The Coaching Habit

by Dima Shevchenko

The need for effective coaching is especially pronounced in this rapidly evolving age when quality learning is the cornerstone of personal and professional development. Michael Bungay Stanier’s bestseller The Coaching Habit presents a simple, yet profound idea: the art of asking questions can revolutionize the way we lead...

Why Questions?

It is considered common sense for managers and leaders to fulfill the mission of their organizations by engaging with their team. The most direct approach to achieve the necessary goals seems to be communication in the form of imperative statements and advice. The author does not dismiss the effectiveness of good advice but argues that constant application of that approach is not effective.

There are 3 problems that such approach creates:
1. Overdependence: the team is less capable of acting without the continuous guidance of their leader.
2. Overwhelming: having to take an active role in the work of employees is additional work that the leader does not have to do.
3. Disconnection: Leaders are too busy solving the team’s problems instead of focusing on the important to leaders tasks.

Stanier suggests that the solution is coaching. Coaching is nurturing others to increase their potential and performance. Leaders often overlook the ability of the team to find a solution that works best. When a team member is asked a question rather than told what to do, they are given an opportunity to become more independent, while still receiving the answer they need.

The 7 Essential Questions Leaders Should Ask Their Team Members:

1. What is on your mind? This is a great conversation starter that will uncover what matters most.
2. And what else? Stopping at the first answer often closes the opportunity to have the discussion that needs to happen most. The author encourages the readers to be curious and ask this question until the answer is “there is nothing else.”
3. What is the real challenge here for you? This is the invitation for the team to identify and offer a solution to the issue at hand without depending on the leader.
4. What do you want? It is necessary for leaders to address wants of their team to sustain healthy relationships. People expressing what they really want often subconsciously communicate what they really need.
5. How can I help? It is best to eliminate the guess of what other people need help with and just ask.
6. If you are saying yes to this, what are you saying no to? A coach who asks this question helps the person to set their priorities and follow through on their commitments well.
7. What was most useful for you? Analysis is a key aspect of learning

The author lists 8 tips that help ask questions in a more effective way:
1. Ask one question at a time. Do not rush to asking another question until you get the answer.
2. When you have a question, get straight to it without prelude.
3. Stop offering advice with a question mark attached.
4. Ask questions starting with What instead of Why.
5. Be comfortable with silence after asking a question.
6. Listen attentively to the answers.
7. Acknowledge the answers you get.
8. Do not restrict yourself to one communication channel.

Key Takeaways: Humility and Patience

The themes that stand out are humility and patience. Every competent leader has rich problem solving experience. However, leaders need to understand that their team has the capability to find a solution that is truly best for their situation.
This message of this book resonates with our team at Plains Edge as one of our guiding values is Curiosity. We seek to ask open-ended questions and bring a discovery mindset to our conversations with clients. This frequently results in shared identification of contextually appropriate solutions.

by Judy Martens

Sustainability

Good for the Earth and Good for Business
by Judy Martens

The modern organization seeks to incorporate green alternatives to existing strategies in order to grow in social responsibility and accountability to stakeholders.

Unfortunately, these more sustainable options often carry a premium. This may cause both businesses and charities to assume that caring for the environment is out of their reach. In the following paragraphs we will share sustainable practices that many organizations can embrace. In some cases, these practices reduce costs.

Recently, we were inspired by the article, “8 Sustainable Business Practices – Are you doing your part?” We were challenged to thoughtfully review our own practices.

Sustainability is about hope

Just as our bodies need nutrition and rest to be healthy and achieve equilibrium,

”The ecological systems on which we depend are naturally self-renewing. Schools of fish replenish themselves. Forests reseed themselves. Groundwater is renewed by the rain. Forests grow by absorbing carbon dioxide and giving off oxygen. We can use these systems in ways that allow them to regularly renew themselves. Humans and all living creatures can live sustainably on the earth...”

Stress can cause sickness and disease in the human body, which severely limits function. Likewise,

“… we can also put so much stress on these natural systems that they can no longer function as they should nor renew themselves adequately. The stress we put on the earth depends both on how we meet our needs, and on how much we use.” 1

Environmental contaminants cause stress and disease in our bodies. However, if we make changes and the environment has a chance to renew, our bodies will also have a chance to recover health. A healthier planet can potentially be a place of hope for our children and grandchildren.

Good for Business

Buying office equipment off lease, making digital copies instead of printing, installing LED bulbs and using timers for lights and temperature controls are sustainable practices that also reduce costs.

