From Healthcare to Data

From Healthcare to Data Success Story > From: Job To: Job From Healthcare to Data “I battled the worst case of imposter syndrome I've ever experienced.” * From Healthcare to Data Bored with meetings and documents, Marcus Grant was ready to learn something more technical. A training programme offered the smooth transition he needed, but completing it proved to be one of the toughest personal challenges of his career. Here he shares why it's all been worth it. What work were you doing previously? I was working as a Project Support Officer in the NHS. I'd been there for around ten years. What are you doing now? I'm a data analytics consultant. I helpvarious clients make sense of their data and use the reports that I create to make data-driven business decisions. Why did you change? I was writing documents and taking minutes in meeting on a near-daily basis. I got to the point in my project management career where I wanted more of a technical challenge. No matter how many different projects I worked on, I still had a yearning for something to do with one of the many branches in the field of IT. When was the moment you decided to make the change? I'd managed to land a role supporting a project for a Technology and Informatics department in the NHS. The team was split between the project managers who sourced the work on one side, and the informatics team, which solved all of the analytics puzzles for the work that was brought in, on the other. A few months into the role, a few of the people from the informatics team departed to progress with their careers elsewhere. I saw my opportunity to get myself involved in supporting the informatics team with some of their work. Fortunately, I had a great director at the time who believed in developing skills in the team and he gave me the opportunity to learn how to do data analytics when I had free time away from the projects that I was supporting. He saw that I took an immediate liking to a particular tool that my informatics colleagues used, Tableau, and he allowed me a few hours a week to focus on developing my Tableau skills. Are you happy with the change? So far, yes! In learning Tableau I've had the opportunity to learn one of the most in-demand analytics tools. I've learnt so much about how businesses use the data they have to drive business in the right direction. And, best of all, the work has allowed me to live and work in Germany for a whole year, which is an experience I don't think I would ever have had if I'd stayed doing project management in healthcare. Also, the mix in the types of projects I am working on tends to keep me on my toes; I'm constantly learning new tools and techniques in order to reach a goal. What do you miss and what don't you miss? Based on my experiences so far, I miss the culture and diversity of the NHS workforce. It's a tricky subject but the NHS has a very culturally diverse workforce, no matter which hospital / office you're based at. Coming from a BME background this has always taken the working experience to a whole new level for meâ€"you get to learn about different cultures, bond over shared experiences, and have multitudes of people you can relate to. I don't miss the repetitiveness of the work that I was doing. The project teams in the NHS tend to follow a standard process. This became boring quite quickly. How did you go about making the shift? I decided to sign up for The Data School, a four-month programme which trains data analytics consultants. The transition was moderately seamless; I managed to finish my role in the NHS on a Friday and start at the school the following Monday. What didn't go well? What wrong turns did you take? Everything happened so fast between the time of handing in my notice to my NHS employer and starting at the Data School. Some work didn't get completed in time which was mostly down to my bad time management at the time. How did you handle your finances to make your shift possible? I had to take quite a big pay cut to join the school, but the salary we were given was still sufficient for me to live comfortably. If it wasn't for the fact that you effectively get paid to learn during the four months of training, I wouldn't have taken up the opportunity. What was the most difficult thing about changing? As someone who's been out of formal education for around eleven years, I found 'learning how to learn', as an adult in an intense classroom environment, very difficult to adjust to. Even more so due to the fact that I was the only one in my cohort who hadn’t obtained a degree in a subjectinvolvingsome sort of technical analysis. What help did you get? Fortunately, the programme offered one of the best support networks that I've come across in my working life. I hadaccess to colleagues who'dpreviously been through the same processand who couldrelate to the struggles ofintensive learning. And I wastaught by some of the best in the industry when it comes to Tableau and Alteryx. If I had any problems, there were over 20 people I could turn to who would take time out of their own day to support and mentor me. What resources would you recommend to others? If there is a particular area that you are looking to get into, I would advise finding any social meetup groups that take place in your area. Use that as a place to learn from. Network with people in that industry which could open up avenues for you to get your foot in the door. What have you learnt in the process? Where do I even begin? I've learnt best practice and how to become a great consultant and analyst. I've also learnt how to become more than just an analyst. I've been taught to teach, to lead, and to present to groups as well as colleagues of all levels of seniority. And I've learnt a lot about my persistence as an individual. I struggled greatly throughout the whole process, even doubting whether I could make it to the end of the training. I battled with the worst case of imposter syndrome I've experienced in my career on a daily basis, continually second guessing my achievements and how I'd managed to get through each day. I was even questioning how I'd managed to get onto such a good scheme. I felt like I was lousy at mathematics, and yet I was somehow getting through advanced calculations without numerous errors. What do you wish you'd done differently? Honestly, I wish I'd taken more time to prepare for the transition. Finishing on a Friday and starting on Monday gave me no real downtime to get ready for what the initial four months of training would bring. What would you advise others to do in the same situation? If ever you run into a similar situation, keep on pushing. Things may not go your way throughout the transition but make sure you have a set target that you can persistently progress towards. Also, remember that you're never too old to change careers, so don't let that be a barrier to you achieving your goal. Thanks to The Data School for this story. To find out more about shifting into data analysis work, visit www.thedataschool.co.uk. What lessons could you take from Marcus's story to use in your own career change? Let us know in the comments below.

