If your most important goal has been on the backburner for ages, download it now. It will program your mind to focus and get things done, without burning out or stressing out.
Find out more here.
If your most important goal has been on the backburner for ages, download it now. It will program your mind to focus and get things done, without burning out or stressing out.
Find out more here.
I’m offering an early bird deal on my new online coaching program, Momentum Lab. This is where you can go from stuck to unstoppable in just 7 days. It’s interactive and personalised. Enrol now and receive 10% off!
Are you fed up with being told to ‘manage your stress’ by taking a deep breath or going for a walk? These are strategies designed for a different era. A time when workplaces were very different. Today, I’m going to suggest a radical new approach. One that fixes the old problem of being ‘time-poor’ in very different ways. You see, you’re not stressed because you have poor coping skills. The real problem is something much more insidious.
How much time do you waste each week working around the vagaries of badly designed systems and work processes? It’s time to take a radical approach. Stop being the human equivalent of the worn-out cog that holds a broken machine together. Instead, update the machine. Make a list of the top 3 processes that waste your time. Then update them, fix them or throw them out altogether.
Firstly, stop pushing yourself to focus all day. Your brain can’t do that. It needs regular breaks to function at its best. That’s where zoning out comes into play. Research has shown that taking short “brain breaks” throughout the day can improve focus, creativity and productivity. My favourite way to do this is by tapping into the power of trance. This is a deep state of relaxation. It counters stress and induces a calm, contented flow.
In 2023 I designed a group coaching program for managers in a high-profile arts organisation. They wanted to reduce stress and increase their impact. Instead of focusing on time management techniques (which you can learn anywhere), I taught them to access trance states and develop emotion-regulation skills. By the end of the program, everyone was feeling more focused and in control, despite the continuing demands of their jobs.
Free e-book and video tips.Get your copy today!
|
|
Newsflash. Doing things you hate can make you feel stressed. That’s why it’s essential to craft your workday using the 80:20 Rule. This comes from Economics and explains that 80% of your results come from just 20% of your efforts. Here’s the radical bit. I’m not going to tell you to focus on streamlining your work processes. Instead, I want you to focus on doing tasks you love for at least 20% of your day.
Assuming you work around 8 hours a day, that means allocating just 1.5 hours a day to tasks that bring you joy. It doesn’t sound much but it can make a huge difference to your stress levels! So, it’s time to stop using outdated strategies to manage stress. Instead, take a radical new approach from this day forth. Fix the failing systems, take brain breaks and prioritise tasks that bring you joy.
And remember, I’m here to help. Check out my inspiring online coaching lab, Momentum, if you want to dive even deeper into these ideas.
This article was created by Eleanor Shakiba
Eleanor is a leadership trainer and success coach. Her mission is inspiring talented people to become leaders who make a difference. Since discovering her passion for training and development, Eleanor has trained more than 60,000 people. She delivers face-to-face workshops for corporates, online masterclasses for leaders and Positive Psychology retreats for trainers, HR practitioners and leaders.
Focus is the ability to direct your attention towards a specific task or goal, while filtering out distractions and irrelevant information. It allows you to fully engage with your work and make progress towards your objectives. Distractions are the enemy of focus, despite being everywhere. Luckily, there’s a neuroscience-backed hack that can help you focus like a laser beam whenever you need to.
It’s called the Pomodoro Technique and it’s a time management method backed by neuroscience. It was developed in the late 1980s by Francesco Cirillo. He ran a series of experiments using a kitchen timer shaped like a tomato (hence the name ‘Pomodoro’). These involved breaking his work into 25-minute intervals separated by short breaks. He found this approach improved productivity and focus significantly.
That’s because your brain is not designed to focus for long periods. Your attention span naturally wanes after 20-25 minutes, which helps your brain conserve energy. By taking short breaks, you allow your brain to rest and recharge before diving back into work. Daydreaming or relaxing is one of the best ways to fully recharge your neural circuitry, so resist the temptation to check social media, surf the web or read your emails during rest times.
These activities will help you relax and reset your brain, making it easier for you to focus again when your break is over. The key is to keep the breaks short – between ten and fifteen minutes duration each time. Most importantly, avoid any mentally stimulating tasks during this time.
Free e-book and video tips.Get your copy today!
|
|
Steps for success
Here’s how to get the most from this evidence-based focus hack.
Remember, it’s all about working with your brain’s natural rhythm, not against it. By incorporating this technique into your daily routine, you’re not just improving your focus. You’re also reducing your risk of burnout, increasing your mental agility and making your workday more enjoyable. So, are you ready to hack your brain for better focus? Set your timer now and get started on your first Pomodoro of the day!
This article summary was created by Eleanor Shakiba
Eleanor is a leadership trainer, success coach and people skills expert. She helps managers and business owners build thriving teams and organisations, using tools from Positive Psychology. She's trained more than 60,000 people during her career as a corporate trainer and professional development consultant. Her mission is inspiring talented people to become leaders who make a difference.
Has your career stalled? Have your most important goals that been on the backburner for too long? Join Eleanor Shakiba in Momentum Lab and go from stuck to unstoppable in 7 days. Find out more here.
