Work Smart Live Smart with Beverly Beuermann-King

TIP 1863 - We Can All Make A Difference

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Though everyone may want something unique from our job, there are some things in common that unite us.

One of them being that we want to know that we are making a difference.

A good leader knows how to recognize and value their team members, to let them know that they matter.

They make a point to notice, show respect and appreciation for a job well done. And they ensure that the team is not just receiving negative criticism.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Today’s Tips For Building Resiliency And Celebrating Make A Difference Day:

You don't need to be a leader to make a point of recognizing someone for their contribution, their energy, or their hard work.

One of the greatest gifts that we can give to one another is the gift of encouragement.

Build others up and truly value the contributions they make.

You do not need to be best friends with every one at work, but communicating in a positive way can help to build a positive, productive, and enjoyable place to work.

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#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1862 – Cranky Co-Worker

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Do you have those days when you are more prickly than others or feel that you woke up on the wrong side of the bed?

Sometimes we have these types of days when everything seems to just go wrong. We couldn't find our keys. We had a battle with our teenager. We got stuck in traffic or we're getting a cold.

Today is the day to celebrate being cranky.

To celebrate the crankiness in us all.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

So Here Are My Tips For Being Cranky On Cranky Co-Worker Day:

Don't hold the door open for anyone.

Slam your office door.

Don't say goodbye when you hang up the phone.

Growl at anyone who seems perky.

Say it can't be done to any suggestion that is made.

Complain about the rain, snow, wind, sunshine, heat, blue sky, and wear really tight underwear, or at least the kind that seemed to want to climb up higher and higher.

And finally, if these just don't sound right, smile and ignore the crankiness in someone else and maybe offer them a simple act of kindness.

Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out! 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1861 - Taking The Fright Out Of Halloween

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I love Halloween.

I love getting dressed up now almost as much as I did as a kid.

I have decorations everywhere.

I even created a haunted bush path through our trees when my children were small.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here Are My Tips For Building Resiliency And Celebrating Halloween Safety Week:

With so many kids, teens, and adults joining in on the Halloween fun, it's important to remember a few simple tips to ensure that the night won’t end up a fright.

Talk to your young children so that they know what to expect. Being greeted by a mask creature can ruin the night if a child is not prepared.

Remember Halloween activities for kids don't have to include squishy eyeballs and big monsters.

Have a howling in a good time without the spin tingling chills that give children nightmares.

If you are worried about ghouls and goblins include a line on your party invitation that simply says, no scary costumes please.

Halloween parties and trick or treat can be a great we'll have fun.

So plan ahead and happy haunting everyone.

Want to find some more strategies for coping with stress? Check out my website at WorkSmartLIveSmart.com.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1860 - What Do You Know About Medications

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This is health literacy month. So what do you know about medication safety?

I knew that my medicine cupboard had been neglected when I found a jar of Vicks Rub from when I was a kid. Yes, that was a long time ago and yes, it was about time that it was thrown out.

Medication safety isn't just about an expiry date.

It's about safe storage, knowing what medications may interact with other medications, food, and supplements.

And it's about telling your doctor but any side effects that you may have had from previous prescriptions.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     
So Here Are My Tips For Building Resiliency And Celebrating Health Literacy Month:

Check your prescriptions periodically for expiration dates.

If you're traveling through several time zones consult with your doctor or pharmacist to work out a plan for adjusting the timing of your medication. This will prevent you from taking too much or too little.

Remember the term natural does not necessarily mean safe. Treat all supplements and herbal remedies with the same respect as you would any prescribed medications.

Want to make sure you don't miss out on my weekly postings? Follow WorkSmartLiveSmart on Facebook.

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TIP 1859 - Protect Yourself From The Flu

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Children have been back to school now for a month and we're starting to see the rise of colds and other ailments, both in our children and in our workplaces.

Though these are not usually cases of influenza, it is a reminder that the true flu season is just around the corner, and that we need to protect our families and our co-workers.

Influenza is an infection of the nose throat and lungs caused by the influenza virus. For most people the flu is uncomfortable, tiring, and can keep you bedridden for many days.

But for some, the flu can be serious.