Higher costs associated with environmental products may be recovered with additional sales from customers that are passionate about caring for the earth.

A socially responsible organization gains credibility with customers or donors. Green business practices can bolster both customer loyalty and a sense of community.

Sustainability and environmental responsibility are becoming more important to all. A 2015 Global Corporate Sustainability Report indicated that 66% of consumers in the global market are willing to spend more on a sustainable brand. The Millennial generation participants surveyed responded with an even greater 73%. (Forbes.com)

Sustainable organizations also attract and retain Millennial generation employees who want to work for an organization that makes a positive impact on the world around them.

Being environmentally responsible is planning for the long-term future of the organization. Visible changes can differentiate among competitors. It may be better to innovate before government regulations force changes upon organizations.

Our experience

We are a small business with fewer than ten staff. We do not have a central office and our staff work mostly from home or client offices.

Here are some of our sustainable practices:

Paper:

  1. Scan documents to reduce paper usage.
  2. Buy recycled paper to use in office printer.
  3. Recycle paper waste– We donate paper from our shredder to our local church, which is then upcycled into fire-resistant fiber insulation for homes. Prairie Fibre Inc
  4. Pay most bills online using Plooto, an online payment processing service which integrates with Quick Books Online and our bank.
  5. Invite our customers to pay electronically.
  6. Use reusable alternatives to sticky notes in home office.

Technology:

  1. Buy off-lease computers instead of new.
  2. Use cell phones beyond original contracts, then recycle them. Check out this neat program from Telus.
  3. Recycle devices, printers, computers whenever possible. Check out local recycling programs.
  4. Use online servers instead of own local servers. Examples are Microsoft SharePoint, Google Docs, OVH cloud servers, Digital Ocean…

Transportation:

  1. Drive a fuel-efficient vehicle or a hybrid, if possible, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
  2. Book virtual meetings to reduce travel.
  3. Ride bicycle to local client offices.
  4. Encourage carpooling to client offices when multiple staff need to attend at the same location.
  5. Give employees flexible work from home options, so they commute less.

General:

  1. Buy local, especially for staff events and gifts.
  2. Recycle beverage containers and use re-useable or compostable tableware and supplies for staff events.
  3. Schedule lighting and plugs based on time of day.
  4. Control temperature in our home office using a programmable thermostat, as well as opening windows or using alternate forms of heat.
  5. Use LED bulbs in home office to reduce energy.
  6. Decorate with live plants in home office for cleaner air.
  7. Use environmentally responsible cleaning supplies.
  8. Encourage staff to consider the environment, by offering LED bulbs, green cleaning supplies and recycling boxes for their home office space.
  9. Ensure paper generated in staff home offices are shredded for confidentiality and then recycled.

We are currently looking at questions like: How shall we dispose of our used computer equipment? Should we include a “consider the environment before printing this email” message on the bottom of emails?

Encourage connection

We encourage you to read the article which inspired us and try some of these ideas. We welcome your input/suggestions. If you work with a charity or not-for-profit, please share your stories of embracing environmental stewardship with us at info@plainsedge.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

 

1 Schrock-Shenk, D. (2002) Basic trek: venture into a world of enough. Waterloo, ON: Herald Press.

by Judy Martens

The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni

Greatest Opportunity for Improvement

by Dima Shevchenko

In business, organizational health represents “…the greatest opportunity for improvement and competitive advantage.” Many miss out on substantial performance improvement by disregarding the discipline that Patrick Lencioni presents in his book, “The Advantage.”

Improving organizational health is far more important than a new strategy, a new way of efficiently cutting costs, implementing new technology, or finding a good location to place an ad. We live in an age when the world is oversaturated with accessible information. In competition with other organizations, being good is not enough. One must be excellent to stand out from others. Employers do everything possible to find the masters of their trade. Leaders spend resources to improve strategies, marketing, and finance. And yet, most find that this is barely enough to enter the competition. What can be done in the grind of competition? The simplicity of improving organizational health makes it seem a deceptively easy way to boost the performance of any organization.

What is Organizational Health?

Organizational health is integrity formed by the presence of a cohesive leadership team and clarity which makes the organization whole, consistent, and complete. Lencioni suggests that the idea of organizational health is best understood when the two basic qualities of a successful organization are contrasted: intelligence and health. Intelligence consists of strategy, marketing, finance, and technology. Health is easier to comprehend when one looks at the fruit of a healthy organization: minimal politics, minimal confusion, high morale, high productivity, and low turnover.

