PERSONAL NOTE

 Alison,

This week many of you are either celebrating or "heavy eye-rolling" with others about Valentine's Day. But Valentine's Day doesn't have to be just about romance; it can be a day in which you find creative ways to treat yourself. As a manager, you spend most of your time focusing on your team: addressing performance issues, providing training, and helping people stay motivated and succeed - without burning out.

But what about when you start feeling burnt out?

It can be challenging to manage the people, the work, and the business, while trying to have time for a personal life.

I was a few years into my management career when I started to recognize the symptoms. I was feeling constant pressure from the higher-ups, stress from an overloaded plate, and the emotional drain from constantly keeping my employees engaged. Eventually, I started taking it out on them, snapping at my staff every time they’d ask a question, irritated that they would dare approach my desk when I surely looked very busy.

It was a classic case of burnout—but as a manager, it felt selfish. After all, management is all about other people. And that means I couldn’t exactly check out or wave off urgent questions and requests with a quick, “Sorry, I just need some space today.”

Sound familiar? If you’re feeling burnt out in your management role, it’s important to find ways to deal. Leadership is an "inside-out" job - you have to start with yourself and take action. When you can start working towards your own self-care, you become more productive and better lead your teams for success. You become a more valuable leader and manager for your direct reports and for your company. And ultimately, you experience life in a richer and more fulfilling way!

Enthusiastically,

Alison - Your Executive Coach

P.S. Here is a pictue of the last team I managed. It had been about a month after I left when they sent this picture to me telling me how much they missed me. (I am the card board stand-in!) This is the team is where I refined my leadership and management skills so that I can share that knowledge with you! I am forever grateful for this group of people!

 

AWESOME ARTICLE

How to Have "It" All

Ask someone if he or she wants to "have it all" and the likely response would be a resounding, "Yes."

But what does it really mean to "have it all"?

It could be argued that having it all means striking a healthy balance between work and life.

That's challenging during tough economic times when many people feel the need to put in more hours at work in order to retain their job or keep a business afloat. More hours spent working means there is less time available to spend on hobbies or leisure. This puts work/life out of balance.

Also, there was a time when the lines drawn between work-life and home-life were obvious. Among other factors, technologies that facilitate always being "on the clock" have blurred those boundaries and made it more challenging to keep a healthy work/life balance.

And North Americans already spend more time at work than people in other developed countries. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), they spend almost 30 more hours per year at work than the average of the nations surveyed.

Which countries are in the Top 10? The following have the best work/life balance:

  1. Denmark 2. Norway 3. Netherlands 4. Finland 5. Belgium 
6. Switzerland 7. Sweden 8. Germany 9. Portugal 10. France

If your country isn't on the list and you want to do your part to help it crack the Top 10, try combining the strategies below to help restore the balance in your life.

"Underbook" your day. Instead of cramming appointments into every last minute, leave time on either side of those commitments. That leaves time to deal with the unexpected or enjoy the occasional free time that shows up.

Get help. It can often feel as though you are the only one capable of performing a task or completing a project, but that's rarely the case. Enlisting the help of others helps lighten the load and lowers stress levels.

Let it go. Will the earth stop turning if that one email goes unanswered at the end of the day or a dish doesn't get washed until tomorrow? Unless you're in the health care profession, rarely are the things we do at work a matter of life or death. Know when to prioritize the important tasks and let go of those things that really don't have much impact on your life.

Choose your cliché. Stop and smell the roses. Life is too short. Remember, clichés are clichés for a reason -- they contain pearls of truth. At work, take time for the essentials -- drink water, eat healthy meals, take breaks -- but also go to the office party, talk to your coworkers for a few minutes, take a short walk outside. Remind yourself that is there more to life than work.

Find a new job. Sounds drastic, but it doesn't have to be. Instead of changing careers, find a less demanding job in the same field. That could mean more free time and less stress. Or, why not ask for a demotion? Finding a new position within the same firm but with fewer responsibilities could be a win-win situation: you get more balance in your life and the company saves money on hiring and training.

When it comes to having it all there is no one-size-fits-all formula for success. But it's also true that finding that elusive balance between life and work can be accomplished if one is willing to make the effort.

 

Author’s content used under license, © Claire Communications

COOL RESOURCE

UPCOMING EVENTS

I am excited to announce that in March, I will co-launching the first Northwest Arkansas "WomanSpeak" Circle alongside my friend and fellow Health & Wellness Coach, April Kennedy in partnership with Judith Yanez, Executive Director of RootEd Northwest Arkansas.

  • This is an opportunity for women to refine and develop public speaking confidence and bring forth their brilliance - whether that is on stage, in a board room, or networking with othes.
  • Specific Dates and Location Address to Come! Contact me at alisonanail@gmail.com if you are in the NWA area and are interested in learning more!

I can't wait to share with you more upcoming events we have planned for you! Dates will be coming out soon for the following events: 

  • Leadership Grit MasterMind Groups
  • Radical Leadership in an Unauthentic World
  • College & Young Professional Coffee Chats  

 Stay in touch to find out more! 

CONNECT WITH ME

Do you want to discover a proven process to access your courage, take healthy chances, and reap exciting rewards so you can stop feeling stuck, frustrated and defeated in your career?

Click HERE receive your free copy today and learn how to access the courage to take healthy risks. And when you do, you'll reap the rewards in terms of career fulfillment and satisfaction!

Alison Nail-Malone, Your Executive Coach