Tuesday 21 January 2014

Learn How To SUMO

stress management
Eek! Beat those stressful situations with SUMO
Millions of people suffer from stress in the workplace.

The causes are diverse - from having to meet targets and deadlines to irritating co-workers and bosses, to name but two.

Often it is easy to blow small incidences out of proportion (who's taken my holepunch again? Grrr...), or we tend to succumb to victim mentality and become all bitter and resentful, for example when overlooked for promotion and a colleague is chosen instead. Ouch.

By the time someone goes off sick due to a stress-related illness, that person may well have experienced many little incidences that one day have led to the final straw, and BOOM - a Tower moment!

Nervous breakdown,
a good day to start again
Before you get to that point, I'd like to share with you a stress-busting technique, which I learned many years ago whilst still working my socks off in the corporate world.

I learned how to SUMO.

The person, who taught me, was Paul McGee.

S.U.M.O. stands for Shut Up and Move On.

It sounds harsh at first, but in order to avoid getting stressed about stuff, it is necessary not to get worked up so easily. Simply let go and move on.

How many people needed
to put up a f*cking tent?
It doesn't mean you have to take every crap they throw at you, but look at each incident that annoys or upsets you with more logic and reason.

How can you do that?

Here are the 7 questions to help you SUMO:

1. Where is this issue on a scale of 1 - 10 (10 = death)?

Compared to death, most people will rank their issue low and often feel much better as a result. They realise it's not that bad and move on.

2. How important will this be in six months time?

Think: most issues are just water under the bridge six months later. If this is the case, then you may not need to answer the following questions, and skip along happily with a refreshed mindset.

3. Is my response appropriate and effective?

Or do you have a flair for drama? If yes, for God's sake, move on. And if you want to speak your mind, choose your words wisely.

4. How can I influence or improve the situation?

Yes, some issues are ongoing and linger in the background. They really need sorting out. You either address them appropriately or decide to accept them. Acceptance helps you reduce your stress level. Acceptance helps you to move on.

Defeat, hollow victory,
win at all cost, betrayal
5. What can I learn from this?

Sometimes we have to deal with big issues, such as change in the workplace, job losses, poor career prospects, disagreements and personality clashes that can be challenging. These situations always offer us a lesson to help us grow. Avoid self-pity and disillusion. Make sure, your answer to this question is empowering...and then move on.

6. What will I do differently next time?

Apply your lessons learned. This way you are moving on.

7. What can I find that's positive in this situation?

Losing your job or being overlooked for promotion aren't necessarily moments of joy in your life, but they can be opportunities in disguise. Every cloud has a silver lining. Time to move on.

Of course, you can use the Tarot to help you answer some of the questions above, if you are facing a stressful situation at work or, yes, even in your personal life. Any situation that irritates you, keeps simmering in the background or even makes your blood boil.

 Shuffle your deck and pick a card for each question:
  1. How can I influence or improve the situation?
  2. What can I learn from this?
  3. What can I do differently next time?
  4. What can I find that's positive in this situation?
I have been using the SUMO technique for many years, and learned to look at seemingly stressful situations from a new - more constructive - perspective. I hope it will serve you well, too. 

Let go of being a victim, learn to SUMO instead. 

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

PS: Make sure you visit the SUMO Guy and watch him in action. Funny and inspirational.



Transform your life this year:

Tarot Readings - Insightful guidance when you need it
Learn Tarot - A magickal, inspirational tool for life.

For more inspiring quotes and affirmations for each card, check out my ebook Empowering Messages from the Tarot

Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Tuesday 7 January 2014

The Curse of Information Overload

Seven of Wands, www.aquatictarot.de
Seven of Wands: challenge, stress,
overwhelm, struggle, perseverance
If you are building your own business, want to learn a specific skill or more about how to advance your career, then there is no shortage of free information and advice on the internet.

Have you noticed, how many teleseminars, telesummits, webinars and live recordings are out there in the virtual world?

I keep getting invitations to watch, listen and join loads of them, and if I did, I wouldn't have any time to actually run and develop my business.

Someone said to me recently: "Oh, I listen to the recordings while I drive to work in the morning."

But when I once tried to learn Italian whilst driving to and from work, I quickly realised that I was concentrating more on the traffic than the instructions on the tape.

And of course you cannot watch a video clip while you are driving.

My tip: get back to basics.

You don't need to listen to an hour long recording only to come away with "3 secrets to success" (and in return you had to sign up to that mailing list, too, which will clutter up your inbox).

You don't need to watch all those videos. (If a video doesn't grab you with some awesome stuff within the first 60 seconds, switch it off).

You don't need to join a tedious webinar to make a breakthrough.

Instead, keep it simple: read. Pick up a recommended book on your chosen subject. Visit a recommended website with good quality content that you can refer back to.

Yes, it is tempting to fall for anything that is offered for free, but all the fancy multimedia stuff is distracting and stops you from getting on with building your business or advancing your career.

Too much information isn't necessarily useful. It can make you feel inadequate. It stops you from focusing on what is important - getting things done.

You don't need all those fancy apps on your phone to get organised or become more productive.

What you need is the desire to create and share, an instinct to produce great work or be a shining light in your chosen career.

Sometimes you will have the urge to refresh your knowledge or learn something new, but don't get lost in it.

Perhaps you think that you have to stay up-to-date with the latest information in order to get your business or career where you want it to be.

But the truth is you don’t need any more information – all you need is DIRECTION – clear step-by-step guidance without the frills. Here are some ideas:

1. Make a plan / Set your goal

2. Find support to implement your plan and reach your goal. This can be a family member, a good friend or someone, who shares your aspirations.

3. Be prepared to work hard without immediate success. 

4. Figure out, who your ideal client /employer is, so you can target these people in your marketing  and networking. Be as specific as possible. 

5. What do your ideal clients / employers want? What products / services / skills are they looking for, and how can you give it to them? This also includes their hopes, dreams, fears and problems they need to resolve. How can you help them?

6. Craft your marketing / CV based on your ideal clients' / employers' wants and desires.

7. Get paid. Don't give your time away for free, consider a reduced fee trial session instead.

If you are looking at internships or work experience placements, you may not get paid in money, but make sure they will offer you a great learning experience, that will widen your horizon and generate new prospects and opportunities.

8. Keep on marketing / networking. Use social media strategically to focus on your goals.

As you can see, the "secret to success" is all about planning, taking action and staying focused. No need to enrol on numerous courses, webinars and telesummits to reach your goal.

Relax, make use of what you already know and just GET THINGS DONE.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane



Transform your life this year:

Tarot Readings - Insightful guidance when you need it
Learn Tarot - A magickal, inspirational tool for life.

For more inspiring quotes and affirmations for each card, check out my ebook Empowering Messages from the Tarot

Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

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