Work Smart Live Smart with Beverly Beuermann-King

EP 1246 - Hearty, Hot Breakfast

It is a cold February morning and our warm beds are tough to escape. A hearty, hot breakfast can be the solution. While that used to mean day after day of the same old porridge, we now have a variety of choices to bring about that warming feeling. Not only are these choices comforting in cold weather, they can be a part of a healthy, complete diet.

One of the most popular and easy to prepare hot breakfast choices is hot cereal. Studies indicate that the insoluble fiber in grains might help prevent colon cancer. There is also the potential reduction in overall cholesterol, and therefore a reduction in heart-disease risk.

So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Hot Breakfast Month:

A hearty, healthy breakfast can improve our energy, concentration and creativity not to mention the healthy impact on our bodies. So during Hot Breakfast Month make breakfast one of your priorities.

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

EP 1245 – On My Own

Many entrepreneurs started their own business so that they could be happier by having more control over their life, but often the demands of running the business leave them feeling out-of-control.  In order to be successful it is important the entrepreneur not only works hard, but takes the time to take care of themselves, and stay connected to those around them.

Burnout is a state of fatigue while feeling frustrated, overworked, and unappreciated. Burnout can be a serious consequence of an unbalanced life. Often this is the case for a new entrepreneur or a small business owner.

Some of the other signs of burnout include needing more hours to get your work done, lack of focus, decreased creativity, sleep problems, distrusting, complaining more, and feeling more isolated. When these occur it becomes extremely difficult to carry on with your business.

So here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Entrepreneurship Week:

Know your priorities – have a clear understanding as to why you started your own business and the benefits of owning your business

Set very clear expectations for yourself and for those around you based on those priorities

Take care of your mental health

Develop a life outside of your business

Take care of your physical health

Develop family, friend and peer supports

Looking for resources to build your healthy workplace? Check out my top 10 tips under Resources and Courses at worksmartlivesmart.com

EP 1244 – It is My Way

Today is My Way Day. Yes, it is MY way or the highway!

I like MY way, it is the RIGHT way. It is the ONLY way!

Why, because I said so. I know it is so.

You just haven’t realized it to be so.

And until you come around to my way of thinking, just do as I say, and life will be much better for all of us.

And don’t argue with me. When it is Your Way Day, I’ll do what you say, so, till then, remember it is MY Way Day!

I jest, but part of it is true.  I really do want things my way.  It’s all about control and I like to have control.  I can be seen as a difficult person and in fact I am one of the ‘characters’ that I talk about in my workshops.  When we understand what motivates others and what motivates ourselves, it is much easier to deal with the negative sides of these personalities.

Building Resiliency and Celebrating My Way Day:

Just because it is My Way Day, don’t expect that everything will go your way, because funny enough, others think it is their way day too.

Learn what pushes your buttons and learn what pushes other people’s buttons. 

Relaxation skills can help to reduce that overwhelmed, frustrated feeling, helping to prevent you from stomping around.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

EP 1243 – Goodwill, Peace And Understanding

The quest for goodwill, peace and understanding among people of the world. This is the fourth avenue of service for the Rotary Club.

With all of the chaos and conflict happening in the world, we need courage to take a stand and promote peace in our communities.

We do this by digging in and learning how to understand other people's cultures, by promoting engagement with others, and by building strong, diverse communities.

Tips for Building Resiliency and Celebrating National World Understanding Month:

The first part of expanding our understanding is to recognize that every cultural group has unique strengths and perspectives that the larger community can benefit from.

We need a wide range of ideas, customs, and wisdom to solve problems and enrich community life. It is by bringing non-mainstream groups into the center of civic activity that we get fresh perspectives and shed new light on tough problems.

Here are some questions that may help you think about and understand your community:

How would you define your community? Does it have geographical boundaries? Is it local or global?

Who lives in your community right now?

What kinds of diversity already exists?

What issues do different cultural groups have in common?