How Can an Employer Help an Employee Deal with Mental Health in the Workplace

How Can an Employer Help an Employee Deal with Mental Health in the Workplace Welcome to our new online series on Mental Health in the Workplace. Taking care of our employees mental health is vital and weve brought together some of the worlds experts on this topic to share their thoughts with you. Our panel of 10 specialists will tell you everything there is to know about supporting your staff when it comes to their mental health in your place of work. Nick Patel Mental disorders comprise a wide range of problems, each of which has unique symptoms and treatments.   As such, employers, especially those with diverse populations and needs, should promote activities and provide resources that address the breadth of potential challenges employees may be experiencing.   One of the major challenges of mental health is the stigma associated with talking about it.   Creating a culture that embraces openness and understanding, where employees feel comfortable discussing mental health, is a great place for employers to start. Nick Patel, CEO of Wellable. Renae Shaw There is no one ‘right’ way to help an employee deal with mental health in the workplace. However, having a company culture that enables employees to be honest and open without fear of being judged or treated differently is a great first step. It is important that those in a position of responsibility are well-trained to be able to have open and honest conversations with their team on a regular and one-to-one basis. This means that team members can advise on in-work benefits and sign post resources, such as private counselling, employee assisted programmes and local schemes, all of which can help someone in both the short and long term. Renae Shaw, Head of HR at Search Laboratory. Lee Keyes Employers can work to secure good mental health coverage in insurance policies for employees, especially parity with physical health coverage. They can also continuously scan existing policies, benefits, and structures which may present barriers to accessing mental health care. . Dr. Lee Keyes, is a Psychologist and Emeritus Director at the University of Alabama. Emma Mamo We believe that everyone should have their mental health and wellbeing supported at work. The day-to-day demands and pressures of work should not be a barrier to good mental health. Stress and poor mental health costs UK businesses between £33billion and £42billion a year through reduced productivity, high turnover and sickness absence. This is equivalent to £1,205- £1,560 for every employee in the UK workforce. Therefore, it is in employer’s best interest to support employees to have good mental health at work. Smart employers know that organisations are only as strong as their people â€" they depend on having a healthy and productive workforce. We recommend employers adopt a three-pronged strategy that: Promotes wellbeing for all staff Tackles the causes of work-related mental health problems Supports staff who are experiencing mental health problems Emma Mamo, Head of Workplace Wellbeing at Mind. Brendan Street We all have mental health in the same way we have physical health. Creating a workplace environment where mental health is viewed in this way and discussed openly amongst employees, is one of the best ways to help staff feel they can seek support without being judged. Establish a mental health champions network to combat negative reactions and encourage open workplace dialogue. Promoting more flexible work patterns, like allowing employees to take time off for their mental health or partake in remote working will enable individuals to continue their roles effectively during difficult periods. Businesses can introduce Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPS), often offered with group risk products like  Income Protection, for those who may need more advanced support. Brendan Street, Professional Head of Emotional Wellbeing at Nuffield Health. Shona Davies Its important for employees to feel safe and to know that if they reach out for help, they will get it. The employer should be able to offer free, confidential discussions with a trained mental health worker who can signpost the employee to resources and services that can help them. Mental ill health should be treated just like any other illness â€" the brain is an organ just like any other and can malfunction just like any other. Give them the space they need to heal, send them a get well card and remind them of their value to the business. Shona Davies, Founder of Shona Davies Consulting. Chieu Cao It’s very important to create a company culture where employees feel they can speak honestly with their managers and employers about their mental health and know that it is ok to be suffering mentally. It’s great to see policies such as flexible working and unlimited holidays aiming to improve work life balance and as a result, mental health. But these alone aren’t enough. It’s key to have more tailored mental health initiatives sitting alongside these too. At Perkbox, for example we also have: an EAP offering 24/7 support and structured counselling, mental health first aiders on site, and Perkbox Medical; a health cover that’s affordable, accessible and easy to manage for every business. Chieu Cao, Co-Founder of Perkbox. Lucy Faulks The  most important thing is to create a work environment in which its the norm to talk be that about anything theyre experiencing in their work life or personal life. Its especially important for the leadership team to share any personal experiences around mental health, for team leaders to make sure theyre asking their team members on a regular basis how they are and to share any concerns in a safe space,  and for the company to have an open and visible policy around mental health just like they would have a policy for sickness absence or equal opportunities. Lucy Faulks, Co-founder of Elevate. Paula Whelan Many employees are afraid to tell their employer that they are experiencing a mental health issue for fear of it affecting their performance review, promotion opportunities, how they are viewed etc. It is important that employers send a clear message to all employees that their mental health matters and that they will get all the support they need in the workplace. Employers should take the time to get to know their employees, they will then become aware if someone is struggling or having a difficult time. It is important to listen, not to make assumptions, ensure confidentiality, be supportive and encourage someone to seek additional support if needed. Paula Whelan, Head of Diversity Inclusion at Right Track Learning. Nicole Thurman For employers, its about addressing mental health and providing resources.   One that I’ve seen be effective is an employee assistance hotline they can call, which will triage them to counselors or to inpatient immediate care if need be. But this shouldn’t stop at just the employees, leaders can also call the number to obtain help in how to work with an employee who is struggling. Onsite medical clinics are growing in popularity among employers. Adding a full-time mental health counselor who is part of our onsite medical clinic is extremely beneficial. Instead of needing to schedule an appointment offsite, having that benefit at the clinic allows employees seeking help to simply schedule an appointment, and leaders and human resource professionals can help people get to the clinic when necessary, or get them in to see the counselor. A counselor is also there for anything that requires immediate attention, like someone threatening suicide. Nicole Thurman, Vice President, Talent Management at CHG Healthcare.

