Thursday, April 3, 2008

Don't Let Workplace Burnout Destroy Your Life

It used to be called "mid-life crisis" - and haven't all of us joked about it - a turmoil and discomfort that literally turns life upside down.

Nowadays this syndrome is being recognized as "work place burnout" and it is becoming more widespread and is affecting men and women alike throughout the entire workforce. Work place burnout has been pinned as the main cause of reduced morale and absenteeism.

WHO IS AFFECTED?

You may be experiencing the symptoms of work place burnout even if you are as young as 30 years of age, though most people affected are in their early 40 's .

Some people experience a sudden grief and loss, while others perceive that something is changing but it may take several years to manifest.

Are you feeling a lack of personal achievement and satisfaction at work? This is one of the early warning signs. Is going to work a time-consuming drudgery and work itself a day-long bore? Do frustration levels increase exponentially as you grapple with life issues - which could show that you are not in control? If so, you're not alone. You're on the downhill slide to work place burnout.

Don't expect your spouse or boss to understand what you are going through, as workplace burnout is extremely personal in nature - you're having the crisis, not them! You may be led to blame your spouse or boss for the way you're feeling, as they seem to be the closest source of your pain and angst.

However if your condition is true work place burnout then you will need professional help to shift your perceptions into a more realistic balance.

There are emotional and physical symptoms associated with what you are going through.

EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS

The emotional symptoms usually show up as the first sign that you are burnt out. You may often feel an unrelenting stress, lack enthusiasm, have a sense of loss of control as well as experience an unexplainable grief.

You may want to blame those around you for the way you feel, but this rarely resolves the inner turmoil that you are experiencing.

In severe cases of work place burnout people experience thoughts of suicide, and even in mild cases the thought of total detachment through this means may seem to be a way out.

Many people who experience the emotional symptoms often show up at the doctor seeking help with a loss of spark in their personality. "Nothing I do is worth it anymore," they say.

This feeling often results in a loss of productivity and creativity. It also fuels negativity and cynicism, with a quickness to get angry and blame others. Over time you may find solace in detaching yourself from others, however this rarely resolves the issue.

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS

Work place burnout also affects your body. The feeling of "never being able to do enough" may drive you to work extensively long hours in an effort to catch up.

You may be losing sleep over your sense of failure to achieve anything meaningful, which in turn leads to physical exhaustion.

Physical exhaustion may take the form of headaches, physical shaking from head to foot, inability to think clearly and being unable to relax.

Physical exhaustion also causes you to lose your natural communication ability, so communication between your spouse and children, your boss or co-workers may sometimes become explosive.

There is also the possibility of experiencing gastrointestinal problems as your body is unable to cope with extensively long hours of work.

IS THERE A SOLUTION?

People experiencing work place burnout need to take time out of their busy lives to confront the underlying issues that are causing them stress. There is no easy fix - and the solution that you arrive at is most likely going to place you on a different life course than the one you have been traveling.

One method of finding the root cause of your uneasiness is to use a notepad and start writing out your thoughts. The thoughts, impressions and images that are filling your mind can be captured and you will be able to identify a pattern, which in turn you may be able to address.

A further use of your notepad is to go into a deeper realm of writing to discover the thoughts and impressions that are flooding your spirit. In a quiet environment spend at least one hour with your eyes closed and write down the thoughts that come to you. As you perform this activity, your thoughts should change from first person to third person as your focus shifts from your head to your inner being. It 's as if you can hear someone else talking to you and giving you direction and counsel.

A visit to your local General Practitioner may also help you cope with the effects on your body due to workplace burnout. Prescription medication may be given to assist you to relax and get your body rested again, while you sort through the underlying issues. You may be prescribed relaxants or sleeping aides. You may also be referred to a gastroenterologist if the need exists.

Finally, the most efficient way of resolving work place burnout is to rely on the services of a professional counselor. A trained counselor can travel this journey with you. Their assistance can help make the hard decisions become easy as you work through the process of resolving the cause of your work place burnout, so that you can be on track for a happy and healthy life once again.

