Tag Archives | work environment

A Simple Tool to Improve Your Health and Increase Your Productivity

By on February 13, 2012 in Health, Productivity

We have become a sedentary society, sitting hunched over our desks for long periods of time. This is not only detrimental to our posture and our joints it can be disastrous for our health. I discovered a solution that addresses these issues.

Advantages

A walking desk, sometimes called a treadmill desk is a very useful tool. Not only does it get you up and out of the chair, it helps you combine exercise (which nobody seems to have time for,) with work, surfing the internet, playing games, checking Facebook, however you use your laptop.

One word of caution…Do not expect to jog or speed walk while using this desk. I am not responsible for injuries. I am generally able to walk at 2 mph at a 5% incline. It doesn’t sound like much, but it saves me time, helps me stretch out my joints and muscles, and burns about 250 – 300 calories per hour in contrast to the 50-80 calories that sitting still burns. It adds up.

Results

My experiment with my walking desk has been a complete success. I have been using it for about 6 hours a week for a month and have noticed a less stiffness and back pain already. I have also saved time and seem to be getting at least as much work done as before, maybe more. Not to mention the extra 1200 calories I’m burning a week just by walking.

Equipment

Many of us have an old treadmill that is probably accumulating dust or has clothes draped over it. If you are not one of those, consider investing in a treadmill (and actually using it.) It is the simplest option for improving your health and exercise. There are so many choices, you can certainly find one that suits your needs and fits your budget.

There are also many choices for the desk itself. They range from pricey, but state of the art walking stations to inexpensive homemade versions. There is a wealth of information on the internet.

Some links I found helpful:

I put in 5 miles at the office – http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/18/health/nutrition/18fitness.html

How to set up a treadmill desk – http://www.macworld.com/article/156988/2011/01/treadmilldesk.html

Design and build your own treadmill desk – http://www.treadmill-desk.com/

I happen to already own a treadmill and have a handy husband, so I described what I wanted and he built it for me. It really was not very hard and cost less than $100.

desk

My new work station

Enhanced by Zemanta
Share|
Comments { 0 }

7 Types Of Effective Communication And Why You Need To Know Them

By on February 1, 2012 in Personal Growth, Relationships, Work

It’s not enough to know  whom you are talking to, communicate, influence, and in the case of our children perhaps teach. If you want to be effective in your communication, you need to understand the best way to reach them. This has been proven time and time again.

This is the key to success, better relationships, and higher productivity at work. In fact, this strategy has been shown to lower stress by minimizing conflict and encourage camaraderie and teamwork, whether personal or professional.


Roosevelt and Churchill in conversation (Zorba the Geek) / CC BY-SA 2.0

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a customer, client, child, spouse, co-worker, or members of a board or committee. You must connect in the manner that resonates with them. It sounds difficult, but it really isn’t once you start practicing it.

Types of communication:

Informing – Some people just want the facts laid out for them. They pay attention to facts and figures, studies and other concrete data.

Analyzing – These people don’t want specific facts, but rather a summary. You need to offer an analysis and boil down the information or request in a meaningful matter.

Persuasive – This type of person wants to know what’s in it for them. Why should they agree to act in a certain way or perform a specific action? They must be convinced. Present your argument.

Mediating – Compromise, compromise. With these people, you have to be willing to give a little. They need to feel heard and respected. Find the common ground and find the solution that satisfies you both.

Emotional – This kind of communication is all about feelings. Knowing what is important and what touches these people is the key. Appeal to their emotions and connect on a compassionate and understanding level.

Entertaining – Wit, humor and levity influences these people. Serious facts are useless, be interesting and lighthearted when possible.

Inspiring – Offer motivation, inspiration, and big picture results. These people need to feel as though they are making a difference, some kind of impact.

The way to practice communication that is more effective requires that you improve your observation and listening skills. Pay attention to the people around you and be more interested in general. We could all use a little more of that.

What type of communicator are you? It helps to understand that too.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Share|
Comments { 0 }

10 Ways to Make Change Work for You

By on October 10, 2011 in Energy, Habits, Health, To-Do

Change is not the enemy. In fact it can be the best friend you never knew you had.

