Work Smart Live Smart with Beverly Beuermann-King

EP 439 - The Luxuries of Bathtubbery

A hiring manager was preparing for an upcoming interview. The supervisor asked why she had a bathtub brought in for the interviews. "Well," said the manager, "we fill up a bathtub, then we offer the applicant a teaspoon, a teacup, and a bucket and ask them to empty the bathtub." "Oh, I understand," said the supervisor. " A smart person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup." "No," said the manager. "A smart hire would pull the plug."

I am not a fan of baths. I am too focused on getting what needs to be done, done and showers achieve this in a much more efficient manner. That being said, enjoying a hot bath, can be a very positive resiliency booster for some.

So Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Bathtub Party Day:

"Bathtub Party Day" is supposed to be the time to slow down and immerse yourself in a long leisurely bath. It can be a party for one, two or if you have a hot tub, maybe even more.

One site had these recommendations: To enjoy a really good soak, take the ringer off the phone, light a few candles, tune into some favorite music & lock the door. If you want to add a few drops of essential oils to your bath, be sure to wait until the moment you are ready to step into the tub, to ensure the essence doesn’t evaporate before you benefit from it–whether you want the relaxation of lavender or chamomile or the stimulation of rosemary or peppermint. Don’t forget to have a big, fluffy towel ready for you! For after bath skin soothing, while your skin is still damp, apply a favorite body lotion or body oil.

Again, it seems like a lot of work…but the relaxation effects are likely worth it.

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

EP 438 - Supporting Parents Of Special Needs Children

We take for granted our health and the health of our children.  But what if you are a family that has a child who is facing special challenges? Your child’s health and well-being are always at the forefront of every decision that you make.

Special Kids Day was put together to help families cope during the extra stress of the holidays.

Beverly’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Special Kids Day by showing your support for these special families:

If you are hosting a party:

Invite the family, but don’t be disappointed if they are not able to attend.  The invite alone says that you care and are thinking of them.

Ask if there anything special that you can do to make the party a success for the special needs child’

Have a quiet place for the child and the family to decompress if things become to hectic.

 Provide the gift of time:

You may be able to pick up items that would save a run to the mall or the grocery store for the family.

Provide ready to eat meals for the ‘crazy’ days…the days were it is non-stop appointments or that are especially difficult to cope.

Let them know that you are there for their family.  It can be very isolating and lonely and true friends are hard to come by.  But don’t wait to be asked, as it is hard for many parents of special needs children to reach out and ask for help, at the end of the day the health of our children is the most important thing to a parent.

Want to find more strategies to coping with stress, check out my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

EP 437 - Are You A Responsible Texter

Just over 25 years ago the first text message was sent. Like most inventions, it wasn’t thought that it would really catch on. Who knew that billions of text messages each month would be sent and that it would be a major influencer on the way we communicate?

Convenience, speed and efficiency have turned texting into a primary form of personal communication, and it is very common in business for the same reasons.

While it’s fun and easy to send an abbreviation-filled, emoji-studded message to a friend, the rules are different when texting clients, colleagues and your boss.

Here are today’s Hot Tips For business texting while Celebrating the Anniversary of the First Text Message:

Text only when there is an established business relationship. A text should never be your first contact with a business associate.

If you wouldn’t call after hours, don’t text after hours.

If it is complex, make a call. Anything over two sentences should be an email or call.

Don’t text ANYTHING confidential. This is an electronic record that doesn’t really go away.

Remain professional. Skip the emoji’s and spelling counts.

Reply promptly.

Sign off with a clear departure, such as a thank you

Finally, don’t text and drive. There’s evidence that shows texting-and-driving is actually more dangerous than drinking-and-driving. So while that work text might feel important, it most definitely is not more important than your 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 436 - Fortify With Friendships

When was the last time you wrote a letter by hand’ We’re quick to email or text our friends, but nothing can replace the joy of receiving a personalized letter in the mail. December is the perfect time to stop what you’re doing and drop a note to a friend or a family member.

Here are my Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Write A Friend Month:

Researchers have found that people with few ties to others had 2 to 5 times the death rate as those who had more ties. Support and connectedness can be a powerful tool in preventing illness by acting as a buffer to the effects of stress. One way to continue building that sense of connection and deeper friendship is to continually communicate and writing allows us to contemplate, ask questions or show appreciation in a very different way than by calling or emailing.

One of my favourite quotes is: Life is to be fortified by many friendships.

