In today’s business world there are many conflicting demands. Whether you work from home or in an office, so much of our time is controlled by others. Many people suffer with a ‘busy head’ when trying to balance the many different demands in their lives.
Creating time for you is a mixture of personal organisation and self-care, importantly we need to consider both together, self-care can really help with personal organisation. Being more organised allows more time to be mindful and to help manage the multitude of thoughts that crowd our minds.
Airlines offer the right guidance when they tell us to put on our own oxygen mask before we attempt to help others, and the same applies to many of us as we try to fulfil the different roles in our busy daily lives.
If you are a leader
This is just as important for leaders and managers within an organisation too. As well as practising self-care, it is vitally important that you provide a healthy environment for your employees.
In today’s society this is one of the toughest challenges for organisations. Having experienced the pandemic we all know the far-reaching impact that this event had on our health, day-to-day working, mental health and in some cases is still having because of long-COVID.
Organisations both large and small, can start by sharing helpful suggestions about nutrition, occupational health and mental health advice. Being empathetic and understanding about individual circumstances is equally important as well as providing best practice working conditions for all employees, which can be a challenge with hybrid working.
Every employee is going through a different life stage and it is important for engaged organisations to be supportive of this. It starts at the very top and should be demonstrated at every level in the organisation.
So many recorded messages in call centres say ‘treat our staff with respect’
We hope people will listen to common sense but ultimately we need to shield ourselves by creating the best environment around us.
Self-care is vital
Very few of us wake up naturally each morning full of energy and positive thoughts; during the day it is equally possible to feel overwhelmed as we face increasing demands on our time. Yet we often look in wonderment at those who appear to move seamlessly though life. multitasking and achieving their ambitions and goals.
The reality is that we are all faced with different challenges, the difference is how we navigate these challenges.
One of the key elements in this is personal organisation
This is one area where you can really impact on others without realising it.
If you think about colleagues, friends and family, you will probably know people who are very well organised, equally you will be able to identify others who appear chaotic and disorganised. You will also be able to identify your own behaviour traits.
One small step
It’s natural to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of certain situations, but every successful completion of a project really does start with the first tiny step.
Having the ability to break down tasks into achievable components is a life-skill that is as valuable to children and young adults as it is to adults. It also helps to identify inter-relationships and the critical path to reach a successful conclusion.
While digital tools are very useful, using display boards where creative thoughts can be shared via mind-maps and lists of tasks can also bring a different energy and create momentum around a project when teams do have a chance to get together.
Personal organisation
There are some basic practices in terms of personal organisation that can really help all members of a team.
- Multitasking is often held up as a desirable skill, but how well are these multiple tasks completed if we don’t devote real attention to them?
- One valuable skill to develop is the ability to focus, to actually devote real time and attention to the task in hand.
- To be able to do this effectively, it can help to categorise your tasks into those that need creativity and thinking time and others that can be completed quickly and efficiently by focusing on them and working through a list.
- Also think about delegating some tasks to other people, in a closely engaged team it’s possible to play to each other’s strengths, sharing out tasks. This is where using productivity tools can help.There are many examples available, which can be tailored to the preferences and needs of your organisation
- In most applications tasks are entered into a board and assigned to people, but additional tasks can also be placed here with an understanding that other people can take on these tasks if they have free time. This process works well providing people share the workload and individuals are trained to use the tools properly.
- In an environment where people share their activity online it can be helpful to agree times when you can work uninterrupted, otherwise it can be impossible to focus on anything without interruption.
The power of reflection
In this increasingly fast digital environment, so many of our communications are sent rapidly, often without time for thought, or real consideration.
But there are often important decisions that do need extra time to consider before response and sometimes waiting, or being silent can be a powerful tool to enable you to take more control in a work, or personal situation. This is particularly true if it is something you are concerned about.
Taking time to seek advice, or to consider alternatives can be a valuable course of action rather than a knee-jerk response.
Acknowledging extra effort
Every organisation will have particularly stressful periods, but supporting individual employees by recognising these situations and planning accordingly, or offering extra support creates a healthier working environment than watching as key members of staff are forced to take time off because of a stress-related illness.
Giving recognition to those who keep the business running smoothly while
also acknowledging and thanking people for extra effort is equally important.
Ultimately it is about organisational self-care, if you create an organisation that genuinely cares about its employees this will translate into a healthier and more inclusive environment which will increase both employee and customer loyalty.
Just a moment
We are used to measuring things in units of time, or by saying ‘Give me a moment’ but an interesting fact according to different sources is that a ‘moment’ is actually 90 seconds.
What is also interesting is the difference that extra 30 seconds makes. If you sit completely still and set a timer for 1 minute and 30 seconds and close your eyes it actually seems quite a long time. Use that moment to pause, draw breath, rehydrate and prepare for the next activity.
Little ways to bring joy back into your life
Make a conscious effort to create more of a work/life balance that works for you and your everyday life while honouring the important commitments.
Share responsibilities with others to create a more equitable work, or home life.
Recognise and support others through difficult times, reach out when you need support.
Outside of work team up and share experiences and support with others in similar circumstances e.g.working parents at the school gate.
Lack of sleep can have a major impact on many aspects of our life, try and find the optimum times of going to bed and getting up that works for you and do everything you can to stick to it
Don’t ignore warning signs of illness, always persist in getting doctor;s appointment and go back again if you are still concerned about your symptoms.
At the end of every working day empty your mind of important thoughts and make a list of actions for the next day.
When you leave the house, or go into your work area in the morning, imagine putting on a protective coat and when you come back home, or leave your working area hang it up and leave work thoughts behind.
Throughout the day take short breaks to refresh and refocus your mind, have nutritious snacks available and keep hydrated.
If you are having a particularly stressful day, use safe breathing techniques, take a break or seek advice to help you to manage it.
If you can go outside to get fresh air, or to call a friend instead of scrolling through social media looking at other people’s lives, have a collection of videos or images of happy times in your own life or listen to relaxing, or meditative messages, or music.
Try to be aware of the importance of mindfulness, of slowing down, being aware of your surroundings, focusing on appreciating the little things in life.
Plan unexpected acts of kindness for those you love, or support and help a local charity.
Make a conscious effort to regularly switch off,relax and enjoy time with hobbies or friends and family.
Finally remind yourself of the quote:
‘Don’t regret yesterday, don’t worry about tomorrow, try to always be in the moment’
Special Note
Today many of us are facing unprecedented situations which can cause extra stress and if you need extra help and support please seek professional help from organisations designed to support people who need their help.
This is part of our ‘Gentle Guide to Success’ an alternative approach to personal and organisation development.
We are always interested in helping organisations and individuals in developing more inclusive and engaging development – contact us