By Valerie S. Nosek, Ease@Work Coordinator
Every once in a while, I read an article or blog that really resonates within. Most recently, it was Jim Smith, The Executive Happiness Coach and Ease@Work workshop facilitator, who managed to make me stop and think about things beyond my day-to-day routines.
As a subscriber to Jim’s newsletter, I always enjoy reading what he has to say about choosing happiness. But this particular newsletter, Spring Cleaning, really hit home in so many ways.
Jim makes the point that while many of us do spring cleaning of our physical spaces – clearing out the drab and clutter – why don’t we make it a point to spring clean our emotional house, too?
He says it with such clarity…
“Windows don’t get dirty overnight. But over months and years the drips and streaks build up a little at a time until even a sunny day looks drab and colorless. So it is with our emotional lives. We build up judgments and beliefs ever so slowly, and then one day we wake up and think, ‘When did the world turn so negative?’…
“…in your house, use your favorite window cleaner and a dry rag. In your head and heart try scraping away a few assessments that are no longer serving you…”
Oh my gosh, how true this is! If we can strip away our preconceptions and judgments about people and situations, look at everything in a fresh way…what new things might we see? To experience people and the things around us unencumbered by the build up of our past expectations?
Ah yes, it may be hard work for some to let go of all that…but really, consider what do you really have by hanging on to those old stories?
Of course, there’s so much more! Jim goes on to give examples of positive self-talk, creating new habits, how conscious breathing can calm and de-stress the body and mind, de-cluttering your emotional closet…
But there’s no sense in repeating here what he crafted so perfectly on his site. I would urge anyone reading this to read the full newsletter by Jim. Heck, you should even subscribe to his newsletters – it won’t cost you a dime and if you’re like most people I know, you’ll look forward to each edition.
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From an employee assistance program (EAP) viewpoint, Ease@Work understands the importance of employees taking care of their mental and emotional houses. Numerous studies demonstrate when employees have issues of concern with roots outside of the workplace, those concerns aren’t left behind when they enter their place of business – the worries come with the employee and can affect performance and productivity. These concerns may include:
- mental health issues
- drug and/or alcohol use
- financial or legal worries
- childcare or eldercare problems
- health concerns
But along with offering the short-term, solution-oriented counseling employees may need in order to remain productive, a comprehensive EAP should be able to provide management consultations and a referral system, help in addressing sensitive subjects with employees, offer a wide-selection of seminar topics and assistance with organizational development issues.
Is your EAP doing everything it should be doing for your organization?
