Burn the Thoughts and habits of the most effective people into your brain

Offering 20 personal development and spiritual growth programs at Higher Awareness

Yoga For Work-Life Balance

Filed Under (Personal Growth, Spiritual Growth, Wellness, Work Life Balance, Yoga) by Kevin on 17-06-2008

Yoga was a big thing during the 60s. However, it soon began to drop in popularity. People undertaking yoga as an exercise soon lost patience with the activity, due to its slow but steady results, and turned their interest to a faster pace of exercise such as aerobics. However, yoga has turned once again in the popularity ratings and become a very attractive form of exercise for people who are interested in working out rather than working towards a spiritual goal.

You will find that yoga is a great stretch and flexibility program. It is being used increasingly by those who have trouble balancing their work and personal life. The personal lives of modern day executives are affected by a stressful working environment and a frantic schedule, so they turn to yoga to help them bring a little peace to their mind and to adopt a perfect work-life balance.

It is also agreed by many runners, weight trainers, and aerobic dancers that exercise regimes do in actual fact add more stress to their lives rather than reducing it.

Many people use their lunch hour to work out, forcing themselves to keep up their exercise regime, and then return in a rush back to work. Yes, maybe this is good for them, but it is just an added pressure. Well, yoga is much less competitive, less stressful, and it gives you a wonderful sense of being.

The key to its renewed popularity is almost certainly its healing aspect. When people push their fitness levels they are bound to suffer with strained knees, aching backs and neck pains which are generated not only by the physical power that they put into it, but also the stress of making it a competitive world. Yoga is nowadays being recommended to patients by many orthopedic surgeons, chiropractors, and neurologists as part of their treatment plan.

The ancient practice is growing in interest in the mind-body connection and it is also boosted by research that suggests that it can reduce stress and blood pressure, as well as improve work performance and even slow down the effects of aging.

Mainstream hospitals and business are now teaching several techniques. This is being done using books, discussion groups, and even using the Internet.

The Army is even interested. It has requested that the National Academy of Sciences study meditation and other new age techniques that may enhance soldiers’ performance.

Details do differ. However, a common theme is relaxing the body while the mind is kept alert and focused, whether it is on an object, sound, breath or body movement. If the mind wanders, and it generally does, you can gently bring it back down and begin again.

Stress related problems do in actual fact account for 60% to 90% of U.S. doctors visits, whilst mind-body approaches are very often more effective and cost effective, than drugs or surgery. For instance, 70% of insomniacs become regular sleepers, 34% of infertile patients become pregnant within six months, and visits to the doctor are reduced by 36%.

Add this to : Digg! Digg it Bookmark! Save to Del.icio.us Subscribe to RSS Subscribe to My RSS feed

Time Management – The Key To Opening Success In Your Life

Filed Under (Goals, Motivation, Stress Management, Work Life Balance) by Kevin on 11-04-2008

Focus is a key component when it comes to time management. Loss and gain can be achieved when it comes to implementing the use of time management. Many individuals have heard of the “Pareto Principle”. Perhaps you have not heard this term used? It is the same as the “80:20 Rule”. This little rule actually makes a lot of sense when it comes to time management. It states that when an individual puts forth the effort to do something, and it is not managed appropriately in the terms of “time”, 80% of that activity will only produce approximately 20% of the results intended. Then, if you flip the coin, and do something that is managed appropriately in the terms of “time”, then it will produce 80% of the results with only 20% of effort put into it. This rule clearly outlines the fact that time well managed is time that is more productive.

Many individuals fail in the area of time management simply because their perception of this concept is out of line with what is appropriate. These individuals often view time management as a restrictive set of rules that must be adhered to or less negative consequences will arise. When this type of outlook is taken, it often results in failure. While it is important to understand that there are many core essentials when it comes to time management, these are not meant to be negative, but constructive. Some of the core essentials include scheduling time as appropriate and necessary, setting goals that are relative to the outcome that you wish to achieve, creative planning, and being able to prioritize appropriately.

