Personal Development – Page 2

The Astonishing Link Between Food and Work Productivity

February 25, 2019September 4, 2018 by Ryan

When we think about the factors that contribute to workplace performance, we rarely give much consideration to food. But as it turns out, the food that we eat affect us more than we realize.

Food has a direct impact on our cognitive performance. For example skipping morning breakfast can drench your mood at work, a poor decision at lunch can derail an entire afternoon and so on.

Therefore, it is extremely important to watch what eat in order to excel in all aspects of life.

This article is about all of the ways nutrition can affect productivity, and learn how you can improve your work life by simply making healthier food choices.

5 SURPRISING WAYS EATING HABIT AFFECTS WORK PERFORMANCE

1. Eating at the desk

Where you eat your lunch, and who you are eating affects your attitude at work. In the fray of a busy day, cramming down a sandwich whilst catching up with emails is the only way to stay on top of things.

However, studies shows that the act of getting up and walking around throughout the day has not only health benefits, but also keeps your brain stimulated.

From a company culture perspective, instilling an environment where colleagues socialise increases overall outputs. Lunch time is prime time.

2. Excessive intake of processed food

Processed food are go to food for most working people because is it is can be consumed at anywhere and they usually have long lifespan hence people eat them for breakfast, lunch or snacks in between

Excessive intake can lead to the development of coronary heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. These chronic health conditions can result in productivity loss at work and have a negative impact on the quality of life.

When your body feels poorly, your mind suffers too and doesn’t function properly.

3. Insufficient amount of glucose (sugar level)

Sugar kills they say but remember almost anything you eat will raise your blood sugar in some way.Therefore, if your blood sugar gets too low, you’ll need to eat something if you want to achieve your optimal performance.

Researchers have found that the ideal amount of blood glucose to have circulating in your body is 25 grams

Any less than that, and your productivity will take a hit. Vice versa, any more and you won’t be able to do much with the extra energy.

4. Overabundance of carbs

Carbohydrates are typically found in more bread-oriented and sugary foods. Though, carbs are a necessary part of a healthy diet, but it not the most important part of the meal.

Foods rich in carbs tend to cause the body to produce a ton of insulin, which in turn floods the brain with sleep hormones like serotonin and tryptophan which is why you always feel sleepy at heavy starch based foods.

In fact, carbs are directly related to the body’s insulin levels, therefore over consumption can have a devastating effect on those daily energy reserves.

5. Dehydration

The idea of “drinking water is good for you” is quite commonplace nowadays. Despite knowing that it is a good idea to drink more, a lot of us rarely do.

Try making drinking water more of a habit. For example put a jug of water on your desk. You’ll likely spend a similar number of trips to the tap or water cooler than if it was a small glass, and doing so will compel you to stay hydrated throughout the day.

However, sugary soda drinks will contribute to your glucose levels shooting up and down, and so to be weary of when you have them,

10 TYPES OF FOOD THAT BOOST PRODUCTIVITY RATE

Blueberries- These berries have a great combination of antioxidants and a high amount ofgallic acid, which can protect brain from degeneration and oxidative stress and boost our focus and memory.
Avocado- They are a natural stimulant and help the brain cells work at their best. Also contain healthy fats that give you energy and improve your focus.
Almond– Rich in healthy fatty acids, antioxidants, and plant protein. They support healthy brain function and revent cognitive decline.
Green tea– They contains theanine that can help you with focus and concentration
Dark chocolate- They not only offers that little something sweet but gives you an energy boost and also contains magnesium which helps ease stress.
Raisins- Raisins are rich in antioxidants but are low in fat and calories. Which makes them an ideal snack to boost your energy and enhance productivity.
Salmon- Salmon is rich in Omega-3 which is helpful for improving mental performance and improving memory. It also eases the symptoms of depression.
Sunflower seeds- They are considered to be an essential source of fatty acids, proteins, and vitamins and are a great food to fight fatigue and help you stay productive.
Broccoli- It’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids that can improve your thinking and boost your focus.
Spinach– These greens contain a lot of antioxidants and can help improve learning capacity.

12 TIPS TO MAKE HEALTHY EATING EASIER AT WORK

1. Make sure to have a healthy breakfast. Do not skip breakfast

2. Organize the cupboards at the work pantry so that those healthy, important foods are at the front.

3. Prepare snacks for during the day to help ease those spells when you feel hungry

4. Always have a little box of nuts, or a bar dark chocolate, a fruits in the bag or work desk

5. Use a smaller box or plate for your meal so that the food fills it.

6. Alternate high sugar food to also healthier high sugar option like berries and fruits

7. Talk to your coworkers and bosses about ways you can create a more nutritionally savvy workplace.

8. Pack your lunch ahead to ensure that you have the types of food you need

9. Avoid fast-food meal for lunch as it offers empty calories and can cause your blood glucose to skyrocket and crash

10. Do not skip any meals despite tight work schedule

11. Pack food that does not spoil easily and stay fresh longer like boiled eggs, peanut butter, cheese, ham or tofu

12. Swap colas to low-fat dairy drinks like skim milk, low-fat yogurt or smoothies

Can Spirituality Drive Business Success and Profitability?

August 29, 2018 by Ryan

The spiritual life is, at root, a matter of seeing. It is all of life seen from a certain perspective .

IS THERE A PLACE FOR SPIRITUALITY IN BUSINESS?

Of course there is. The state of our business reflects the state of our mind and the state of our mind is reflected on our work. So, when we feel positive and our head and heart are aligned, we attract positive results. Every time we pursue negative thoughts, they get reflected back. In business term, it is reflected in the form of problems. This is where spirituality come as guidance. Spirituality helps in spreading positive energy within yourself and to others around you. In today’s business world, values and ethics are given less attention while making money has taken over everything else. So, giving due attention to spiritual values into your workplace will build great sense of spirit in their work environment.

Spirituality in business can be described in many different perspectives. Some may say that, it is simply embodying your personal moral values such as honesty, integrity, efficiency, and good quality work, treating co-workers and employees as a human being in a responsible, caring way. Some of may say that, participating in spiritual study and activities such as prayer, meditation, or intuitive guidance at work. And for some, it’s making their business socially responsible in how it impacts the environment, serves the community or helps create a better world.

WHAT DOES SPIRITUALITY IN BUSINESS CONTEXT MEANS?

Well there’s many connotation to it. It can mean anything that you think it is to be honest. For example, responsibility, integrity, moral, honesty, accountability, quality, cooperation, caring, service, intuition, loyalty, trustworthiness, respect, justice, guidance, motivation & passing benefits to concerned.

All these business ethics spiritual values at workplace will lead to increased productivity. Research by various agencies revealed that, many companies’ works with demand confidentiality about spiritual techniques and afraid of disclosing unconventional approaches adopted for betterment of organization, interns to take the lead compare to competitors.