The Advantage: Organizational Health

The profitability of organizational health is real and pervasive, but difficult to measure because it is qualitative, not quantitative. It extends from the productivity of employees in the workplace to happiness in the employees’ personal lives. Unfortunately, health is often neglected. However, time spent for the sake of advancing health, also results in the development of intelligence. “Organizations where health is maintained inevitably grow smarter over time,” and “intelligence does not provide any inherent advantages for becoming healthy.”

How is Organizational Health Achieved?

Lencioni presents four disciplines:

  • Build a cohesive leadership team. Embrace trust, conflict, commitment, accountability, and results.
  • Create clarity. Answer 6 crucial questions about the organization:
    • Why do we exist?
    • How do we behave?
    • What do we do?
    • How will we succeed?
    • What is important right now?
    • Who must do what?
  • Overcommunicate clarity. There is always room for communicating what is important. “Great leaders see themselves as Chief Reminding Officers as much as anything else.”
  • Reinforce clarity. Make the environment of the organization fit the answers to the six questions.
    • Replace bureaucracy with human systems
    • Conduct meetings well
    • Hire people that fit

Key Takeaway: Character

Something that stood out to me from the book is the importance of character. Performance is not only defined by what a person knows and how well they are able to execute their knowledge, but is also intertwined with virtue, love, power of will, determination, and other positive character qualities. It is just as important to develop character as it is to develop professional skills.

In conclusion, Lencioni draws the readers’ attention to the problem that most organizations have: many organizations are intelligent, few are healthy.

by Judy Martens

Simplicity vs complexity

Photo by Aditya Wardhana on Unsplash

We are of two minds: Simplicity versus Complexity. We observe the tension between them everywhere. It is present in music, architecture, art, design, and even computer programming. Think of the vast variety of options available at the store: the varied type, sizes, features, or flavors of items available for a simple bar of soap or loaf of bread. How to choose?

Tension is often seen as negative. However, it can be both positive and necessary. The continuous movement between simplicity and complexity is a rhythm of life. The move toward complexity begins with conception: one cell becomes two, two becomes four… eventually the brain of a newborn has 100 billion neurons. At adolescence, a type of simplification called synaptic pruning begins that sorts and makes room for the integration and efficiency of an adult brain with 500 billion neurons. This renovating of the brain continues throughout life. This mental ability to change and adapt is called neuroplasticity.

In the same way, complexity comes upon us gradually in our lives as we create and work to solve problems. The solutions are good, but unchecked complexity hampers further growth. A simpler idea is often required to prune the unproductive complexity vines and regain the focus of what really matters.

Benefits

Simplicity draws us with its benefits, such as regaining focus on priorities, clarifying by shutting out distractions, and allowing us to accomplish more with less stress. Sometimes simpler is just easier too!

The benefits of complexity also attract us with promises of efficiencies, improvements in products or processes and increasing value. We can see that the vast amount of information available online makes learning more accessible. Technology enables faster communication and greater accuracy. Medical advancements improve both our health and our quality of life, while the myriad of appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and Roombas, take care of mundane tasks. Our complex society can do things that previous generations could only dream of! Think of the 1.2 million terabytes of data accessible from Google, Amazon, Microsoft and Facebook. The smart phones in our pockets have more processing power than the computers used to send astronauts to the moon.

Nature appears simple. It is energy efficient in its processes; nothing is wasted. Take the leaves on trees as an example. They grow and nourish the tree in season, then fall off and decompose giving nutrition back to the roots of the tree, which in turn allows it to grow more leaves. The water cycle is another example. Water falls to the earth in the form of snow and rain. As it runs off the surface it nourishes plants, eventually reaching creeks, rivers and finally the ocean. There it evaporates again into its purest form to begin again as precipitation.

Basic human needs are air, water, food, sleep, safety, love, and stimulation. To modern eyes, work before the invention of electric lights appears simpler. Tasks began at sunrise. At sunset the work halted, and as darkness fell, sleep was a natural response to the fatigue of the day’s efforts.

While life often appears simple, it requires engagement with the complex. The brain is complicated with its billions of neurons. Just like the brain, the entire body is composed of smaller cell units, together creating larger organs and tissues governed through various sub-systems. These systems are in turn affected by sensory input and hormones, intake of energy and excretion of waste. This internal equilibrium with all systems adjusting to maintain stability is often called homeostasis. This fragile balance is easily disrupted by illness.