What to look for in Accredited Debt Relief Reviews

What to look for in Accredited Debt Relief Reviews Borrowers who want to get out of debt fast should conduct research on the many debt relief companies before they make an informed decision as to which one to go with. You will find many reviews stating, Accredited Debt Relief Review Are They #1 for Debt Relief? If you do a simple search of the company you will realize that many reviewers talk about their services. Nonetheless, not many people would understand some of the qualities that make up a useful review. Reviews should act as a revelation to clients. It should assist them in understanding various aspects of a brand’s services and products. Here are some of the things to look out for when reviewing this debt relief company. Understand their experience Established companies handle clients and various situations differently. Great expertise means that the company has proper recognition. It also means that you have polished services and products. Understand their experience will also help you to compare it with other companies who offer the same services. Know their current location Clients prefer if they can access a firm’s site. Distance means extra expenses and may not be helpful, especially during emergencies. In the US, Accredited debt relief locations are in 20 states only. Find out whether they have premises in your locale. Mode of operation Debt relief services provide an agent for the client. The agent will contact the customer, answer all queries, talk to creditors on behalf of the clients, and take them through the payment journey. Note also, these companies operate using a variety of modes, which you have to understand before you choose to collaborate with them. Their charges Your priority is to lower your debt. Therefore, any costs that would increase pressure should discourage you from working with the company. Look into their company policies to understand their prices. Be sure to check hidden costs as well. What do other customers say? Reviewers also include a segment where previous users air out their experiences while operating with the company. Dig deep into the reviews they left and look for both complements and criticism within the comments. Complaints are good because no particular company is perfect. Understand their approach While you do your research, understand their time frame to complete the entire debt, what kind of support they offer, and the preliminaries before starting the process. Understand the kind of support you will get once you start using their services. For instance, having an educational approach is important because clients can save and get back on their feet quickly. Accreditation Such services do not operate without a regulating body. They would abuse clients, which is unethical and unprofessional in business. Competent reviewers should indicate the regulating bodies that act as watchdogs. Additionally, understand the impacts that these organizations bring into such services. What results do they promise? Good businesses avoid too much hype. It should put the needs of the customers and seek to solve that in the best way possible. Look at some of the creditors this company has been able to deal with in the past. They should keep the client’s mind open so that they can expect anything because dealing with creditors is not that easy. Conclusion Keep an open mind while reading reviews. Some of them offer biased opinions, which is not a good sign of a reviewer. Ensure that you read both the benefits and limitations of working them. It helps you understand areas they are proficient in and the challenges they face as a company.

5 Battery Saving Secrets for Your Smartphone