From time to time it’s beneficial to shake things up and get out of a rut, even if you think that rut is working for you! You’d be surprised at what a measurable difference a small change in routine, environment or process can make. Change can be a valuable success and happiness tool if you learn to make it work for you instead of avoiding it at all costs.

Commit this week to making just one change in the way you live and work.

10 Change Suggestions to get you started:

  • Rearrange your furniture in your office or a room at home – Especially if you work from home (I recently moved my desk so that I was no longer facing the wall and immediately found I was happier and more productive.)
  • Change the colors that surround you – Colors have been scientifically proven to affect mood and creativity (you don’t have to paint your walls…new curtains, a throw pillow, flowering plant or an inexpensive wall hanging can work.)
  • Wear something different – Buy something completely different from your usual wardrobe, even a new tie or scarf will work or wear favorite clothing in a new combination.
  • Shift your normal routine – Do you always get groceries or go to the bank on the same day? Do you always check your email first? How about when you take breaks and lunch? Shake it up and see how it works (you can always go back.)
  • Try out a new commuting activity – If you normally talk on your mobile phone or listen to the news, how about listening to an audio book instead or try a silent commute (might be uncomfortable for some, but I find the silence to be great opportunity to mull over creative ideas.)
  • Expand your social circle – Eat lunch with someone different, invite a colleague or acquaintance for coffee, ask a neighbor to dinner ( you never know where you will find your next friend mentor or business contact.)
  • Swap activities – Do yoga at lunch instead of sitting in the lunch room, try Zumba instead of the treadmill, Pilates in place of yoga or biking instead of your usual morning run (altering your exercise routine not only keeps it more interesting, but also is more effective at improving your fitness and health.)
  • Eat a different meal – If you always have a bagel or muffin for breakfast, try having eggs or yogurt and fruit instead (the extra protein will increase you alertness and energy level.)
  • Examine one firmly entrenched process and see if you can tweak or overhaul it (well established processes and equipment that may have worked quite well at one time, may not be the most effective method now.)
  • How about changing your attitude or behavior – Gulp! This is the toughest, but by far the most effective change strategy (If you notice that you complain or criticize often, try remaining silent when the urge strikes.  Or if you’re always late, make it a priority to be on time for a week and see how it feels.)
Most importantly…Smile…It changes everything.

Question everything, move forward, enjoy the journey.

Share|
Comments { 0 }

Why Productivity and Success Start with a Quiet Mind

By on October 7, 2011 in Goals, Mood, Personal Growth, Work
calm sea

Image by 'eindzel via Flickr

Life is so much easier when you have a quiet mind. The chaos that surrounds you doesn’t affect your sense of balance as much if you have a sense of “internal order.”  When you can operate from a mental place of calm and peacefulness, you are better able to view the big picture and are much more effective at setting your priorities and in achieving your goals. Think of yourself as the calm in the center of the storm.

One of my successful coaching clients who struggled with her ability to perform in the middle of chaos discovered that once she learned to quiet her own thinking and set up personal boundaries to ward off outside drama both in her business and her home that she was able to cultivate a sense of internal calm. If you can stop yourself from getting caught up in the busyness, external disorganization and drama around you, your ability to focus and take action toward your goals will skyrocket.

We generally focus our efforts on trying to change what’s going on around us, when instead we need to focus on what’s happening within us. That is after all the only thing we can actually control.

Question everything, move forward, enjoy the journey.

Share|
Comments { 0 }

Take Care of Your Anchors and Move Forward

By on June 10, 2011 in Goals, Life Balance, Work
Nicer office (3)

Image by Jeff Henshaw via Flickr

What do you want to get done this weekend? Do you have any lingering projects hanging over your head or physical areas that really need some organizing or cleaning attention?

Unfinished work, professional or personal, weigh us down like anchors keeping us stuck and prevent us from moving forward. And sadly most of us have many of these in our lives; projects we never completed, tasks we never got around too, cluttered and messy spots that taunt us.