Employees at all levels in the corporate increasingly want to nourish their spirit and creativity. When they are encouraged to express their creativity, the result is a more fulfilled and sustainable. A study by Wilson Learning Foundation, an award-winning training company, stated that around 40% of the variability in corporate performance is attributable to the personal satisfaction of the staff. Spirituality was cited as the second most important factor in personal happiness.

While, some business people are comfortable using the word “spirituality” in the work environment, as it’s more generic and inclusive than “religion.” Instead of emphasizing belief as religion does, the word spirituality emphasizes how values are applied and embodied. Other people aren’t comfortable with the word “spiritual” and prefer to talk more about values and ethics when describing the same things that others would call spiritual.

There’s some fear about spiritual beliefs or practices being imposed by employers, but to date this has been extremely rare. On the other hand, some observers warn about the potential for superficiality and the distortion of spiritual practices to serve greed. Key spiritual values embraced in a business context include integrity, honesty, accountability, quality, cooperation, service, intuition, trustworthiness, respect, justice, and service. For example, The Container Store chain nationwide tells workers they are morally obligated to help customers solve problems where they’re not just to sell people products.

WHY SPIRITUALITY AT WORKPLACE IS IMPORTANT?

Researchers revealed the several certain issues like, to survive into the 21st Century, organizations must offer a greater sense of meaning and purpose for their workforce. In today’s highly competitive environment, the best talent seeks out organizations that reflect their inner values and provide opportunities for personal development and community service, not just bigger salaries.

Those who are strongly motivated from a spiritual orientation can see clearly that there are many possible benefits to be gained from embracing spirituality at work. The benefits evolve from really knowing how to treat people well so that they thrive and are able to accomplish their best within the organisation.

People can be highly productive, innovative and cooperative in the right environments. They can feel fulfilled through their work and know that what they do each day is of value. This brings an important sense of meaning and job satisfaction. It generates happy and enthusiastic employees and productivity rises. Invoking spirituality is a way to help create work environments where people can thrive and flourish.

In a spiritual work environment, people thrive because:

The organisation, through line-management, takes a personal interest in their development and success
People are encouraged to be all that they can be
They are appreciated, challenged and excited at the opportunities they have
Business leaders promote trust and empowerment
Participation in collaborative dialogue is encouraged – instruction and control minimised
Employees are supported, coached and thanked
Positive emphasis is placed on relationships, ethics, inspiration and reflection
Successes are noticed and celebrated.

But many businesses are not like this! Rather they are run in ways that emphasise rationality, process, finance, the short-term and efficiency. Financial outcomes are often seen as the sole measure of success. Control mechanisms which are in place lead to self-centred behaviors.

ARE SPIRITUALITY AND PROFITABILITY MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE?

Bringing ethics and spiritual values into the workplace can lead to increased productivity and profitability as well as employee retention, customer loyalty, and brand reputation. More employers are encouraging spirituality as a way to boost loyalty and enhance morale. A study done at the University of Chicago by Prof. Curtis Verschoor and published in Management Accounting found that companies with a defined corporate commitment to ethical principles do better financially than companies that don’t make ethics a key management component. Public shaming of Nike’s sweatshop conditions and slave wages paid to overseas workers led to a 27% drop in its earnings several years ago. Another example, is the Business Week magazine report that found productivity improves and turnover is greatly reduced when companies engage in programs that use spiritual techniques for their employees.

Researchers point to several key factors. Corporate downsizing and greater demands on remaining workers has left them too tired and stressed to be creative at the same time that globalization of markets requires more creativity from employees. To survive into the 21st Century, organizations must offer a greater sense of meaning and purpose for their workforce. In today’s highly competitive environment, the best talent seeks out organizations that reflect their inner values and provide opportunities for personal development and community service, not just bigger salaries. Unlike the marketplace economy of 20 years ago, today’s information and services-dominated economy requires instantaneous decision-making and building better relationships with customers and employees.

Employee moral is important for a company to maintain, to keep high productivity and low levels of absenteeism and turnover. An important part of morale is connected to an employee’s ability to keep their spirituality intact and parallel to their work identity. If your spirituality or religion is a very important part of your life, it’s only natural for all other areas of your life to be affected, as well. There is a strong connection between body and mind. If your employer restricts your spirituality in that certain practices are not allowed, it can begin to affect your productivity.

The sustainable business, social investment and spirituality in business movements are one of the hopeful signs that business, as the most powerful institution in world today, may be transforming from within. What is emerging is a new attitude towards the workplace as a place to fulfill one’s deeper purpose. As World Business Academy cofounder Willis Harman remarked many years ago, “The dominant institution in any society needs to take responsibility for the whole, as the church did in the days of the Holy Roman Empire.” Each day, more and more businesses are helping to create a better world by being more socially responsible in how they treat people and the environment. They are proving that spirituality helps–rather than harms–the bottom line. As Kahlil Gibran reminds us in The Prophet, “Work is love made visible.”

WHAT DOES A SPIRITUAL ORGANIZATION LOOK LIKE?

The differences between spiritual organizations and others are very subtle and they have a great deal to do with how we hold and react to the events that surround us. In a spiritual organization, people are much clearer that they are there of their own choosing and that they are masters of their own destiny. People are much less likely to think that they are victims. People tend to treat each experience as an opportunity for personal growth. Thus when they get angry or their ego gets bruised, they are more able to work with those situations in constructive ways.

Thus a spiritual organization differs from the more ordinary kind in that it has much better “self-righting” mechanisms. When something goes wrong, people have a natural tendency to bring it back on course, even if that takes a little emotional risk. In other organizations, everywhere you look things have gone wrong – people don’t keep agreements, people are angry with each other, teamwork is inadequate, managers treat their subordinates like children rather than delegating responsibility – but these problems get locked in because it takes too much risk to confront and correct them. In a spiritual business, two forces work to correct such problems:

Another characteristic of a spiritual organization is that it has a visionary focus. The organization as a whole has a vision, one that the employees are attracted to. People are there for a common reason, a reason that excites them and causes them to want to put in their own energy. People feel ownership and commitment to a common purpose In conclusion, the organization as a whole has a commitment to deal with and resolve such problems. The individual employees have greater self-mastery and higher self-respect, and thus will not allow themselves to be imposed upon. These two forces create a much higher chance that problems will get confronted and corrected, and contribute to the organization’s “self-righting” mechanism.

TO CONCLUDE, CAN SPIRITUALITY BOOST SUCCESS?

That truly depends on what success means to you. If success is building and growing together then spirituality can certainly bring success to your business. Spirituality is the knowingness that we are all connected to each other and to something much larger than ourselves and that we are in awe and wonder of its vastness of being, its potentiality, its simplicity, its peacefulness, its synchronicity, its stillness, its aliveness, its presence, its beauty and its grace.

