Welcome to WorkStyle by design

And welcome to our new format.  After 7 and a half years of a PDF format, WorkStyle by design is now in html, and doesn't it look brilliant?  If it doesn't look crisp and clean in your email, then click above to see the webversion in all its glory.

Since our last issue, I have been on Spiritual Retreat at the beautiful www.gaiaretreat.com.au in Northern New South Wales, Australia.  Many WorkStyle by design readers may know of Byron Bay, and Gaia is about 20 minutes inland from Australia's most eastern point, the Byron Bay lighthouse.  Read more about my time on retreat below.

This issue of WorkStyle by design is focussed on self reflection and self empowerment.  We shine the spotlight on one of merrymentality's original clients, Angelina Eynon, who just recently ran her powerful one day Positive Impact workshop.  I was fortunate to be one of the attendees and learned how to apply the principles of Positive Psychology, Happiness and Appreciative Inquiry in my everyday life, and that of my clients, colleagues and friends.

So however you apply self reflection and self empowerment in your day-to-day life, read on and enjoy this issue of WorkStyle by design.

Warmly

Belinda, India and the merrymentality team

WorkStyle tip - Olympic WorkStyle

While I was at the beautiful Gaia Retreat, I took time to read a book I've been wanting to immerse myself in for months.  It is called The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz.  In some parts of the world this book is titled The Corporate Athlete. Given I'm writing this newsletter just post the Beijing Olympics (how good is swimmer Michael Phelps?  Seven gold medals now equaling Mark Spitz), the information in this book is truly relevant.  In summary what Loehr and Schwartz confirmed is that elite sportspeople train then rest/recover at defined intervals, yet in the corporate/professional world we expect ourselves to be 'on' all or most of the time. This is unrealistic and as a result many of us end up disengaged. Here are the top 3 tips I picked up from my reading that I strongly encourage you to practice:  

• take a break from your desk at least every 90-120 minutes
• eat a high protein snack mid morning and mid afternoon (vs caffiene/sugar)
• incorporate a ritual (think of Ivan Lendl before he served - wiping his brow and bouncing the ball 5 times) that puts you in the zone before each 'performance' - for me this is cleaning my aromatherapy burner each morning then choosing a blend of oils that will engage me for that particular day. For you it may be reading your vision statement; kissing your partner; waiting to check your email/blackberry until after breakfast; or leaving by 6pm every day.

Like Olympic atheletes, we need up and down time. We need to re-create, rejuvenate and relax between bouts of full engagement. Give yourself this gift. If you or a friend is planning on retreating at Gaia, mention merrymentality and you will receive a extra BODY POLISH in your package (I experienced one of these and they are totally divine).

Spotlight on... Angelina Eynon

My name is Angelina Eynon and I am a facilitator and coach in my own business – Positive Impact – as well as being a senior associate with Xplore for Success, a career resiliency program for women. What I ‘do’ is my calling: I help people find and build upon their own, individual, solid, authentic platform of character strength.

How would you define your WorkStyle? (work + lifestyle = WorkStyle®)
My WorkStyle is defined by one word: LOVE. I do work that I love, that energises me and that I feel makes a contribution to the lives of others. And I try to balance that by spending time with the people that I love. I have a 3-year-old CEO, my daughter Imogen; my husband David, who is the love of my life; and great friends and a supportive family. 

How did you discover your WorkStyle?
Through years of getting it badly wrong and being miserable and unhappy for myself and others!! Surprisingly, it didn’t come about because I had my daughter – even before I was pregnant I down-shifted to a four day ‘working’ week. Firstly, because working meaningfully for me is all about heart and that requires a great deal of physical and emotional energy. It also means that I need good doses of recovery time so that I can be a good human being for myself and others! Secondly, because there are so many other people and things I’m interested in being with and learning about that working in an office five days a week wouldn’t give me the freedom I need. I know myself well enough to know what I need to thrive, (but there’s always more I can learn!).

