-
This item contains several different items. Purchasing this item includes all of the component items listed below.
Mind-reading
Julia thinks we're an idiot!> If you think people have negative views of you, it's easy to find 'evidence' of that.> Don't let a lack of confidence lead you to read things the wrong way.> Ask for feedback regularly (but not compulsively).
You don't have to 'feel like it'
Harness the amazing benefits of my seven step Productivity Power Play Package!> We tell ourselves that we need to be in the right mindset to work, but actually that makes it harder.> Remind yourself that you don't need to "feel like" doing something. You just need to take the relevant actions!> Moti... read more
Don't confuse effort with results
I love the smell of emails in the morning.> You are not a machine. A tiring day does not mean a good day.> Focus on results: define the most important three results for your day, and do them in the times you are naturally most productive. The rest of the day is for lesser tasks.> Take regular breaks... read more
The first hour of the day
If I get my claws into you now, your day is screwed...> How you spend the first hour determines your momentum for the rest of the day.> Use the first hour for a challenging project.> Don't check messages until the first hour is complete.
Gratitude
All of the world's libraries and emporiums in a single magnificent volume!> It's easy to get acclimatised to the good things in life and only see the bad things.> Think about (or better, write down) three things each day for which you're grateful.> Don't forget the tiny things. Yes, it might be your... read more
The power of ritual
Children of the 6th Realm! Let the Power guide us!> Rituals make happiness-promoting behaviour automatic.> If a specific daily activity helps your happiness, resolve to do it at the same time each day.> Use a "shutdown routine" so you can leave work feeling good.
Memento mori
But it's all a bit morbid isn't it? Thinking about death all the time?> Remember the average human lifespan is about 4000 weeks. Make yours count!> Carry a 'memento mori' - a small object to remind you of mortality whenever you see it or feel it in your pocket.> Make choices by asking how you'd like... read more
Keep learning
Learning shmerning.> Find ways to learn and develop, whether it's workplace training or learning a language.> Build on existing strengths, more than trying to "fix" your weaknesses.> Follow your natural curiosity - it's a better motivator than 'what will help my career?'
Don't compare your insides to other people's outsides
Try and look cool everybody!> We only have access to our own monologue of worry and self-criticism.> We compare the daily reality of our lives to the highlight reels of other people's lives.
Just don't think about it! - the backfire effect
Suppress that thought, crew, that's an order!> You can't just push thoughts out of your head - indeed, that usually makes them worse.> Realise that a thought is not a problem: you don't have to believe it or act on it.> The less you fight thoughts, the more likely the distressing ones will float awa... read more
You are not your emotions
Sunshine and positivity right up till midday.> Understand that your emotions are not you, even though it's easy to assume they are. Your feelings about certain things will come and go - like the weather.> Try labelling your negative emotions mentally as they arise - "stress", "sadness," etc. - and t... read more
Get everything out of your head
Was it buckgrass or wheatbuck salad?> The human mind is a marvel, but it's a terrible device for storing all the things you've got on your plate.> If you rely on your mind, you'll be constantly stressed by the worry that you're forgetting something crucial.> Making a list on paper can bring immediat... read more
Don't spread the anxiety virus
We're talking mass redundancies! Aaaaagh!> Emotions are contagious - anxiety especially so.> Anxious thoughts more often get in the way of work than making it happen faster.> Communicate urgency calmly, without spreading anxiety.
Show your vulnerabilities
Five years of presentation training in two minutes.> Showing too much confidence will intimidate rather than inspire employees.> Be open with them about your insecurities and failures.> Encourage staff to act in the presence of insecurities, rather than trying to eliminate them first.
Transparency
We'd like to opt-out of the cloning programme!> Transparent workplaces are high-morale workplaces.> When you're nearer the top of an organization, it's easy to assume other employees are as informed as you are.> Share as much information as you can about your company's plans.
You can't force fun
Chief fungineer at your service!> Forced fun usually backfires - employees resent it.> Create opportunities for people to engage in what they find fun.> If in doubt, focus on giving people autonomy, not fungineering.
Celebrate small accomplishments
I'm an elf, not a hippy!> Focusing only on a big distant goal means satisfaction is rare.> Break work into small accomplishments.> Keep a list to mark off each small win.
The perils of over-planning
Abort Mission!> Planning can be a sneaky form of procrastination.> Too much planning is a way of avoiding the fear of diving in.> Make the simplest plan required in order to make action possible, then act and revise as you go.
The bias towards action
Don't you EVER put Science in inverted commas!> You regret the things you don't do, not the things you do.> Even if the things you decide to do turn out badly we tend to explain it away.> Don't fear making irreversible decisions: we tend to regret those ones less.
Multi-tasking
No more soggy stains and ugly socks!> Multi-tasking isn't a thing. It just means failing to do any one thing properly.> Switching back and forth between tasks has an "interruption cost" - it takes longer to get back to focus.> Focus on one task at a time, until it's complete, or you can make no more... read more
Targeted acts of kindness
We can't all just drop what we're doing and be kind - we're on the clock here!> Helping other people will make you feel good> Target your kindness: focus on where it's needed > Don't cut kindness out of your life when you feel time's at a premium - it'll make stress worse
The cheese sandwich solution
We're gonna need a smoothie transfusion!> It's easy to overlook the simplest routes to happiness.> The simplest causes of unhappiness are physical: being hungry, tired, or needing exercise.> Keep a note on your desk or wall to remind yourself to ask the simplest questions, like 'am I hungry?'
Get physical
Captain, we seem to be infected with some kind of lethargy virus!> Just because the stress is in your head, that doesn't mean the solution is there, too.> The quickest route to happiness is often to change your physical situation.> Time in nature is priceless - even five minutes in the park has been... read more
Reward people like grown-ups
This is Billy Big Ears! Have some respect!> Reward people the way you'd like to be rewarded.> The best rewards can be non-physical, such as sincere praise.> The opportunity to work on an especially engaging project can be a highly motivating reward.
Embrace your introverts and pessimists
Dragging the rest of us go-getters down.> We tend to assume a happy workplace means a workplace full of extroverts and optimists.> In fact, introverts and pessimists have a major role to play.> Pessimists help foresee and forestall problems; introverts are great listeners and thinkers.
Entrust people with big responsibilities
Huuuuge responsibility! Tiny little shoulders.> The best way to make people happy at work is to make their work meaningful.> Entrust people with slightly bigger responsibilities than they might feel ready for.> Resist the urge to monitor their progress obsessively.
Related Courses
Wellbeing Essentials eLearning Course Series
Improving wellbeing and productivity for everyone at work. "What if 'positive thinking' and relentless optimism aren't the solution to happiness?" OLIVER BURKEMAN, JOURNALIST AND VIDEO ARTS EXPERT Topics include: Criticism and failure Emotions versus evidence Getting stuff done Happiness habits Insi... read more