5 Battery Saving Secrets for Your Smartphone For many of us the smartphone has become an indispensable part of everyday life. We use the phone for business, for pleasure, and for a multitude of applications, such as monitoring our home security systems and checking for the nearest restaurant with Thai food. Because of this 24/7 reliance on the phone, newer models have focused on providing the best possible battery performance and ensuring they provide as many hours of usage as possible. This can be seen on many devices like the Samsung Galaxy 7 from T-Mobile which offers up to 28 hours talk time, obviously depending on how much you’re using the device for other tasks. Despite the strong battery of devices, there are a number of things you can do as a savvy user to improve the life of your smartphone. Checkout the tips below and you’ll be one step closer to never seeing that dreaded red light saying “Battery at 1%.” Tip 1 Airplane Mode When Charging There’s nothing worse than when you’re just about ready to go out and you see that your phone hardly has any battery left. Whether you’ve got 10 minutes or 60 minutes before you go out, make sure you put your phone on airplane mode whilst charging to ensure it charges faster. This is because it disables connectivity so your phone stops performing as much in the background, ultimately meaning it can re-charge itself faster. Tip 2 Set Screen Brightness and Backlight Time to Lowest You Can Live With Your display is often the biggest consumer of your battery’s power. This is especially the case if you need extended time without actively using apps and other capabilities. By reducing the screen brightness and the time delay before your display goes to sleep, you’ll see big reductions in battery drain. Just go to your settings options, select display, and choose the lowest settings that meet your needs. Tip 3 Choose a Power-Saving Mode Virtually all smartphones have a mode selection that allows you to save power by shutting down various functions and applications. For example, the Samsung Galaxy 7 has updated the concept with an Ultra mode. When you select this option your phone essentially stops being “smart” until you change the mode. You won’t get automatic updates, texts, or access to wireless unless you choose these as options to continue in the Ultra mode. Apple have introduced a similar feature on iPhones whereby you can turn on ‘Low Power Mode’ which reduces power consumption and helps prevent your battery from draining as fast. Tip 4 Turn Off the LED Indicator and Other Alerts While the little flashing LED light and beeps don’t consume noticeable power themselves, they do play a key role in battery consumption. Unless you are waiting for an urgent email or text, you probably don’t need to respond instantly to all your message and incoming information. However, we are conditioned to respond immediately when we get that alert or notification, and that is where the real consumption comes in to play. When you repeatedly wake up your phone, you use all that power that you would be saving as displays light up and data is downloaded. If you can delay your check to once or twice and hour, you’ll save a great deal of battery power by the end of the day. Tip 5 Get Your App Location Finders Set to Appropriate Options While precise location settings are helpful for certain apps, they are not necessary for all of them. However, many apps simply expect to use your GPS, mobile network, and Wi-Fi to calibrate locations. You can go into each application and determine what you want to give it access to, and in many cases simple GPS is enough. If you have a lot of apps, this step alone can give you a 5 percent to 15 percent power savings.   By following these tips you’ll significantly be able to save your battery from running out at those crucial moments and hopefully you’ll also be able to understand your phone that little bit more, the features are all the for a reason â€" so make sure you utilize them! Image Source; Image Source; Image Source

