3 Ways to Stop Falling Asleep at Work

How did you sleep last night? Badly, tossing and turning and mulling over the state of your bank balance? Well, according to a new report, 75% of workers aren't getting enough sleep and bringing their tiredness to work with them the next day. They blame it on the Credit Crunch - the most depressing and overused term of the last year or so. But worrying about money (or lack of) and the cost of commuting which is now even more expensive thanks to fuel prices and job security can feel very real at 2 in the morning.

So what can you do to stay awake and alert in the office after a rubbish nights sleep?

Sleep is so important to every organisation whether they acknowledge it or not. Your workforce is only as productive as the quality of their sleep. We work with a few organisations who are on top of this - usually because they have a lot of shift work which disrupts even the best of sleep patterns. We help them by showing their staff how to manage their state of mind and be able to relax when they need to. We spend a lot of time helping them understand how to focus and be effective when they're busy and then also how unwind and still the mind when they need to focus or recharge their batteries. 

Here are 3 key themes we teach:

1) Breathing and stretching techniques to invigorate the body and sharpen the mind for the day ahead.

2) State management strategies to help busy workers move between a variety of daily tasks without losing focus

3) Relaxation techniques to clear and refresh the mind during the day and aid quality sleep at night

What do you do to help yourself focus when you're tired and relax when you need to?

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Hate your Job? 6 Ways to fix it

Is it Possible to find a job you enjoy?

The reason I ask is because I know more people who don't like what they do than those who do. That will probably come as no surprise to you but I still find it slightly depressing that so many people spend the majority of their lives doing something they don't enjoy. But is that the way it has to be?

I don't think so. It is possible to find a job you like the majority of the time, but it requires some effort on your part to get there. Here's how:


1. Don't throw the towel in - For many people, they decide very early on that the job isn't right for them and start dreading it, stop going in and pretty soon, leave. This can become a pattern and a very dangerous one so it's always worth setting a decent deadline to which you will make every effort to fit in, work hard and see how it all works out. No ditching before then. If after 3 months there's no sign of improvement, then that is acceptable to start looking around for a new job.

2. Learn your Lesson - If you know you've got 6 or 7 jobs on your CV in the last 2 years, chances are that you are either very unlucky or you are not thinking enough about whether the job is right for you before you accept it. Never apply for a job that you don't want. If you get yourself into a desperate - mortgage in arrears situation - then you may have fewer choices but you should still take a moment to think it through. Can you see yourself going in there everyday? Is the stress the job will cause you worth the money you'll be bringing in? Can you afford to take the time to look around for what you'd really like? Having so many jobs on your CV in a short space of time doesn't send out the right message but you don't have to list them all. Don't lie, but don't declare your lack of commitment on paper.

3. Look around you - Take inspiration from the people you know love what they do. In what ways are they so different from you? Could you adopt any of their attitude or have you ever asked their advice. What are their coping mechanisms for when a job goes wrong - how do they handle it? There is never a better place to learn than from someone who is living it and doing it everyday.

4. The Job isn't everythingg - often if you don't make time in your life for anything other than your job and looking after family or supermarket shopping, it can mean everything to you when the job goes wrong. Just 2 hours a week doing a hobby or having time to go to the gym - something that allows you clear head space is good for you. Work is important but work and nothing else is putting too much emphasis on work being good. When it's not good, your world can feel like its out of control. Time to take the control back and get a new hobby.

5. Get writing - not job applications but write down the 6 things you really want from a job - it can include salary, good mates at work, responsibility, career development etc. Whatever is important to you, write it down. Sign up with lots of agencies and tell them that you you would be happy if they could find you something that had at least 4 out of the 6 things you've listed. Chances are, that the next job you get will be one that fits your needs and desires - doesn't that sound much better?

6. It might be you - Sometimes, you have to accept that if you keep leaving jobs and getting fed up of what you do that it's a sign you are ignoring. Why not try doing it yourself and thinking about what business you could run and be your own boss. Not everyone is made to work in an office. Think about it - is there something you have always wanted to do?

What are you waiting for?



Photograph by pereiraalexandre20 (flickr)

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Ever Lost Your Temper in the Office?

For many people, losing your temper in the office isn't something that they would even consider. If anything, they would be more likely to lose it outside of the office after biting your tongue all day about something.

But some people don't have a problem with blowing a fuse at work - they think it's OK. They think that screaming at colleagues will get them respect (read: fear) and get the job done quicker (deluded).

Here's 5 reasons why losing your temper in the office makes you the only loser


1. Shouting at colleagues motivates them
It only motivates them into making more mistakes because you've scared and intimidated them. That's all. You've lost your temper over a mistake and this will only make people around you nervous that you'll do it again. Its now more likely than ever that another mistake will be made and you can guarantee that morale has been shot.

TIP - Why not try dealing with mistake calmly and after you've had 5 minutes to think it through rather than reacting to it. Take a deep breath, walk away and think. When you know what you want the outcome of your 'talk' to be, then you're ready to face your team. Worse, it absolutely kills morale. No one wants to work for a temperamental jerk, especially if it begins to feel like the jerk is just manipulating you

2. You've Lost your Talent
If you get angry and lose your temper with your colleagues, the most talented team members will eventually start job hunting. When people are good, they usually want respect and give respect and you've lost yours with every temper tantrum. If you shout at people then you are making it personal. Swearing, insults, sarcasm and aggressive body language are a huge turn off for the very people who you hired to make you look great. So curb it.

