It certainly makes sense to prioritize your tasks and skip work that offers little overall value. But failing to fulfil commitments won't get you ahead
I had a hard time writing this article. I’m not sure if it was fatigue or laziness, but I procrastinated even sitting down at the computer until almost the last minute. I had excuses, distractions, a nap and a few squirrels to chase on social media. I even saw something that said Bill Gates, or…
Ask yourself (and maybe someone close to you) the following questions to get a better understanding of what causes it and how to handle it
Stress afflicts us all and is a common precursor to mental distress. While there is plenty of good advice about how to manage stress, I don’t think we spend enough time talking about how to anticipate, and avoid, it. It starts with self-awareness. What is your stress profile? How each of us responds to stress…
How your state of mind can influence everything around you, and tips that will help you find and achieve the right balance
Decluttering your life and being at ease with yourself has more to do with your mind than your environment. Over the years, I've voraciously consumed articles and watched programs about creating a stress-free life through decluttering. For example, they say most of us wear only 20 per cent of our wardrobe – the rest we'll fit…
Financial stress in the workplace is costing the Canadian economy close to $16 billion a year in lost productivity –and that’s a very conservative estimate, says a survey released on Wednesday by the Canadian Payroll Association. The association's 2019 National Payroll Week Survey of Employed Canadians found that 43 per cent of workers are so…
Feeling burned out? Apparently you’re not alone. A recent survey from staffing firm Accountemps found that nearly all senior managers in Canada (96 per cent) believe their team members are experiencing some degree of burnout. In a separate survey, 95 per cent of Canadian workers said they are at least somewhat burned out. According to…
Will more money mean we sleep better at night, spend more time with friends and family, or contribute more to society?
There’s a story told that about a financial planner who was on holidays in Mexico. He was walking along the beach when he came to a fisherman sitting on a wharf, his feet hanging off the edge as he played guitar. “Is that your boat?” the planner asked the fisherman. “It is,” he replied. They…
But before we find compassion for others, we need firm personal boundaries and strong self-respect
Compassionate people are happy people, and compassionate people understand that everyone is simply doing their best. They acknowledge there are those who do rotten things to each other, but we have no idea of the internal torment these individuals struggle with. This isn’t to say that we shouldn’t have rules in our society or that…
Business leaders are often under extraordinary stress and they need support and counselling
Over the years, I’ve worked with a number of business leaders who have had breakdowns from the stress of owning or running a business or organization. The symptoms they’ve exhibited are very similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, it’s very unlikely that a psychiatrist or psychologist would give them a diagnosis of PTSD. PTSD…
It’s not always obvious when you are under stressed or anxious. While this might seem not to be true, the reality is that we adjust to stress levels until chronic stress becomes a way of life and is barely noticed, if at all. Nevertheless, it still has a very negative effect on our body. The…
While care for those we love creates meaningful experiences, it can also lead to exhaustion, isolation and burnout. We need to welcome help
Canada’s 8.1 million natural caregivers frequently hear their friends, family, neighbours and co-workers say, “Don’t hesitate to let me know if there is anything I can do to help.” The automatic verbal response from the caregiver if often a grateful, “Sure, will do.” But that rarely happens. Instead there’s hesitance, reluctance or even a refusal…