How to Write a Good Manager Resume

How to Write a Good Manager ResumeA manager resume is a great way to show that you have everything a manager needs to succeed. It should include your expertise and your personality so that it's easy for you to match the resume with the person being interviewed. If you need some tips to write a good manager resume, then read on.Before you start writing a resume, you should decide what areas you want to highlight and list the necessary qualities for that job. Be sure to add any skills you may have that are in demand in the job. For example, if you have sales experience in a small business, write that in. Even if you don't have any previous marketing experience, mention that so they can find out what you're interested in. While it's not necessary to sell yourself, you should be able to answer basic questions about what you're going to bring to the company.When looking at your resume, remember that some people use a style of writing that's quite different from others. Whether you're tryi ng to land a job or take one, it's a good idea to know how other people write. Check out some samples and find out which one works best for you.Your resume should be short and sweet. This helps make it easy for the interviewer to scan and look over quickly. Don't make it too detailed either. They don't want to sit through an entire page of work. Your objective should be highlighted on the first page and that should be the only thing written on the rest of the page.Make sure you stand out by giving them a good impression. Make it seem as though you've been there before and that you're willing to learn and grow. Tell them why you are the best person for the job and give them a good reason for choosing you over others. Being articulate and specific is important as well.You should write in a style that's easy to read. Keep it concise and to the point and try to make it as easy as possible for the reader to find what they're looking for. Try to use lists and bullet points so that you can get it all written down fast and easy.If you have no experience in the field of the job that's being sought, make sure to tell them that. Then tell them what you can do to help them with the task at hand. A person who's been working as a bank teller might say something like, 'I'm currently doing customer service while I work toward my master's degree.Whether you are seeking a job as a financial planner or a shipping consultant, the manager resume is something that shows that you are the best person for the job. The information listed in it should be done correctly so that it stands out.

