Michael Levitt's Blog, page 144

7 Strategies for Effective Stress Management

Here's 7 great strategies for effectively managing stress.

Suffering from neck pain? It could be stress.  Here's how to tell if the pain in your neck is stress related.

How Relaxtion can help reduce stress

WANT BETTER DAYS?

Do you want a better start to your day? I have a free e-book on six easy steps to a better day, that I personally follow after I experienced a significant health scare. If you would like this free e-book, please click the link below.

SIX STEPS TO A GREAT MORNING (BESIDES COFFEE)

8 mental health tips to reduce holiday stress

Put your feet up, make some hot chocolate, and watch some Holiday movies.

We are deep into the holiday season.  As I navigate around town, I can tell the stress levels in some people is getting pretty high.  My pals at West Virginia University Medicine offers these 8 tips on how to reduce holiday stress.

Feng Shui can help you destress as well.  5 tips are listed here.  Note:  I'm a big fan of a place for my stuff.

So if you're reading these posts and you're already burned out, here's 7 Points to help find your way back.

WANT BETTER DAYS?

Do you want a better start to your day? I have a free e-book on six easy steps to a better day, that I personally follow after I experienced a significant health scare. If you would like this free e-book, please click the link below.

SIX STEPS TO A GREAT MORNING (BESIDES COFFEE)

How To Create And Respect Boundaries

I wrote recently an article on how the current news stories of sexual harassment are due to a severe lack of boundaries. The accused appear to have abused their power, by violating the personal boundaries of others.

This article will touch on the various types of boundaries, and how to create them for yourself, as well as respect the personal boundaries of others. Following these rules will create a better life for you, and will improve on how you interact with others, both professionally and personally.

Learning boundaries is not an automatic thing. You have to be aware of what you're feeling, in order to want to make changes. Learning boundaries is harder than one would think. What’s worked for me is focusing on how I feel when certain events happen to me. We all know that change can be difficult. A method to help make change easier is to know these items:

Why do you want to change? You should write down the reasons why you feel a change is necessaryWhat do you want to change? This is key. If you feel like your personal boundaries are being violated, it's up to you to change that situationKnowing you can change. Another crucial step is believing in yourself, and trusting that you in fact can changeConfirm that you are really wanting to change. Saying you want to change, and actually changing are two different worldsCelebrate early wins. I wrote about the importance of celebrating victories in this article

Personal boundaries are necessary for you, and for the people you interact with. Boundaries is a big word, and can mean many things. I'm not referring to territorial or land boundaries in this example, but personal space is definitely a boundary that should be respected and observed.

Physical - Also known as your personal space. Some people love hugs, while others do not want personal contact. Some people like handshakes, while others are into fist bumps. Figure out what your style is and watch for cues from whom you interact with. If you're unsure, ask. I attended a conference, and someone I met with actually asked people permission if she could hug them. It's up to you if you want to allow that, and also up to you if you should ask permission. Hint: You shouldMental - Opinions. Everyone has them, and some have opinions on a multitude of subjects. Respect is crucial, especially when others have a different opinion or value a situation differently than you. Respect their thoughts and decisions, even though you may not agree with themEmotional - Similar to mental, how you react to someone when they interact with you will go a long way in keeping your internal peace. Also, protect yourself from projecting your opinions on others, and don't take criticism or disagreement from others personally. Respect the space they're coming fromMaterial - When you loan something to someone, and they don’t return that item, a boundary has been violated. How do you feel? Ok, now imagine you’re the borrower, and you haven’t returned that item. The person that loaned that item to you feels violated as well

Respect is key when dealing with your boundaries and the boundaries of others.

How to Establish Boundaries

Some tips that have helped me in my career include:

Document how you felt on interactions with others, where you felt some of your boundaries were affected. How did you feel? Happy? Sad? Uneasy (stomach ache or queasy?) This will help you define new boundaries on how you handle interactionsSet limits to your work day. I see too many executives and entrepreneurs burning the candle at three ends. Stop checking emails from 6 am until 11 pm every day. Your body cannot work 24/7, so stop acting like you can Turn off notifications on your smartphone. Are the apps on your phone looking like Rudolph and have a red nose on the corner? 10,412 emails are not going to be read at once. Go into the Notifications setting on your phone and set to off on every app, except texts and phone. I keep the notifications on those two apps, because I have children and I want to make sure I respond to them in a timely manner. Email does not require an immediate responseTreat everyone as if they were your favorite (favourite in Canada) friend or relative. The clerk that just took your order for a Number two with a Coke, treat them like they're your friend. Don't bark orders at them. Do you like people barking orders at you? That's what I thought. Don’t have people treat you like a Welcome mat, and neither should you treat others without respect and dignityCommunicate with your boss! I hear so often that people are working long hours because their boss expects that. Do they? Did your boss physically tell you to work long hours? Open conversations with your boss are crucial in your career success. Working 12-hour days are not going to generate any more output than working an 8-hour day. Visit BreakfastLeadership.com for more information and resources on how to create Boundaries for Life!

Sources:

https://psychcentral.com/lib/what-are-personal-boundaries-how-do-i-get-some/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/romantically-attached/201608/4-ways-set-and-keep-your-personal-boundaries

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/change-improve-two-different-things-5-ways-influence-james-webb/

How To Recover From Burnout

Source: Geralt (via Pixabay)

If you are burned out, here's some tips from HBR on how to recover.

Work can often be the root cause for stress.  Here's some tips from the UK on how to avoid burnout at the 9-5.

Burnout has a human story attached to it, sometimes.  Read this post for inspiration.

WANT BETTER DAYS?

