We are facing a BIG CRISIS…
It is not just burnout – although burnout is at an all-time high – especially in the younger generations. We are facing a global human energy crisis. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that nearly one billion people are suffering from mental health conditions. Sadly most will go untreated.
Furthermore, the 2023 State of the Heart report reveals a very worrying trend for the world’s emotional health. Emotional intelligence – the skills needed to thrive in complex and uncertain times – has declined for three consecutive years. External and internal stress compounding over the last three years, has put considerable strain on peoples’ energy, enthusiasm and mental health.
There is good news! The skills required to adapt and thrive in extremely difficult times can be learnt. In fact, one of our signature and very popular programmes is called “Key Steps to Adapt and Thrive,” which has a main focus on developing and harnessing the skills of emotional intelligence. Contact Collettefor more information on how we can support you and your teams.
Here are critical Key Steps that you can start taking immediately:
- Have boundaries. If you keep giving, the system will keep taking. The pressure to do more (A LOT MORE) with much less is not going to abate. You must learn to say NO, to challenge the status quo, negotiate more realistic outcomes and to stop feeding the disease to please. Tomorrow is another day. The system will cope without you while you fill up your tank. If you burn out, everyone loses – especially you and your loved ones.
- Be realistic. Are you expecting too much of yourself and others? Do you underestimate how long certain tasks will take and inadvertently overcommit yourself or your team? Do you take time to think carefully about your response to unrelenting demands? Do you do adequate planning and prioritising to optimise the use of your time and energy? Managing your time is not enough. You need to manage your energy and…
- Fill your tank. Use 4 – 7 – 8 breathing or box breathing to reduce your stress levels and remain grounded. Take a 20-minute walk in nature rather than through social media. Too much time on social media increases levels of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. While a walk through nature reduces them and boosts your serotonin – a critical feel good chemical. Exercise increases serotonin and dopamine – your motivation hormone. It is up to you where you spend your time and energy. Choose wisely and fill up your tank.
- Take care of the glass balls. Life is often a juggling act and you’ve likely heard the analogy of discerning which aspects of our life are rubber balls and which ones are glass. Work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But others like your family, your children and your health, are made of glass. If you drop them, they could be irrevocably scratched, damaged or even shattered. All too often I hear people giving the best of themselves to the rubber and letting the glass shatter around them. I am not suggested that we get tardy at work… I am a business owner and deeply invested doing what I love. What I am suggesting is that we do points 1 to 3 and make our health and personal relationships a key priority so we have the energy for our work.
Together we can adapt and thrive and take Key Steps to ‘be the difference that makes the difference.’
NOTE: The information in my blog may be freely shared and re-used in any online or offline publication, provided it is accompanied by the following credit line: This was written by Dr Sharon King Gabrielides, and originally appeared in her free weekly ‘Key Steps Food for Thought Blog’ available on the Key Steps website.
About Dr Sharon King Gabrielides
Sharon is a dynamic facilitator, speaker and executive coach with over 25 years’ experience in leadership development and organisational transformation. Her PhD thesis contributed a framework for holistic and sustainable leadership development that was published by Rutgers University in the USA. She is faculty of numerous business schools and highly sought-after by leading corporates because she works hand-in-hand with them to create sustainable results and long-term success. In 2020, Sharon was inducted into the Educators Hall of Fame, which is a lifetime achievement award, recognising excellence and her contribution to the field.
Sharon is one of only three women in South Africa to have achieved the title of Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) – the Oscar of the speaking industry. She is also a COMENSA Master Practitioner (CMP), a qualified Modern Classroom Certified Trainer (MCCT™) and an accredited Global Virtual Speaker. Sharon is also a registered Education, Training and Development Practitioner (ETDP), holds an Honours degree in Psychology and practices as an NLP master practitioner.
Most important to Sharon is that she has become known for her genuinely caring manner, practical and transformational approach, and for providing valuable tools and that allow people to take Key Steps to really… ‘be the difference that makes the difference.’