Has it changed over the last few years? Why?
My WorkStyle has changed again in the last few years particularly because it is important for me to be a great role model to my daughter. I want her to not only have parents who love her, but also to see her parents doing meaningful and engaging work that makes a valuable contribution to others. Even at the age of three my daughter tells people that, “Mummy tells big girls that they can do it!”

What has been your biggest shift?
My biggest shift has been in self belief and that plays out in so many ways. One way has been around the ‘m’ word – money! I desperately wanted to believe that I could earn a good income and have a balanced life but I kept hearing and perpetuating the story that I couldn’t. When I was working in a corporate role five years ago a friend said to me, ‘You know we only get paid big bucks to stop us from slashing our wrists,’ and it dawned on me that I’d really gotten myself into a miserable bind because I was so tied to my salary, my title and my supposed status. It did take me a good three years to build back up to an earning ability similar to where I once was, (but I did have a baby in between), and now I am earning a very good income, working three days a week from 7.30-3.30 on those days.

What one WorkStyle practice has had the most impact? Why?
Being grateful has had an enormous impact on my WorkStyle. I end the day recalling three good things from that day and I sleep well, feel like I’ve achieved more and stop my mind from running off down some self-defeating little path!

What are or have been the biggest issues for you around WorkStyle?
Managing my boundaries – because I love my work as much as I do, I find it very hard to say no to things. Belinda has been a fantastic navigator, keeping me ‘on course’ and realistic about how I use both my time and my energy in staying on course and aligned with my values, which are about family, relationships and meaningful work.

What tips would you give others to improve their WorkStyle?

• Believe that the impossible is possible.
• Have a vision and/or goals – depending on what works for you: focus on moving towards things (rather than away from things).
• Get clear on your boundaries – and also be flexible enough to know when it’s time to shift or change them.
• Smile and laugh more! Love lots! And be grateful!

Discover your Communcation Style

Many merrymentality clients use the PCSI© (Personal Coaching Style Inventory).  This simple and quick assessment tool helps us to understand how to connect more easily using various communication styles. It improves the effectiveness of performance related conversations between you and your staff; between you and your manager; between you and your partner (and kids); between you and clients; between you and your prospects.

The PCSI © supports the development of awareness within leaders, and emerging leaders, to develop a deeper understanding of communication styles and learning so you can flex your style to support your development. One of the many benefits of the PCSI© allows is that it focuses on strengths to overcome vulnerabilities with communication. It is perfect as an enhancement tool for managers, executives, consultants, business owners, professionals and coaches to communicate more successfully with their staff, teams, prospects, clients and family for outstanding results.

Simpler and quicker to administer than many other diagnostic tools, the PCSI© identifies four principal communication style traits and explains why and how these natural tendencies influence behaviour and interaction during coaching and performance development conversations. With an understanding of these four styles, you can better tailor your communications to suit individual and team needs.
Another benefit of the PCSI is revealed during teambuilding workshops where effective communication occurs more readily and openly, creating an atmosphere of cooperation and achievement.
If you are looking for success in business, this tool gives you the edge.

Contact belinda@merrymentality.com.au to see how using the PCSI© in your workplace will give you the edge in communication, feedback, performance and relating.

Update from Belinda

After a spritually enlightening trip to Bhutan, then 7 days on Spiritual retreat, life is bound to change.  After a wonder-full two and a half years together, Mark and I have decided to go our own ways romantically.  We remain good friends and still live 10 minutes apart on the beautiful Mornington Peninsular in Victoria, Australia.  I want to publically thank Mark for his support after my marriage breakdown, and for the brilliant job he has done with with new merrymentality website www.merrymentality.com.au  Mark is an extraordinary photographer as many WorkStyle by design readers experienced when looking at the photos of Bhtuan.  For more of Mark Bergin's extra-ordinary photographs, visit www.markbergin.com.au - you will be impressed I promise.

"It is the set of the sails, not the direction of the wind that determines which way we will go." - Jim Rohn