These are just a few of the questions that can expand your understanding and this insight can lead to an increase of goodwill, cooperation, and peace in your community.

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

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency?
Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

EP 1242 – If You Can Be Anything, Be Kind

“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.” Seneca

World Kindness Day gives us a chance to reach to others and show them that they are not alone, and the world is not as gloomy as it is often made out to be.

Numerous scientific studies show that acts of kindness result in significant health benefits. Performing kind acts can help reverse feelings of depression, decrease feelings of hostility and isolation, decrease intensity and the awareness of physical pain, and increase sense of self-worth, happiness, and optimism.

Building Resiliency and Celebrating Random Acts Of Kindness Week:

Think of those that are closest to you and take a moment to connect with them…phone your grandmother, mother, father, uncle…nothing is more personal than a visit or a phone call so that they can hear your voice. Let them know how much they mean to you.

Leave a love note for your spouse. Let them know that you still hold them in your heart.

Make a donation to a charity on behalf of a love one. You are letting your love one know that you are thinking of them and you are helping out a worthy cause at the same time.

Send an appreciation note to a colleague. Many of us receive little or no appreciation at work. Let’s change this and help increase the engagement of each other.

Being kind to another doesn’t have to cost us anything other than the energy to think of something.

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

EP 1241– Have You Signed Your Card?

One of the most important places for your signature is on your Donor Card. It can impact so many people. That signature can save lives.

Today we thank those individuals who already voluntarily donated their blood, organs and tissue to save someone else’s life or to improve the quality of their life.  

With our lives being so busy it is easy to forget to do this simple little act of kindness. But this little act can mean the difference between life and death.

So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Donor Day:

If you are okay with donating, take the opportunity today, to sign your card. Someone may be counting on you.

Discuss this decision with your family.

Sometimes starting the conversation can be difficult. Making the decision for yourself in advance makes it easier for your family to cope during a very difficult time.

If you are not sure about your family member’s wishes, #StarttheConversation.

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

EP 1240 – Get A New Name

Do you know who Dianne Belmont was? I think that she was a comedic genius. Still not sure?
Dianne later became known as Lucille Ball.  

Have you ever wished you were given a different name by your parents?

If so, today is the day, as it is Get A Different Name Day. If you could, what new name would you give yourself?

In some religions they have or had a practice or ceremony during which you selected a new name. Sometimes taking a new name is a case of a celebration, such as getting married. Some actors or musicians choose a new stage name, especially if they had a hard to pronounce name.

Taking on a new name can help affirm a new identity, like when transitioning from one gender to another. It’s all about getting a fresh start, and that’s what Get A Different Name Day is about!

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Get A Different Name Day:

If you are not seriously looking for a new name, have fun with a different name anyways, just for today.

Choose a character from a movie or TV show or from folk lore and post it on your social media to let your friends and family know about this new or hidden identity

Are you a Sheldon Cooper, a Zena Warrior Princess, Taz for Tasmanian Devil, or a Lucy because of your sense of humor?

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

EP 1239 - Are You A Successful Leader?

Though everyone may want something unique from their job, there are some common things that employees want their job to provide.

Employees want to gain a sense of confidence, competence and control.

What motivates employees is having interesting work that challenges them, along with increased responsibility, autonomy, and recognition for a job well done. These motivating factors fill our need for growth and achievement, and bring about long-term happiness and fulfillment.

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Leadership Success Day:

Successful leaders build confidence, competence and control by treating their employees with respect and by giving positive recognition for performance and dedication.

Successful leaders focus on building two-way trust within the organization.

When employees feel that they are trusted and respected, they will share issues openly and are more productive and creative. They are more likely to develop meaningful relationships and take pride in contributing their skills and abilities. All of this increases overall confidence, competence and control.

Looking for resources to build your healthy workplace?
Check out my top 10 tips under Resources and Courses at worksmartlivesmart.com

EP 1238 - Do Your Best To Be Electrific Today

Electrific. I have no idea what this word means, but isn’t it a great word’  When I hear it, I think of great, terrific, electrifying, bubbly, energizing…..