Do you want a better start to your day? I have a free e-book on six easy steps to a better day, that I personally follow after I experienced a significant health scare. If you would like this free e-book, please click the link below.

SIX STEPS TO A GREAT MORNING (BESIDES COFFEE)

Person of The Year Why Sexual Harassment Exists: A Severe Lack of Boundaries

Source:  Time Magazine

Harvey Weinstein.  

Kevin Spacey.

Charlie Rose.  

Matt Lauer.  

Danny Masterson.

US House of Representatives John Conyers.

Sexual harassment in Hollywood has been kept under the rug for decades, yet everyone said they knew about it.

A recent poll from Abacus Data indicates that 53% of women in Canada have been sexually harassed at work.  Based on my experience with an Internet market research firm, my hunch is that percentage is actually higher than 53%.  

Who's to blame?  That's the wrong question to ask in this environment of the daily stories about public figures and their alleged actions being brought to light.

The root cause of sexual harassment is the lack of boundaries in the people that are assaulting others, and the lack of respecting the victim's personal boundaries.  

Webster's defines Boundaries as something that indicates or fixes a limit or extent.  As individuals, we all need personal boundaries in how we act and behave in society.  The cases we've heard about recently are examples of misbehavior (misbehaviour in Canada) amongst people that have abused their level of power.

As an executive, I have perceived (and real) power in my role.  I don't take this lightly.  I also take precautions to protect my organizations and myself when it comes to interactions with people.  Respect is the first ingredient.  Regardless if I find someone "attractive", that does not give me ANY permission to violate their trust or boundaries by saying something inappropriate to them, or worse, physically assaulting them.  

The individuals that are being accused of harassment abused their power.  A colleague of mine commented that if these individuals were the janitor in their respective industries, the likelihood of them "getting away for so long" with the abuse wouldn't have happened.  

As a leader of a company and YOUR life, you need to respect the boundaries of others and do not harass or abuse ANYONE.

The TV show Mad Men portrays an era where harassment ran amok in workplaces.  It wasn't right then, and it's not right now, or ever.

As an individual or organization, respect of others and their personal boundaries is a must.  Take the high road and be a stellar community member and citizen.  Imagine your name on the front page of the newspaper, or trending on Twitter for misconduct.  How does that feel to you?  

WANT BETTER DAYS?

Do you want a better start to your day? I have a free e-book on six easy steps to a better day, that I personally follow after I experienced a significant health scare. If you would like this free e-book, please click the link below.

SIX STEPS TO A GREAT MORNING (BESIDES COFFEE)

 

 

Are You Taking Time to Live Your Life?

Life is awesome.  There's so many things around us that are quite amazing.  Are you taking time to observe life, or are you too busy trying to live your life?

Rewiring your brain to think positive.  It can be done!

I schedule a majority of my day.  From lunch, workouts, "brain breaks", etc, it's documented on my calendar.  I accomplish more by doing less.  Here's a great article on how those that accomplish a lot plan their days.

Good tips on how this CEO came back from burnout.

WANT BETTER DAYS?

Do you want a better start to your day? I have a free e-book on six easy steps to a better day, that I personally follow after I experienced a significant health scare. If you would like this free e-book, please click the link below.

SIX STEPS TO A GREAT MORNING (BESIDES COFFEE)

10 Ways To Lower Your Stress Level Fast

I'm all about using all-natural ways to live a better life.  

If you do find yourself in a stressful situation, here's 10 Ways to Lower Your Stress Level fast.  

Suffering from boredom, difficult times, tired of complaining, or are you overwhelmed?  There's one treatment for all of these conditions.

WANT BETTER DAYS?

Do you want a better start to your day? I have a free e-book on six easy steps to a better day, that I personally follow after I experienced a significant health scare. If you would like this free e-book, please click the link below.

SIX STEPS TO A GREAT MORNING (BESIDES COFFEE)

How To Simplify Your Life

Want to simplify your life?  Start by creating a simple life.

Your smartphone might be a cause of you not having a simpler life.  Do you want to take back control?  Do this:  On your smartphone, go into the Notification settings, and TURN OFF EVERY NOTIFICATION ON EVERY APP.  Exclusions should be your phone application, and your messages (texts or iMessages only.)

I write and share resources on stress, because I know too many of you are experiencing stress in your lives.  Here's a good post on how to make stress work for you.

10 Things to remember when things are going rough.  I look at this list often.  It's good to remember when things are going well for you, as well.

WANT BETTER DAYS?

Do you want a better start to your day? I have a free e-book on six easy steps to a better day, that I personally follow after I experienced a significant health scare. If you would like this free e-book, please click the link below.

SIX STEPS TO A GREAT MORNING (BESIDES COFFEE)

 

9 Days To A Less Stressed You

When I had the first domino in my 369 Days, I ignored the warning signs my body was trying to tell me.  Many of the items in this article were present before my heart attack.  If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, please do me a favor (Favour in

Happy Thanksgiving: 5 Healthy Ways To Prevent Year End Burnout

Burnout has dramatic impact on everyone.  Employers have skin in the game too, so here's some tips on what employers can do to create a healthy work environment.

For organizations that have December 31 year ends, those stressful times impact your team.  Here's 5 Healthy Ways to Prevent Year end burnout.

I'm a strong advocate for creating and following your dreams.  Don't let these 5 enemies hold you back.

Finally, you are a winner.  Here's how to maintain that winning lifestyle.

WANT BETTER DAYS?

Do you want a better start to your day? I have a free e-book on six easy steps to a better day, that I personally follow after I experienced a significant health scare. If you would like this free e-book, please click the link below.

SIX STEPS TO A GREAT MORNING (BESIDES COFFEE)