When it comes to being successful in time management, it is important to know and understand that certain skills are required in order to succeed. Not only are these skills important to the success of time management, but they are also important when it comes to growing as an individual. These skills include the following:

- The ability to make decisions

- A high level of emotional intelligence

- Skills in critical thinking

- Multitasking skills

If you have a good grasp on the skills mentioned above, you are more likely to succeed when it comes to time management skills.

Time management can be included in every single aspect of your life. It is important to appropriately balance both your personal and professional life when attempting to manage your time. If you make a point to do this, you will be much more effective in every area. Many do not realize that it is actually necessary to take the time to make sure that there is a delicate balance between their personal time, as well as their professional time. If you manage one, the other will simply fall into place. Just remember, the secret to managing your time does not rest in the ability to stay busy, it rests in the ability to produce results in every single aspect of your life!

There are generally six areas that personal and business coaches focus on when individuals seek professional assistance for time management development. These areas include the following:

1. The Physical

2. Social

3. Career

4. Intellectual

5. Spiritual

6. Emotional

If you are attempting to increase your time management skills, it is important that you focus on these six areas as well. By doing so, you will find that it is relatively easy to accomplish all that you set out to each and every single day.

The following details steps that you can take in order to get a better grasp on your time:

1. First, it is always important to plan in advance. At the bare minimum, it is important that you carefully outline the things that you must do each day, prior to starting your day.

2. When planning your day, it is essential that you prioritize your tasks.

3. If you must, keep a detailed list of the things that you must complete during the day in order to ensure that you do not lose track of your time.

4. Learn to say “no” to commitments that you find will hinder your productivity and time.

If you follow the tips listed here, you will soon find that managing your time is a simple task.

Add this to : Digg! Digg it Bookmark! Save to Del.icio.us Subscribe to RSS Subscribe to My RSS feed

Understanding Burnout Associated With The Workplace

Filed Under (Anxiety, Personal Growth, Stress Management, Wellness, Work Life Balance) by Kevin on 14-12-2007

Burnout associated with the workplace is a common issue. This is normally a result of stress that is experienced in the workplace. When an employee suffers from work-related burnout, they often feel as if they are emotionally and mentally exhausted. In addition to this, it is also quite common to experience a true, physical exhaustion as well. When this common experience appears in an individual’s life, a general sense of apathy may overwhelm them. They may feel disheartened, and lack the motivation to perform even their basic responsibilities. Here, you will gain an understanding regarding burnout in the workplace.

When an individual experienced work-related burnout, it is a condition that has developed over time. It is not likely that an employee will become overwhelmed with burnout overnight. This is mostly a slow process that develops more and more as time progresses. This is a direct result of stress that is experienced in the workplace. Deadlines, dealing with uncooperative coworkers, unfavorable work conditions, and personal unhappiness in the work environment can all lead to burnout. This condition can affect all areas of an individual’s life – job performance, relationships in the workplace, personal relationships, and even a person’s health.

There are many signs and symptoms associated with work-related burnout. If you are in charge of employees, it is important that you gain an understanding of these signs. If you are an employee in the workplace, you should also learn the signs and symptoms associated with burnout. The more quickly that you are able to recognize that burnout is becoming evident, the quicker you can work to resolve the issues that you are facing. Listed below are some of the most common signs and symptoms associated with this common, and every real issue:

- One of the first signs of burnout is when an individual becomes frustrated. This frustration may be self-directed, directed to others, or towards the company in which they work.

- The second sign that an employee may be experiencing burnout is when their performance starts to falter. In many cases, this sign may be the most evident. A once reliable individual who completed work in a timely fashion that displayed a high level of quality may begin to take longer completing tasks, and the quality of their work may decline rapidly.

- Many individuals who experience workplace burnout may start expressing the fact that they feel as if they are “trapped” in their work situation. If an individual feels “trapped”, this is a bad sign. It is important to be happy and content with the work that we do. If we feel anything else than this, it is important to seek assistance as workplace burnout is becoming evident.