How To Find A Virtual Assistant You Can Trust At A Price You Can Afford

You're ready to outsource. You're a busy person who values your time. You've placed a price on your time, made a budget, and you're ready to outsource some work to buy a some time for yourself. But now what? You can see the benefits; you've made the decision. How do you find someone you trust to work for you, at a price that you're willing to pay?

The easiest place to begin your search for your perfect virtual assistant is, of course, online. There are several websites, like Elance, that allow you to place your job advertisement online. The beauty of listing your project on an online service is that service providers will then bid against each other for the pleasure of working for you! Other places to try are Craiglist and going directly to a service provider you discover through a search engine or word of mouth.

You can find virtual assistants with fees to fit any budget. The most common price per hour, is between $4 and $25 US, depending their experience, geographic location, and the project you'll be tasking them with. You will find that although a good number of these individuals will be based in India, China, and other developing countries, the United States and Canada are also well represented.

Often a freelance website will allow you to search for a service provider based on a range of options. A good service provider will have their portfolio online, so you can review their work and see if they might be a good match. You can then invite a number of potential bidders that you think might suit you and your work.

You've posted your job on the web, and you've got a whole range of bidders to choose from. But how do you make the right selection? The person you choose will be representing you... you don't want just anyone handling your affairs! You need someone you can trust, someone who will be able to handle your requests, and someone who will do the job efficiently, on time, and preferably, with a smile and friendly word.

Do not select a bidder solely on their bidding price. Let me repeat that, do not select a bidder solely on their bidding price. There are many other things to consider--their English speaking and writing skills, their ability to deliver on what they promise, and the rapport you have with them. One of the easiest ways to assess a potential virtual assistant is to converse with them before you select their bid. Most freelance websites have a method of communication (a personal message board or the like) in which you can begin communicating even before the job bidding has ended. If possible try to set up a phone call, or set up a video conference over Skype or using one of the free online conference sites.

Another way to ensure you find the right match is post a small job as a test. Just chose one particular task, and post a job for that one task. You'll get the chance to establish a working relationship with a freelancer, without a lot of risk. Alternatively, you could ask for a sample of work from all the bidders--perhaps ask for a sample email they would send to your telephone company asking for a bill payment extension.

The most important thing to remember when choosing your winning bidder--can you trust them? This is your life, and you want it done right the first time!

Think and Plan Your Way To Riches

You have to spend time thinking and planning. This requires learning how to think. It requires learning how to plan. The more you research, think and plan, the easier it will be for you to execute your plan.

This is quite important and another problem area I have noticed between those who succeed and those who don't. Successful people plan and think. They are always thinking. Unsuccessful marketers look for the easy street.

Successful marketers think of their plans while they eat, watch movies, take showers, while driving, while mowing the lawn, while listening to others, even while sleeping.

Those who do are unsuccessful; only think of their plans when they happen to be feeling enthusiastic. Remember, many internet marketers only do something when they are motivated, and even then, they are caught up in the "now" feelings.

Successful people are practically obsessed with their goals. They can not get enough. They can work for hours and hours. They can not stop themselves from thinking about their plans. It shapes everything for them.

In my opinion, I see that most have to work hard at not working. I know I do. I actually have to force myself to take breaks, to take days off and to rejuvenate myself.

I exhaust myself. I have had days where I worked over 24 hours straight, slept for just a few hours and worked another 16 to 20 hours. It is an obsession to succeed and grow.

Some may say that it is ridiculous to work that hard. Some may say that you need to live life, smell the roses, enjoy your family, etc. While those reasons are probably why you want to succeed at your business they should not distract you. You can do all of that and much more of it if you pay the price.

Think of your online success as going back to school full time. You have a job and you have to learn your business. You have many tasks and skills to learn how to do. More importantly you need to know how the "why" behind them.

I smell the roses much more now that I work from home. Do not let that mindset fool you. You can work hard and enjoy everything on this planet you want to enjoy. For many, just enjoying life and being happy is all they need. That is fine and in itself is considered success. However, most likely, you are reading this because you want to succeed and achieve your goals and dreams of working at home.