In much of the corporate world, we have been conditioned too long to operate mainly under a competitive flag that has been driven by intense focus on short-term profits. If businesses felt the same connectedness to each other, and were all inspired by a vision much greater than just their earnings, we can develop bond deepen long-term sustainable prosperity. What an amazing company that could be described by its potentiality for impact, its simplicity in its effective execution, its sense of well-being among its employees, its aliveness of energy in engaging customers, its presence in the community, its beauty from its creativeness, and its grace and dignity by which it conducts itself.

Spirituality expands our edges beyond the duality of what life presents us and into the joy of accepting that all things are possible. It is acknowledging that the unseen is just as much a force in our lives, as those tangible outcomes which our minds and eyes are accustomed.

The limitation in business world is imposed by its linear rules and definitions. It must be seen, it must be measured, it must be reported and it must be controlled. The world is not linear, it is quantum. We live in an amazing world that is an ecosystem of connection and possibility. Spirituality enhances our intuition, which is our communication with the unseen. Our intuition is one of the most extraordinary gifts we have as human beings. It gifts us the ability to discern complexities beyond the restrictions of our reasoning mind. If ever there was a place for intuition, business and value creation is it.

To end, sspirituality pertains to an experience of spirit, and I believe that the business community is going to see that spirit is a matter of utmost concern to them. Spirit has to do with action and productivity. If people are not enthusiastic about their work, the work will suffer. We are coming into a time in which it is becoming obvious that a new way of structuring our organizations is vital for our happiness and productivity. We are just starting to discover that we can structure work so that it is enjoyable, fulfilling, and productive.

7 Soft Skills Every Entrepreneur Need to Be Sucessful

August 28, 2018 by Ryan

Entrepreneurship is the idea of owning a business or a brand. The profession as a whole is all about embracing risk, having big ideas, and making major innovations that change how others do business.

While anyone who starts a business has a bit of the entrepreneurial spirit but true entrepreneurs are distinguished by a certain visionary quality. Take Steve Jobs, for instance, he renovated our interactions through phones and computers, or Mark Zuckerberg, who transformed how we stay connected with friends and family and absorb the news.

Most entrepreneurs know the importance of investing in themselves and building valuable skills which would improve their strengths over time. Your business plan should include growth targets to achieve, products to launch, new markets to enter, events to participate in and relationships to build. If you have these types of clear targets and milestones built into your plan, that’s a great start. However, it is equally important to have certain soft skills that will ultimately only help you become more successful in your business. Whether it’s setting aside time to improve on your weaknesses, or hire a coach to help you push into a new playing field with one of your strengths, investing in your skills is never a bad move. So, the next logical question you should ask me is which skills do I need to be the game changer?

Here are the top 7 skills entrepreneurs will need to master to be able to make a name for themselves:

1. Personal Branding

Everything is moving towards the gig economy where entrepreneurs, freelancers and even career professionals now jump between ideas, startups and employers faster and more frequently than ever before. Tenure hardly matters, and what matters the most is your personal brand, a name and identity for yourself. The overarching message about yourself, as gleaned from your online presence, professional reputation, circle of influence and the trust you command from peers, followers, customers, employers and general public. You wouldn’t want to enter the market without a strong personal brand, and you definitely afford to loose the good brand image who created to negative comments. Bad online reputation will definitely damage the business. So bear in mind, create a good impression without trying too hard.

2. Authenticity

Authenticity has become a minimum requisite for providing morale and trust and also to achieve excellence in today’s world of business. Especially among millennial and across social media channels, being true to yourself without trying to be someone else is the main objective. Being labeled duplicitous isn’t something you’ll be able to recover from anytime soon. So, it important to always be creative and come up with new and exciting contents and ideas for your business rather just replicating what is already out there. Also, remember to take every opportunity that you can to connect with your audience and show that you’re genuinely in the game to help.

3. Persuasive Writing

While visual contents like images, infographics or hi-resolution videos are becoming staple contents for website and even more to most social media platform, written communication still reigns its wow factor. Written documents are extremely handy when it comes to highlighting your leadership thoughts, crafting compelling copy for sales pages and inspiring people to take action. Without persuasive writing skills, you won’t stand out from other skillful and media-savvy professionals. Plus, your own written article about your brand or your business would give you more confidence in selling yourself and also the reader would feel more engage and have a better image of you than of you sharing something irrelevant. Moreover, you will need an excellent writing skills for email marketing, blog posts, on-page copy, business proposals and more. So, brush up your grammar, learn new vocabulary and start writing!

4. Sales

Sales is what keeps the business alive. It is how the cash flows in, which is what you run the business for. A company that cannot sell its products or services Will for sure is quickly going out of business. Regardless of your craft, even artists, software developers, writers and just about everyone needs selling skills to get by in the business world. If you need funding, you have to sell your idea to investors. If you want to be a successful painter, you must compel people to buy the aesthetics of your craft. Whether you’re a job applicant or hoping to close a new freelance client, you simply have to sell yourself. It is crucial to have sales strategies and proper sale planning before even venturing into the business. You cannot expect people to invest in your product or brand without you trying to convince them into the idea of buying.

5. Stress Management

Stress is a common problem in all industry. To be honest, though it is not good to stress over things but nothing worth pursuing in life is easy. So, expect episodes of disappointment, struggles and stress. The are going to be pitfall along the way but the key is to remain calm and push yourself further. Stay afloat and win your game by learning how to manage stress and re-channel it towards a positive outcome. Whether you do that by being more organized, changing your mindset, or through prayer and meditation, learning how to deal with stress will keep both your business and your health in excellent condition.

6. Sharing and Collaboration

The willingness to commit yourself to achieving your goals will get you a step closer to that. Business partnership with competitor is rapidly growing in today’s business. It’s no accident that information sharing, crowd funding and open source are key terms describing pillars of the new economy. Wikipedia and Shopee is a great example of how sharing and collaboration have created industry-changing products and services. As an entrepreneur, sharing your goals, progression and challenges on different channels can lead to surprising solutions, strong relationships and groundbreaking business.

7. Financial Management

Knowing how to manage and grow your finances is key to success both in your business and in your personal life. Lack of the ability to manage finances exposes you to the risk of becoming unsustainable, which often leads to bankruptcy, regret and going back to a full-time job. Develop discipline and prudence, especially when it comes to purchases for personal and business purposes. Learn both technical and practical techniques that’ll help you increase your income and re-invest in the right strategies to keep your business pushing forward into the future.

What It’s Like to Be a Female Entrepreneur in Malaysia? -Chat With Ms Joanne Chew, A Self Made Businesswoman.

March 13, 2019August 24, 2018 by Ryan

Are you a female entrepreneur trying to make it big in the field or a fresh graduate or stay at home mom looking to start your own business?

If yes, I am pretty sure you are worried and have a lot of questions running through your mind wondering if the business plan going to work? Are you on the right track?