If you tackled just one of these unfinished “jobs” each weekend you would be amazed at how much lighter you feel and how much easier it is to have time and energy for the things you really want to do with your time.

  • How about clearing out that extra room
  • Cleaning out your car
  • Getting rid of those piles in your office
  • Writing that article you wanted to submit
  • Finishing that business proposal
  • Purge that closet, drawer, basement

Whatever your anchors, try crossing them off one at a time.

What am I going to do? I am going to finish up my book proposal so I can move forward with getting my book published. I am also going to prepare my desk supplies and portable “desk” so to speak so that I can readily move my work station to be able to work outside or off site as I often do during the summer season.

Here’s to a  happy and productive weekend for both of us!

Share|
Comments { 0 }

Productive Email Strategies: Part 1 – Effective Communication

By on April 11, 2011 in Technology, Time, Work

emailMost business professionals I know acknowledge that email is the biggest obstacle to overcome in their daily routine. A necessary and oft times indispensable tool; it can also be a huge detour that easily leads you off the path in your quest for productivity.

In thinking about how to minimize this stumbling block, (we really can’t remove it, but we can “manage” it) I realized that much of our email volume is made up of repeat requests, follow-up emails and “reply-all” updates. I came up with a few simple strategies that help me (when I actually use them) and might help you too.

Email communication strategies:

  • Be concise.
  • Communicate “action steps” first, not last.
  • Number your questions if you must have more than one.
  • Be clear about what you want.
  • Include deadlines.
  • Use “FYI” for emails that have no actionable information.
  • Don’t send “Thanks!” emails.
  • If you can’t respond or carry out the request fully now, acknowledge and tell them when you can do it.
  • Use “reply all” judiciously.

You may not always be able to achieve the elusive “inbox 0,” but anything you can do to reduce unnecessary email will save you time and inbox clutter.

I realize that for many, the issue of inbox overwhelm is also about “one way communications.” Newsletters, sales and marketing, jokes, videos to watch, updates on varied interests and projects can make up a large portion of email piling up in your email daily. We’ll discuss some strategies for that in Part 2 – “One-Way Communication”…

 

Share|
Comments { 0 }

That Guilty Overworked Feeling: How to Reduce It

By on March 16, 2011 in Health, Mood, Personal Growth, Work

Guest post from David in Australia!

Everyone is feeling overworked these days. But stress relief is on the horizon. Take a look at these ten tips on how to avoid that guilty feeling that you’ve been overworking yourself beyond what is good for you.

1. Stop Complaining
If you think you’ve got too much work, the most important aspect is how you react. If you do nothing but complain, think about how you react to someone else complaining about their job. Stop your complaining before your life is ruined. Remember, complaining is a toxic poison that will kill you. Top performers do not talk about how they’re being overworked.

2. Prioritise
Prioritise your work by realising what work you have to do, what work you should do, and what work you can skip doing entirely. No matter how much you think you can do everything, realise that doing everything is simply not possible. Cutting corners is not something to avoid; embrace the fact that you cannot do everything all the time.

3. Organise Your Time
Your time is your most valuable resource. Use a system to set up your tasks for every day, week and month so that you can see your commitments at one glance. Set aside some time every week for leisure time, for family time, and for hobby time. Take time for a vacation, and keep your personal relationships at the top of your list.

4. Cut Back on Busy Work
There’s that work we all have to do that does nothing to produce what we want. Concentrate on the 20% of the tasks on your To-Do list that return 80% of the profit. Don’t worry that you’re ignoring work; take pride in these unproductive work tasks you can forget about because you let them fall away. Delegate if you have to.

5. Stop Working
Keep track of the time you spend working, and do not let the rest of your schedule suffer. Understand that an extra few hours you spend on work when you’re exhausted is not worth the effort. Get a good night’s sleep, and come back tomorrow to that task refreshed and better able to do what needs to be done.

