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Workshop Solutions |
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Creative and interactive sessions. From two-hours to full day seminars tailored to the needs of your organization. |
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Statistics Canada has calculated the cost of work time lost to stress at $12 billion a year. This loss is in terms of absenteeism, lost productivity, poor customer service and escalating short and long-term disability claims. The good news is that management can take preventative measures to ensure a healthy work environment.
- Laura Churchill,
Centre for Organizational Research and Development, Acadia University.
"Things do not change; we change." - Henry David Thoreau
One out of five American workers has quit a job in the past because of stress "At the end of the day, large numbers of American workers say they are a physical wreck." - 2000 Integra Realty Resources Survey |
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Easy Activities to Manage Stress! |
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Stress Stretch:
Take a rubber band - stretch it - that's how people feel when they are "stressed out" and overwhelmed - then leave it limp - too little stress makes one bored and depressed, uninvolved - now stretch it half way - it has form, function and purpose, a symbol of achieving a work-life balance. The goal in life is to find the optimal level of stress. Employees whose rubber bands are too limp or too tight, who feel overworked or bored do not perform optimally. Liken this to a string of a musical instrument - if the string is tuned too tightly it pops, not tightened enough it sounds flat, with only the optimum amount of tightening producing beautiful music! You can also use a balloon to show the same concept - just make sure it doesn't pop in your face!
Hand Folding :
Clasp you hands so fingers interlock - which thumb is on top? Now try it the other way - How does it feel? For many people it feels natural. In my workshops, it is often split as to what is must comfortable, regardless of whether one is right some is strange for another - This can be a visual reminder to help change your perspective and be flexible, and to realize people can struggle with something that might be natural for you! Advanced version - Try it with your arms - this is even more "unnatural" for most!
Stress Emergency Kit:
- Make up your own kit to combat stress for you and others at the workplace,
don't leave home without it!
- Examples: Rubber band (reminds you of the optimal level of stress)
- Hershey Kiss and Hug (everyone needs a hug and kiss sometimes)
- Crayon (to color your world)
- Paintbrush (attitude's the mind's paint brush!)
- Paper clip (helps you "hold it together!)
- Mini ball (remind you to play!)
- Smiley faces yellow stickers (to remind you to smile!)
- Comic clipping (remember to laugh!)
- Post it Note (a reminder, i.e. not to take things too personally,
to be forgiving to your co worker)
- Brainstorm about what other things to put in your kit!
Trading Places
At your next meeting - have everyone change the way they normally sit at meetings - talk about how it feels - put yourself in someone else's shoes - talk about it! This is great for changing perspective!
It's All in Your Tone!
Write the line "I never said he stole the money!" Emphasize each word and see how different the message is - this helps you realize the importance of tone, inflection of non -verbal behavior!" When one says" I only said..." remember inflection and tone is more important than the words!
Life Lines - Putting it All in Perspective!
Take a yardstick - Each inch represents 2 or 2 ½ years. Where are you - What have you done? What would you like to accomplish? Are some of the things that detract from you really important in the scheme of things? How long do you have with your spouse, children, work, etc?
Will it Matter 10 Years From Now?
If you ask yourself this question, most of what one is upset about will become unimportant and will be forgotten – often even in a few weeks! You don't need to wait ten years! Keep that perspective!
You Don't Know it All!
We need to rethink things! Would you rather have a million dollars or a penny which doubles every day for a month? Though most would be inclined to take the first offer, the difference is: 1,000,000 vs. $5,386,709.12! |
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