This is a hidden gem! A great video that shows a simple strategy to develop inner confidence. I would love to hear how you get on.
Enjoy!
Tag: Be Happy
Join the Strengths Revolution
What is this video about?
This is a Tedx WhitehallWomen talk by Andy Woodfeild, a partner at PWC . In his this video, Andy takes us through his career journey to illustrate the power of working with your strengths.
How is this different?
Andy explores the tensions between fitting in and being yourself and how this can lead to performance anxiety. He challenges the notion that a focus on your weakness is the best way to go, to be a success in your job.
How this can help?
Andy walks us through the benefits of focusing on your strengths and strengths of others. First, people are happier at work. Second, evidence shows it mutes unconscious biases such as those relation to gender ethnicity for example. Third, by exploring strengths, this helps people to tackle their weaknesses more productively.
If you want to join the strengths revolution Andy advises:
• Let yourself believe that you have unique strengths
• Ask people for strengths based feedback -when they saw you at your best
• Give people strengths based feedback
• Create more spaces to discuss strengths and shut down spaces that are conversations solely focused on what is wrong with people
How to get the most out of high stakes situations
What is this about?
This is the final contribution to the theme of productivity this October. We will look at a book that helps you get the most out of high stakes situations. The book is called Gravitas by Caroline Goyder. In short Caroline will help you own the room in a variety of anxiety inducing social situations.
How is this different?
I really like the non prescriptive style of the author. Caroline sets out a range of tools and, encourages you to pick out the ones that fit best. This relaxed approach helps you get the best from yourself.
How it can help
This is a mini voice coach in your pocket. Its practical and easy to read. The book will talk you through the features of Gravitas step by step. As a bonus, Caroline provides situation specific tips such as interviews, presentations and talking on TV. A real gem.
Caroline recently did a talk at Ted X Brixton. Check her out here when the video goes up.
You can also get her book on amazon.
Enjoy!
Feel motivated at work – the quick how to guide
What is it:
Dan Arley’s engaging talk unpacks what motivates us to labour, to work. Dan demonstrates work without end, with repitition and no purpose is the most de-motivating. At the other end of the spectrum, work which has meaning (not the highest paid), is the most motivating.
How is it different:
This is one of the longer Ted talks at 20 minutes. That said it is well worth it. To illustrate his work, Dan provides engaging and charming examples.
How it can help:
Dan’s very practical talk provides interesting food for thought about motivation in the workplace. Below are the stand out ideas for me:
- It can be helpful for us to think about our work as something meaningfull. Such as creating something, overcoming a challenge or as part of our identity for example.
- Effort that leads to an outcome has more of a driving effect than money – think of the furniture you have self assembled that you love!
- Morph your effort when things go wrong – even when things don’t go to plan, morph it to another meaning to keep your motivation up.
Enjoy!
Get Walking – Get Productive
75 days ago, I set a 60 day challenge to walk 10,000 steps a day to boost my happiness levels and wellbeing and in turn improve outcomes at work. The photos above are from my daily walks. I fit them in wherever I can – which is really great.
How is this different
I wanted to test the theories in the the Ted talks and see for myself and report back, rather than just curate what others have said. I wanted to answer the question, does being healthier really make a big difference at work.
How can it help
Well as you know this challenge was originally 60 days and I extended it to 90 days because I was so pleased with the impact. So what have been the benefits at work:
- Greater levels of focus – helps with doing complex taks
- Deeper sleep – great for early start sand getting more done in the day
- Great way to mange change – in a work environment which has lots of change walking keeps me in a constructive mood.
Plus there are loads of other benefits:
- its free-enough said on that one
- its social – at the weekend I go on walks with my partner – its a fun way to catch up
- its thinking time – its great to get out and think through things in a fresh way, a lot like Nilofer’s talk I highlighted in the last post but one.
Let me know how your doing. Not long till the 90 days are up!