Additional layers of complexity are created as we interact with others and through our desire to make and improve things. While the human need for relationships appears basic, experience quickly teaches us those human interactions are not simple. Our friendships, sibling rivalries, in-laws, family dynamics, and love are often fraught with misunderstandings and loaded with emotion which complicate matters. Efforts to reduce misunderstandings and tensions in relationships introduce new complexities in society in the form of accommodations and compromise. For example, multi-culturalism legislated through the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms allows immigrants to preserve their culture and participate in society, sometimes at the expense of unity. Greater accommodations are required for so many different views. Tolerance of alternatives is insufficient, as minorities desire both acceptance and understanding.

Work is affected by the number of tasks, the level of difficulty, time required to complete, plus any unanticipated obstacles. In addition, there are also the interactions between co-workers and managers. Even belief in a Creator, which seems like a simple concept, is complicated by theology, morals and ethics. Faith shapes worldview and profoundly impacts all aspects of life. As complicated as that all is, there is the thread of simplicity too…humans have basic needs for relationships, for belonging, to be fully known. Thus, the pendulum continues to swing between simplicity and complexity.

Responses

Seeking solace in simplicity when overwhelmed by the complexity around us is understandable, but there are risks in letting the pendulum swing too far.

By ignoring details containing valuable information about a situation, simplifying may create additional problems. It may also result in lost opportunities to find improvements. A deeper understanding of the details of any situation leads to a more appropriate solution.

Over-simplifying is often seen in the “black and white” approach which media sometimes takes when reporting on issues. This also occurs in the short-term “band aid” solutions sometimes proposed by government for problems which require a longer perspective than a 4-year elected term. Short term management approaches can create a similar situation in long term intergenerational companies.

Nostalgia regarding the past is a common human experience. It is a way of validating our method of decision-making used in the past. An efficient self-defence mechanism, it combines various positive memories and filters out negative ones. This helps us cope with the tension changes bring, provides meaning and comfort by increasing our connectedness with the past and who we are, and offers a sense of continuity of ourselves moving through time.

Our digital society changes so rapidly that the computer bought last month is already out of date. It is hard to keep up. No wonder many feel nostalgia for the perceived simplicity of previous generations.

However, the past was not as simple as we tend to believe. Anthropologists confirm that ancient Maya, Inca, and West African tribes were both non-literate and remarkably complex. Traditional societies of the past would have argued that their lives were equal to, or even harder, than ours because they had to grow their own food, make their own soap, sew their own clothes and all with no insurance for losses they encountered along the way.

Simpler is not necessarily easier. While previous generations did have simpler governments and economies based on traditional industry, they had significant challenges. How about Imperial Munitions Board controlling 600 munitions factories across Canada through World War I without the ease of modern communication? What about the 1920’s era neurosurgeon who required 4 full-time secretaries to keep his work organized?

While nostalgia serves a purpose, life must be lived in the present, recognizing the value of both simplicity and complexity.

While surrounded by simplicity and complexity and the tension they create, we accept that neither are negative. Both have benefits and are necessary in the rhythm of life. The challenge is to achieve the internal stability of homeostasis, or equilibrium, when responding to challenges.

Occam’s Razor

The desire for balance is not a recent idea. The Rule of Occam’s Razor is used for problem-solving when there are competing hypotheses about the same prediction. It prefers the simplest solution, or the one with the fewest assumptions, over the more complex. While William Occam (1287-1347) did not invent the principle, it is named for him because of his passion for its use. It became known by its modern name in 1852, during a nostalgic, “simpler” era!

Simpler is not always right

While the simpler explanation is often more appealing given the complexity of issues in our world, it might not always be the right one. A quote attributed to Albert Einstein says, “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.”

Join us in Part 2 to explore implications in an organizational setting, Part 3 to explore multi-tasking and helpful time management tools for individual effectiveness, and Part 4 to explore anchoring ourselves in the presence of this tension.

by Judy Martens

Simplicity vs Complexity: Part 3 – Strong Foundations

Photo by Aditya Wardhana on Unsplash

We are caught in the tension of engaging with the complex while being drawn drawn to simplicity. This reality is present in our bodies, organizations, and individual lives. Our bodies seek to maintain equilibrium. Organizations prune layers of complexity that add no value. Individuals learn to cope with complexity by seeking structure and focus.

This natural swing of the pendulum affects everything, including the emotional and spiritual areas of our lives. Emotion and spiritual dimensions are the foundation on which the rest of our lives and organizations are built.

