Archive for the ‘Update’ Category
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28
Aug
2009
Flowing Along
I’ve been doing a lot of writing this week - end of year reports and a journal article. A colleague called while I was in the middle of trying to pull together some ideas for the journal article and I couldn’t answer the phone. I later told him I was in a “writing trance”. When our attention is focused so fully on a task I think we experience freedom. I experience this ”trance” state at other times - in a yoga class or when I’m running or rollerblading for example. It’s an opportunity be singularly focused and let the extraneous worries and deadlines fall away.
As I was watching the news the other night, the reporter covered a story about recent research on multi-tasking. For those of us who tend to be proud of our ability to handle many tasks at once, we may want to think twice. The study has found that multi-tasking actually reduces our memory capacity! Those of us who rely on Blackberries, cell phones, lap tops, and other gadgets should beware. Moving from one gadget to the next while trying to complete a task over taxes our brains!
I like what Mihail Csikszentmihaly calls “flow”. He says that when we are engaged in a task that takes us beyond thinking about ourselves and that requires us to use abilities we enjoy, we can experience Flow. What I like about Flow is that it not only allows us to enjoy what we’re doing but it provides better output for others as well. So, at work, when we are able to engage in Flow, our productivity increases at the same time that our satisfaction with what we’re doing increases. A good win-win. You can read more about this if you like at this link: http://anneoffner.com/newsletter/FlowandWork(February2007).pdf
More writing for me next week but I will stop back in for another blog.
Ó Offner and Associates, LLC 2009. All rights reserved.
20
Aug
2009
Health
Recently I had a bad cold that lasted over two weeks. No one likes to be sick in the summertime. I am usually an outdoors type of person and so having to lie around in bed waiting for the illness to pass was no fun for me.
When I’m sick I tend to think the worst - oh no I have Swine Flu or maybe I’ll have to go into the hospital for the first time ever because I have this really bad cough. Funny isn’t it? I am not a pessimist about other things in my life; only on the occasion of illness.
Perhaps it’s my haven to embrace empathy for myself. Perhaps it is my response to the stress of being ill (and not being able to accomplish work that needs to be completed). Whatever the cause I think it’s good therapy.
Sometimes we just need to allow ourselves a break to release energy. When I’m sick that’s what I do. I lie around and watch old movies, sleep, take short slow walks with my 15 year old dog, or read a chapter in a novel and then take a nap. Fortunately I do not get sick often and if it lasted longer than two weeks I’d begin a new cycle of stress but that is a topic for another blog – as I know many people have endured prolonged illness.
The lesson for me is to remember to listen to outside input. If your doctor says “you need to rest” then find time to do that. If your employers say “go home, we can live without you for a few days,” believe them. Require other people in your life to allow you to rest. Your health is a precious asset. Even if illness comes at a time that seems impossible to slow down; I invite you to question the logic of what you’ve deemed to be “impossible”. If you do not slow down for the illness; the illness may slow you down for a longer period than you’d like.
We live in a high-powered, fast-paced society but even the force of all the events and demands in our lives cannot keep us from getting ill from time to time. Believe me; you’ll make a better contribution to others when the illness has passed.
© Offner and Associates, LLC 2009. All rights reserved.
2
Jun
2009
Meet Alexia
Meet Alexia Longacre. An accomplished business owner and manager, she will be providing much needed back-up to me. Alexia builds almost immediate rapport with clients and knows how to get questions answered. If you cannot reach me, she will be available to help address questions or find a time to talk with me. Alexia’s bio is below. You can read her bio on my website in the Contacts tab: http://www.anneoffner.com/contact.htm
15
May
2009
Baby Boomer in the 21st Century
I’m joining the 21st Century. Yes, I was born at the end of the Baby Boom but I’m embracing technological tools nevertheless.
I now have a blog on my website http://anneoffner.com/blog. Soon, I’ll be adding online chatting capability. When clients go to http://anneoffner.com they’ll have an option to chat “real time” with me. I’m excited about this because sometimes there are issues that come up and people want to discuss them right away but may not have the privacy available to talk via phone. Also the hectic workday can keep people from touching base and so I’ll be available after work hours to chat with clients about questions or hold on-line coaching chats for those who don’t have the privacy for a coaching call at work or home!
I’ll be keeping my eyes open to see what other technology I might adopt into my practice to better serve clients (I’m considering an iPhone but I admit that may be more of a selfish desire for the latest cool gadget). Got any ideas? This late-blooming end-of-the Baby Boomer would be interested in your feedback!
Ó Offner and Associates, LLC 2009. All rights reserved.