Each year the flu causes many unnecessary deaths. The most common way the flu is spread is through flu germs on people's hands. If you touch something with the flu germs on it, then touch your face or mouth, you could get infected.

Flu germs can also travel through the air. If a person with the flu sneezes, or coughs, their spray can carry the virus to your nose, mouth, and our eyes.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Today's Tip For Building Resiliency And Celebrating Flu Prevention Month:

Wash your hands often and consider getting the flu shot.

For some the flu shot is the best defense.

For more information, check me out on twitter at SOS To Stress.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1858 - Getting A Massage Can Improve Your Mental Health

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There is nothing more relaxing than having a skilled massage therapist, work out the tension from an overly taunt neck and shoulder muscles.

But how is a massage an important component to mental health?

Massage can increase circulation by manually applying pressure and movement. It stimulates nerve receptors causing the blood vessels to dilate.

It increases oxygen capacity and loosens muscles.

All of this is great for promoting the body's relaxation response.

The other benefit is that it forces you to be still and to let your mind wander.

When the mind is allowed to relax, it is better able to focus when we need it after the message.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

So Here Are My Tips For Building Resiliency And Celebrating National Massage Therapy Awareness Week.

Find a qualified massage therapist.

Ask your friends who they would recommend.

Book the time. If you wait for the perfect time. you will never find it.

Our mental health is important, and massage can play an important role in helping us to relax.

So lay back and enjoy.

Looking for better ways to build your resiliency? Take my free online vulnerability test at WorkSmartLiveSmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1857 - Family Needs During A Critical Illness

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According to the health index almost 45% of people don't put their health at the top of their priority list and for some it's not on the list at all.

Many of us will experience a critical illness at some point in their life. It's just a matter of rolling the dice. Medical advances mean that we have a better chance of surviving a critical illness.

However surviving a critical illness, such as breast cancer, can be one of the most difficult challenges in life and often brings overwhelming medical and financial burdens on the person and their family.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Knowing that one in nine women will develop breast cancer, Here Are Today's Tips For Building Resiliency In Celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month:

Know that supportive families have a beneficial impact on the patient's response to treatment, however if the family anxiety is high, they may be unable to support the patient and may transfer their anxiety.

So understand what family members need during this difficult time. The most important of these needs is assurance and hope they want to remain near their patient, and they want to receive information and support.

Anxiety is reduced when a sense of control is promoted.

For more information on coping with mental health, sign up for one of my online courses at WorkSmartLiveSmart.com, under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1856 – Burning Out The Babysitter

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I find it very sad when I see someone who was dedicated and enthusiastic about their job, leaves because of burnout.

This is often the case in the childcare profession. 

Burnout is a state of fatigue, while feeling frustrated, overworked and unappreciated. It combines physical, emotional and mental symptoms. 

Workplace stress and burnout is very high in the childcare profession due to the stress of managing multiple children and their behaviours, the relationships with parents and peers, and often there is a lack of recognition and appreciation for what should be seen as such an important role in our society.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Childcare Professionals Day:

As a childcare professional be aware of the problem and recognize the danger signs of burnout, then take care of your health.

Learn long-term and short-term relaxation and stretching strategies.

Be realistic about goals and expectations.  Set limits.

Develop strong communication skills and strategies for dealing with children, parents and peers.

Develop activities that are separate from work.

As a parent whose child is looked after by a childcare professional:

Remember that parenting isn`t easy at the best of times, neither is looking after someone else`s child.  Not everything will be perfect or dealt with exactly as you would like it to be.

Let go of minor annoyances and deal appropriately and respectfully with those issues that must be addressed.

My children are many years out of their daycare setting, but they still have warm feelings for their childcare providers when they see them in person or when we look at pictures from the past.  So to JoAnne, Clare, Sara, Kelly, Julie, and Darlene – many thanks for taking good care of my boys.

Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1855 – Working With Difficult People

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Our goal is to stop rewarding irritating behaviours and attitudes.

To do this, we must understand what employees expect to gain from being so difficult. 

Celebrate Mediation Week.

Understanding why some co-workers may become difficult or negative, and when they are more likely to act that way, can prevent the buildup of tension.

So why are people difficult?

Some employees learn very early on, that the more noise they make, the more likely those around them will respond to their squeaky wheel.