Most likely you are reading this article as an internet marketer who wants to make it big, work from home and enjoy the lifestyle of financial success.

Therefore, working hard is a prerequisite to achieving your goals and dreams. The harder you work, the faster you will get where you want to get.

The better you plan and the more you work on your plan, the faster you will achieve positive results as well. I would say the success formula works like this:

1. Work hard on thinking up ideas
2. Work hard on researching your ideas
3. Work hard on your plan of action
4. Work hard on taking action
5. Continue to work hard on steps one through four

Wash, rinse and repeating the above steps will give you the success you are seeking. The bottom line is that the more you work on your plan, the easier and more successful it is to execute that plan.

Moving Supplies You Must Have

Moving supplies, a packing plan and supply list can help reduce stress and allow you to have more control over the situation. Even if you only have a month until the move, creating a plan and using it throughout the move will keep items from being damaged, items from becoming missing or lost, and will allow you to pack the moving truck easily for a safe move.

If you plan on packing yourself, it is a good idea to buy cardboard boxes, over sized trash bags, packing tape, zip ties, bubble wrap, newspaper, plastic cushions, markers, box cutters or scissors, protective gloves, a face mask, twine, and boxes for mirrors and heavy equipment.

Even if you don't end up using all of these items, having them on hand can make the move much easier. Packing materials and moving supplies can be purchased through home moving companies or you can find most items at home improvement stores, hardware stores, and grocery stores.

It is a good idea to build up a supply of boxes for moving in the months before the move. You will want to have a variety of boxes that are different sizes so items can be transported safely. Smaller boxes should be for books, knickknacks, glassware, and small appliances, while larger boxes are used for pictures, electronic equipment, and other items that are tall or wide.

Buying boxes from home moving companies can be very expensive, especially if you need more than ten or twenty. Other places to find boxes include your workplace, restaurants, department stores, warehouses, and friends and family. When asking for boxes at a store or restaurant, you should ask which days they have them on hand. Visiting during these times will increase your chances of finding a variety of box sizes.

Knowing how to pack boxes correctly is also important. While this may seem like an easy task, many people are not careful how they pack when moving. Mistakes when packing can cause damage to items and waste a lot of money in replacing them. If you have to construct a box, position the bottom face up and fold over the sides.

Use a long strip of packing tape across the open edge. Add two more pieces on either side in the opposite direction. This will create a sturdy bottom. Flip the box over to see if it is completely sealed on the bottom. The next step is to carefully wrap glass, metal, and other items that are fragile or have many pieces in bubble wrap, newspaper, or other covering. Place items into the box and use newspaper as a layer.

Build until the box is full or if it starts to become heavy. After the box is full, fold the sides of the top and seal with tape as you did on the bottom. Label which room the box belongs to with a marker and store in a designated place in your home.

Before using any moving supplies, make sure you read any instructions pertaining to the items and always practice safe cutting techniques. Store these items in a safe place so injuries do not occur. You may need to cut packing tape, move items covered in dust or mold, and lift heavy objects.

When moving items stored in attics, crawl spaces, basements, or closets, wearing a face mask to prevent inhaling dust, debris, and mold is important. If you suspect items have been damaged by mold, you should handle them with plastic gloves and place items into a trash bag. Seal the bag and throw the items away. Lifting boxes should be done carefully as well.

Always lift from the knees and do not attempt to lift something that is too heavy. Decrease the weight of the box or push it across the floor gently if necessary. Boxes for moving are just one of the many items you will need for your move but, in the end, you will be glad you took the time to find the appropriate moving supplies.

7 Tips For A Fully Engaged, Exuberant Day

We cannot do anything to increase the hours in a day.

Time management? Who can accomplish that? Time just keeps on keeping on throughout each day. We have control only of what we do during our 24/7 each week.

Being fully engaged is essential when we are working to make wise choices in using our mental, emotional and physical energy for optimal productivity. Making the most of our brainpower keeps us thinking clearly and creatively. That is what makes the difference in how productive we can really be.

