Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
I know I’ve mentioned before that this seems to be the time of year when individuals (and organizations) set goals and make plans for the upcoming year. But the truth is, we should really do this continuously.
Sometimes I wonder if the reason that individuals (and organizations) don’t accomplish their goals is because they only set goals once a year … and set a whole bunch of them. Maybe if we spaced them out, they would be easier to achieve.
That being said, some of the most common goals we set for ourselves have to do with self-care. It’s hard to be productive and effective when we don’t feel our best. So, here are some articles that might provide a reminder that it’s important to make time for yourself.
How to Create a Morning Routine
One thing I’ve become protective of is my morning routine. I’ve spent much of my career in 24/7/365 industries, so it was very likely that when I arrived at work, my schedule could be completely changed because of something happening while I wasn’t there. The only thing I could really control was my morning. So, it became very important.
Even now, as a consultant, my morning routine matters but for a different reason. I find that my morning routine helps me to feel better and be more productive. If you’re looking to create a morning routine for yourself or maybe just tweak your current routine, there are a few things to consider.
5 Ways Employees Can Stay Relevant in Their Career
Employees who refuse to evolve will be left behind. Period. For example, if your company, industry, job is adopting artificial intelligence (AI) at a rapid pace, then learning AI is important to your career. And even if your role doesn’t have a lot of exposure to AI right now, it might be worth it to learn more. But AI isn’t the only thing that keeps an employee relevant. The business world is changing, and we need to stay up to date on everything that’s happening.
How to Manage Extra Time Commitments
Many people work full-time jobs and do other things. They do it because it brings them something they want or need. Managing an extra time commitment takes planning and discipline because whatever we do, we want to do it well.
7 Steps for Having More Fun at Work (and Still be Productive)
We spend approximately one-third of our day at work. It only makes sense that we would want that time to be as enjoyable as possible. Having fun at work can improve employee morale, leading to increased employee engagement and retention. It can be a stress reliever and reduce symptoms of burnout.
The hard part is that “fun” is a very broad and subjective term. HR departments will need to figure out enjoyable activities that employees will respond to.
Think About the Right Way to Offer Advice at Work
As a manager, we might see a member of the team struggling. It could be related to work and performance, but it could also be personal. Maybe it’s a situation that you’ve experienced in your career, and you know exactly how to fix whatever is bothering the employee. As tempting as it might be to jump in and offer some advice, maybe we need to wait until the right moment to offer advice or assistance.
How to Create an Evening Routine
Having an evening routine is just as important as having a morning one. How we wind down at the end of the day can impact our sleep and subsequently how we start the next day. Good evening routines lead to good mornings and so on …
Some of the activities that are part of a morning routine could also be part of an evening routine. For example, including an element of fun. However, there are a few other things to consider.
From a professional perspective, think of making time for yourself as making an investment into your career. Again, you can’t do your best work when you’re tired. And we both know that the organization wants you to do your best. That’s how goals are achieved.
The hard part is figuring out what combination of things works best for you. It might take some time. That’s okay. Once you find those things that work for you … make them a priority.
Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while exploring the streets of Honolulu, HI