Emotional Foundation

Emotions are varying mental states that are experienced. These are affected by thoughts, circumstances, habits, inhibitions like shame or fear, and opportunities for excitement. The limbic system in the brain controls emotions and behaviors. It is the first responder, arriving on the scene of a new circumstance before logic. This is the reason people frequently make decisions based on emotions. Later, when logic has a chance to inform the brain of risks or potential problems, there may be regrets. Things can seem so much clearer in hindsight!

Emotional stability skills can be learned

Emotional stability varies among individuals and from day-to-day, as well as over the stages of life. While some personalities may be naturally more or less stable, the neuroplasticity of the brain ensures that everyone can learn new ways to cope during challenging periods of life.

Build a strong emotional foundation for life by simplifying, releasing control, embracing vulnerability and community, and finding time to rest.

Simplify

When the complexity of life makes you feel emotionally off balance, simplify the things you can control.

For instance, Mark Zuckerberg, Barack Obama, and Steve Jobs are among those who chose to wear a “uniform” of sorts ranging from heather grey t-shirts, grey or black suits, to black turtlenecks with jeans in order to focus their “decision-making” energy on more important things.

Release

Learn to say “no.” Delegate tasks that others could accomplish while you focus on your own job strengths.

Let go of what you can not control. Embrace the unpredictability of life. This current moment in time and its accompanying feelings (good or bad), will not last. Focus on what is most important.

Embrace Vulnerability and Community

Recognize the power of vulnerability and community. Humans are all imperfect beings. All make mistakes, all long to be loved and known, to belong, to be part of something larger than themselves. It is important to acknowledge shortcomings and seek forgiveness. Authenticity builds real connections with others. Find supportive people to walk with on life’s journey.

Rest

Rest is an important part of training to run a marathon. During interval training, a runner increases speed for a short distance, then slows down significantly to rest, then increases speed again. Rest allows muscles to rebuild and creates endurance in the athlete. Rest is also essential in the marathon called life. It is not the opposite of productivity, but an important aspect of building both physical and emotional endurance. Taking the time for self-care, for rest and renewal is crucial to balancing the tensions in life.

Spiritual Foundation

Everyone has spiritual needs, regardless of whether they consider themselves religious. The spiritual side in each of us needs to find meaning or purpose in our day to day lives. Just as people benefit from taking an emotional inventory when faced with complex circumstances, it is also beneficial to take a spiritual inventory, examining assumptions about spiritual matters.

Spiritual topics can be complicated. Every faith has specific beliefs and moral codes. For example, some version of a Golden Rule is aspired to in Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity. Even belief in a Creator, which seems like a simple concept, is full of complicated assumptions of by whom, why and how creation happened.

Simple Practices

Though spiritual beliefs can be complex, some simple practices can be profoundly meaningful.

Build a strong spiritual foundation for life by pursuing wisdom, praying, seeking forgiveness, belonging to a community, practicing gratitude, and embracing rest.

Along with many of our clients, staff at Plains Edge embraces the Judeo-Christian perspective of God. Following are examples of how we incorporate simple spiritual practices to provide spiritual stability. However, it is not that these practices themselves have any transformational power, but they serve as a means of personally connecting with God.

Pursue Wisdom

Spiritual foundation begins with wisdom. Many people use inspiring quotes from individuals they admire or who were wise, such as Socrates, Mahatma Ghandi, St. Augustine, or Albert Einstein, to encourage them during difficult times. We look to the person of Jesus and his words as our ultimate source of wisdom. An example is his simple challenge from the Bible: “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”1

Christianity is not so much a religion as a relationship with the person of Jesus Christ. Since we understand the Bible to be a historical document revealing Jesus’ life and teachings, we regularly spend time reading it to get to know him. Starting the day by reading the Bible provides a reminder that how we live is important. Just as choosing to wear a “uniform” focuses decision-making energy, so too meditating on scripture helps focus thoughts on things that are meaningful. Meditating on scripture can displace negative thought patterns and bring calmness. It can also aid us in falling asleep at the end of a stressful day.

Pray

Prayer is spiritual communication and is as simple as carrying on an inner conversation with Jesus as we go about our day. We ask for help with problems, express thanks for the good around us and seek wisdom and direction for planning.

Prayer is also a way of letting go of what is not in our control. Acknowledging and expressing what we are worried about in this way helps us process difficult emotions and cope with the unpredictability of life. Vulnerability and trust are important aspects in both human and spiritual relationships. Our dependence on God gives us a unique sense of freedom.

Seek Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a spiritually significant topic. Being imperfect, forgiveness is essential in human relationships. It is also essential in a spiritual relationship with God. Experiencing spiritual forgiveness inspires us to be more gracious and forgiving with those around us.