"Companies with higher than average employee engagement scores enjoy 15 percent lower costs due to higher productivity" PeopleMetrics
.
Here are seven tips that can move you in the direction of being fully engaged.

1. Start your day with premium fuel and continue throughout the day.

Eating a healthy breakfast gets your metabolism going and sends needed fuel to the brain. And choosing some protein as part of your breakfast can give you a kickstart even better than caffeine. Protein boosts your dopamine level that stimulates brain function.

2. Create your intentions for the day.

Getting a clear picture in your mind of how you'd like to see the day transpire is a powerful tool. It 's more than just having a to-do list of items to be accomplished. It 's actually stating how you would like to see things happen during the day.

3. Observe your own and others' emotional states for greatest effectiveness.

With that awareness you are more likely to have a rational response rather than a reaction coming out of your own emotional reaction to what someone has said or done. Taking that moment for observation can save hours of effort trying to mend a working relationship.

4. Be fully focused on each task rather than multitasking.

Multitasking can negatively affect your emotional state and your immune system. Studies have shown that our brain actually shuts down one function to do something else. We are fooling ourselves to think that we can effectively perform two tasks at once.

5. Incorporate some physical activity throughout your day.

Studies have shown that people who exercise regularly keep their brain functioning at a higher level due to the increased blood flow to the brain. Take short breaks throughout the day just to stretch and move around. Also plan more extensive exercise a few times a week.

6. Debrief your day and really acknowledge your accomplishments.

How often have you been down on yourself at the end of a day, thinking about all that things that you did not accomplish instead of focusing on what did get completed? You can do this in your head or for an even more powerful effect, take a moment to list your acknowledgments to yourself. When we ramp up the attention to those positive things in our life, it keeps us going in that productive direction.

7. Prepare for sleep and make sure you get enough.

Our brains are not ready to fall asleep immediately after leaving the stimulation of the computer screen. And although we sometimes fall asleep in front of the television, watching television is not a good way to move into restful sleep. If you have problems falling asleep and staying asleep, you might try an exercise that works for some people. Name the states, working your way up and down the coastlines and across the United States. This is challenging enough to keep your mind from worries of the day, but boring enough to allow you to fall asleep.

Cash Wealth Building System

Sometimes it seems like the world is divided into two types of people, those who have money and those who work for them.

Have you ever wondered what the rich have that you don't? Are they smarter? Luckier? Do they work harder?

The answer is that they work less but their money works harder. In fact the truly wealthy have automatic wealth building systems in place.

But having a wealth building system isn't all that seperates them from the rest of us. What sets them apart and helps them attract wealth day in and day out is their wealth mindset.

They truly believe that they deserve to be wealthy and they are confident in their knowledge that there is an abundance of wealth just waiting to be tapped into at a moment 's notice.

The good news is that this way of thinking is a learned behavior. This means that you can learn it, as well.

You see, over the years we build up ideas about money, wealth, work and a variety of other factors in our lives. Some of these beliefs are acquired from our parents and others from our own experiences.

Why Lottery Winners Lose it All

You have heard it time and again. Lottery Winners losing it all and trust fund babies wasting their parents' hard earned cash. In fact, up to 80% of the lottery winners in this country file bankruptcy within five years. Most of us say," That would never happen to me. You would have to be really dumb to lose all that money." Yet the very reason that these individuals let their money run through their fingers is the very reason that most of us are still working pay check to paycheck.

It is a lacking mindset that is responsible for our financial difficulties. Those with money that work their way up from the bottom or build the wealth they have easily, have the one thing that most of us lack - a million dollar mind set. All wealth begins with it and all wealth is maintained by cultivating this feeling of prosperity.

I would bet that most of us could compile a list of hundreds of things that we want. That sense of wanting means that we feel that we do not have these things. When we replace this wanting feeling with the sense of already having wealth, amazing things start to occur within our brains. We begin to come up with ways of having wealth instead of merely wishing and wanting it.

How do we create this million dollar mindset?

1) Think about being wealthy and write down any thoughts that come up.