6. Dedicate a Space
Besides dedicating time and effort for work, set aside a workspace where you do your work. Let everyone know that when you’re in that spot, you are working and the DO NOT DISTURB sign is up and blinking away in bright neon. It goes beyond privacy; it’s all about focus on the task.

7. Set Expectations
Let your co-workers, your manager or supervisor, and your clients know what they can expect from you. Tell everyone what your commitments are at the start of any task related to them, what your boundaries are for that task, and the structure of the working relationship. Be ready to stand by what you say.

8. Learn to Say no
In conjunction with the last tip, learn how and when to say “No.” If you take on a task that will eat up all of your time and effort, yet you know you cannot commit those resources, have that word ready. Think of alternatives, though. Can you pass the job to a freelancer looking for work, or out-source the job?

9. Talk and Listen
Having someone just listen to you is great. Cultivate friends and colleagues and even mentors and managers who will sit down and listen to you unburden yourself -remember, no complaining. And be ready to return the favour and let your ear be available for them.

10. Stay Healthy
Do not take your health for granted. Sleep, diet and exercise are all important, and must be fit into your schedule. Get at least five hours of sleep a night – we know no one has enough time every night for eight hours. Eat good healthy food, and avoid the unhealthy stuff as much as possible. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Get fit and stay that way.

This post was written by David who is co-founder of one of Australia’s leading comparison websites where he contributes reviews of credit cards for many of the best business credit cards offering rewards such as cash back and frequent flyer points.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Share|
Comments { 0 }

People Are the Key to Successful Branding

By on February 21, 2011 in Uncategorized

On a recent college visit to SUNY Delhi with our daughter we were struck by the visible difference in the attitude and demeanor of this institution from the last few that we have perused. From the young lady at the information desk, to the professors in the Architecture department, to the student guide who was fun and engaging, everyone seemed to enjoy their jobs.

My first thought was to dismiss this as something the school demands as part of it’s marketing to prospective students and their parents. But no, that’s not it. As we continued our tour we saw custodians, building laborers, campus security and other faculty all greet our student by name with a smile. They waved to us and called out a greeting. I was very puzzled at this point, still quite frankly in pessimistic disbelief. These people cannot be this content at their jobs.

Our last stop was the cafeteria where I had the most pleasant encounter with one of the lunch ladies. Let’s face it, this is not a notoriously well paid, fulfilling career for most. Quite honestly I never expected to be greeted with a smile, let alone a very enjoyable chat while she was efficiently doing her job. As we departed she smiled and waved and wished us a pleasant day. I was just floored. Maybe I shouldn’t be, but these types of employee encounters are so rare…

What is the point of all of this? Well, there are several.

Revenue – My daughter will most likely choose this college in large part because of that very atmosphere.

Company culture – These “behind the scenes” employees convey the tone and philosophy of the entire “company” better than any “frontline” workers ever could.

Branding – Reputation is everything. This institution by its very way of conducting business with its students has set itself apart from other institutions and carved a niche within the educational market as an “engaged, positive facility with a community feel.”

This is quite an accomplishment both from a business perspective and a consumer perspective. Whether one of my children attends or not, you can be certain that I will give a glowing referral to anyone who asks about potential colleges.

Cheers to SUNY Delhi for superior branding… even if it is an unintentional by-product of employee satisfaction.

Share|
Comments { 2 }

How to Stay Positive in the Office

By on February 16, 2011 in Goals, Mood, Relationships, Work

*Please note – This is a guest post from James Adams

Every weekday morning you get up, you drive to your job, you sit at your desk or in your cubicle, and then you go home and do it all over again. The process can become monotonous, boring, and a real drag. Since you likely spend nearly a third of your life at work, you want to learn to be happier there. In order to achieve that happiness, it is important to project a positive attitude. In fact, according to livestrong.com, employees with a positive attitude can boost customer satisfaction, have more energy, and even feel a greater sense of purpose. Consider these ten tips about how to stay positive in the office as a way to a happier and healthier life.