TIP - It's very hard to respect someone with little self control so work on that aspect of your personality. Start yoga classes or get into a routine of long walks after work to help you unwind. You need to learn little tricks to help you get calm when you feel an outburst coming. Do your homework or risk the high price you'll eventually pay for not doing so.

3.I'm only angry because I'm passionate about what I do!
Don't confuse passion with anger. Its good to be passionate about your job and each and every task but when you start using it as an excuse to lose your temper when someone makes a mistake, then you are really saying that you're not confident and not in control. You're letting your feelings get in the way of your thinking and that's not what people expect in an office. If you're a creative type and work in a creative environment, it can be tough to curb need to express yourself but shouting and getting angry with colleagues only sends out the wrong messages. I'm no longer in control.

TIP - Try to be clear with colleagues about your high expectations at the start of a task and open the road to communication early on. Limit the likelihood of things going wrong by letting it be known people can ask questions. A culture of fear always creates more mistakes because people are too scared to ask and then it's too late.

4. Anger Management
Some people are just really angry and lose their tempers over anything. They get labeled as having anger issues or a short fuse. No one wants to be around people like that and its a reputation that sticks. Is this you?

TIP - If so, acknowledge it and get help with it and change it. Get some balance in your life. Get more in your life than work and have an outlet for your frustration. Some swear by running whilst squash is the game of choice for others. Whatever it takes, do it because it's a destructive trait for you and those around you.

5. You are what you eat
When a toddler behave the way some people act in the office and has a full on tantrum, everyone always asks about what they've been eating. We all know junk food and additives send kids temporarily off the rails but bad food and bad eating habits does the same for adults. If you find yourself angry in the office all the time, look to your diet.

TIP -
Limit your coffee intake to 2 a day.
Eat fruit and nuts for snacks and not crisps and chocolate.
Don't skip breakfast and overeat at lunch.
Try not to eat hot meals at lunch time - they only make you sleepy and this makes you less patient.
Drink plenty of water
Avoid drinking alcohol at lunch time - for obvious reasons.
Your mood will stabilise and you'll have fewer highs and consequent crashes.


Does this sound like you? Have you worked with people who lose it in the office regularly?




photograph by Jekkyl (flickr)

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Healthy Staff = Healthy Bottom Line

It seems obvious to point out that the more healthy your staff, the less time they spend off sick and the more profitable your company is running with all hands on deck.

Unhealthy staff means absenteeism figures are higher than you would like, motivation is low, the remaining employees inherit all the workload and no one is happy or productive. Many large and small companies are realising that you get out of staff what you put in and as this is an issue close to my heart, I've just written an article about this for
HR Zone. The ways to get your workforce feeling loved and healthy by you is so straight forwards and this is one of those areas in life where a small gesture can go a long way. Have a look at the tips and see if you couldn't implement one of them this month.

The article is worth reading - but I would say that wouldn't I! But seriously, there are many different ways to injecting a bit of health and fitness into your staff and they all work. So what's stopping you trying one out today?

Did I miss any corporate health and fitness ideas out? Let me know.


Photograph by blue_gazelle

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Don't hate your co-workers just because they're not you

In the office, a little self-awareness goes a long way.

An article in last weekend's Sunday Times had some interesting statistics on the attitude of holidaying business people to their gadgets that keep them in touch with the office. A whopping 97% of people surveyed took their mobile phones with them on holiday and 68% took either a laptop or a Blackberry.

The article, quite rightly, outlines that mobile communications can either be a help or a hindrance depending on how you manage them and while some people need a complete break while they're away, others find it less stressful if they keep in touch with work so they know they're nothing ominous brewing or awaiting them on their return to the office.

When we work with business people, we encourage them to take various steps to understand in greater detail how they work best. It sounds obvious but frustrations in the workplace and compromised efficiency crops up time and time again when people either don't know what their strengths and weaknesses are, or, they know what they are but they don't cater for them carefully enough.

There are 3 main areas where knowledge of how you perform best can save you time, energy and reduce office stress levels.

1.Communication
Some people like to write and some like to talk. Those who like to read emails, reports, project updates and instructions don't like people who process information verbally and see lots of meetings and chats as a waste of time. Those who learn by talking things through can't understand why the visual learners won't stop for a chat.

Tip - You can spot those who process information verbally - they'll often say things like 'I hear what you're saying' or lean their heads to one side or the other when they are listening to you. Those who learn visually will say things like 'I see what you mean' and look up a lot when they're talk as they visualise what they're saying.

For a smooth running office, all learning and communication styles must be catered for. One is not better than the other.

2. Larks versus Owls
Some people perform best first thing in the morning while others take a while to warm up and are at their best later in the day. Knowing when you perform best and when the rest of your team is at their most effective allows you to schedule important meetings when you're sure you'll get the best input from all those attending.

Tip - You usually can't change people from one group to the other so getting frustrated at a colleagues lack of attention in a morning meeting will only wear you down. Compromise and do it in the afternoon to make your life easier.

3. Details vs. Bigger Picture
Everyone in the office deals with information in different ways. Some can't perform unless they know all the finer details of a project. Others hate detail but are brilliantly efficient as long as they know what they are contributing fits into the wider purpose of the team or the company. Knowing which style you prefer allows you to manage your workload effectively. Knowing which style your team prefers enables you to manage them effectively.

Tip - Pair up small stuff people with bigger picture people to get tasks completed faster.


What role do you play in the office and how do you manage it?

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