It is a shame that for many of us, the more stressful life gets the less connected we become.

Remember your friends. Let them know that they matter. Connect when possible – but don’t leave it up to chance – or time may pass you both by.

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

EP 435 - Bad Decisions Can Kill

One bad decision can have devastating effects.

This my family knows only too well as over 20 years ago one young man’s bad decision after work left our brother and sister-in-law dead on the side of the road. Drunk driving, left parents heart-broken, robbed brothers and sisters of the chance to lean on each other, left future nieces and nephews without cousins and impacted this young man’s freedom for the next few years.

But there is a long way to go and much of that work is within my own generation. Many of us grew up not thinking a whole lot about drinking and driving. Where the only goal was not to get caught and get a ticket on the weekend. For some, this is still the goal. They’ll say things like, “I’ll take the back way home”, or “I haven’t had that many”.

Here are today’s Hot Tips For National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Week:

Really, it is one simple tip. Don’t be that person who makes this bad decision.

Assign a designated driver before the night even begins

And Don’t be afraid to address the ‘elephant’ in the room when someone tries to drive after they have been drinking or if you believed they are stoned.

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 434 - Security Alert

It is something that we all know that we should do. But often, it is not until something goes wrong or we’ve had a close call that we actually do do it.

What is it?

Backing up our computer files and taking care of our computer.

Beverly’s Hot Tips For Building Resilience and Celebrating Computer Security Day:

Change your passwords.

Update your anti-virus program.

Check for computer viruses.

Back-up your data. (after being certain that it is virus-free.)

Store back-up data off site.

Delete unneeded files.

Install and inspect power surge protection as appropriate.

Install fire/smoke detection equipment in computer areas.

Don’t drink in your computer area.

Our computers have become one of our most valuable possessions. Not because of their purchase price, but because of all the important and often critical data that they contain. Mark off dates on your calendar to remind you to do the most important security work that you can do. Protect your computer.

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 433 - Looking Good

The weather is changing and for some of us, so does our skin. Our skin is often a reflection of our overall health. It can show signs of stress, lack of sleep and poor diet. How do we take the best care of our skin during this time?

Here are some quick skin care tips:

Exfoliate at least once a week.

Use sunscreen at least 30 minutes before you go outdoors.

Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated inside and out.

Get a good sleep – aiming for 7-9 hours of restful sleep.

Beverly’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Awareness During National Healthy Skin Month:

It is important to examine your body for marks

Check your front and back in the mirror, then look at the right and left sides with your arms raised.

If you find a spot look for things like:

One half is unlike the other half.

An irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined border.

If it varies from one area to another; has shades of tan, brown, or black; is sometimes white, red, or blue.

Look for anything that is changing in size, shape, or color.

Early detection is key.

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

EP 432 – Be An Inspiration

“We love coming to your class. You are such a great role model for our kids.”

That blew me away. I didn’t really think of myself as a role model. I am just the karate Sensei at the front of the room.

But I guess I am a role model. I let the kids know how tough it is for me to go to a tournament and compete. And how nervous I get before and during my grading. I let them know that they can do all of these things too, even in they are afraid, and that I believe in them.

I hope that I can inspire them to believe in themselves. To move beyond fear.

So Here Are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating National Inspirational Role Models Month:

I hope that everyone has someone that inspires them to become the person they want to be.

If you haven’t found that person yet, look around. They may be a historic figure, an ancestor, a close family member, a friend, or colleague.

Strive to be a role model to others.

I have some great role models – some are my best girl friends. And I have been fortunate to have great colleagues who I look up to in the way that they innovate, persevere, and reach for success. I am fortunate to have had people who have encouraged me to reach further then I thought capable. I continue to learn from my husband in the way that he problem solves life’s challenges.

Think of the people who you most wish to emulate. If they are still with you, give them a phone call or thank them in person. If they are not here, tell someone about them and keep their legacy alive.

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

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 431 - Watching Our Language

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.

So Here Are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating National Addiction Awareness Week:

Choose to recognize that substance use disorders are health disorders. They are not the result of any kind of character flaw or lack of personal willpower. In fact, substance use disorders are the most common mental health disorder.

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

Watch the language that you use. Here are some ways to avoid using language that stigmatizes substance use and addiction:

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”.

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 430 - How Can I Give Back?

We have a day for giving thanks. We have a day for getting deals.

