Discovering Self-Care to Sustain Motivation, Performance and EnergyFall Training 2012

THE ULTIMATE BALANCING ACT

What is Self-Care and Why is it Important?

Stress is NO BUENO!

Traditional Approach to Self-Care• Physical• Moving your body

• Maintaining healthy diet

• Going to the doctor when you need to

• Getting sleep…

• Mental & emotional• Expressing emotions

appropriately

• Knowing your emotional tendencies

• Learning from Mistakes

• Spiritual• Taking time to reflect

• Spending time in silence

• Exploration of yourself that helps you to identity your values and priorities.

From a “Strengths” Perspective – Wellbeing

• "Contrary to what many people believe, wellbeing isn't just about being happy. Nor is it only about

being wealthy or successful. And it's certainly not limited to physical health and wellness. In fact,

focusing on any of these elements in isolation could drive us to feelings of frustration and even failure."

• Gallup’s comprehensive study of people in more than 150 countries revealed five universal, connected elements that shape our lives:• Career Wellbeing• Social Wellbeing• Financial Wellbeing• Physical Wellbeing• Community Wellbeing

Wellbeing• Career• How you occupy your time or simply liking what you do

everyday

• Social• Having strong relationships and love in your life

• Financial• Effectively managing your economic life

• Physical• Having good health and energy to get things done on a daily

basis

• Community• Sense of engagement you have with the area where you live

Career Elements• Do you LIKE what you do?• Using your STRENGTHS every day can avoid burnout

• “Waiting for the bell to ring” – are you engaged at work?• Enjoying weekDAYS as much as weekENDS – your work is closely aligned with person you are• Being disengaged at work can lead to depression

Social Elements•We have stock in other’s wellbeing• Every hour of social time keeps stress away•Without a friend, work can be a lonely place• Don’t expect one friend to do it all• Three recommendations:• Socialize 6 hours a day: This doesn’t always mean “on-the-

clock”• Strengthen the mutual connections in your network• Mix social time with physical activity

A Quick Note About VITAL FRIENDS• People who have a “best friend” at work are 7 times more likely to be engaged in their job•What’s common to all truly essential friendships: a regular focus on what each person is contributing• Definition of VITAL FRIEND• Someone who measurably improves your life• A person at work or in your personal life who you can’t afford

to live without

• Objective Questions to ask yourself• If this person were no longer around, would your overall

satisfaction with life decrease?• If this person were no longer a part of your life, would your

achievement or engagement at work decrease?

Financial Elements• Do you need money to be happy?• Turning to retail therapy causes us to make bad decisions• Three Recommendations:• Buy EXPERIENCES• Spend on others instead of solely material possessions• Establish default systems (automated payments and savings)

Physical Elements•With every bite and drink we take, we make a choice• Net positive – increases energy• Net negative – decreases energy

• To make major lifestyle decisions, we need to understand how a poor diet or sedentary lifestyle affects us TODAY• Three recommendations:• 20 minutes of physical activity each day will improve your

mood • Sleep enough to feel well rested (7-8 hours). Consistent sleep

is important• Set positive defaults when you shop – choose red, green, blue

foods

Community Elements• Do you have a basic sense of security?• Living in an area that’s a good fit for your personality, family, interests, and other pursuits• Three recommendations:• Identify how you can contribute to your community based on

your personal mission• Tell people about your passions so they can connect you with

relevant groups/causes• Opt in to a community group or event

Any Self-Care Masters Out There??

Remember self-care should result in feeling refreshed, motivated and ENERGIZED!

Creating a Plan…

•Write Down your Top 5 Strengths:

• Identify the strengths that provide you the most motivation, energy and/or inspiration• Think of activities or things you’ve done to gain motivation, energy in the past that you utilized at least one of your strengths

“In a group of 3-4 share how you used your strengths in the past for self-care (even if it was without knowing it) and then as a group brainstorm additional ways that each person could practice self-care to support each area of their Well-Being”

Well-Being WorksheetCAREER SOCIAL FINANCIAL

PHYSICAL COMMUNITY NETWORK