What strategies would work for you and so on? To answer these questions, I sat down with Ms Joanne Chew, the CEO OF ABC Ideal Partners.

Before going into the article let me brief you through about Ms Joanne and what she does.

So, Ms Joanne along with her husband is the founder of ABC Ideal Partners Sdn Bhd a company that disturb and supply corporate and premium gifts around Malaysia.

The company’s main goal is to provide top notch products and services to our customers.

Since starting small in 1999, they are now the top supplier and distributor of corporate gifts in Malaysia and the region with over 1,500 clients.

Adding on her company is certified as ISO 14001:2004 company, which means they are a firm believer in sustainability to protecting the environment by investing in technologies and products that are eco-friendly and share this vision with our clients.

Their products are free from toxins, pollutants and any other substances that may be harmful to the environment.

Wanna surprise your partner with a customized gift, or need a bulk of trophies for office annual event? Check out ABC Ideal Partners for more all these gifts you need.

So, now let’s see what you Ms Joanne has got to share:

1) Tell us more about yourself and why you choose this field?

Hi, I am Joanne and I am the co-owner of ABC Ideal Partners along with my husband.

We are in this business for more than a decade now and took us some time to be where we are now but the journey was a good learning experience for us.

To answer why this niche market is simply because I like to see people get surprised and happy when receiving gifts I believe most people will be happy when receiving gifts so why not turn that emotion in business and that has been working well for us.

Also read: 5 Inspiring Malaysian Female Entrepreneurs That We Should Know About

2) What motivates you to success?

The success of my clients what drives me to be honest.

Seeing the services we are providing has helped our client in their event of the campaign and achieve their sales or marketing target drives us to do better and be better. The secret is success leads to success so work for progression.

3) What are the key qualities for a leader in business?

Hard work is the first and also you need patience.

You also need to show some compassion towards everyone around you and always be open to criticism because without it there is no room for improvement.

Also always avoid gossiping and have the passion to keep learning.

Also read : 6 Loan and Fund Programmes Available in Malaysia for All Women Entrepreneurs.

4) What are you advise for the young entrepreneur?

Be patient and keep trying and keep learning. Stay in a healthy lifestyle. Great health leads to a great mind.

Apart from personal questions, we also discussed a lot on the market, business and sales strategies as well.

I believe Ms Joanne’s vast experience and kowledege will be really helpful for start-ups.

Below is the interview:

1) Based on your observation and experience, what are the marketing strategies that you think would work in the business?

Word of mouth from clients. The more people that talks about you the better. Get the words out there.

Secondly, repeating sales from clients. In other words, build trust with clients is a key strategy in maintaining a good reputation of the company and increase more client.

Lastly, and the most important to date is social media. It is a NEED now.

You can’t run a business without a proper social media page to support you. Digitalization has opened up a lot of new windows so use it wisely.

Also read: Here’s How You Can Be Empowered and Empower Women in Business.

2) The biggest struggle in business is to survive and be ahead of your competitors. How do you handle that?

As said, just be hardworking and keep trying.

Look out for new competition and what their moves but no need to replicate them instead focus on your own business and try to make it stand out by working hard.

3) Lastly, what are your business goals?

My personal goal would be to build and grow together.

For example, my staffs to be in a better stage in their life, just growing successful with your staff, colleagues together. And also to improve self values and career values.

Love Note To All My Fellow Ladies Out There.

Love yourself, choose the right path and let your dreams take you high.

Are you a woman who wants to start your own business and become an entrepreneur?

Let us know in the comment section below. We will equip with exclusive wealth resources and knowledge that will definitely take your business to the next level.

We at WMA would help you attain your goal by empowering people with the right skills in order for individuals to attain financial freedom.

Over the years, WMA has coached thousands of individuals from all walks of life and have guided them with powerful knowledge and proven skills and strategies towards the path of financial freedom.

WMA will continue to grow and remain committed with our aim to assist people towards their dreams.

For more information on comprehensive business plans by WMA, check out our main page, call us at +60 10-234 4913 or chat with us via Facebook or Whatsapp.

Also make sure to like, share and follow my blog for more exciting updates, tips and offers!

10 ways Entrepreneurs Can Use Feng Shui For More Business

August 23, 2018 by Ryan

One of the best thing about being an entrepreneur is the ability to call the shots in your business. It is solely driven on your shoulder. You have control over your decisions and choice but, that’s also one of the greatest risk which means you’re responsible for all the decisions. This is where you need some ‘black magic’ to step up and be ahead of your competitions.The ‘black magic’ here is Feng Shui (though Feng Shui isn’t really black or magic).

So, what is Feng Shui?

Feng shui is the ancient Chinese art of placement. It teaches how the placement of objects can balance the flow of positive energy around you so that you can be at the most productive and prosperous. The literal translation for the Chinese words “feng” and “shui” are “wind” and “water.” It is through wind and water that chi flows through nature and the universe. Chi should not be impeded but balanced so that any negative forms (sha chi or “poisoned arrows”) may be offset with positive adjustment.

Yin and Yang is both a symbol and belief of natural opposing yet complementary forces that allows a harmonious universe to exist. Nothing can be totally yin or yang; there will always be at the least a miniscule amount of one in the other. Yin, the black side, is characterized as weak, passive, dark, cold, winter and female; Yang, the white side, is characterized as strong, active, bright, warm.

So, now ask yourself: Do you want your business to be more prosperous? Want your workplace to be also be more harmonious? How would you like to think more clearly and be more productive? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you might want to consider the use of Feng Shui.

But how can you put feng shui to work as an entrepreneur?

In Feng Shui, plants are symbol of life and growth. They draws in great postive energy

Worry not. I’ve put together A list of ways that feng shui can help generate more flow and that means more success and more sales for you.