- Those that experience this common work-related issue may start to detach themselves from friends, relatives, coworkers, social situations, and more. Social detachment is not a good sign. This is especially true when an individual is normally not socially withdrawn from others.

- Many who experience workplace burnout may seem extremely irritable. This may show in the means of rapid moods, and similar situations. If there is no apparent cause for this type of personality change, the issue may be related to workplace change.

- Many individuals may feel as if there is no hope for their current situation. They may walk in and out of each and every single day feeling a lack of motivation; many individuals may witness this behavior in the workplace and realize that it is uncharacteristic of the individual. This is a probable sign of work-related burnout.

- If you feel as if you have absolute no power, you are not getting anywhere, and you find yourself constantly feeding negative thoughts and emotions, you may be experiencing workplace burnout.

- Many individuals who experience burnout often start experiencing many different kinds of failures. These failures may be directly related to their work performance, or they may be experienced in their personal life.

There are a number of causes that may lead an individual to experience burnout associated with the workplace. The following reasons may be associated with this type of work-related stress:

- Many individuals set their goals in the workplace too high. Setting high goals or having others in the workplace place too high of goals is a common factor in workplace burnout.

- Many individuals may feel as if they are stuck in a particular job because they are unable to afford a change in careers, or they are unable to pass up the benefits that a job poses. For these individuals, workplace burnout may be experienced.

- Many individuals who have proved to be dependable and provide a high quality of work may be expected to consistently asked to perform additional work on top of their standard responsibilities. While many are flattered by the fact that they are given more work, this work can often become exhausting.

- There are many who do not feel personally challenged by their work. This type of work can become dull and a person may not feel as if they have anything to look forward to. This can result in workplace burnout as well.

Workplace burnout is a common issue that must be dealt with. If you are in charge of employees, it is important to know and understand the basics of workplace burnout. If you are an employee, it is important that you know and understand the basics as well. By understanding the conditions that cause this to occur, the symptoms associated with the condition, and how to overcome it, you can beat work-related burnout!

Add this to : Digg! Digg it Bookmark! Save to Del.icio.us Subscribe to RSS Subscribe to My RSS feed

Five Minute Test For A Balanced Life

Filed Under (Good Health, Personal Growth, Spiritual Growth, Stress Management, Wellness, Work Life Balance) by Kevin on 24-11-2007

Do you have balance in your life? If you feel as if you are running in circles and are not spending enough of your precious time and energy on the things that count. If you are spending all of your time at your job or taking care of your family and you don’t know how to allot time for each so that you are not stretched, you may feel that certain things are missing from your life. If you have a very active social life you may find that your work is suffering or your family is neglected. When you focus too much on one area of your life and neglect other area, you may have key elements missing from your life and that could affect your ability to find enjoyment and to feel positive about yourself.

When you life is balanced, all of the different aspects of your life will fall into place. Your priorities will shift so that the things that count rise to the top. When you struggle through each day, you can lose your focus on the big picture. However, when you spend the right amount of time and energy on the right things in your life, you will achieve balance.

Take this five minute test to see what areas of your life need balance. See where you need to direct your attention, you just may surprise yourself!

HOW THE TEST WORKS

To set up, draw six sections in a triangle or pie shaped, and arrange them in the typical circular pattern. Make sure that each section is large enough so that you can label it. When you have completed this exercise you will have created a graph to will show how balanced your life is by plotting each aspect of your life.

Label each section to reflect each of the main areas of your life. Some possibilities may be HEALTH, FAMILY, WORK, SPIRITUALITY, RELAXATION, EDUCATION, RECREATION, VOLUNTEER WORK and HOME. Tailor it work for your life and the things that are important to you.

As you label each section, take time to reflect on how satisfied you are with the time and effort that you allot each area of your life. The inner point or tip of the pie shape shows where you are least satisfied. The wider outer edge shows where you are most or completely satisfied. Place a dot in the area of the wedge that indicates your level of satisfaction.

WHAT DOES THE TEST TELL YOU?

Once you have completed all of your sections, connect the dots so that you form a complete circle.