For some, negative attitudes and behaviors are expressed when they just don't have the energy to use better communication skills, judgment, or manners.

The difficulty behind these attitudes and behaviors is that they are highly toxic, and they can ripple out to those around us.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency

So Here Are Today's Tips For Building Resiliency In Celebrating Mediation Week:

Our goal is to stop rewarding those irritating behaviors. To do this we must understand what the person expects to gain from being so difficult.

Some want to feel more in control. Some want to feel important and listened to.

Be in the moment and treat each person as if they are all that matters. It is hard to be difficult with someone who makes us feel special.

And finally, move difficult people away from problem identification into problem solving. By understanding what employees expect to gain from using undesirable behaviors, we are in a much better position to deflect and defeat the difficult behavior.

Looking for resources to build your healthy workplace?

Check out my top ten tips under resources and courses at WorkSmartLiveSmart.com.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1854 - Evaluate Your Life

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Do you have balance in your life?

Have you ever had balanced?

What does balance mean to you?

Without taking the times to evaluate how things really are, it’s nearly impossible to make the changes you need to make in order to create the life you wish to lead.

Evaluate your life day is an opportunity to sit down and review.

It is a time to pause and reflect.

In my workshops, I help people look at what they're spending their time and energy on and then we discuss how they would like their life to be.

It's not easy and often messy.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

So Today’s Tips For Building Resiliency And Celebrating Evaluate Your Life Day:

First, it's easy to wish that things were different, but to be different, we must evaluate first.

This takes effort.

So sit down and make notes.

Understand your priorities, then make active decisions to make these things a priority.

This isn't about wishing. It's about doing.

Looking from more tips to build your resiliency?

Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out! 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1853 – Coping With The Change

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‘The change’, ‘the time of life’ – call it what you will, it is an unavoidable fact that all women go through menopause as they age into their 50’s, and 60’s.

However, for some women this natural process is a time of anxiety and distress.

Menopause is influenced by hormones – or more correctly, by a change in hormone levels. Less oestrogen is produced, causing the body to behave differently. However the body does not stop producing oestrogen overnight, and the process can take several years, during which negative symptoms can arise.

Hot flushes are the most common symptom of the menopause, occurring in three in every four menopausal women.

Other common symptoms include night sweats, sleeplessness, vaginal dryness, irritated skin, more frequent urinary incontinence and urinary tract infections, low mood and a reduced interest in sex. Symptoms vary hugely in duration, severity and what impact they have on women.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here Are My Tips For Building Resiliency And Celebrating World Menopause Day;

Some women experience increased anxiety during the menopause. Regular exercise helps to convert stress into positive energy.

Talk to your doctor about health screening tests such as bone density, heart health, and depression to minimize the impact of menopause.

Some women breeze through a problem-free menopause, but most experience some symptoms ranging from mild to severe. If you feel that you are struggling, consult your doctor for advice. Whatever the symptoms, help is available in a range of ways.

If you like today’s wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app.

Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1852 – But You Look So Healthy

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But you look so good!

96% of illnesses are invisible. These people do not use a cane or any assistive device and may look perfectly healthy.

60% are between the ages of 18 and 64.

It's hard to know what to do when a person has an illness. It’s even harder when it's virtually invisible.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Invisible Chronic Illness Week

Don't be afraid to talk about what they're experiencing. Open the lines of communication and follow the other person's lead. If they want to go into details, they will. If they would rather talk about other things, they will let you know.

If you're living with an invisible chronic illness it's important to keep connected. Reach out for support. It's only by opening up about your illness that you can educate people and invite them to be there for you.

You may be surprised, but they may be dealing with their own invisible chronic illness and could really use your support, or they may become one of your biggest advocates or confidents. You won't know until you give them a chance.

Looking for more information on making your mental health matter? Check out my online courses at worksmartlivesmart.com

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1851 - Building The Best Relationship With Your Boss

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Are bosses who are fair, supportive, and kind gone by the way of the dodo bird?

If we were to listen to the media, or the complaints from friends and family, you would think that this was true.

We hear about cut-throat bosses. Bosses who are bullies. The ones who steal all of the glory for themselves.

There are bosses who are perfectionists.

And then there are those bosses who only care about the bottom line.