How can you be electrific?

Often, we find ourselves just going through the motions.  Days run into each other.  Life can become boring and stagnant.

If we don’t purposefully attack each day, we can become anything but electrific.

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Electrific Day

Share a smile with those around you.  Greet your family the way you wish to be greeted

Do something fun – just because

Say thank you to your co-workers, to your boss, to your spouse

Think of something positive to say to each person that you connect with today

Get plenty of sleep so that the energy you have bubbles out from you

Wear something bright to pick you up from the winter blahs

Do your best to be electrific 🙂

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency?
Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

EP 1237 – Foiling The February Blahs

I am really glad that February is the shortest month of the year, as it always seems tough to get through. I often get hit with the blahs during this time. Sometimes it is because of the busyness around me and sometimes it is weather related. Sometimes it is both.

Have you ever been caught up in the blahs and you aren’t sure that things are going to ever pick back up? Do you worry that you may feel this way forever?

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Blah Buster Month:

Getting together with a friend is a sure way to put the blahs at bay. Social connections ground us.

Declutter Your Closet. Go through your clothes and pull out the things you no longer wear. Donate those items. Organizing and Decluttering open up space in our environment and our minds.

Get Active. Exercise is a mood enhancer and will naturally lift your spirits.

Go to the light. I often get caught staying indoors during this month, but the more I get outside the better I feel.

Finally, try something new. A new activity. A new recipe. A new technology. All of these can increase your brain’s plasticity and add a bit of a spark to a tough month.

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

EP 1236 – Read In The Bathtub To Help Relax

CEO Jeff Bezos admitted that he reads in his bathtub. He took a one-gallon Ziploc bag, and puts his e-reader inside it. Book in hand…safe and sound.

An interesting way to combine two popular stress-relieving past-times. I am not sure that I am co-ordinated enough to master this even with a Ziploc bag.

Bathtubs are the picture-perfect scene to the end of a hard day for many people. I have trouble sitting in a tub. I don’t find it very relaxing and my mind usually wonders off to what else needs to be done.

Part of the S-O-S Principle that I developed involves finding strategies that get your mind off of the stressful situation. The key is to find something that works for you.

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Read In The Tub Day:

If you have trouble slowing down to relax, ask yourself why. Are you too caught up in what needs to be done next’ Keep the superhuman syndrome in check – we need to take time to take care of ourselves.

If the bathtub or a good book don’t do it for you, find something else that does. Find something that changes the speed, changes your focus and helps to renew your energy.

If you are still willing to try the book and bathtub combo to relax, start with a magazine or book that doesn’t matter if it gets wet.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency?
Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

EP 1235 – Does Your Employer Care

A study found that 20% of workers felt that their employer didn’t care about them. Imagine what that would look like in your organization. What impact do you think that this would have on productivity and engagement?

Quality leaders are aware of the value of recognition. During Leadership Week, I encourage supervisors, managers, directors and the C-Suite to look closely at the relationship that that they have with their employees. A poor relationship – one in which employees feel powerless, uninformed, disrespected, used and stressed – will lead to high rates of heart and cardiovascular problems, anxiety, depression, and alcohol and drug use. It can also leave the company with higher rates of absenteeism, lowered productivity, higher rates of job turnover and more difficulty in attracting and retaining high quality workers.

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating International Leadership Week:

Quality relationships take time to develop. They require that leaders allow for participation in decision-making, provide information and support on stress, develop support strategies between team members and that the leader ensures the proper resources are available to get the job done.

Challenge yourself to evaluate your leadership skills. Would your team consider you a quality leader?

Want to check out more health and wellness related celebrations?
Visit my wellness calendars under the resources and courses tab at worksmartlivesmart.com

EP 1234 – Refuse Shame

Accept Yourself. Accept Your Body. Celebrate Yourself. Celebrate Your Body.

