The WAY You Work vs. WHERE You Work!

"Your happiness ultimately comes from the WAY you work, not WHERE you work."

Quotation by Russell Simmons (1957 - ) American entrepreneur

Many letters come to me from my Work & Life Balance subscribers who express their dissatisfaction with their place of employment.

(P.S. If you're not receiving my great and free balance tips yet, sign up at http://www.life-balance-success.com/freebalancetips.html )

Intending no disrespect, I suspect that for some workers, much of their dissatisfaction is self-inflicted.

• Some do not have their work space set up to work as effectively in as possible.


• Some have distracting co-workers who impose into their time and space, without adequate boundaries set up to enforce new ways of working.


• Many feel under-utilized or appreciated.


• And of course, even more are simply overworked, trying to do the job really meant for more workers.

Certainly not to trivialize the dissatisfied employee's experiences, the above quotation does have some merit.

There is a direct relationship between those workers that ritually attend to their personal self-care practices each day (exercise, proper nutition, quiet time, meditation, reading or a form of creative expression) having a MUCH higher threshold of ability (and quality of experience) in their work.

Those workers that align with a positive "glass is half full" attitude have a much higher patience and persistence ability, plus a greater sense of reward in their endeavors.

So, I challenge you to consider the WAYS you align in attitude and the WAYS you approach your work! Here are 4 places to start...

1. Maybe you best set new spacial boundaries in your workspace.
   


2. Maybe you best reorganize your workspace to optimize more effective work.
   


3. Maybe you could afford to clean up your attitude.
   


4. And, maybe you best implement self-care practices each day, so that you can feel good about your work life and your personal life.

These are, at least, good places to start if you are feeling unhappy at work.

But, if these issues do not apply to you and you're doing everything right in these regards... then, maybe you DO need to consider a new work space, one that would allow you to be happier!

If you want some great ideas on how to improve your workspace and use your office devices more efficiently, the BEST YOU eBook has a 27-page "While At Work" bonus chapter that will REALLY help you!
www.life-balance-success.com

Wishing you the very best... at home and work,

Carolyn Clarke

Music In the Workplace

Thanks to the Times of India online newspaper for their Work and Life Balance article entitled,

"Work, office, music!"

Written and published 30 May, 2007... P.S. India is already into our tomorrow. : )

Have a read... I couldn't agree more!

"Many corporate organisations play non-stop music for their employees. Who doesn't want to lead a stress-free life? Indeed, people aren't hesitant while taking various steps to make their lives smoother. Be it playing with pets, a trip to the spa, vacationing, watching movies or listening to favourite tracks, all these serve as stress busters for many.

Music, the all-time favourite mantra for relieving stress, has been with us for ages. And now, with fusion and trance gaining popularity, it is a constant presence in many corporate set ups as well. Nikhil Mehta, an IT professional, says, "Music matters a lot, and adds positive vibes to the atmosphere. It helps relax amidst workplace tensions. It helps employees to work with efficiency and ease." Trance and golden oldies of Bollywood are the preferred varieties of music."

(Interestingly, I personally love to listen to Indian music as I work! By the way, have you discovered iTunes Radio yet? If not, check it out on the Internet... there are hundreds of online radio stations from all over the world to suit your preferred type of music!)

"As a matter of fact, some prominent radio stations too have come up with stress-busting music albums. Even when confronted by strict deadlines, music enables one to perform better. Rathi Pradhan, an advertising professional, echoes Mehta's thought when he says, "The pressure in our profession is too much. Music plays a key role, and soothes the mind."

Many studies have proved that music helps in reducing chronic pain. People suffering from back pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, and pain from injuries can benefit by listening to it.

Yet, not everyone is convinced that music is a blessing; indeed, some feel that it acts as an impediment to good performance at work. Mahafreed Irani, a journalist, affirms, "Music doesn't help and, at times, the songs are very annoying. Not everyone enjoys trance, and rock for that matter. Just because a few enjoy, everyone else is also forced to listen to them. It also hampers our work schedule since one song is played again and again."

Irani's view is not shared by the majority, who like to enjoy their day's work in the most relaxed manner possible. For them, music is the shortest route to bliss which they love to experience even while working."

While some prefer as much silence as possible to do their most productive work in, others are inspired by specific types of soothing music. What about you?

Tell me whether you are inspired or distracted by music in your working place... and if enjoyed, what type of music do you work best to... I'd love to hear from you.

Have a great few days until I talk to you again.

Warmly, Carolyn

www.innerfitness.ca

P.S. Our "Becoming the BEST YOU Possible" eBook Package will be available for purchase in a matter of days now!!! Stay tuned.

Enjoying A Stress-free Holiday

Hi... I'm so glad you're visiting.

Christmas can be one of the most wonderful times of the year, but it can also be one of the most stressful. I found a great little video that I couldn't resist sharing with you that addresses this very topic.

Thanks to CBS News for their production and to Real Simple magazine's Kris Connell for offering tips to stay organized this holiday.

Have a look! Just 4:33 minutes long, this little video is filled with great tips from real people... like you!

http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=1065737n

Simplify some of the tasks of Christmas and you'll find yourself with more quality time to enjoy visitng and celebrating this special occasion. This is my plan!

Warmly, Carolyn
Inner Fitness(R) Programs
www.innerfitness.ca