Play with Red – Want more clients? Use red folders. Chinese belief red to be a symbol pride and wealth. Plus, red in general is a very sexy and attractive color. So, when you get a client, label the file and add a Chinese coin to energize the folder for wealth theirs and yours!
Clear the Clutter– According to feng shui, work performance and business wealth can be increased by decluttering and establishing order on your desk. Productive chi cannot flow if all the stuff on your desk is blocking its movement and cluttering up your mind. So, take everything off your desk and clean up any cluttered areas around it. Put back only items that are used everyday, and papers on your desk must be limited to those for one project only. Other items and papers should be placed elsewhere like in drawers, racks and so on.
Surround Yourself With the Greens – Live plants and flowers bring many positive elements into the workplace. Aside from their natural beauty, they improve air quality, unite us with the natural world outside, and their green color encourages personal and business growth. Avoid any cactus or plants with sharp-looking leaves as these as can cause fear or stress .To bring their positive influences, plants and flowers must be healthy and flourishing. If a plant dies, remove it and replace it with another. Keep in mind it better to have a silk plant than none at all. Just be sure to keep it dusted and vibrant-looking.
Aim at the East- In the practice of feng shui, the happiness, success and prosperity you have in your business life is greatly influenced by the position of your desk. The optimal position is one in which your desk is very the sunrise, which is the east side. The eastern side of your room is where your health and wealth grow so position your desk there.
Water brings the cashflow – Water is the most powerful symbol of money in feng shui. Its sparkling chi energy is beneficial for your health and prosperity but care must be taken to keep water fresh and clean. Scaled-down fountains that are designed for a desk or small table are a good choice if space is limited. Another great choice is either a fish tank or aquarium. Consider including goldfish in your tank as gold is a Chinese symbol for money and is thought to attract it. Another great way to incorporate water into your business is the use of any artifact that depicts water
Home is Office too- Feng shui promotes the importance of keeping business and personal life separate when you have a home office. An outside separate entrance to your office is optimal. If not possible, a room near the front or back door of the house or apartment is best.Flat ceilings promote the flow of chi and are best; otherwise hang wind chimes from cathedral or sloped ceilings to offset sha chi. Enhance your personal chi and your professional appeal by dressing well and taking care of your overall health, hygiene and appearance. Resist the urge to work at home while unshowered or adorned in your sweats or pajamas.
Having a clean, simple and coordinated office helps brings in the wealth and joy
Feng Shui your website- Yes, feng shui can even be applied to bytes and pixels! If often see businesses that have websites whose colors conflict, such as red and silver, green and beige, or green and yellow. These are color combinations that fatigue visitors, meaning the website is less sticky and more likely to be abandoned and with fewer repeat visitors. That’s because these color combinations make your website work against itself and that gets you nowhere. Select feng shui compatible color combinations like blue, black, and white or yellow.
Beauty pays you– If you’re a work at home entrepreneur, chances are you may have a less than inspiring work area. Invest in your office and make it attractive, organized, and functional. Having a beautiful work space is motivating and encourages creativity. When you are surrounded by beauty and inspiring views, objects, or artwork, you are more likely to think creatively, come up with new approaches to your business, and be more productive and that makes you more money.
Believe in the Power of One- One is the number of opportunity and money iin feng shui. There is probably one thing that you could do to instantly make a difference in your business. What is it? For some, it would be to create that first product, for others it would mean publishing your book, and for others it might be making sales calls. But, chances are you know the one thing that’s standing in the way of your success. Get to work on just that one thing.
Understand the Bagua Map- The feng shui bagua map is one of the main tools to analyze the energy of a certain space. Bagua is the feng shui energy map of your environment that shows you which areas your office, desk or home are connected to specific areas of your life. Stand inside your office with your back to the front door. Now look straight in front of you. The section of your house in the far right corner is the relationship zone. The part in the far left corner is the money sector. And work yourself around the map. This works the same with your desk.

In conclusion, to truly obtain a full and deep education and understanding of feng shui can take years. Visit your local bookstore or library to learn more about this age-old practice that has been enjoyed by faithful followers for thousands of years. Whether you are a novice or a master, there are many applications you can effect to encourage good “feng shui” and in turn affect your work environment, workers and wealth in a beneficial way.

You can use the principles of this ancient technique to help you draw more clients to you, create a harmonious business that attracts business, and builds a financial foundation for your life that gives you more control, greater freedom and feeling of personal achievement.

GOOD LUCK!

How Science Helps Turning Time into Money

August 22, 2018August 22, 2018 by Ryan

Time is one of the most dimension that exists in our universe because it just can’t be manipulated. It can go forward, but never back. It always moves you forward. So why try to change the fact by complaining “You have got not time” , when all that time does is take you a step further.

Why is time so important in our life?

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” the late Steve Jobs.

Scheduling different types of tasks at work, from getting a response to your email to asking for a raise everything takes and need the right time.

How though, do I use time to my advantage you may ask? Here is in an expert advice on when is the best time to send an email, schedule a meeting, make a decision, and more. This is really helpful in utilizing time in the right way and indeed turning the quote ‘time is money’ to practise. So, grab your pen and paper and take note!

1)When is the best time to send an email?

The biggest struggle that most people at work faces is never getting an email response on time. But, the root of the problem is not the other party is not replying you on time, it is you that did not email at the right time. The traditional workweek might be Monday to Friday is generally the best to send an email and skip the weekends is what we are taught, but if you want your email to be read, consider sending it on a weekend morning. According to a study by Yesware, a email tracking software, email-open rates are higher on the weekends. That’s because significantly less email is sent on weekends and you have less competition for clicks. You don’t have to work weekends so that to the advantage and consider apps like Boomerang or Letter Me Later that allows you to schedule when you want your email to be sent. So, you can write up the email first and save it to be sent over the weekend. Never send emails on public holiday!

2) How to get a proper response on time?

IF sending an email is a struggle, getting a quick response for it, is another. So, if you want to get a reply to your email, consider sending it early in the morning between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. In fact, make sure to do that the first thing in the morning. Again according to Yesware, reply rates are highest in the morning about 45% more than the rest of the day. This is because early morning is the time that people are on phone and mood would be good plus fewer emails are sent during these time slots which again lowers your competition. The days does not really matter in term of getting responses. So don’t worry about the day. Focus on the mornings, instead.

3) When is the best time to ask for pay raise?

Looking for a increment in your pay? Ask your boss in the mid morning around 10-11 am, when he or she is more open to the idea. Researchers from Harvard University, found that people are more likely to operate at a higher level of moral awareness and self-control in the morning. They call it as the “morning morality effect.” This could work in your favor when asking for a raise. Assuming you deserve it, your boss might be more likely to look at the merits of your request, Don’t ask for it or bring it up towards the end of the day as he or she will get mentally tired and tend to be less fair.

4) When is the best time for meetings and group discussions?

Monday-morning meetings are a staple at many companies, but have you notice involvement and participation during this time is low. This is because, according to a study by an online scheduling service WhenIsGood.net: if you have a meeting at 9 a.m. on a Monday morning employees will need to prepare the day before which most people do not hence they turn up underprepared and if they’re not prepared, they won’t come up. Instead, hold in the meeting on Tuesday after lunch break at around 3pm- 4pm to get more participation and involvement because Tuesday that is the furthest you can get from the deadlines at the end of the week without bumping into the missed deadlines from the week before and after lunch is works best because are fuel up and have more energy to engage and work their brain.

5) When is the best time for brainstorming?

If you’re a morning person, you might think you do your best work first thing in the day, but a study from Michigan State University found that when it comes to being creative, waiting until later in the day. Nights yields better results. Asking students to solve six different problems at various hours over the course of the day, the researchers found the best creative thinking was done when students were tired. So, if you are a night owl, you are very lucky. This is because physiological, creative thinking requires people to approach problems from a different angle. So, If you’re clear-headed, your mind will jump to the most logical solution. While it’s important to use your time of best focus for tasks that require concentration, a distracted and fatigued brain comes up with the most innovative ideas.