Fact #1 Eating Disorders affect people of all gender, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic class, ability, race, and ethnic background.

Fact #2 Eating disorders are not choices, but seriously biologically influenced mental illnesses and need to be treated as life threatening conditions

Fact #3 You can’t tell by looking at someone whether they have an eating disorder.

 

Tips For Building Resiliency and Bringing Awareness To Eating Disorder Week:

 

Whether you're a parent concerned for a child, a friend or someone who just wants to make a difference, there are many ways to shine a spotlight on eating disorders to help those in need and celebrate people who have made a recovery.

Find ways to show your support. US News & World Report recommends:

Be honest: Tell the person you're concerned about his or her health.

Be sincere: Compliment the person on their intrinsic qualities – like their ability to make people laugh or their ability to work as a team player.

Be caring, but firm: Let them know that you care and want to help in the recovery process.

For more tips on how to Promote Mental Illness Awareness check out my website at worksmartlivesmart.com under the Resources and Courses tab

EP 1233 – Caring With Compliments

They are free, easy to give and receive.

They make people happy.

They make you happy.

If you are having one of those days, you can shift your attention from all the things going wrong in your day and put it on making someone else’s day a little sunnier by paying them a compliment.

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Pay A Compliment Day:

Celebrating today is so easy to do.

All you have to do is find something nice to say about someone and say it to them!

If they are not around tell others how great that person is.

Watch how they light up when they hear the compliment.

What a difference you will make in their life and your own.

We all have a desire to be acknowledged. When someone else notices even the slightest thing about us, it can boost our self-esteem, motivation and happiness.

Small acts of kindness go a long way these days.

 

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

EP 1232 - Do You Have A Hobby

With many of us today riding on the roller coaster of life, it is incredibly important to have activities that help to slow the pace, regulate our rhythm in life and add a sense of fun. Hobbies can provide many hours of relief from stress and worry.  A hobby can boost creativity, self esteem, passion, pleasure and accomplishments. Hobbies have no deadlines, no rules and no pressure to be successful.

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Hobby Month:

Adopt a hobby that you can have fun at and that you look forward to doing. You don’t have to be great or perfect – you don’t even have to be good. The most important part is enjoying it just because.

Here are a couple of my favourites:

Gardening can be a great stress reliever for many reasons, including getting you into the sunshine and fresh air and creating more beautiful surroundings to come home to.

Whether you take pictures of your friends, family, or nature, photography can be a great hobby. Seeing the world through the lens of a camera may help you to see things from an entirely different perspective.

Reading opens a window to the world; giving us a vision of things we never dreamed possible. When you curl up with a good book, you put the rest of the world at bay.

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EP 1231 – How Not To Be Exposed

Last week we celebrated Have Fun At Work Day and today is Working Naked Day. Well…I guess this is one way to have more fun at work. I think that working naked is more for those of us who work alone and at home…with no chance of a customer dropping in. In fact, a recent study found that 1 in 8 male teleworkers and 1 in 14 female teleworkers actually work naked.

Some suggest that working naked, means that you work alone, without the support of a corporate group around you. If this is the case, I guess I do work naked. Being in business for yourself means that you have to push your limits, test new waters and find new paths. Without supporters around you, you can feel exposed and vulnerable.

Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Working Naked Day:

If you are literally going to work naked today, it is best to ensure that no one else is around. It is very difficult to use the celebration as a line of defense with your boss.

If you are an entrepreneur, working alone, celebrate that you have courage. Though many wish to work for themselves, it takes true courage to actually go out on your own and sink or swim on your own merits.

Minimize your exposure. Surround yourself with those who will cheer you on, give you honest feedback, pick you up, dust you off and send you back out.

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

EP 1230 – Becoming Heart Healthy

Have you ever looked at those websites that compare your real age to your chronological age?

I did and I was pleased to see that it covered a variety of areas related to positive stress management and resiliency. It also had some interesting questions regarding heart health.