Today is #GivingTuesday and the day we can celebrate giving back and encouraging global generosity.

We all have the power to make a positive difference. How do you give back?

Here Are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating World Day Of Giving:

• What act of giving can you do today? Can you be a coach or mentor? Can you donate blood or buy a cup of coffee for someone in need?
• Share a picture of someone or something that represents your reason for giving

 

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 429 - Every Story Matters

I belong to the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. As one of our chapter presidents, it was obvious that we were not the association of professional listeners. It took forever to get everyone focused to begin our events as the chatter was so extensive. Listening can be hard for us to do. It is an investment that sometimes we are not willing to make and because of this, we may miss out on hearing the other person’s story.

Originally this day was initiated to encourage people to interview a loved one, friend, or member of your community and to share this story with others. The feeling was that every story matters, and they need to be shared

Here Are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating National Day Of Listening:

• Ask people about their journey and experiences and really listen in
• Interview a friend or family member. Record the interview and then share it with others.

By really listening to these stories, you will be conveying that they matter. This may be the most meaningful time you spend with someone all year.

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 428 - Uniquely You

We are all remarkable. However, many of us have talents that we don’t share, as we believe that we are unremarkable, plain, or ordinary.

I love this quote by Henry Van Dyke:  the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.

So Here Are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Your Unique Talent Day:

• Embrace your uniqueness. You are truly a category of 1
• Share your talent. If it is a creative talent, share it so that others can appreciate it.
• If it is a quirky talent, make someone laugh. This can be the best gift that they received all day
• Host a talent break at work

So sing out loud, dance in the street, paint a picture, wiggle your eyebrows, talk in a cartoon voice or whistle through your nose.

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

EP 427 - Giving Thanks

“What do you say?”  “Thank you”

As parents, we probably said this a lot, as we taught our children to be thankful for the gifts that they received or when others did nice things for them.

Are You Thankful?

I think as adults we sometimes forget to be thankful.  We often focus on the difficulties and on the things that are not going right and sometimes we lose sight of the things that are going well and the blessings that we have received.

A line of wisdom goes…You cannot welcome more abundance into your life until you have said thanks to the universe for all that you have.

Here Are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating I Am So Thankful Month

Make a list of all that you are thankful for in your work and personal life. 

Look at that list when you are feeling down and use it to pick up your spirits and keep you moving forward

Know that when we are full of thanks, we radiate this to the people around us and we impact them in a positive way.

Hang out with people who are truly thankful.  It is contagious.

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 426 - Buy Nothing Day

Have you seen any zombies walking around the mall?

These zombies want you to Forget Black Friday and instead celebrate Buy Nothing Day.

Today is the day to consider if you are on the road of over-consumption.

Are you in need of a retail detox? It is easy to get caught up in the ads that promise bargains and we end up jumping on the bandwagon purchasing things that we don’t really need.

So Here Are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Buy Nothing Day:

• Make a commitment to examine your purchasing habits
• Evaluate whether they are needs or wants
• Do your purchases end up having a negative impact on your budget or the environment?

Buy Nothing Day is not just about changing your habits for one-day, but about starting a lasting lifestyle commitment to consuming less and producing less waste.

Don’t forget that you can find more tips for coping with mental health issues, by checking out my Live Smart Blog at worksmartlivesmart.com

EP 425 – Family Stories Matter

“Hold On, It’s Going To Be Okay”

This saying is part of my family story, along with how my parent’s set up their farm, the struggles that they had, where my grandparents went dancing on the weekends and how they walked up hill both ways to get to school, through 10 foot drifts of snow, even in the spring.

Family stories shape who we are.

They directly impact how we see ourselves, our desire to succeed, and even our level of resiliency.

Family stories give us an idea of where we come from and how we fit into our larger, extended, family.

Research shows that teens who were able to recount details of their family stories had higher self-esteem and greater resilience than those who couldn’t.

So Here Are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Family Stories Matter Month:

If you have elderly relatives, ask them about their stories. Record them. Share them.

Ask about the traditions. Ask about the hardships and the triumphs. Stories of perseverance and resilience give us the faith and hope that we can too. Stories of different generations provide insight and understanding. They provoke curiosity to learn more.

Take the time during family gatherings to ask your children about their stories. You may be surprised at what you may not know about them and their story.

Finally, write your own story. Some of it is painful. Some brings a smile. Share these so that others can see your story in building their resiliency.

