Winter is a taxing time for many of us in the southern hemisphere. But it's not just us down under who are struggling to keep our positive energy levels up: on a global level, according to my Chinese acupuncturist, negative energy and toxic emotions are sweeping the globe. The good news is that come 22 July, she says, we should be through the worst of it. So hang in there - hope is on the horizon...maybe in as little as 3 sleeps away.


As for me...I'm one sleep away from getting on a plane and winging it to Hawaii to join Max Gimblett for a painting workshop. For me, staying energised at work means having something to look forward to.

I hope this month's happy@work update gives you some tips to stay positive and energised at work too.

Passionately yours,
Cassandra


1. When energy levels start to wane try some of the following strategies:

1.Clarify the source of your angst. Where there is a problem there is a cure. Help yourself and help others by completing the happy@work survey - your responses will help you identify what's zapping your energy and begin the process of identifying a cure.

2.Move! During time of stress we can become lethargic and lack energy. During such times we can feel that we don’t even have the energy or time to exercise. This may lead to feelings of depression as well as increased irritability. Numerous studies have shown that exercise promotes the production of positive endorphins, which play a key role in making us feel better about ourselves and our capacity to cope. Research from Princeton University in the States, even suggests that regular physical activity may grow new brain cells. Exercise also helps to activate both hemispheres of their brains so that they can then begin to rationalize – bringing a new perspective as well as greater tolerance to life’s stressors. As one of the senior managers I am working with recently said, “I took a leaf from your book and went to the gym. I feel GREAT!”

3.Prioritise. Ticking off the rats and mice activities can give you a false sense of achievement. Priortise - sort the important but not urgent tasks from the non important but urgent and spend your time working on those things that matter most.

4.Work smarter not harder. Sometimes we are our own worst enemies. Really discipline yourself to clarify where the inefficiencies are. You may be surprised how much wasted time is your own fault. Identifying your strengths and weaknesses can be helpful here: sometimes your greatest strength can be your greatest weakness. For example I am great at ‘winging it ' and doing things at the last minute. It’s a strength in situations where immediate decisions have to be made or when I don’t have a lot of prior warning. It’s a weakness, though, in situations where I have advanced warning because even though I have a big lead time I can leave things to the last minute and create additional stress by not allowing enough contingency space. Similarly I can tend to be disorganised which means that I spend a lot of time looking for things. Other people I know are energised by new ideas and doing things differently – this can be a great skill but sometimes this can mean spending a lot of time “reinventing the wheel” unnecessarily.

5.Work with passion! Charles Kovess, author of “Passionate People Produce,” describes passion as: “a source of unlimited energy from the soul that enables people to achieve extraordinary results.” Often when you feel stressed, you can feel too tired to do anything at all. Often the things that you love to do are the first things to be traded just to get through the day.

Passion gives people energy, vitality and a heightened sense of well-being. It’s one of the greatest stress busters of all, and promotes the generation of endorphins – feel good chemicals that give us an extra spring in our step. When you tap into something you deeply believe in you may be amazed at the results.
If you need some help rekindling your passion, or even discovering it in the first place, contact the fabulous coaches at Worklife Solutions (www.worklifesolutions.co.nz) and ask them about their unique passion@work and life coaching solutions.

6.Maintain the balance. Working harder not smarter is a key reason people spend a disproportionate time at work. In our over-achiever society, where everyone spends more hours every week working or traveling to work, than outdoors exercising, or spending time with their families and friends, the whole concept of stopping and resting to restore ourselves is almost regarded as a crime.

A key outcome of overload is increased stress levels. Some of the symptoms of stress include reduced cognitive or thinking capabilities. As a result people under huge stress often make more mistakes, have memory losses and take longer to achieve less. So taking a break is a great way to revitalize your performance and to work smarter not harder. Because I know how essential it is that I model this to you all I am off to Hawaii for 14 days of "me time"...that's right - I'm going away sans family, sans laptop, sans cellphone etc etc...I 'm also avoiding any crowds by parking up at a spa resort in the mountains post my workshop with Max Gimblett. For me, staying energised at work means having something to look forward to. Check out my on line diary for details re this exciting worklife balance adventure.

7.Gratefully grateful: Noting down all the things you are grateful for is a great energy and happiness booster. Psychologists have found that people who keep a Gratitude Journal, and write in it regularly, significantly increased their levels of energy and satisfaction with life.

Affirm the positive on a daily basis and watch your energy levels soar. The mind makes real what you attend to...the more you focus on what is right in your life, the more happiness you will radiate and attract. Positive thoughts generate positive feelings - it's that simple.

