The Art & Act of Life – Work Flourishing
You have seen these come and go: New Year’s resolutions to create healthy habits and discard unhealthy ones. Often these become efforts in futility. If we understand how habits work we can get a grip on how to improve them.
Continue reading “Know your Habit Loop”
Science of Positivity is bursting with great findings. “Feeling good drives optimal functioning” according to Barbara Fredrickson, PhD, UNC, Chapel Hill. The effects of positivity are non-linear, moving in an upward spiral to broaden our minds and build our resources.
Continue reading “Your Positivity Ratio”
World renowned researcher, Dr. Barbara Fredrickson talks about the scientific evidence of the value and power of resilience, in her book, ‘Positivity’.
Emotional Health: After 9/11, a group of students (at University of Michigan) who had been given a Resiliency Scale prior to the crisis (that proved to be most opportune) were studied for their emotional responses after the national crisis. Those with a highly resilient personality style showed less depression. They were not emotionally indifferent either. In fact, they showed greater psychological growth: more optimism, tranquility and fulfillment!
Continue reading “The Science of Resilience”
Now, more than ever there is need to develop resilience in the workplace. With jobs becoming transient, career-paths creative, and employees on the move, workplaces are less predictable than ever. Today’s manager may become tomorrow’s competitor. Today’s contract may become tomorrow’s liability.
When you are hit with misfortune, how do you respond? Do you tend to fall apart or do you rebound from it? Have you ever wondered if you have this essential trait called resilience?
“Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, or stress. It means “bouncing back” from difficult experiences…..It is ordinary, not extraordinary…..It is not a trait that people either have or do not have. It involves behaviors, thoughts and actions that can be learned and developed in anyone.” The American Psychological Association.
Shaun White reclaimed his Olympic title winning his third gold medal in men’s halfpipe in the Winter Games 2018 at Pyeongchang. Having won gold medals in 2006 at Turin, in 2010 at Vancouver, he missed the mark in 2014 at Sochi, coming in 4th place. He applied himself painstakingly to the task of reclaiming his title. He had accidents during practice in New Zealand last year sustaining severe injuries and the last one splitting his face open requiring 62 stitches! Yet, he persevered. He has a passion for snowboarding and he had his sights set on the gold. “Honestly I just felt it inside that I had it..……I knew I had it, but I still had to do it,” Shaun White said in an interview. What would you call that combination of passion and perseverance to achieve your goals?
How do you grow and tend Gratitude?
LIFE AREAS
PHYSICAL | EMOTIONAL | INTELLECTUAL | SPIRITUAL | SOCIAL | FAMILY |
WORK | FINANCIAL | RECREATIONAL | HOME/OFFICE ENVIRONMENT | OVERALL
Have you ever squeezed an orange such that a burst of citrusy sweetness squirted right into your face? Do you recall the squeal of glee and laughter that ensued? That is what a new surge of learning does to us. It delights and energizes us. Love of learning is a gift that has been handed to us that never tarnishes, fades or diminishes. Its luster is everlasting that we can but polish and brighten.
LIFE AREAS
PHYSICAL | EMOTIONAL | INTELLECTUAL | SPIRITUAL | SOCIAL | FAMILY |
WORK | FINANCIAL | RECREATIONAL | HOME/OFFICE ENVIRONMENT | OVERALL
It was a cool, misty October morning in Atlanta. I was in the waiting area of an auto body repair shop. A woman who appeared to be in her 60’s asked to change the TV channel to news. As a detergent commercial came on, she settled back in her seat and beamed. “I love the smell of detergent” she announced cheerfully to no one in particular in a room ironically filled with a greasy odor. That was the start of a friendly chat between her and me. She declared with notable pride, “I do laundry. I go to people’s homes to wash, fold and iron their clothes. I am very clear: I don’t do housekeeping, clean, cook, baby sit or dog sit. I only do laundry.”
LIFE AREAS
PHYSICAL | EMOTIONAL | INTELLECTUAL | SPIRITUAL | SOCIAL | FAMILY |
WORK | FINANCIAL | RECREATIONAL | HOME/OFFICE ENVIRONMENT | OVERALL
Sitting outside Gate C at Tampa International airport offered a kaleidoscope of rich emotions of people passing by. Apprehensive travelers rushed to find their way to airsides or baggage claim. An elderly gentleman and his wife looking purposeful navigated their way gently leading each other. Two animated friends chatted freely as they maneuvered their way with ease and poise.