Choosing your Mood - Every Day, Every Time

This post is about choosing our moods on a daily basis.

Some times we do it consciously, but most days we are reacting. 

The above image (image sourced from Pinterest) got me thinking.  Some thoughts about this interesting image (you can substitute the word 'mood' for the word 'chair') :

1) Which of these chairs did you spend the maximum amount of time last week?
2) Which other chairs did you occupy during the week?
3) Which chair would you justify your choice the most, perhaps subconsciously?
4) In this week, which chairs would you intentionally like to spend the most time?
4a) In this week, which chairs would you intentionally like to AVOID spending the most time?
4b) What exactly will you do about these intentions?

Post your responses if you are comfortable, or don't.

Definitely do reflect on them and have a wonderful week.

#coaching #coachingquestions #performancecoach #emotionalintelligence #managingemotions #strengthsdecoder #reflection #introspection #emotionalregulation #emotions #coach

Dealing with career setbacks

Source: pexels-cup-of-couple-6633044

Life can deal us many blows.  Some of the toughest events to deal with are those related to the career.  This is because many of us have our identity tied to what we do for a living, and when this is threatened or taken away, there is a profound feeling of loss and confusion. These events could be anything from being laid off, get passed over for a promotion opportunity, missing out on an employment opportunity, frequent rejections of your resume and so on. 

When your resume gets frequently rejected, or you don't clear the final round of the interview at the organization where you were very keen on working, or if you are laid off, your morale can really drop.  You start wondering if you are good enough, or if you ever will be.  The imposter syndrome kicks in, and you end up feeling worse. Check out my article about using your strengths to tackle your imposter syndrome.

Here are some ideas to deal with career setbacks, particularly job interview rejections:

• First, introspect honestly on the circumstances that brought you through your current place. Clearly articulate your role in the entire process before anyone else's role.
• Revise your strategy and keep trying.
• Reflect on top 3 situations / interviews that you think went really well.
• Identify and note down 5 things that you did particularly well in those situations.
• Similarly, for 3 situations / interviews that you feel went really poorly. Reflect on what could have gone better. Note these down.
• Consider how you could enhance the use of your strengths to improve.
• If you can call someone who was present at the time for feedback, you can ask them for 3 things you did well and 3 things you can improve on. Don't get defensive during these calls and only make notes of their suggestions.  Thank them of course.
• Consider how you can improve your adaptability to the environment.
• Finally, remember that what happens to you can define you personally, only if you let it get to you personally.  It's ok to fall down now and then, just don't stay there.

Accordingly, you can now modify your approach and restart.  You could consider engaging a strengths-based career coach (like myself) to help you polish your approach.

Wish you all success in bouncing back from your setbacks.

Fighting Burnout with Strengths

Most employees across the world are facing burnout.  Many of them are asking and taking breaks, and some employers are responding positively to such requests. Some opt for medication under prescription.

There is another way - leverage your strengths for this.

From the article: "The most effective coping mechanisms people use involve positively adjusting how they think about or interpret their workplace stressors."

Read the rest of the article here.

#burnoutrecovery #burnoutprevention #strengths #stressmanagement #strengthsdecoder #performancecoaching