Unsocial Network Sites for Career Networking

“Unsocial” Network Sites for Career Networking “Unsocial” Network Sites for Career Networking Millions of employees today would like to network for their next career moves in private. A novel idea, yes? Actually, that’s how it used to be in the “old days” before LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter! And now the pendulum is swinging back to more confidential, selective, and strategic networking for career change. Don’t get me wrong; LinkedIn is an incredibly powerful tool to connect with hiring companies, recruiters, and more. So are Facebook and Twitter. Even Facebook recognizes this trend to more privacy and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg recently announced “Anonymous Login.” It gives users the ability to avoid sharing any of the data already on Facebook with an outside app. “With the new login, I can sign in on my own terms,” Zuckerberg said. “As a developer, this is going to help more people feel comfortable signing into your apps and engaging with them.” “Unsocial” networking enables selectivity and, yes, even privacy. You may not want everyone to know your business or what you are targeting as your next career move. You may want to talk to specific people about certain issues rather than broadcast your queries and concerns across the web. Additionally, you may want some private assistance or access to online networking groups and educational events. My recommendation: Unsocial network sites should be an “and” not an “or” to your full job search strategy. Sites like Netshare.com have built an unsocial network site for executives, whether they are in job search mode or not. Unlike LinkedIn, which is akin to the hot new club where you want to be seen, Netshare, started in 1991, has created a smoke-filled backroom where deals get done. Sure, you want the exposure of a big social network to build personal brand awareness, but the real networking goes on behind the scenes. Kathy Simmons, President and CEO of Netshare, says, “There’s an intimacy and a camaraderie that we cultivate, because true networking is about learning from one another, sharing leads and insights, and helping your peers, because you know they will help you in return.” To provide this membership-based experience, Netshare vets all their job descriptions to make sure they are for real positions that suit their membership. They have personal introductory calls, weekly career coaching calls, online networking groups, and educational events for members only. Simmons provides her strategy: “While there is a place for the big, impersonal social networking arena, like LinkedIn, it’s hard to distinguish yourself among the LinkedIn masses in any way that promotes a sense of common purpose and mutual support. That’s why you want to be seen on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, but you also want to find smaller, more targeted networks where you can actually interact, network, and get to know your peers.” Here are additional tips for confidential job searching â€" and keeping it confidential: Do not use your work email address for job hunting. Use your personal account. Use your personal phone number for job hunting â€" not your work number. Dont use your employers computers or phone system for any part of your job search. If you dont want your current employer to accidentally find your resume when searching for candidates, post on job sites where you can keep your employer and contact information confidential. Schedule interviews at either the beginning or the end of the day or during your lunch hour. If you have vacation time you can use, schedule multiple interviews for the same day. Do NOT tell anyone at work that youre looking for a new job. A confidence shared is a confidence broken â€" there are no secrets! Be very careful what you post on social networking sites. Dont tell your Facebook friends or your LinkedIn connections that youre job searching. Dont tweet about your job search activities either. Now that you’ve chosen to take control of your career and take the next steps, you need a good dose of privacy and confidentiality. Change your game and invest in the right “unsocial” networks to meet your job search and networking goals.