Spend on your colleagues to be more productive
So you have been boosting your wellbeing at work, you are more productive and now you’ve been promoted. So what do you do with the extra cash? This talk may have the answer. Michael’s research show a clear link between spending money on others and increasing your happiness. This was found to be true in both wealthy and less well off countries. The amount is not significant, the link is still there if its a small or big spend.
Why it is different
Michael challenges the notion that money can’t bye you happiness. He suggest that money can make you happy – if you spend it right. It is an interesting look at a new concept of pro social spending.
How it can help
Pro social teams are more productive according to Micahel. Teams that spend money on each other (rather themselves) are more productive and dominate there sector. Also spending on others like family, friends and your community will make you happier. He suggest a great website to sponsor resources in schools, check out http://www.donorschoose.org/. Its an online charity that provides a platform to donate directly to projects at public schools.
Happy (social) spending.
Productivity at work update -#90 days to cover the whole summer.
What is it
This week I have posted 5 photos from my #60 day 10,000 step challenge walks.
How is this different
Over the last couple of months we have been looking at the link between happiness and productivity at work. In my last but one post we looked at how walking 10,000 steps a day can boost our mood which, in turn boost productive at work. I decided to test it myself .
How ca it help
So whats the results so far I hear you say. Well, I have a lot more energy during the days – which means more productivity. I also find I have a higher frustration level, so way more relaxed. This is always helpful :). Im also thinking a lot more clearly. Im finding it so helpful, I’m extending the challenge to #90 days to cover the whole summer.
How are you going? Do let me know!
Happy stepping!
Productivity at work- get social
What is this video about
Dr Emma Seppala in a succinct and high impact video talks about the the benefits of social connection. Emma explains that after our basic needs have been met -such as food and shelter- connecting with others is our next biggest need. Its so important it is a major predictor of psychological and physical outcomes such as recovery from disease and length of our life.
Why is this different
Given the data and research on what people value mosts, she challenges the idea that buying something, achieving something or getting recognition will drive our happiness levels. Social connection and the desire to be with others Emma tells us, is the truest source of fulfilment. Loneliness Emmas says is as worst for us than obesity, smoking and diabetes.
How can this help
If happiness drives productivity at work and connection drives happiness- this link is helpful to understand. This video helps us think about the practical steps we can take to get happier in our day to day lives – connecting. Go on, make that call and arrange that lunch, it will pay dividends for your career in more ways than one I’m sure!
Enjoy getting social!
Getting happy – # 60 Day 10,000 Step Challenge
What is this video about
In this weeks video were looking at the wide raging benefits of walking.
How is this different
This week, we are doing something a bit different. Over the last couple of posts we looked at the advandatages of being happy at work. This week were going to explore how we can boost are own wellbeing. But lets not just absorb a new pice of info, lets actually do it – join me on the #60 Day 10,000 Step Challenge.
How can it help
If your not convinced, below are some of the health and social benefits of walking:
- improves mood and wellbeing
- reduces stress
- reduces risk of diabetes and other long term conditions
- It can also be social!
- Its totally free
- It can fit around your schedule
Let me know how you get on over the next 60 days – I will feedback how I get on too. For more info check out the benefits your self via the British National Health Service Guide.
Enjoy the fresh air!
Being happy makes you more productive
What is this video about
This is an interesting talk about productivity. Yes this is possible, this isn’t a boring talk about time management or your email inbox. This is about a call to action to move beyond the average, to be happy. Shawn tells us that in order to be more productive we must become happier. He cites research that 75% of job success can be predicted by happiness levels.
Why is this video different
Shawn debunks the idea that you work to be happy. He turns it on its head and says that for work to work – you need to be happy first. Your brain at positive means that you can improve business outcomes across the board – harder, faster and more intelligently.
How can it help me
Shawn tells us that your happiness is not determined by your external world but 90% by you internal world. How your brain processess information. In the video we learn small practical steps you can add to your day to make you happier. Some of the examples he includes is a gratitude journal, working out, mediation and acts of kindness.
Enjoy -and go be happy!
Sharleene May Bibbings's Blog 