  1. Appreciate to be appreciated: It is often said that you reap what you sow. It is easier to have a positive attitude when you are appreciated by those around you. Show that appreciation to others and you will soon see it returned by them.
  2. Avoid brewing negativity: The break room, the smoking circle outside, or anyplace that people may sit around and talk about all the negative aspects of the job are bad for your positive attitude. A big part of staying positive is simply avoiding negativity. Likewise, it is important to keep your own negative talk in check. Don’t be a complainer; complainers don’t have positive attitudes.
  3. Create small, tangible, attainable goals: when you reach a reasonable goal, you create a situation to feel good about. String together a series of successes and your attitude will undoubtedly be a positive one. Even the smallest successes can help, so be generous with yourself and make a lot of goals that can be reached. Make sure your goals are tangible or at least measurable – it is easier to be positive when you know you reached the goal and can see it in front of you.
  4. Find ways to have fun: whether it is a harmless little work prank, a quip that brings a smile to a colleague’s face or friendly competition in the sales room, having fun can help to create a positive environment for everyone involved. Finding fun in the work place is a great way to stay positive at work, but also a good way to spread that positive attitude.
  5. Improve yourself as a professional: seek out professional development. Whether it is through classes, a seminar, or attending a conference. Developing yourself as a professional will give you the confidence necessary for success at your job. As you feel more confident and competent in your job, you will feel more positive.
  6. Be a spin-doctor: One great way to maintain a positive attitude at work is to always look for the positive. When something doesn’t go your way at work, look for the silver lining. Be the one who spins the tough break in a positive way. Your attitude will improve and others will notice.
  7. Learn: when something bad happens, learn from it. When someone else in the office has a success, ask them how they did it. As you learn how to be a better employee, your attitude will be more positive. Confidence breeds positive attitudes.
  8. Show perseverance: You know what they say – if at first you don’t succeed… But it really is a great way to create a positive attitude. By trying and trying again until you overcome the tough obstacle can do wonders for your attitude. Nothing can ruin your attitude more than giving up, but there are few things that will give you the boost that overcoming adversity can.
  9. Get organized: By knowing where things are, what has to be done, and when you have to be where, you feel like there is purpose in your work. Start with to-do lists, cleaning out that messy file drawer in your desk, or simply getting rid of the coffee rings on your desk. By creating some level of order around you, you will just feel better. Feeling good is the root of a positive attitude.
  10. Be inclusive with success: when you have a success or when your team achieves an important goal, be generous with your praise of others. By creating more positive attitudes, you are developing fertile soil in which to grow your own positive attitude.

Work can take a toll on anyone. However, finding a positive attitude in your office is a great way to relieve the stress and, at the same time, improve your productivity. By implementing some of these ideas into your work day, you can improve your focus and cultivate that important positive attitude.

This is a guest post from James Adams, one of a team of writers at CartridgeSave where he reviews the latest ink cartridges for printers.

If you’d like to contribute a guest post, please contact me via the website contact form.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Share|
Comments { 0 }

Environment Has Huge Impact on Happiness and Productivity

By on February 9, 2011 in Work

home officeYour environment is a crucial piece to increasing productivity. Whether it’s in a traditional office, a home office or even an area used for “home” projects (kitchen, garage, workroom, etc.) it needs to support your particular requirements. That is not being indulgent or selfish, that is wise and knowing what will help you be happiest and perform your best. the conditions with which you surround yourself have a huge impact. Simple changes can have big pay-offs.

Do you have:

  • Good equipment – comfortable chair, good desk or table, quality tools(pens, computer, knives, etc.)
  • Sufficient lighting – natural and/or artificial
  • Adequate airflow & temperature – window, ventilation, heat, air-conditioning or fan
  • Appropriate atmosphere – music, scents and decor that energize and help focus you

fishTake into consideration your work style, physical preferences and personality. I prefer to work alone, at home, in a well lit, warm room, surrounded by plants, pets and pictures. You may flourish in the midst of energy and movement. You may prefer a more sparse atmosphere that doesn’t remind you of home.

You decide.

And feel free to experiment. Try something different until it feels right.

Share|
Comments { 0 }