Lastly, Don’t Waste Your Time!

Every moment is precious whether at work or in personal life use time wisely! We still waste time because we’re creatures of habit. We’d rather not deal with the pain associated with taking massive action for fear of failure. What will everyone think? What will they say when they see you try and not reach whatever goal you’re trying to reach?

At the end of the day, results matter more than other people’s opinions. Life is short. Don’t waste it. Pursue your passions. Wake up feeling energetic and go out into the world and do something great. Add value. Give. Help. Contribute. Learn from others. And grow in the process. Become a better human, willing to serve your fellow man, giving to others even when you feel like you have nothing to give.

But even if you don’t contribute your time to others, don’t waste it. There is so much that we need to accomplish and so much that we need to achieve that wasting time doesn’t serve you. Anything that will zap your energy, will take away your time. So don’t engage in things that’ll make you feel depleted. Instead, direct the time towards good endeavors that will help you and others.

6 Daily Habit That Will Make You a Better Entrepreneur

August 21, 2018 by Ryan

Entrepreneurship is an a very ‘fancy’ word and a cool job many would say. In fact, it is. It is a word filled with optimism and the prospect of joy and riches. Millennials and veteran careerists view the world of entrepreneurship with strong enthusiasm, hope and energy. It’s their path to freedom and success. You know how it works. Just dream up an idea, package your product, sell it to your target customers and then wait beside the ATM for the torrent of cash to land in your corporate account. Especially, with today’s social media facilities and the world at your tip, entrepreneurship is a dream job.

But it is that easy though? Well, entrepreneurship is a worthy career but it’s a tough career. All the successful entrepreneurs you meet are smart, hard-working people. They toiled to get where they are today. It’s not that getting started is all that hard. In today’s Internet-empowered world, it’s easier to launch a startup than to do a five-minute workout. With few clicks from your bed, you can start your online business. You can run it on the go, with your smartphone. Launching a business is not the problem. Building it into a successful empire is.

Here are a some habits that you can incorporate in your daily life to be better at entrepreneurship:

1.Create a Routine

When we have a routine that we follow daily, it reduces the need to make decisions each day. It enables us to know exactly what tasks we need to do each day without having to contemplate, decide or think too much. When we are finished with one task, we know what comes next without much thought. Activities become standardized and we become more efficient as a result.

2.Keep the mornings for the tough works

Scientifically speaking, people are more likely to operate at a higher level of moral awareness and self-control in the morning. Hence, it is better to get hands on the work in that time of the day for more productive results.

3.Show some self love

This will resolve Mental health issues and most importantly Self-love can keep you from getting lost in your own head and going down a path toward negative thoughts and feelings. It will also reduce Stress and Increase in Performance. Without those last minute doubts about yourself, you can complete projects with all of your energy, rather than wasting some on procrastination and setting yourself up for failure.

4.Plan ahead

Give yourself a head start for tomorrow, Track your progress these are all part of planning. Planning helps you to chart a course for the achievement your personal goals. It helps you in reviewing the current operations of the organization and identifying what needs to be improved operationally. Planning involves envisioning the results that you want to achieve, and helps you to determine the steps necessary to arrive at the intended destination which is success, whether that is measured in financial terms, or goals or customer satisfaction.

5.Discuss solutions rather than problems

Nobody likes a person who cribs about problems all the time instead of focusing on finding a solution. Try cultivating a solution-oriented approach towards everything at work and be adaptable to change. You can overcome any problem, be it with work or colleagues or yourself with a positive attitude.

6. Continue learning

Keeping your brain engaged by learning new tasks and skills is one of the best ways to keep your memory sharp and your mind agile. When you’re accustomed to learning new things you’re also becoming more adaptable to change, meaning you can easily take any changes in the organisation or your function in your stride.Not only will you be able to discuss thoughts and ideas more confidently because you can back them up with new information you have learned, but adding “smarty-pants” to your list of qualities is sure to make you shine.

The 5 Keys to a Successful Marketing Career

August 20, 2018 by Ryan

Constant Social Media notifications!

Emails, emails and more emails!

Client crises on a weekend or national holiday!

These are just a few of the issues marketer has to deal with in a daily basis. As you can see, marketing as a profession, isn’t exactly a very work-life balance friendly. It has a tendency to become very consuming if you don’t establish and enforce strong boundaries to prevent intense world, it is going to take over yourself and life. The worst part of it all, is when you think you have done all you can yet the result isn’t showing. That shows that maybe you need to take a step back and analyse what is the problem and come up with the solutions.

Here’s some tips I come with my personal experience on how to rebuild yourself as an individual to excel better at work.

1.Have a Positive Attitude

Positivity is the way to life especially when it comes to working in an intensive field like sales and marketing you need to have always an positive mind. When a client rejects you, or you are not reaching your target, DO NOT LOSE HOPE! Instead, learn what attitude is, what aspects of your life are controlled or directed by your attitude, how to determine your attitude at any given moment, and what specific strategies make a positive attitude a permanent habit in your life. This helps you to grow as person and produce better results at work.

2.Believe in Yourself

Understand what is your potential through a simple process of identifying your personal talents and abilities. You can do this by developing an academic strengths and personal interests to create personal fulfillment and joy in what you do. When presenting an idea or talking a client make sure to have faith in what you are saying. Confidence is the key here. People are only going to buy your things if you have confidence in your words. Self believe leads to customer trust.

3.Set and Achieve Goals

Being goal driven and ambitious takes you places. First, recognize the difference between a wish and a goal. Make a commitment, plan and take action, and recognize completion. Don’t put way too much pressure on yourself. This is where people go wrong. The set target way beyond the reach and stress out when they cannot reach the goal. So, be practical and take one step at a time. Set your a goal and works towards that direction.

4.Use your Creative Imagination

Extend your physical ability to accelerate problem solving and goal achievement in all areas of your works. In marketing and sales field, it is important to use your creativity. Let your imagination run wild and come up with new ideas, strategies and methodology and be bold in trying them out. Luck favors the brave. So, put in the effort and take the step up.

5.Be Persistent!

Track your own progress. Make sure you see improvement! If you don’t, then it is just a sign that you are not putting in enough effort and you need to change up your game plan. Develop the focus and determination required to succeed, create an attitude of gratitude as the access to fulfilling your dreams. In this field, persistence is the foundation. You need to take your imagination and then turn it into exactly as you planned. It may not turn out how you want it to the first time, but when you add persistence to the equation it will only be so many attempts before you achieve perfection.

So, there you go. These are my top 5 strategies to how to be successful the marketing and sales field. It is simple yet we tend to foresee it due to the intensity of the field. Don’t let that get in your way and remember what is goal and work towards that.

Here a few more things you should pay attention to better a marketer.