Write down the objections that already play in your mind. Write down the excuses like. Ex. It takes money to make money. And write down all the things that you wish you could have if only...

2) Release on those thoughts. Let them go and keep letting them go until the negative emotions go away with them.

3) Replace negative thoughts with positive ones.

4) Fill your mind with the images of what you want and picture yourself already having them.

5) See yourself as you will be. Feel what you will feel. Add audio and even the things that you will smell when you reach that state. ex. the type of perfume you might wear, the sound of bankers begging to give you loans, the feel of silk upon your skin, etc...

6) Keep releasing your negative emotions and thoughts until you have what you have been wanting all these years.

7) Act upon the incredible ideas that your subconscious shares with you fearlessly.

Once that limiting belief grabs hold, it affects every action you take and every action that you hesitate to take. So the second half of the answer is that you need to let these limiting wealth beliefs go and replace them with positive abundant beliefs.

You need to truly understand that money is meant to work for you and not the other way around.

Overcoming negative thought patterns is not as difficult as it may seem. The way to step away from paychecks and into the realm of the wealthy starts with examining your thinking so that you can understand why you have made the choices about money that you have made in the past and change those choices in the future.

The "God 's Eye View" of Your Life

Are you familiar with the expression of a "bird 's eye view". It 's when you view things from a bird 's perspective; far different than that which you see standing on earth. A bird 's eye view allows you to grasp the entire landscape and see the interconnectedness of things that appear separate when you view them from land.

The reason I talk about a "bird 's eye view" is because this concept lead me to facilitate a process at my retreat, in which the participants were invited to write about their life from God 's perspective. This exercise proved to be one of the most powerful retreat experiences, which is why I'm sharing it with you. Grasping a sense of your life from God 's perspective is an invaluable tool for every conscious business owner to consider.

What do you think God would say about your life right now, and where you've been and where you're going? Stop for a moment and reread that sentence again. What do you think God would say about your life right now, and where you've been and where you're going? Interesting perspective to think about, isn't it?

I doubt the thoughts of lack, limitation and doubt wouldn't even enter his mind. Because the one Source (God) is the ultimate unlimited source of all abundance in the world, and that is exactly the perspective he would have on your life; that all things are conspiring for your highest and most divine self-expression in the world.

So, now I invite you into the 4-step process of taking a look at your life from a God 's Eye View. Let 's get started.

Step 1: Reflect on Your Past
Take a moment to reflect on your past. Identify some of the peaks and valleys of your prior experience. Connect with who you've become as a result of all these experiences... the good and the not so good. Look to see how your past experiences have brought you wisdom, strength, love, insight, commitment, passion, conviction, friendship, resourcefulness, resolve, etc. Allow yourself to see the Divine Order of each and every experience.

Step 2: Connect with This Moment
Next, allow yourself to connect deeply with this moment, and the life that you are currently living. Embrace all of your current success and dreams along with any challenges that may be showing up in your life right now. Allow yourself to fully appreciate the place that you're at today. And, again, allow yourself to see the Divine Order of each and every experience.

Step 3: Look to Your Future
Look forward on the path that lies ahead of you. Let your imagination flourish as you envision everything your heart desires becoming real for you. Envision your life as it unfolds perfectly, even exceeding your greatest dreams. As you envision your future, leave room for things you can't imagine right now... knowing that God 's plan for your life is so much bigger than that which you can see from your human perspective. And again, allow yourself to see the Divine Order of each and every future experience.

Step 4: Write your God 's Eye View
Now, in a space of quietude, perhaps outside in nature, or in front of a glowing candle, review the above three steps. And, begin to write freely about your past, present and future experiences... as if you were God writing about what he sees in (and for) your life. Let your imagination and creativity soar as you envision God 's Eye View. In case you are stuck getting started, here 's a line you can use to begin the process: "As God, in this elevated perspective, I can see every step of your journey as divinely guided by me. I see..."

Now that you've written the God 's Eye View of your life, you can reread it over and over again. Every time you feel stopped, or filled with fear, lack or doubt, you can take out this piece of paper and remind yourself of the perfection of the divine unfolding of your life.