the movie, "The Gladiator," Emperor Commodus' rose to power... Read More
A headhunter was on the other end of the phone.... Read More
When a conversation is not working out there is the... Read More
As a Life Coach I quickly identified most individuals wanted... Read More
My name is Greg Ryan. For the last twenty years... Read More
What Is Your Definition of Success?If you want to create... Read More
The effective coaching of employees by their line managers is... Read More
Coaching |