Have a clarity of purpose and direction
Show commitment and interest in your work
Get inspired by outstanding performance of others
Establish a dynamic communication with your clients and customers
Build a good relationship with everyone

俞敏洪：谁把自己当老板看，谁“死”得最快！

August 20, 2018 by 马方

从中关村一间小平房到新东方航母，从大学教师到企业家、投资人，俞敏洪的管理哲学是什么？梳理不同阶段的创业心得，俞敏洪认为，创始人的首要能力就是要找到一批志同道合的人，然后带领他们朝着一个方向努力。这个过程会伴随权力、利益和人情的纠葛，但创始人必须心慈刀快，对待思维、利益不一致的员工，不能陷于人情而强留。

我看公司，首先看创始人是否有领导魅力，一个极具影响力的创始人的公司最后更容易成功。

创始人的首要本领就是要找到有同一目标、志向和精神的人，并带领这帮人朝目标走。新东方现在已经有30000多人，如果让他们复述新东方到底是什么，他们说的大概八九不离十，不会说出相反的东西。

我自己的一个标准是，每周至少在公司发声一次，就是为了强化新东方的文化、精神、团队凝聚力，以及表达我作为创始人，想听到什么声音。

创始人无法把团队每个人的情绪都照顾到，但可以让他们都朝着一个方向努力。

价值观不一致，不必强留

经常有人问我：你为什么选择这几个人做你的朋友？原因无非是这个人刚好在你身边，刚好和你最契合，实际上这就是合伙人的概念。

我刚开始创业的时候，家人、亲戚们都在身边，能方便地协助我，我也很自然地依靠他们，当时的“分包责任制”也极大地激励了大家努力工作，做出业绩。

但后面不规范的家族管理，越来越阻碍公司发展，如果仅因为碍于人情而强留他们，只会让公司死翘翘，这是所有人都不愿看到的。所以我引进了外部人才，有了新的合伙人。

新东方上市后，许多人希望通过资本重组，把自己的股份套现，大赚一笔，但这不是我想看到的。如果这时候我还一定要把这些合伙人强留在公司，认为这才是公司健康发展的标志的话，那公司最后的结果还是死翘翘。

因为大家已经完全合不来了，思维不一致，利益不一致，共处共事只会带来矛盾与冲突，使公司偏离轨道，走向灭亡。

在企业发展的不同阶段用不同的人

有一些创业团队，四五个人、七八个人喝顿酒，吃顿饭就凑成了，每人拿10%到20%的股份，说哥们儿我们开干吧。到最后发现，整个团队是乌合之众，要么没有真正的团队分工，要么没有良好的团队合作和未来发展机制。

过去两年，我对这样的创业团队进行过跟踪，最后发现其中80%的都散架了。但有一种团队很稳健，就是创始人先独立创业，随着项目需要不断引进人才。

如果新东方刚成立的时候就用王强、徐小平这些从海外回来的人，这个公司可能会很快死掉，因为我无法领导他们，也付不起让他们满意的薪水。

刚成立新东方的时候，用的都是家族成员，比如我的姐夫，我老婆的姐夫，等等。当时没有什么所谓的现代化结构，工作也不用计算时间，也不需要监控你的财务，因为都是亲人。

但是一直这样下去，就会出大问题。比如不利于管理，随着新东方的发展壮大，公司不断引进外来人才，家族成员的文化水平和管理经验都不足，却还要乱插手，其他员工很容易没有尊严感，不管是职业经理还是老师，他们都长久地忍受这种情况。

我深刻意识到家族成员会变成新东方的发展障碍。基于此，我到国外把大学同学、中学同学招回来，他们从才气到能力，都盖过了我的家族成员。借助他们的力量，我把家族成员清理出了新东方，成功将新东方推进了新的发展阶段。

后来，新东方要在美国上市，单凭我自己是完全不可能的，必须要找一个顶级的美国上市专家，开出顶级的工资，才能保证顺利上市。所以我去美国面试了4个人，用4个晚上无限制地聊，把这个人到底有什么样的能力聊出来。

最后选中的那个人，长相很难看，但是很聪明，这个家伙的中文名叫谢东萤，后来作为CFO，在新东方待了10年。

这么多年过去了，新东方一直在不断转型。现在又开始结构调整了。我们发现以一个大公司的形式开拓事业，效率非常低，无法应对外界的变革和创新。

所以新东方又打散了原来的组织结构，施行独立创新公司的机制。凡是新项目都独立出去做，未来新东方可能会发展50家和教育相关的公司，新东方不100%绝对拥有，只占控股股份，比如40%或50%。

达到人情和利益的平衡

企业的发展要平衡好三大块儿——权力、利益和人情。

当初我请朋友们回来共建新东方，每人分管一个领域，自己赚钱自己花，所以没有利益上的冲突，人情与利益兼顾。后来，新东方的事业不断发展变化，使得原有的利益格局被打破，需要重新进行公司化改造，个人的利益面临重新分配。

任何人面对利益变动，都会有心态上的失衡。比如有些部门，原来的地盘没了，新的地盘还没分到，心里落空；外面的管理人员引进来，下面的人员成长起来，“老人”地位削弱，等等。

我早期管理新东方时，总是在利益和人情之间找平衡点。但最终，我决定把利益放在第一位。当时我意识到，最重要的是留住手下的好老师。假如我提供的东西超过了别的地方能提供的，好老师留下来的可能性会比较大。在这个基础上再给他们人情，就是锦上添花。

后来，在新东方经过股份改造引发的高层危机之后，我不得不正面处理与徐小平、王强的利益关系。这时候我意识到，需要建立一个新的组织结构，各归其位，才能把每个人的特长发挥到极致。

在以友情为基础的结构里，你不能下命令、不能指挥，只能通过友情来权衡利益和权力，很可能形成一个矛盾圈和是非圈。这个问题如果得不到及时解决，新东方很可能做不下去。最后，我们做出决定，请徐小平离开董事会。

大企业的内部管理十分复杂，很有必要借助制度对员工的行为加以规范，这是企业发展的必然规律。因此，新东方上市之后，创业元老一一退出了管理层，迎来了更加职业化、专业化的经理人团队。这是超越了兄弟情谊，更多依赖切切实实的利益拼建起来的崭新结构。

现在，我喜欢新东方的人为了利益来和我叫板，因为他对自己价值的估计，和我对他价值的估计都有可能存在失误，叫板能帮助我们双方达成平衡。

谁把自己当老板看，谁死得最快

这是一个所有关系都重新界定的时代。我在深刻地思考一个问题：我和员工到底是什么关系？

以前，我会不假思索地认为自己与员工就是雇佣关系，员工除了到我这儿来工作，还能到别的地方工作吗？他们到别的地方工作，能拿到比这里更高的工资吗？我是老板，员工要老老实实工作，千万不要把关系搞错了，这是我原来的思维。