When your career stalls, it’s not your fault. You’ve hit a Success Crunch Point and they happen to everyone. A solution is coming soon. Find out more in my next newsletter!
It’s time to upgrade your confidence circuits. Watch this space because a solution is coming soon. I’m looking forward to sharing it with you.
It’s time to upgrade your confidence circuits. Watch this space because a solution is coming soon. I’m looking forward to sharing it with you.
It’s the start of the year and already you’re exhausted. There’s too much to do and you have so little time to focus on what matters. If this sounds familiar, take a deep breath. You might be suffering from Goal Glut, which is what I call that state of overwhelmed agitation that comes from taking on too many goals at once.
Despite what you’ve probably been told when setting KPIs at work, success does NOT come from having multiple goals. Once you have more than three things to focus on, you’ll feel scattered, tired and unproductive. That means you’ll show up to work in Stalled Go Getter mode. Here’s what that looks like.
So how do you transform into the unstoppable achiever that you want to be? The answer is to focus on momentum, rather than action. Momentum is that magical state where you feel unstoppable, motivated and in control. Momentum happens when you’re in the zone and making progress towards your goals. And over the next few weeks, I’ll be giving you tips on how to do exactly that. Without adding another dozen tasks to your To Do list!
Free e-book and video tips.Get your copy today!
|
|
Start today
For now, take a moment to consider the most important question of all: What do YOU want to achieve this year? If you could only pick one goal to focus on, what would it be? That, my friend, is your One Big Goal. Don’t let Goal Glut hold you back from achieving it. And watch out for my next newsletter, because I’ll be sharing my top tips on how to create momentum and make this your most successful year yet.
This article was created by Eleanor Shakiba
Eleanor is a leadership trainer and success coach. Her mission is inspiring talented people to become leaders who make a difference. Since discovering her passion for training and development, Eleanor has trained more than 60,000 people. She delivers face-to-face workshops for corporates, online masterclasses for leaders and Positive Psychology retreats for trainers, HR practitioners and leaders.
Want to increase your influence and build stronger relationships? Then you need to master rapport-building skills. Find out how to use powerful verbal and nonverbal techniques to create a solid rapport without being fake or manipulative. Watch this video now!
When it comes to being a successful leader, being assertive is key. Assertiveness can help those in leadership positions to be more effective and efficient. The article cites examples of how being assertive can help leaders to stand up for themselves and their team, make better decisions, and manage difficult conversations with confidence.
The first step is to be aware of the different types of communication. There are three basic types: passive, aggressive and assertive. Passive communication is when you do not express your feelings or needs. Aggressive communication is when you express your feelings or needs in a way that is harmful to yourself or others. Assertive communication is when you express your feelings or needs in a way that is respectful to yourself and others.
The second step is to practice using assertive communication. This can be done by using the “I” statements below:
“I feel…”
“I need…”
“I want…”
For example, “I feel like I’m not being heard.” “I need more time to think about it.” “I want you to stop interrupting me.”
The third step is to use assertive language. This means using clear and direct language. For example, “Can we discuss this later?” instead of “Can we talk about this later?” or “I’d like a raise” instead of “Maybe we could discuss a raise?”
The fourth step is to be aware of your body language. Your body language should be open and relaxed. For example, uncross your arms and legs, keep your head up, and make eye contact with the person you are speaking to.
The fifth step is to practice self-compassion. When you make a mistake, be kind and forgiving towards yourself. Forgive yourself for not being perfect and accept that you are doing the best you can.
Free e-book and video tips.Get your copy today!
|
|
The sixth step is to be mindful of your triggers. Triggers are things that upset you or cause you to react in a certain way. For example, if someone cuts in line, this may trigger feelings of anger or frustration. Be aware of your triggers and try to manage them as best as possible.
The seventh step is to set boundaries. Boundaries are limits that you put on how much you are willing to do for others. For example, you may set a boundary stating that you will only work eight hours per day or that you will not take work home with you. boundaries help protect your time and energy so that you can focus on your own goals and needs.
The eighth step is to practice assertiveness regularly. The more often you practice assertiveness, the easier it will become for you to use it in difficult situations. Remember that practice makes perfect!
So why is assertiveness so important in leadership? Well, because it allows you to get results without resorting to bullying or manipulation. It also sends a message to your team that you’re willing to work through disagreements respectfully and that you respect them enough to give them a voice. Being more assertive can lead to better communication, improved decision making, and increased productivity. Assertiveness can also help build relationships with co-workers and customers.
Find out more in the original article here: https://positivepsychology.com/assertiveness-in-leadership/
This article summary was created by Eleanor Shakiba
Eleanor is a leadership trainer, success coach and people skills expert. She helps managers and business owners build thriving teams and organisations, using tools from Positive Psychology. She's trained more than 60,000 people during her career as a corporate trainer and professional development consultant. Her mission is inspiring talented people to become leaders who make a difference.
Fortnightly tips and videos to inspire Difference Makers and Future Shapers as their efforts change the world.