Join a Community

People do not thrive in isolation. We are wired to live in community, longing to be part of something bigger and meaningful. Knowing others who share beliefs and who encourage and support through life’s difficulties develops both emotional and spiritual stability. We have found our faith in Jesus to be a common denominator with others, helping us find belonging in new communities and new situations.

Practice Gratitude

A daily gratitude journal is an effective way to help take our focus off current problems or stressors and look for the good that is still present all around us. Writing down just 3 items every day, results in over 1,000 blessings in the year to look back on when feeling discouraged! Expressing that gratitude to others increases our awareness and joy.

Embrace Rest

Just as rest promotes physical and emotional endurance, being at rest in our spiritual dimension brings us a true sense of peace. God invented rest and self-care and modeled it for us by refraining from work on the Sabbath. Jesus invites us to experience rest and peace through faith in him, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” 2

When emotions and feelings are in flux, we are uncertain and unsettled. At difficult times like these, our spiritual foundation can provide stability. We can choose to continue to trust what we know to be true of faith.

Conclusion

We are of two minds: simplicity and complexity. The tension is everywhere, the movement between them is part of the rhythm of life. There is good to be found in both. Intentionally build a strong emotional foundation through simplifying, releasing control, embracing vulnerability and community, and finding time to rest. Acknowledge your spiritual dimension too. Embrace the simple faith practices of wisdom, prayer, forgiveness, community, gratitude, rest and find true peace in Jesus.

1Bible, Matthew 6:27 New International Version
2Bible, Matthew 11:28 New International Version

Additional Reading

What are spiritual needs?
How to Trust God, Even in Difficult Times

by Judy Martens

Simplicity vs Complexity: Part 2 – Individual Effectiveness

Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

Humans are complex beings living and working in a complex world. Just as the brain engages in synaptic pruning which allows it to change and adapt throughout life, so too, organizations must work to prune those kinds of complexity that do not add value.

Individually, it is our experience of complexity and its effect on our focus that can become problematic. The number of tasks assigned, the level of difficulty, the time required to complete, unanticipated obstacles, and interactions with co-workers and managers all add layers of complexity for any given job. Add distractions from emails and phones, and lack of clear priorities, and the result can be a real drain on both energy and morale.

Multitasking Myth

The modern solution to the complexity of technology and organizations seems to be doing more things at the same time. Media multitasking, such as responding to an email while listening to a podcast, is probably the most common. While it appears possible, multitasking is a myth. Yes, reading a book while eating lunch works, as chewing and swallowing do not require much attention. However, the brain is not actually capable of processing more than one task at a time. Multitasking forces the brain to engage in frequent fast task switching. In more complicated accounting or data entry tasks, this contributes to errors and reduces both creativity and energy. Appearing fast, it may be slower than doing one task at a time.

The American Psychological Association has followed multiple studies over several years and concluded that multitasking can reduce productivity by 40%. Multitasking: Switching costs

A study from the University of California found it can take an average of 23 minutes for individuals to recover focus on their task after being interrupted. The Cost of Interrupted Work

Novelty and stimulation are appealing to the brain. Therefore, starting another task before the other is completed seems like a good option. Sticking through the boring parts of a job can be tough! However, according to a study done by the BBC in 2005, the distraction of multitasking causes a drop in IQ twice that of smoking Marijuana! BBC NEWS

The dangers of multitasking are widely recognized in areas related to automotive safety. In Manitoba, it is illegal to use a cell phone for calls and texting while driving, except for hands-free methods.

Not convinced? Want to prove your multitasking skills? Try this simple test.

Single tasking

Multitasking is a mindset that should be pruned back. Single tasking, the discipline of intentionally focusing on one task, is simplicity at its best! Single tasking restores focus, increases creativity and productivity, and reduces stress.

Focus Management Tactics

Own Your Calendar

  • Use a fixed calendar. Plan in advance when to spend time on priorities.
  • Work on groups of similar tasks to reduce the amount of time in start up and transition phases. Reduce frame shifts.
  • We allocate time during early mornings or late evenings to focus on tasks and projects which can be done in a quiet home office. We then allocate days in client offices with the expectation of connecting with people. We expect little progress on projects during those days.
  • Make time for the right people. We schedule recurring appointments with key people at each organization with whom we can make the most impact.