Now look at your graph. Did you form a perfect circle or is it lopsided? Can you identify an area of your life that you have been ignoring? Reflect on that. Do you spend your time taking good care of your health? Do you eat healthy, exercise regularly or manage an illness? How about your home, is it clean and comfortable or are you forever wading through clutter? Does your work satisfy you? Is your income enough so that your expenses are met? How is your family life? Do you take time to be with your children and have quiet time with your spouse? Do you need to reconsider your spiritual needs or would furthering your education help you better fulfill your life? Evaluate the peaks and valleys of your graph and see where you need to take action.

If there are areas of your life that you have been neglecting it may be causing you to feel frustrated or unfulfilled. While it is impossible to achieve complete satisfaction in every single area of our life when there are extenuating circumstances that are beyond your control, but when you identify the areas of your life that require your time an attention, it can help you move toward a happier, more peaceful and, yes, balanced life.

Add this to : Digg! Digg it Bookmark! Save to Del.icio.us Subscribe to RSS Subscribe to My RSS feed

Coping Effectively With Work Related Stress

Filed Under (Anxiety, Good Health, Personal Growth, Relaxation, Self Esteem, Stress Management, Wellness, Work Life Balance) by Kevin on 29-10-2007

Many individuals go from one day to the next not realizing the amount of stress that they actually contend with. This is especially true when it comes to stress that is work related. Deadlines, meetings, obligations, and basic performance all contribute to the stress that many of us experience on a daily basis. In this article, we will discuss effective methods on how to cope effectively with work related stress. It is essential that you pay special attention to the details contained within this informative article to ensure that you are able to cope effectively.

Individuals who retain positions that are considered to be leadership roles normally experience a high level of stress. This is due to the fact that these roles normally come with a lot of responsibility. Individuals who are in leadership positions often must make important decisions, delegate in a responsible manner, and deal with extra large workloads. Many of these individuals feel overworked and under appreciated. This, on top of the basic responsibilities, can cause A LOT of stress.

It has been determined that most people in leadership positions hold a high risk of developing serious illnesses, medical conditions, and diseases. The following represents some of the most common medical complications that an individual may experience as a result of stress:
• Heart Disease
• Heart Attack
• Stroke
• Decreased Immune Strength

It is important for you to understand that stress can actually affect your overall work performance. If you feel as if you are experiencing high levels of stress in the workplace, it is important to discuss your concerns with a supervisor. Your supervisor may be able to provide you with ways to cope with the stress more effectively. If you are having trouble with a certain task, they may be able to help clarify it for you. If you feel as if you need some extra help, they may be able to provide you with an assistant for a short amount of time to take some of the workload off of you.

Many individuals make the mistake of allowing their work to completely consume them. If you are one of these individuals, you should change your priorities. While it is very important to give your best in the workplace, it is even more important to properly delegate and handle your time in an efficient manner. Take your mind off of your work when you are not working. Schedule a variety of activities in your life so that you can get some relief from work related stress. This will help eliminate the high stress levels that you experience.

In order to reduce the stress that you experience in the workplace, it is important to ensure that you are taking care of yourself. This includes making sure that you are active and exercise on a regular basis, eat the right kinds of food, and take the time to rest as appropriate. Doing all of these things can help to ensure that your body remains healthy and that you are able to mentally and physically handle any type of stress that you may experience in the workplace.

It is important to understand that we cannot always change a situation, but we are able to control how we perceive that situation. If you experience a high amount of stress, it is important to take a step back and try to find the positive in the situation. If you are able to change the way that you see a situation, you are less likely to experience as much stress with the situation. This is a wonderful coping strategy.

Workplace stress can end up being an extreme burden on an individual if it is not dealt with in an appropriate manner. By using the coping strategies listed here, you will be able to find the peace that is necessary to handle the burdens of the day to day responsibilities at work. Furthermore, your body will not suffer from the dangerous side effects of stress.

Add this to : Digg! Digg it Bookmark! Save to Del.icio.us Subscribe to RSS Subscribe to My RSS feed