In fact. in one survey, seventy five percent of workers said that dealing with their boss was the most stressful part of their day.

Bosses Day is the day for employees to recognize their boss for their positive traits.

Like it or not your boss plays an important role in your productivity, creativity, and overall health.

It is up to you to build the best relationship with your boss that you can.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here Are Today’s Tips For Building Resiliency And Celebrating Bosses Day:

Examine how you describe your work, your boss, and your company.

If you find that you are using all negative language, stop. It's undermining you mental and physical health.

Focus on solutions not problems.

Have conversations that move things forward.

And finally, don't be moody and don't let your boss’ mood impact you. You have no idea what they are dealing with. So reserve your judgments. Be the one that is in control of their mood.

Looking for resources to build your healthy workplace? Check out my top ten tips under resources and courses at WorkSmartLiveSmart.com.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1850 - Complain And Be Grouchy

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All goody two-shoes, beware. You are not welcome on this day.

Today is a day for all grouches to celebrate their way of life.

According to the Muppet Wiki, a grouch’s mission in life is to be as miserable and as grouchy as possible and pass that feeling on everyone else.

Only then will a grouch be in touch with his or her world and be happy.

Yet even though grouch may show happiness at anyone's misfortune, a grouch would never admit to being happy.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

My Tip For Celebrating National Grouch Day:

Be miserable. Complain over everything. And enjoy nothing.

Tomorrow will not be better.

There is no silver lining.

And the glass almost empty.

Looking for better ways to build your resiliency? Take my free online vulnerability test at WorkSmartLiveSmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1849 - Let’s Talk Month

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Do you think the people have always been this stressed?

I'm often asked if we have more or less stress than we did a hundred or two hundred years ago. Our lives are stressful today, but they were way back then as well.

One of the things that helped people to cope was a sense of support. Back then we lived in smaller communities, had families around us, and we knew our neighbors.

Today we live in large communities, our families may live hours or continents away, and we have no idea who lives around us.

Our support circles have grown smaller and smaller.

Let's talk month embraces sharing your stories and asking for help as ways of gaining and giving support.

It is one of the three main strategies in positive stress management.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here Are My Hot Tips For Building Resiliency And Celebrating Let's Talk Month:

Learn to share your thoughts and feelings, your successes, and your challenges.

Learn to listen to other’s thoughts and feelings, successes, and challenges.

Looking for more tips to build your resiliency?

Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out! 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1848 - Know Risks And Benefits Of Sarcasm

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Well everyone lobs a snarky remark here and there.

A sarcastic person expresses humor in verbal irony by making statements that defy their literal meaning.

For some it's as natural as breathing.

Some say that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but the highest form of intelligence.

Whether sarcasm is a sign of intelligence or not, communication experts typically advise us to stay away from this particular form of expression.

And yet, there is some research that suggests that there may be some unexpected benefits from sarcasm, including greater creativity in the workplace.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Today's Tips For Building Resiliency And Celebrating Sarcasm Awareness Month:

Research shows that sarcasm can be easily misinterpreted, so use it sparingly and take great care that it doesn't damage your relationships.

It comes down to trust. Given the risks and benefits of sarcasm, your best bet is to keep salty remarks limited to conversations with those you know well.

Looking for better ways to build your resiliency? Take my free online vulnerability test at WorkSmartLiveSmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1847- Emotional Intelligence and Coping Skills

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It is so much easier to teach our children the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic then it is to develop and maintain a positive mental health and to build positive, healthy relationships.

Bully, harassment, disciplinary issues, and conflict often occur because we have not been taught how or have not worked at our own Emotional Intelligence.

It starts with the basics: No emotion is ‘wrong’, but there are ways of acting out or expressing those emotions that are inappropriate.  

So what is EI and how is it different from well-being, and emotional health. Well-being is your emotional state at any given moment. Are you sad, mad, happy?.

Emotional health is a set of malleable skills, habits, and beliefs which impact on our thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Developing your emotional health helps you to manage the ups and downs of day-to-day life and build positive relationships. Emotional health relies on the skills of Emotional Intelligence and how they are used in the person’s current environment and interactions.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Today’s Tips For Building Resiliency And Celebrating Emotional Intelligence Month:

Focus in and develop the 5 components to Emotional Intelligence to help you manage the day-to-day challenges that you are facing.

