Holiday Stress Hotspot: Anticipation and Expectations Be realistic. Just because it’s the holiday season, family issues will not suddenly disappear and everything will not be perfect. Adjust your expectations. Expect a few bumps in the road at family events and gatherings and you’ll be better able to deal with them. Relish traditions. Focus on those little traditions that evoke positive…
Holiday Stress Hotspot #3: A Lack of Time Complete your gift shopping early. This will relieve you of one of the biggest time stresses during the holidays. Refuse Invitations. You don’t have to go to every party you’re invited to. If party going becomes a chore or exhausting, step back and slow down the pace. Take time for yourself. With…
Holiday Stress Hotspot #2: Holiday Expenses Set a budget, and stick to it. Don’t buy gifts that you’ll spend the rest of the year trying to pay off. Think of alternative ways to give gifts (set up a gift exchange, make some handmade gifts or foodstuffs). Choose inexpensive ways of entertaining and enjoying. Have a potluck party instead of providing all the…
Holiday Stress Hotspot #1: Gifts * Make a list of everyone you need to buy gifts for. * Look for gifts you can buy for multiple people. Similarly, look for stores where you can buy many gifts for a lot of people. * Plan a few back-up gifts, generic gifts with blank cards for people you might forget or who…
Technology + Workaholism = No Life A journalist called me today to ask whether technology helped or hindered life/work balance. She said that she had spoken to several people who told her that “smart phones,” “Skype,” smaller laptops etc. just furthered their workaholic behavior, and that they had even less of a personal life because they were always connected. Is…
Why are there still employers who treat their employees like disposable napkins? Organizations that are successful now and will be successful in the future will create “the workplace as community.” Most people have a need to feel part of something that is more than just themselves. When workplace cultures are inclusive and employees at every level think their work…
Treating Your Employees Like Honored Guests = Outstanding Customer Service = Business Success Chip Conley, founder and CEO of Joie de Vivre, the largest group of boutique hotels in California, believes in treating his employees like honored guests. He knows that in turn they’ll provide the kind of extraordinary customer service that will guarantee return business, and recommendations to…
1- Senior leaders need to set an example and develop a culture of life/work balance as opposed to workaholism. 2- Focus on outcomes at work as opposed to how many hours you put in. 3.-Stop rewarding people for how many hours they put in at work. Keep a record of what you do all day for a week and you…
As an organizational development consultant, I have worked with several organizations that have either merged, or where one has bought the other. Based on best practices and mistakes I’ve experienced with clients I offerseven ways for Oracle and Sun Microsystems to reduce stress amongst their employees. Some of them may already be in process.1- Recognize that no matter how great…
One of my executive coaching clients told me she thought she intimidated her employees. They didn’t ask many questions and were somewhat reluctant to tell her about their mistakes or failures. She hadn’t heard any new ideas in months even though she had installed an anonymous suggestion box. As I continued to delve deeper into the situation, I found out…
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