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

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 424 - Get In The Game

It is easy just to plunk on the couch and watch TV.

Especially when you have been overwhelmed by deadlines, projects and family responsibilities. But this does little to build our family bonds.

 So what can?

Researchers have studied the impact that gaming can have on cognitive abilities, interpersonal relationships and stress levels. The results are overwhelmingly positive: Games strengthen connections in the brain as well as improve connections among friends and family! Kids and adults who play games experience spikes in creative thinking.

Here Are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating National Game And Puzzle Week

• Dust off your old games and puzzles
• Challenge your family members to a tournament and create some lasting memories filled with time talking, laughing, and playing together
• No family around. No worries, invite your friends and host a game night

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 423 - Everyone Has Bad Days!

Everyone Has Bad Days!

We all have a day that is off, but sometimes we feel pressure to pretend that all is good and that we are happy.

Have A Bad Day is permission to actually have a bad day or to take a mental health day.

So Here Are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating Have A Bad Day:

Know that there are friends out there to support you through it.  Let them know that you could use a pick-me-up.

Don’t try to suppress those negative emotions.  Recognize them for what they are.  Feel them and then move yourself through the situation.

Know that tomorrow will be different.  It may not be better.  It may be worse.  But it will be different. Just because today was horrible, doesn’t mean tomorrow will be.

Your goal on these days is just to survive the day and minimize the long-term damage. 

Remember those times that were good so that you don’t get so tainted by the bad day. 

Try a do-over.  Sometimes going back to bed and starting the day over can be just the cure that you need!

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 422 – Is Your Life Under Control?

My life is too complicated. I feel like I am always rushing to get somewhere. I feel like I don’t spend any quality time with my family. What suggestions do you have for getting my life under control? This is what one conference attendee asked me.

Many of us feel our lives are too complicated. We rush from one destination to the next – rush through traffic to get to work – then rush back again to pick up the children – and back to rushing from one sporting lesson to the next.

Rush! We get frustrated.

In the end we forget how to talk to each other. We don’t remember what it is like to spend quality time together just being.

Here Is My Hot Tip For Building Resilience and Celebrating National Family Week:

Trends in our society have been to achieve more, get more, do more.

A contrary movement is underway called Simplification. It can be hard to do, but the rewards can be great. Simplification means reorganizing your life and routines to focus on the meaningful, and to minimize the chaos.

The more you can par down your life by simplifying your routines or de-junking your physical space, the less hectic it will be for you and your family.

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

EP 421 - Play For The Fun Of It

Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, we’ve stopped playing. Play can be an important source of relaxation and stimulation for adults as well. It can fuel your imagination, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and emotional well-being.

Here Are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating National Day Of Play

Focus your play on the actual experience, not on accomplishing any goal. There doesn’t need to be any point to the activity beyond having fun and enjoying yourself.

By giving yourself permission to play, you can reap tons of health benefits.

Play is one of the most effective tools for keeping relationships fresh and exciting. Playing together brings joy, vitality, and resilience to relationships. Through regular play, we learn to trust one another and feel safe.

Many companies have long recognized the link between productivity and a fun work environment. These companies know that more play at work results in more productivity, higher job satisfaction, greater workplace morale, and a decrease in staff turnover.

If your company lacks the play ethic, you can still inject your own sense of play into breaks and lunch hours.

It’s never too late to develop your playful, humorous side.

Don’t forget that you can find more tips for coping with mental health issues, by checking out my Live Smart Blog at worksmartlivesmart.com.

EP 420 – Celebrating The Entrepreneur

They are shapers. Solution lovers. Grabbers of Opportunity.

They are a special stock of a person. The one who wants to carve their own way in life.

These entrepreneurs may start their own main street business or launch a tech start up. They may be providing consulting services or building the latest time saving gadget. Thanks to their vision, dedication, sacrifice and drive, these entrepreneurs are driving our countries forward.

So Here Are Today’s Hot Tips For Building Your Resiliency And Celebrating National Entrepreneurship Week:

• If you know an entrepreneur, thank them. Encourage them. Buy from them.
• If you are an entrepreneur, maintain your balance and remember the reasons why you started your business. Don’t let stress take you off track.
• If you are a successful entrepreneur, mentor someone who is just starting out or is a Futurpreneur and let them learn from the trials and tribulations that you faced along the way
• Consider donating to organizations that do micro lending around the world. These companies help to alleviate poverty and act as a catalyst for positive change in these communities

 

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