Self-Awareness is all about recognizing your moods and emotional drivers. It is about building self-confidence, not taking yourself too seriously and being realistic about who you are.

Self-Regulation is the ability to control your impulses, suspend judgment and to think before you act. Are you open to change, comfortable with the unknown and trustworthy?

Are you focused on Internal Motivation? This is motivation that goes beyond money and title. It is doing something for pure joy, curiosity, and with a sense of optimism and hope.

Exercise your Empathy muscle. Emotional Intelligence is not only about self-awareness, but an awareness of the emotional state of others. Can you easily recognize facial expressions and language cues and read them appropriately?

And finally develop your Social Skills. This is the ability to take this empathy and build positive relationships and manage conflict effectively.

For more information on building positive mental health, sign up for one of my online courses at WorkSmartLiveSmart.com, under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1846 – Substance Abuse Prevention

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Sadly, one in 10 Canadians suffers from some type of substance use disorder. That could mean your colleague, your neighbour or someone in your own family. Addiction does not discriminate—it affects all walks of life.​

The total societal cost of substance abuse is in the billions. Whether the cost comes from lost productivity in the workplace, increased cost to our healthcare system or pressure on our law enforcement agencies, substance use disorders cost money.

People are dying. Substance use disorders can be progressive and fatal if left untreated.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

So Here Are Today’s Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating National Substance Abuse Prevention Month

Millions experience substance abuse issues, which includes underage drinking, alcohol dependency, non-medical use of prescription drugs, abuse of over-the-counter medications, and illicit drug use. Substance use disorders are health disorders. They are not the result of any kind of character flaw or lack of personal willpower.

Stigmatizing language can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and act as a barrier to seeking help and sustaining recovery. WORDS MATTER.

Use “people-first language.” For instance, refer to “person who uses substances”, rather than a “drug user”, “addict” or “alcoholic”. This is more neutral language that helps to maintain the individuality of the person.

Choose language that promotes the recovery process. This means not describing a person being “clean” or “dirty” but rather “not currently using substances” or “in recovery”.

If you like today’s wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app.

For more information on coping with mental health issues, sign up for one of my substance use on-line course at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1845 – Promoting Mental Health

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We are working in a corporate world where our teams are faced with a variety of stressors and a world where many of our teams are finding that their coping strategies are inadequate or ineffective at addressing the numerous stressors that they are facing.

According to research, one in five will experience a diagnosable mental illness.

Mental illness can affect anybody. Stigma and guilt play a role in preventing people from seeking help.

Only one in every three with a mental health issue will seek help, leaving millions trying to cope all on their own. Though some may be seeking medical help, fear of being criticized, or judged by those around them, may prevent them from reaching out to others for support.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Today's Tip For Building Resiliency On World Mental Health Day:

Care. Communicate. Connect.

Educate yourself. Educate others and examine policies and attitudes that prevent those experiencing a mental illness from getting the help that they need.

For more tips on how to promote mental illness awareness, check out my website at WorkSmartLiveSmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

Stigma, guilt and fear can prevent someone from reaching out. Awareness and support are key.

#mentalhealth #hr

TIP 1844 - How Bloody Annoying Are Your Pet Peeves

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Squeaky doors. Slow internet connections. No subject heading in an email message. Cracking knuckles. Toilet lid being left up. Being put on hold. Music while on hold. Repeated messages while on hold.

Some of our pet peeves can move from simple annoyances into being rude or aggressive.

Think of road rage. It usually starts because one person was not paying attention or assumed that they had the right to do what they did, and then the offended party gets annoyed, then angry, and they may even retaliate.

Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!     

Here Are Today's Tips For Building Resiliency During Pet Peeves Week:

Make a list of your pet peeves.

There is something cathartic and humorous about doing this.

Often awareness can help us to see the lighter side.

Learn how to move on and not waste your mental energy or let your blood pressure skyrocket.

And finally, understand that someone else's behavior that annoys you wasn't targeted specifically to you.

Don't personalize it and read more into it than there is.

Looking for ways to build your resiliency? Take my free online vulnerability test at WorkSmartLiveSmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

#mentalhealth #hr