Here’s a YouTube short which is a reminder, that our #communication skills are valuable in solving others’ problems
It doesn’t matter whether we polished those skills through a career, or during a demanding time we were doing unpaid work as a #carer
Either way, we can use the STAR model to help us spotlight our #skills
I’ve created a PDF summarising these points which you can find by following the link below
As Christmas and the new year get closer, we could do worse than think about the future.
In the short-term there will be parties and socials where our people skills are put to the test. After all, social gatherings can bring out the worst in people.
In those settings our charisma or #rizz helps us get out point across and listen, respectfully, to others’ views. We can remain happy even if the atmosphere gets heated.
In January we will be going after a new set of goals. We might have to work with new people and influence their actions to get something done on our behalf. Charisma will be important in this area too.
So, this holiday season we can all practice using our people skills and see what value we can add to work, or play, by using our charisma.
Why not give it a try and leave a comment about how you got on.
Cover – Preventable How a Pandemic Changed the World & How to Stop the Next One by Devi Sridhar
Mental health charity Mind says spending time in nature is good for our mental health.
And they are right.
Being outdoors means: slowing down; breathing deep and feeling the sun on your face.
How many office-based headaches, neighbourhood tensions, or bereavement blues could be lessened by some outdoors therapy?
Of course it is privilege to simply take a long walk outdoors, after months of lockdown. But it is a privilege that 174,000 British people can never again enjoy (they are the ones who have died of Coronavirus since March 2020).
There is a story behind each of those deaths, whether they happened at home; in a hospital ward; or in a care setting.
Many deaths will have been preventable, had there been more inspired public health leadership in place, before the pandemic arrived.
No one can say for sure how many lives might have been saved if hospital patients had been tested before returning to their care homes, (or if there had been effective protective rings around those homes).
In her new book (cover shown above) Professor Devi Sridhar does ask some searching public health questions about how society can be reimagined to help reduce the impact on society of future pandemics. Taking action now might reduce the number of parents, friends and neighbours we lose in the next pandemic, whenever it occurs.
Take a look at her book, it is worth your time.
Solving Problems Is Easier When We Act Together. (Picture credit Photo by August de Richelieu from Pexels )
Today, of all days, it is worth saying that life without good mental health is hard.
From my experience, in the developed world, it can still feel dark, stressful, and overwhelming to struggle on alone.
In developed and developing nations stigma about mental health conditions can affect outcomes. In some countries and cultures mental health taboos can leave those issues to silently fester in the dark. People affected can hide their illness. It can feel their secret shame to bear alone.
Left untreated their illness can become more significant than it needed to be. That is bad news for their loved ones, their colleagues and everyone else affected.
So, to change those outcomes, wherever we live, tackling mental health issues needs to involve:
What has worked for you, or people you know?
Always worth remembering, wherever in the World we find ourselves, and whatever else is important in our lives, struggling alone is not a solution.
We are stronger together.
(Feel free to like and share if you enjoy this post)
This is the time of year when we make changes. Getting healthier; making savings grow; changing our job: these all feature on people’s To Do lists.
Maybe you made a 2021 Resolution yourself (if so, how is it going)?
The hardest part of making change happen is taking a first step, having stood still for a while (weeks / months / even years).
The biggest obstacle to getting started can be other people, especially when they are important or influential figures in our lives. There are ways around people who want to block our growth.
Take a look at my video on the subject via Youtube if you need to think about working around the people getting in your way. What strategies do you use to keep moving forward? Don’t forget to comment, like, share and subscribe if you enjoy what you see.
All the best – Roger
This year has been brutal.
Looking back there have been highs, but the lows have been heart breaking.
Work.
Money.
Health.
Where have you felt the impact of 2020?
The New Year won’t be a repeat of the last. I will be making some changes in 2021. Perhaps you will too?
If so, feel free to fill in the short survey below, say what you plan on changing and as a result influence the type of content which I create.
I am looking forward to reading about your goals.
Meanwhile, Have a Great Christmas / Holiday Season and a Peaceful New Year.
(Photo credit Joshua Earle on Unsplash )
2020 has been a tough year.
Twelve months ago, who knew we would have to deal with Furloughs, Social distancing, Funeral planning ?
The Covid-19 era will end. But during this roller-coaster ride we owe it to ourselves to do one thing; look after ourselves.
Luckily, looking after ourselves is the theme for World Mental Health Day. So on Saturday 10 October it makes sense to make time to look after number one. Doing this makes us better prepared to support other people.
How have you managed to keep it together in 2020? As I take stock this October my life isn’t perfect, but I have stayed mostly upbeat since March by:
Obviously, there is more to looking after ourselves than that, but this is a start.
What are the actions you take to manage your wellbeing? Feel free to leave a comment and continue the conversation.
(Image credit Lean Leta at Pexels.com)
So, how are you doing today?
No. Really. How are you doing?
Anxious? Concerned? Unsettled?
No harm in having any of these feelings (at different times since the Covid-19 pandemic started I have felt one or two of these states).
The trick is to find a way to comfort yourself, so you are more like yourself and better able to help other people. Any small step will do.
Exercise.
Music.
Food.
Whatever works.
We won’t be locked-down forever, so living it up, in a small way is worth it. I hope the recipe gets you thinking about what you can do to get moving in a more positive direction.
International Women’s Day – Photo by Chelsi Peter from Pexels
Here are my 3 favourite approaches to promoting gender equality (what are yours)?
So, the end of the year is here and I am looking back at how I achieved my goals, so I can reach out toward my next set of goals and achieve more of them in 2020.
What are the three things qualities I had to practice to achieve more in 2019?
Patience
Making time to slow down and look again at my plan, message, relationships meant more chance of spotting a mistake and creating a better result.
Gratitude
Saying ‘thank you ‘ improved the quality of my relationships, even if they were related to simple projects.
Acceptance
Sometimes difficult situations cannot be changed only endured. Even bad situations can be a good learning opportunities. It has been worthwhile asking, What do I want instead of what I have got?
What have been your take-aways from 2019? Feel free to leave a reply or Tweet me @RogerD_Said
Have a great 2020!
Experience Your Life 