Get the Right Things Done

  • Work from a task list rather then an inbox. Anybody can add an item to your inbox. Only you can add task list items. A task list removes the pressure of trying to remember important tasks. Develop a reliable system, use the system.
  • Avoid paper, as it is more liable to get lost. Scan paper documents, keep digital copies and have a reliable system for storing/retrieving them. A good file naming convention is critical. It should focus on who, what and when. For example: Client Name – Month-end Finance Summary – 2022-01.xlsx.

Manage Email

  • Turn email notifications off.
  • Decide when to work on email. Schedule times during the day to check email. Do not leave messages in the Inbox. Either Respond, Delete, or Defer by converting the message into a task for a later date / time.
  • If using Microsoft Outlook, open it in something other than the default Inbox. (In Outlook – File / Options / Advanced then change “Start Outlook in this folder:” to something else like “Calendar” instead.)
  • Be wary of email and give each one single tasking, full attention. Scammers take advantage of people who hastily clear their inbox and click on links.

Focus

  • Use task lists such as Microsoft “To Do” which integrates with Outlook.
  • Keep a clean workspace. Close unused applications or browser tabs on the computer. Put the phone out of sight.
  • Use a time tracker app like Toggl or a Pomodoro type tracker.
  • When stepping away from the computer, lock the desktop but leave documents open during breaks. This provides a way to decide in advance what the next task will be when returning. Apparently, Ernest Hemmingway was also in the habit of leaving his writing mid-sentence, so that he could pick up the thought again later.
  • Be fully present when in meetings or on phone or video calls.
  • Organize Tasks by Context. Some tasks can be better completed in one context than another. For example, the task to return a phone call might be best scheduled in the context of a drive (Hands-free calling, of course), while the task of writing a report is best done in the context of an early morning from the home office.

Learn

There is much good advice available, such as David Allen’s book Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity. Allen acknowledges that there is “no single, once-and-for-all solution”, but recommends scheduling things by context. The At Your Best training offered by Carey Nieuwhof also offer valuable tactics.

Conclusion

Complexity is not a problem to be solved, but a facet of life to be managed. Recognize individuality and that which works for one may not work for another. Finding ways to prune complexity increases productivity and reduces stress. Simplicity of focus in tasks can help achieve homeostasis, or equilibrium – in the body, in your mind, in your tasks.

Join us in Part 4 as we look at anchoring ourselves in the presence of this tension.

Recommend for further reading…

Dealing with Complexity by Creating a Bias For Simplicity
Putting organizational complexity in its place
how_do_i_manage_complexity_in_my_organization

Single-tasking: A neuroscientist’s guide to doing one thing at a time

by Judy Martens

Simplicity vs Complexity: Part 1 – Organizational Applications

Photo by Kaleidico on Unsplash

As growth and development in the human body bring about natural, healthy complexity, so growth of customer base, product lines, and employee count naturally increases complexity of the organization.

The Cost of Complexity

This increase in complexity incurs costs in several different ways.
Government agencies issue and enforce standards for quality, privacy, and public safety. While this is generally supported by society, the day-to-day implementation results in additional administration and expense. Regulations may yield a safer workplace but result in a less flexible work environment. This environment demands higher skill levels for employees, affecting wages and profits. These additional costs may pose barriers to smaller organizations, thereby reducing competition and increasing prices.

To understand and guide a larger organization management requires more sophisticated reporting. Additional software and systems required to track and report on this complexity adds cost for software licensing, staff training and more complex procedures. For example, a small charity may track some basic donor information, allocate gifts to a single or small number of funds, and issue simple receipts. However, as the charity engages in more projects and offers more methods of accepting donations, the systems and staff required increases, sometimes resulting in a reduction of operational efficiency. Reporting then requires additional time to prepare and understand.

Technology solutions promise increased operational efficiency. Unfortunately, the systems are frequently more complex to use, require additional dedicated staff to manage and secure, and incur higher licensing costs. The increasing risk of security threats over recent years requires more effort and investment to protect systems and insure the organization against data breaches.

Every industry has its own unique regulations, such as the safety regulations in trucking, or in the food service sector. Registered charities are typically more complicated than a similar sized for-profit organization. Even a modest sized registered charity will likely need to deal with fund accounting to properly track gifts to, and spending from, specific projects. For example: a charitable foundation with less than $1,000,000 in revenue may need to track dozens of restricted project funds, while the accounting for a similar-sized for-profit corporation would remain straightforward.

Managing the complexity challenge

Increasing complexity is a natural result of organizational growth. Manage the complexity by identifying and then simplifying processes when complexity does not add value.

