10 Surefire Ways to Avoid Burnout on OPEN Forum

Entrepreneurs have a lot to do and a lot to prove, and the stress can quickly lead to burnout. Follow these 10 tips so it doesn’t happen to you.

1. Know what can trigger burnout.
2. Practice the relaxation response on a regular basis.
3. Pay attention to what is fragile in your life.
4. Take a good look in the mirror.
5. Honor and cultivate the things that make you happy.
6. Improve your communication pattern.
7. Find out your resentment triggers.
8. Set up a morning ritual.
9. Manage the cycle of sacrifice and renewal.
10. Take a test to determine your risk of burnout.

Read more on how to avoid the physical and non-physical symptoms of stress that seven in 10 Americans experience, according to a survey by the American Psychological Association.

(via 10 Surefire Ways To Avoid Burnout | | The New OPEN ForumThe New OPEN Forum)

How to Be Happy in Business Venn Diagram by Budd Cadell

Take a look at Budd Cadell’s now famous venn diagram, as mentioned in Swissmiss’ 2013 SXSW keynote speech, and ask yourself these three questions to get to the root of your personal happiness in business:

1. Am I doing what I do well?

2. Am I doing what I want to do?

3. Am I doing what I can be paid to do?

fastcompany:

A new study finds what we all suspected. There is no god. And some people are skating by… and loving it. Your Lazy Coworkers Are Happier Than You Are 

Can you relate to this?

[Image Feet Up via Shutterstock]

fastcompany:

Want To Advance Your Career? Then Work On Your EQ

In case you don’t yet feel it, emotional intelligence—the ability regulate emotions in one’s self and identify emotions in others—is a predictor of workplace success, both for employees and managers.

Taken together, emotional intelligence—and its associated intuitions—may be helpful for leaders, teams, and companies looking to grow (and create). Drawing from Daniel Goleman’s landmark Emotional Intelligence, Ebokosia describes its five factors of Emotional Intellgience as such:

• Empathy: The ability to shift perspectives and gain a better understanding of others, or, in fancy-pants language, “inter-subjectivize.”
• Motivation: The driving force(s) of your actions. Your compass, north star, wayfinding. Your interior cartographic prowess.
• Self-regulation: Being able to deal with your own emotions before they deal with you. Linked with delaying gratification and not eating the marshmallow.
• Social skills: Knowing what to say in order to engage your team—and knowing how not to offend them.
• Self-awareness: Understanding your own emotions improves your interactions, since getting intimate with your feelings lets you better understand how they affect others.

Here’s the full story.

[Image: Flickr user Wendell]

fastcompany:

For Happier Employees, Learn To Give More Gratitude Than “Thx”

We all know happier companies make more money—and nothing makes for happier employees than learning how to show real gratitude for what they do. Here are some pointers to get you started today.

How to really say thank you

Goulston lays out three steps for getting good at giving gratitude: 

1. Be precise: Thank the person specifically for their exceptional actions: Tell them what they’re doing awesome.
2. Acknowledge the effort: Note the personal cost of their getting it done. If they work through the weekend, appreciate the social and family costs.
3. Share your stakeholdership: Make a point of how their great work helps your work, show how you’re in this together.

Developing a sense of how to show gratitude is a leadership key—one that can help you (and your employees) reach their potential.

Here’s the full story. Want more? 

How To Give A Meaningful “Thank You”

(via Flexible Hours Are More Important Than Ever - Business Insider)

(via What Makes Workers Happy? Optimizing Your Office Space - Tom Pappas Commercial Real Estate, Greenwood Village, CO)

Click to embiggen (and see full infographic).

Career Happiness Index 2012

(via Visual Loop)