Institute Success

📊 The new Gallup State of the Workforce study has arrived, and it makes for some scary reading.

😓 Stress is climbing to unprecedented levels among employees, with a staggering 44% of participants acknowledging they experience "a lot" of stress at work. And what's at the root of this rising pressure?

💼 The survey sheds light on employees' growing desire for more autonomy, clearly defined goals, and appropriate recognition for their contributions. Purpose is what is driving them, they want to feel that they are contributing to something greater than themselves.

Here's what the report had to say about true engagement:

“True engagement means your people are psychologically present to do their work. They understand what to do; they have what they need; and they have a supportive manager and a supportive team. They know why their work matters. They are work ready.”



Here's the full article here: https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/13/business/stressed-disengaged-workers-gallup-poll/index.html

Stop giving your time away and only having the scraps that are left. Take the time you need first, then give away what's left.
Boundaries protect your time from being hijacked. Clear boundaries allow you to eliminate the demands and encumbrances from others that distract you from what is truely essential.

It's hard to be a leader. Being so many different things to different people. It can definitely be lonely. Who do you look to and learn from?

As a leader, it's not enough to simply communicate the what and how of your organization. To truly inspire and motivate your team, you need to help them understand the why. But how can you do that?

Your three steps:
1. Share your own personal why - why are you passionate about the work your organization does? How does it align with your values and beliefs?

2. Connect the dots - help your team understand how their individual roles contribute to the bigger picture and how their work impacts others.

3. Encourage questions - be open to feedback and questions from your team. Everything starts with a conversation, you will build trust and gain a better understanding of how your team is feeling and what motivates them.

We are addicted to being right. It's human and natural. It all starts with awareness. What would happen if you were able to let go of judgement and be curious?

Ego Is the Enemy of Good Leadership The inflated ego that comes with success – the bigger salary, the nicer office, the easy laughs – often makes us feel as if we’ve found the eternal answer to being a leader. But the reality is, we haven’t. An inflated ego makes us susceptible to manipulation; it narrows our field of vision; ...

https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/27/books/review/thinking-fast-and-slow-by-daniel-kahneman-book-review.html
did you last give yourself time and space to think?
In his book (this is a great review by the NY Times) Daniel Kahneman explores the concept that we have two brains for thinking. One brain is always on. It thinks fast and uses emotion to make decisions. The other brain needs to be activated, and when you give it the time and space it needs, it makes deeper, more rational decisions.

Two Brains Running (Published 2011) In the conflict between intuitive and rational decision-making, which side wins?

Procrastination is not a problem you can fix overnight. List out the tasks that move the needle. Schedule them into your day.

Give yourself breaks every 20 minutes, so that you can focus better and get more work done. Systemizing will save mental energy. Hire a virtual assistant or software to delegate repetitive tasks.

Use subscription services for buying things regularly. If you need to take a nap or go on a walk during work, do not let technology use you. It is better to do one thing at 100% of the time than 5 things at 20%, because it gives you 10 times more returns.

There are unlimited distractions and limited focus in modern technology. People who multitask poorly, as their brain is not designed to handle multiple tasks at once.

Find out more by clicking the link: https://fabiotongson.com/8-ways-to-overcome-procrastination/

8 Ways to Overcome Procrastination Procrastination isn’t a problem you can fix overnight. It’s like learning to ride a bike: it takes a lot of practice. But if you regularly deal with procrastination, it’s worth taking the time now …

As I read this article, it asks the question, "Do your to-do lists give you a sense of control, yet also a sense of anxiety?"

If you find that's true for you, it's almost a certainty that you're using them the wrong way. To-do lists should give you a deep sense of control, however, that's only possible if you have an underlying strategy that works for you.

How to Crush Your To-do Lists | Being a Multipassionate It's funny that the to-do list is one of the most productive and tools that we have in our arsenal, also a source of overwhelm and anxiety.

We expect ourselves to make decisions based on sound reasoning. What happens when we are overwhelmed, when someone challenges our identity or we encounter perceived threats, the amygdala kicks in. We become reactive. Here's what you need to know:

Amygdala Hijack

To avoid distraction from your phone, limit the number of notifications and turn off push notifications. A smart speaker that is connected to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth means you do not have to use a phone very often. Alarm clocks can help you avoid looking at your phone every time you go to sleep and in the morning while still giving you time to respond to e-mails and other important things on your email account.

They also help reduce stress for people who are worried about not receiving regular phone calls or messages from you so they do not worry too much. It is a good idea to keep your phone away from your bed to avoid staring at it all night long.

Check out the link for further details: https://mzjackielove.com/5-quick-tips-to-clean-up-your-digital-device-and-stop-constantly-checking-notifications

5 Quick Tips to Clean Up Your Digital Device and Stop Constantly Checking Notifications - Mz Jackie Love Do you feel like you need to declutter your digital life and focus on what's truly important? You're not alone. We all know that we could stand to declutter our digital lives a bit. But it's not always easy to know where to start or how to keep from getting pulled back in.

Dreams; we all have them. It's all too easy to confuse wishing, wanting, hoping and dreaming with the pursuing of what matters to you.

On the road to success, the rule is always to look ahead. May you reach your destination and may your journey be all you want it to be. Happy New Year from our family to yours.