8.Tap into creativity - Many people get caught up in the classical definitions of an artist when they think about creativity, but you don’t have to be an artist, painter or sculptor to be creative. Imagining what doesn’t yet exist and then bringing it into being lies at the heart of creativity. Strengthen your creative muscles by identifying all the things that get in the way of a more energetic and then surround yourself with positive images that shift you from problem thinking to affirming creative solutions. One of my clients complained that her job was so boring she had no energy. I suggested she keep her eye on her mid to long range goal of starting her own business by placing an inspiring image near her PC at work. "Just looking at this image makes my work so much more bearable - it reminds me of what I'm working toward, " she told me, smiling from ear to ear. Download our Creativity Ebook for more simple but effective ideas.

2. INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES RE ENERGY
"Without passion you don't have energy. Without energy you have nothing" - Donald Trump, property developer

“Passion is a source of unlimited energy from the soul that enables a person to produce extraordinary results.” – Charles Kovess, author

"The key that unlocks energy is desire. It's also the key to a long and
interesting life. If we expect to create any drive, any real force within
ourselves, we have to get excited." - Earl Nightingale, motivational speaker

“Out of need springs desire, and out of desire springs the energy and the will to win.” - Denis Waitley, author

3. RESOURCES TO HELP

Life Coaching: A passion deficit can play havoc with your energy levels, self-esteem, confidence and emotions. Give yourself a passion boost and get your life back on track. Life coaching encourages you to dream. It allows you to imagine the ideal life you could have and then helps you create a plan to achieve all you want to be and do. Find out more about our unique “Free to be me” life coaching programme and get your groove back this winter.

Career coaching: If you are unhappy@work chances are its affecting other areas of your life too. When you do what you love, you’ll have more energy and attract success into your life. Get a career makeover this winter. Career coaching can help you boost your intuitive intelligence, discover your life purpose, get clearer about your passions and goals and tap into proven strategies to help you achieve them. Find out more about our unique "Passion Driven Work" career coaching programme and fast track your career happiness and success.

Check out the Worklife Solutions website for more information about career or life coaching or contact me in person. We offer one off sessions, email coaching and face-to –face session individually tailored to your needs. Cassandra@worklifesolutions.co.nz . I’d love to hear from you.


Books - Listed below are just a few of the books written by myself and other career planning experts. You can buy these from our secure on-line store.
If you find any more brilliant ones please let me know - I’d love to share them with others.

Find your passion - eBook
Would you like to wake up every day looking forward to going to work? Do you want a job that is in harmony with your passions, values and deepest interests? Do you want a job that is deeply rewarding and gives you a sense of meaning and purpose, and that allows you to be who you truly are and who you truly want to be?

This book will help you find your passion and still pay the bills by:
* Increasing your awareness of your deepest passions
* Highlighting a wide variety of alternative career paths and companies that can fulfill your passions
* Identifying and developing a strategy to overcome any passion barriers
* Providing strategies to help you maintain a more passionate fulfilled you!
Available for immediate download and life-long reference from http://www.cassandragaisford.com/shop

Best Fit Career - eBook full of simple strategies to take the mystery out of finding your perfect career. Available for immediate download.

Happy@work- eBook full of simple strategies to boost your joy levels at work. Available for immediate download




Stress Busting - Simple but effective strategies to help you boost your energy levels and get rid of stress. Only $12.50! Buy now and reap the benefits of a stress free life.

Web resources - Listed below are just a few of the web resources sites that address issues related to living and working with more intuition. Self-help by searching for more on www.google.com. If you find any more brilliant ones please let me know – I’d love to share them with others.

1) Learn how to create your perfect career. Click on the video link of my interview with Brendan Pongia on The Good Morning Show.

2) http://www.cassandragaisford.com/media.html.We have just added an audio link of my interview on National Radio re happiness and passion@work.

3) A variety of articles about people using positive energy can be found on the Worklife Solutions site

4) Boost you energy by tapping into the power of creativity - check out the cassandragaisford.com site for regular tips and updates on my blog.


4. Update re Cassandra's Creative Endeavours
As I have mentioned I am off to Hawaii for a bit of worklife balance and to join Max Gimblett as he shares his Sumi Ink painting techniques.

While I am there I will also be creating a new range of works for my very first exhibition. Check out the blog to find out more about our exciting creative collaboration.



Until I return I wish you an energetic and passion filled July:)

Labels: Happiness, Health, Motivation