In this Issue
Simma Lieberman Associates
Simma specializes in diversity, gender communication, and
life/work balance and stress. She is nationally known as a
dynamic and humorous speaker, trainer, and consultant. She is
also the author of "Putting Diversity to Work," a guide for
managers on leveraging workplace diversity (Crisp Publications:
Spring 2003).
SIMMA'S IN THE NEWS: Simma's ideas are featured this month in
the January issues of Redbook and Quick Service Restaurants. She
is also interviewed in the February Cover Story of Human
Resources Executive.
SIMMA'S WHEREABOUTS: Simma will be in Charlotte, North
Carolina February 3-5, in Alameda, California, Feb. 6-7, in
Dallas, Texas, Feb. 11-14, and in Purchase, New York, Feb.
24-26. In March, she'll be in Fayetteville, Tennessee, from the
3-6, and in Indianapolis, Indiana, the 19-21.
If Simma is coming to your area and you would like to hire
her to speak, train or consult, or you would just like to meet
with Simma, please give us a call.
Simma
In the News
Quick Links...
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| Dear
Simma,
Welcome to the January Healthy Lifestyles edition of
the Lieberman Learning Letter, published by Simma
Lieberman Associates.
This newsletter includes information from Simma's many
workshops, seminars, and keynote speeches. Simma shares
this useful information free of charge with colleagues and
clients to promote their continued learning and
growth.
Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.: Simma
heard Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech in
Washington D.C. in 1963, when she was a child. His message
helped plant the seeds of Simma's passion for diversity.
During this week, we remember his efforts and
contributions in pioneering diversity and creating an
inclusive society.
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How To Break Through Fear in
Turbulent Times
Fear is becoming all too common in many people's lives
today. In turbulent times, inner voices of fear and self-
doubt can surface with an increased vitality and urgency.
By focusing on addressing these fears and restoring your
inner balance, you can gain the resilience and healthy
outlook that will get you through these difficult times.
Find the time to do the techniques in this
exercise. Save this newsletter, print it out, and come
back to it if necessary. Understanding how fears impact
your life and activities will empower you to push past
them. Here are some techniques and processes that can
identify, address, and break through fears and doubts.
1. MAKE A LIST OF YOUR FEARS. Only by admitting
that they exist can you seek solutions. Include fears you
may have about your career, life, and about other
people.
2. WRITE DOWN HOW THESE FEARS IMPACT YOUR
LIFE. Think about how these fears impact your reactions
and actions in different situations.
3. BECOME
AWARE OF THE VOICES IN YOUR HEAD. Write down the negative
messages that you think and say to yourself when thinking
about these fears.
4. BUILD A SUPPORT SYSTEM.
Start building a support system of friends and eliminate
people from your life who foster feelings of negativity.
5. GET INFORMATION. Learn as much as you can about
the stimulus for your fear. Knowledge can reduce anxiety.
If you have fears about people from different backgrounds,
learn about their cultures. If your fears are career
related, invest in yourself and learn about your options
and career path.
6. ELIMINATE DESTRUCTIVE
SELF-TALK. Focus on changing each negative message to one
that is affirming and constructive.
7. READ. Read
books that help you feel better about yourself.
8.
LET GO OF YOUR PAST. Be aware of and understand your past.
Be willing to let go of it and learn to live in the
present in order to prepare for the future.
9. SET
GOALS. List your goals and the actions you need to achieve
them.
10. TAKE ACTION. Take one of those actions
every day. Each time you do something that brings you
closer to achieving your goals you will feel better about
yourself.
When fears and self-doubts come back,
and they still do, break through them using these tools
and skills. They work.
Get More
Info »
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The Life Juggle: How to Find Lifework Balance
If there is universal rule in lifework balance principles,
it is to have flexibility. Flexibility allows people to
play many life roles without neglecting any one
responsibility. It means breaking from routines and rigid
schedules and having the ability to find creative
solutions to daily dilemmas. In the numerous lifework
balance principles we've studied and taught, flexibility
is most often the driving force behind effective
techniques.
So how can you gain more flexibility
in your life? Here are our suggestions:
GET IN THE
MINDSET
Flexibility is first and foremost a mindset.
It is when we become rigid in our thinking that we
determine we can't get done what we need to, which creates
stress and imbalance. Flexibility, on the other hand,
means feasibility. It means keeping options open and
adapting solutions. Let's say your child has a sporting
event right smack in the middle of your workday. If you
miss out on work, you'll disappoint your co-worker who
needs you for a project you are working on. If you miss
out on your child's activity, you feel you might break
his/her heart. At this point, many people believe they are
going to let someone down, so they don't invest much time
in finding a win-win solution.
Now, practice
flexibility. Sit back, loosen up your shoulders, get the
creaks out of your neck and consider your options. Can
your co-worker join you for the event so you can work on
the project on the drive there and back? Can you do a
quick assessment of the project's tasks for the day and
find ones that you can do alone that will still move the
project forward? If you order in and pay for lunch, would
your coworker be willing to stay in to work on it? If you
don't have kids, your responsibilities may revolve more
around your family or friends. Whatever the
responsibility, everyone needs balance in their lives.
When you establish an environment of support and
flexibility, you'll find creative solutions and establish
a norm with your coworkers to help each other out in times
of need.
FIND 2-FOR-1 DEALS
Part of what made
the solutions above work was that they accomplished
multiple tasks at the same time (lunch and work, drive
time and project discussion). Activities that allow you to
feel like you are moving forward in two different life
planes at the same time are the gems of life balance.
Don't wait for situations that force you to do two things
at once. Seek them out instead to open up your schedule
for unexpected twists and turns. Our all-time favorite
2-for-1 activity: exercising with a friend. It gives you a
chance to catch up, give and get some emotional support,
and keep your health in check, which will give you the
resilience to work through stressful times.
DO
YOUR HOMEWORK
Organizations have become increasingly
aware of the need to be flexible to meet the needs of
their employees. Take the time to find out what your
organization offers before you get stuck in a difficult
lifework balance situation. Knowing your options will help
keep you flexible. Make a point of discussing your needs
with your boss and coworkers so you can all help each
other out. Remember that not all lifework balance
solutions will be formal ones with written policies.
If you are a manager, make a point of finding out
what other organizations are doing to accommodate their
employees and determine what you can do. Have an action
plan to adapt to varying needs in place before the need
arises, so you can establish fair and equitable practices
for ensuring the health and happiness of your employees.
Here's an overview of the programs companies offer to help
employees balance work and life needs:
- 88% of
companies offer employee assistance programs
- 73% of
companies offer flexible work arrangement
- 61% of
companies offer part-time employment
- 42% of
companies offer child care resource and referral
- 37%
of companies offer job sharing
- 24% of companies
offer compressed work schedules
- 20% of companies
offer telecommuting
Source: Hewitt &
Associates
Plan to make a difference in your workplace in 2003!
Call us to discuss programs that can help all your
employees or coworkers strike a healthy lifework balance.
More Tips
& Articles »
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Next Issue: Gender Communications
In our next issue, Simma will look at how men and women
differ and how this affects how we communicate, lead, and
act in team situations. Learn to work better with the
opposite sex and improve your communication with
individuals in your personal and professional lives. Don't
miss it!
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About this Newsletter
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