How to Keep Your Energy Up in a Demanding Job

How to Keep Your Energy Up in a Demanding Job Imagine you’ve landed a hard-to-get job with a prestigious company that pays well. Sounds like nirvana, right? That was the exciting situation Susan found herself in three years ago. But recently, she called me for advice on this question: “In a marathon job that feels like a sprint, how do you keep your energy up?” Or said another way, how do you keep your energy up in a demanding job? Speaking from experience, amazing jobs often come with work that’s all-consuming. While it’s interesting and important, the problem is that there’s just so much of it. At the same time, promotions can feel years away. As Susan puts it, “when you’re in the middle of it all, it feels like a giant slog. And I don’t want to get out of the game because I’m tired.” If you’re wrestling with a demanding job you want to excel at, but it’s draining your energy and getting you down, then here are five actionable strategies to consider. 5 Strategies to Keep Your Energy Up in a Demanding Job 1. Take Mini Vacations When I was working at Morgan Stanley, my mother suggested that I take regular breaks. She called them “mini vacations”. These could be just a few minutes to yourself in the privacy of a bathroom stall, taking a walk outside or finding a quiet space to do some meditation. Taking breaks is essential for reducing stress, recharging your batteries and being able to bring your best self to whatever you’re doing. That means you’ll have more mental capacity for making good decisions and feel less exhausted at the end of the day. Taking breaks is essential for reducing stress, recharging your batteries and being able to bring your best self to whatever you’re doing. I’ve found taking breaks helps me stay fresh in my thinking, and I’m less likely to get bogged down in unnecessary details. How could you take mini vacations in your day? 2. Celebrate Mini Wins Susan’s projects take months to come to fruition, so there’s a long wait between starting and having the end result. So the times for celebration are few and far between. And if your work is the equivalent of keeping the trains running on time, then keeping the normal operations working smoothly and making sure nothing goes wrong means there isn’t even an event to celebrate. In those cases, why not create your own mini wins to celebrate along the way? We all like to win, and this provides a built-in mechanism for feeling positive every day. Celebrating mini wins provides a way to feel positive every day. One way is to look for mini wins in your daily activities, like getting through your commute calmly (I find listening to music helps with this) or giving a genuine compliment to someone else (both givers and receivers gets a boost from this kind of positive human connection). Another way to create a mini win is to break your big project into a series of small steps. And you could treat yourself to a mini vacation when you complete each step. If it’s a team project, you could create and celebrate these mini-wins together and enjoy the exponential benefit of lifting the entire group’s energy. What would happen if you created and celebrated three mini wins each day? 3. Adopt a Green Plant Studies have shown that having greenery around your work area helps reduce stress, improve productivity and increase creativity. Even looking at nature through a window or having a fake green plant helps. But having real plants provides the added benefit of improving air quality too. In an ideal world, every workspace would come equipped with a wall of greenery, but starting with just one or two plants on your desk can make a difference to your mood and energy levels. What kind of green plant could you “adopt” for your office area? 4. “Reset” Your Brain A friend of mine uses a Swiss Ball (the big ones you find in most gyms) to help reset your brain when you feel frazzled, stressed or weary. Her background is in neuropsychology and she assures me this is all based in science. The way it works is this: She had me sit on it with my feet on the floor and bounce up and down in place for 1-2 minutes, making sure not to hold my breath. Then she had me stand up and do a power pose (like Super Woman). When I stood up, I felt energized and strong. I felt rooted to the ground. My posture was better. I was breathing more deeply than before. Best of all, my brain had gone from feeling fuzzy to crystal clear. Before the bouncing, I was going around in circles over a presentation I was writing. But afterwards, I felt confident that I knew exactly what to do. (By the way, if you don’t experience this “rooted” feeling and calmness after you stand up, go back to bouncing some more.) Obviously, you wouldn’t want to do this if you have any health concerns or dizziness (in which case as the saying goes, “don’t try this at home!”). But if you’re in good health and have a clear area for bouncing, I hope you’ll find it as helpful as I do when you need to press the reset button on your thinking. 5. Laugh More Finally, there’s nothing like having a belly laugh to cut through stress and bring back your energy. But at work, most of us tend to be focused and serious. And even when we’re not working, we laugh much less than when we were children. There are some days when I only laugh a handful of times, and none of them are deep, satisfying belly laughs. It’s usually when I’m working on my own and there’s no one to talk to. This is the time when phoning a friend or watching a funny show on TV or social media can play a positive role. My daughters have recommended shows to me â€" ones that made them laugh like Jimmy Fallon’s Lip Sync Battles or standup comedy routines from Live at the Apollo (I find Michael McIntyre hilarious). So whether it’s calling a (funny) friend or laughing on your own, find ways to laugh more. How many times do you laugh in a day? How would it feel for you and the people around you to double that number? As they say, laughter is contagious so you’ll be doing everyone a favor! How many times do you laugh in a day? How would it feel for you and the people around you to double that number? What Will Make It Do-able? There’s only so far you can push yourself and only so many times you can redouble your efforts before you burn yourself out. And that doesn’t serve anyone well. So when the work you’ve loved and still want to do is becoming all-consuming, it’s time to pause and ask yourself, “what will make this do-able for me?” Then identify what’s needed to make your work sustainable. Which of these strategies will you use to keep your energy up? Leave a comment â€" I’d love to know.