Cardiovascular diseases continue to be a major threat to women's health.

Building Resiliency and Celebrating Women’s Heart Week:

It is imperative that women learn the warning signs and symptoms of heart disease and stroke, see a doctor regularly, and learn their family history. Making a commitment to your health isn’t something you have to do alone either, so grab a friend or a family member and become accountability partners.

Nutrition and exercise essential.

But also consider the impact of being positive, being able to relax, using a sense of humour, being organized, being involved in hobbies/community, having a spiritual side, and striving to be a continuous learner.

Our heart pumps life through our body, so ensure that you are pumping your heart full of life.

Looking for more ways to build your resiliency? Take my free on-line vulnerability test at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.

EP 1229 – Self-Care Is Like Oxygen

Have you found that when your plate is overloaded with work and family responsibilities, or when you are in a professional, financial, or relationship crisis, your self-care tends to fly out the window?

For some of us, self-care is a luxury that we feel that can not afford to indulge in. There is a quote that I like that says, “How thin can I spread myself before I no longer exist’”

Self-renewal is about transforming yourself. It can give you a fresh take on life. You feel better and more able, more competent and more effective. Self-care is like oxygen. It is essential in order to live a balanced and fulfilled life. If grit is what keeps you going, and resilience is what picks you up, self- renewal is what helps you stay energized.

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Self-Renewal Day:

Tip #1 Do A Body Scan. As soon as you wake, ask yourself, “Physically, emotionally, or spiritually, what do I really need to focus on today’” Self-renewing activities include looking after your well-being.

Tip #2 Find Your Tribe. “Build your support network,” When we gather together to “tend and befriend,” our body releases more of the stress-reducing hormone, oxytocin. This makes us feel more hopeful, grateful and resilient.

Looking for resources to build your resiliency?
Check out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com

EP 1228 – SOB Spunky Old Broads

Have you met any S.O.B’s lately? 

I mean the good kind.  The feisty, spirited ones kindly referred to as, Spunky Old Broads.

These are the ladies who live life to the fullest, regardless of their circumstances.  They have learned to push forward, find humour and share their spirit with those around them.

I’ve been fortunate to meet some very Spunky ladies – Liked my mom’s cousin Linda, who makes me laugh every time I see her, Virginia who ran her first marathon at the age of 50 and who shared her message of hope with those who were also dealing with severe depression, and Shelle who travels the world for business and still takes the time to make me laugh and be my mentor.

SOB Month celebrates all women over 50, who believe it is never too late to live your dream, be who you want to be, and create and do whatever you want to do.

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Spunky Old Broads Month:

I want to be a spunky old broad.  I’m not there yet.  For me, I take things way too seriously and I fret about the little things.  But I believe that it is never too late to learn something new, try something different and strive for all that life has to offer.  So I am going to remind myself to let go and laugh a little more and maybe one day I will be known as a SOB.

Looking for more tips to build your resiliency?

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

EP 1227 – Bubble Wrap Day

Bubble Wrap has always been great for cushioning fragile items during shipping.

I don’t know what it is about bubble wrap, but like a lot of people, when I’m around it, I have to pop it.

We all know it's fun to pop, and it makes a great stress reliever. However, did you know that bubble wrap started off as wallpaper and then green-house wall insulation’ Thankfully, these uses didn’t take off and in the end, IBM began using Bubble Wrap to protect delicate electronics from damage during transit.

It wasn’t long after that people began to see the fun in popping their bubble wrap.

So here are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day:

For some carrying a smooth-surfaced stone serves to produce a calming effect. Keeping your hands busy with little projects like needlework can also be relaxing. Popping a sheet of Bubble Wrap might work in the same way.

A survey by Sealed Air Corporation, found that one minute spent popping Bubble Wrap relieves as much stress as a 33-minute massage.

We love the instant gratification. So the next time you are stressed out, anxious, or frustrated, reach for your bubble wrap and start popping.

Looking for resources to build your resiliency? Check out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com