但现在我看着这些员工，这些任课老师，觉得他们是我的老板，关系全部倒过来了。如果他们不愿意选择在我这儿工作，其他出路也非常多。毫不夸张地说，中国现在做得最好的教育培训机构有一半以上是从新东方出走的员工创办的。

我常常想，如果我比这个时代早走一步，在几年前就把他们看作合作者而不是雇员，把这个关系重新定义，那么很多新东方的老师可能会留在新东方内部创业，而不是出走创业。

某种程度上，团队力量大于公司力量，我需要建立一个平台，把所有有能力的人集中起来，整合资源，促进双方正向流动。我参加过很多企业关于组织结构的讨论，它们现在要么转型，要么解体。

新东方发展的过程就是不断解体、重组，并产生新的组织结构的过程。新的结构很像蜂窝，每个人在里面都有一个自己的窝，在窝里都感觉很安全。这些人合在一起作为团队的力量，远远大于组织结构本身的力量。

现在很多人已经留在新东方，创立了自己的工作室，而我共享他们的成果。新东方成就了这些群体组织，这些群体组织又反过来成就新东方。

这也是一个弘扬个性才能够生存的时代。

在处理人与人之间的关系，与朋友交往时，谦虚没有错。在创业有了成绩，把更多利益让给员工，而自己少拿一点，这样的谦让也没有错。

但如果你在展示才华、彰显能力时还谦虚谦让，那就只有死路一条。

为什么？因为当你尽可能把自己的才能隐藏起来的时候，你的竞争对手正在不断地宣扬自己。

在这个一切关系都重新定义的时代，谁把自己当老板看，谁死得最快；谁把自己当雇员看，谁这辈子最没出息。

作者：俞敏洪来源：正和岛（ID：zhenghedao）

Why Mental Health at Workplace Matters?

August 16, 2018 by Ryan

Don’t you feel sometimes all you want to do is just to take some time off and focus on yourself both physically and mentally instead of just work and work and more work?

If you do, it is a sign that you are suffering from mental health depression at work!

Mental health is one of the last remaining taboos in the workplace. Yet according to World Health Organization one in every six workers experience depression, anxiety or stress at workplace and this is a significant portion of the workforce. It also appears as if attitudes towards mental health in the workplace remain in the dark ages where 56% of employers say they wouldn’t hire someone with depression. Globally, more than 300 million people suffer from depression, the leading cause of disability, with many of these people also suffering from symptoms of anxiety. A recent WHO-led study estimates that depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy US$ 1 trillion each year in lost productivity. Unemployment is a well-recognized risk factor for mental health problems, while returning to, or getting work is protective. A negative working environment may lead to physical and mental health problems, harmful use of substances or alcohol, absenteeism and lost productivity. Workplaces that promote mental health and support people with mental disorders are more likely to reduce absenteeism, increase productivity and benefit from associated economic gains.

What are the work related risk factors for health?

There are many risk factors involved for mental health that may be present in your working space that even you may not be aware of. .Most of these risks are interrelated which are mostly interactions between for example type of work, the organizational and managerial environment, the skills and competencies of employees, and the support available for employees to carry out their work.

Risks to mental health include:

inadequate health and safety policies
poor communication and management practices
limited participation in decision-making or low control over one’s area of work
low levels of support for employees;
inflexible working hour
unclear tasks or organizational objectives

Risks may also be related to job content, such as unsuitable tasks for the person’s competencies or a high and unrelenting workload. Some jobs may carry a higher personal risk than others. For example, first responders and humanitarian workers, which can have an impact on mental health and be a cause of symptoms of mental disorders, or lead to harmful use of alcohol or psychoactive drugs. Risk may be increased in situations where there is a lack of team cohesion or social support.

Bullying and psychological harassment at workplace also known as “mobbing” are reported as the most common cause of work-related stress by workers and present risks to the health of workers. They are associated with both psychological and physical problems. These health consequences can cost the employers big time in terms of reducing productivity and increasing staff turnover. They can also have a negative impact on family and social interactions and personally too.

How to overcome Mental Issues at Work?

Work together to overcome mental issue at work

1)Creating a healthy workplace

A healthy workplace can be described as one where workers and managers actively contribute to the working environment by promoting and protecting the health, safety and well-being of all employees. A healthy workplace should firstly, protect mental health by reducing work–related risk factors and also promote mental health by developing the positive aspects of work and the strengths of employees and lastly address mental health problems regardless of cause.

2)Supporting people with mental disorders at work

Organizations have a responsibility to support individuals with mental disorders in either continuing or returning to work. Research shows that unemployment, particularly long-term unemployment, can have a detrimental impact on mental health. Many of the initiatives outlined above may help individuals with mental disorders. In particular, flexible hours, job-redesign, addressing negative workplace dynamics, and supportive and confidential communication with management can help people with mental disorders continue to or return to work. Access to evidence-based treatments has been shown to be beneficial for depression and other mental disorders. Because of the stigma associated with mental disorders, employers need to ensure that individuals feel supported and able to ask for support in continuing with or returning to work and are provided with the necessary resources to do their job.

3)Know Your Rights

The Malaysian Employment Act 1955, states that your employer has to work with you to try to overcome health problems. And don’t forget that it’s in your boss’s own interests to accommodate you. Anxiety and depression, the most common mental health issues, have been estimated to cause a fifth of the days lost to sickness in Britain.

It can be hard talking about such an emotional and personal subject at work, but focusing on practicalities and logistics can take the charge out of it. Try to suggest some concrete things that might help you cope. For example, switching to flexible or part-time hours for a while might give you some much-needed space to breathe. Would the option to work from home some days take the pressure off? Coming into the conversation prepared with potential solutions could make the conversation seem less daunting.If you’re nervous about talking to your manager, or if things don’t go well when you do, it’s worth having a chat to your organisation’s HR or occupational health department – but your line manager should be your first port of call.

Here are some guidelines your company can take to create a healthy workplace:

Creating awareness of the workplace environment and how it can be adapted to promote better mental health for different employees.
Learning from the motivations of organizational leaders and employees who have taken action.  
Not reinventing wheels by being aware of what other companies who have taken action have done. 
Understanding the opportunities and needs of individual employees, in helping to develop better policies for workplace mental health.  
Awareness of sources of support and where people can find help.
Informing staff that support is available
Involving employees in decision-making,
conveying a feeling of control and participation
organizational practices that support a healthy work-life balance
Creating programmes for career development of employees
Recognizing and rewarding the contribution of employees.

In conclusion, mental health matter because it will only make sense as a perfect business sense for organizations to create a work culture that supports employees with good mental health. If your employees aren’t feeling well mentally, then they will not feel engaged or committed at work. The more we talk about mental health, the more stigmas get broken down, so don’t suffer in silence. Work’s important, but it’s not as important as your health and quality of life.