Building resilience

Building resilience skills has been shown to significantly reduce depression and improve performance and life satisfaction – across years and years. It takes more than a strong brand and the intention to engage with and create a positive experience for employees. Organisations need to be resilient, with flexible and resourceful leaders, to create a productive and engaging work environment for its people. Let’s face it, we’ve all had that one boss who’s lost it at an inappropriate moment – I once worked for a director who just couldn’t handle a design agency telling him his ideas were a bit passé, so he just flipped and started shouting at everyone to get out! - and that doesn’t instil a great deal of confidence in their ability to lead your team.

Being grateful builds resilience

I spotted the image above as l flicked through my Facebook timeline today. It made me laugh, then it made me think… why is it we seem quicker to complain than we are to express gratitude? We all complain. Even those of you who believe you’re the happiest, most grateful, of people you probably complain sometimes.

Good will to all men? (and women!)

The season of good will seems to have the opposite effect on some people. The cost, family demands, unmanaged expectations, visits made out of duty topped off with over-indulgence and sheer exhaustion can result in stress levels going through the roof - and the odd blown fuse. But it doesn't have to be like that and we can prepare for the demands of Christmas with a little thought and foresight.

Did that really happen?

I've been back from my picture perfect break to the Algarve for three weeks now and it feels like we never went! Don't you just hate that? Regular readers among you will have seen my pre-holiday blog "Do Holidays Affect your Happiness" which in a nutshell said the anticipation of your holiday makes you happier than the holiday itself – there's loads more to it than that, so do read it if you haven't already.