Find Efficiencies

Finding ways to efficiently meet reporting requirements provides a competitive advantage. For example, in the trucking industry, managing fuel tax reporting across multiple jurisdictions is complex. Hiring more staff and adding more software provides no apparent value to customers. Therefore, spending beyond the minimum required to meet baseline reporting requirements is unnecessary.

The same is true for charities. Find the most cost-effective ways to correctly and quickly handle regulatory reporting requirements. An example is the requirement to file an annual Registered Charity Return. Either have a volunteer Board member with CPA experience handle this as part of their role, or source it out to a CPA firm who has the dedicated software and experienced staff. While it is important to complete this report correctly, avoid investing anything more than necessary in this task that needs to be done only once each year.

Recognize Process Phases

Recognizing the phases of a process can help the organization discover efficiencies. As an individual works at tasks, there are often three phases. These can be seen in the example of reconciling a bank account. Phase one involves assembling documents like bank statements, starting the software, opening any forms, and general set up. This may only take a minute but is important to recognize. The transaction phase involves matching transactions and general problem solving. The final phase involves closing off. This includes running and filing reports then finally, closing the software.

In manufacturing, these cycles have been understood for many years and considerable effort is invested to improve efficiencies. Intentionally planning tasks can yield significant productivity improvements. Reduce the number of start and finalize phases by grouping tasks during the day. This has the additional benefit of increasing mental focus on the reduced number of tasks that are to be accomplished at one time.

Improve Role Descriptions

Organizations that recognize processes and reduce transitions or “frame shifts”, can design better job or role descriptions and office environments. A common error is to set up a receptionist to work on data entry while answering the phone or working at a public desk. The staff member is constantly dealing with unexpected frame shifts. This loss of focus contributes to errors and slows progress.

If the organization does require this type of situation, then recognize and bridge this challenge. Use a ruler on the page to mark the spot for data entry so lines are not inadvertently missed. Attempt the task without interruption to understand how much faster it could be accomplished. This may be why many office workers have enjoyed working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The large number of interruptions, or frame shifts, while working from home are also a reason many individuals say they did NOT enjoy this work setting.

Conclusion

In a recent McKinsey report, the consulting firm advises, “The answer is not to make an organization as simple as possible, but rather to eliminate the complexity that makes it hard to get things done and creates little value. If complexity can (be) seen not as a problem to be eliminated but as a challenge to be managed and even exploited, businesses can generate additional sources of profit and competitive advantage.” Mckinsey.com

Join us in Part 3 to explore helpful time management tools for individual effectiveness and the myth of multitasking. In part 4 we will explore anchoring ourselves in the presence of this tension.

by Judy Martens

The Communication Recipe

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

We are social beings. Effective communication is crucial in having satisfying relationships in both our work environments and in our personal lives. The inadequacy of communicating virtually during the Covid-19 pandemic highlights human longings for connection and the need to adapt current practices.

Ingredients for Good Communication

There are a variety of ingredients which are essential in a recipe. Leaving one out may have disastrous results in the final product! Good communication also combines several elements such as a teamwork mindset, active listening, emotional intelligence and non-verbal expressions. These are essential in successfully transmitting information. Leaving out a critical component might result in adverse outcomes.

  • A teamwork mindset requires a willingness to share ideas and opinions. Even introverted team members who find this difficult can find ways outside of a larger group to contribute, whether through one-on-one interaction or written communication.
  • Active listening is grounded in a desire to understand what the other is saying, even when disagreeing. It does not focus on fixing situations but instead allows the other to process aloud what they are thinking and why. It requires silencing your thoughts, not thinking about what you will say next, not interrupting with a similar story of your own, or giving advice. Active listening involves being respectfully present or being with the speaker, appreciating being trusted with their thoughts and words.
  • Emotional intelligence first perceives emotion, then uses that information to decide what to pay attention to and to discern what might trigger that display of emotion. It requires regulating our own emotions and encompasses our response to the feelings of others. Since emotions are temporary in their duration, controlling impulsivity in reactions allows you to move past initial feelings to empathize with others if you were to find yourself in their circumstances.
  • Non-verbal communication includes body language and tone of voice, with facial expressions as a universal form. They usually convey happiness, sadness, anger, or fear. The eyes, as the window of the soul, can indicate interest and attention with their gaze. The mouth and lips can convey happiness or disapproval with the slightest turn. Gestures, while sometimes cultural, can also express emotion or approval. Posture and proxemics (personal space), can indicate friendliness or even the level of friendship between people.

A magic formula often referred to in seminars for understanding the various components in communication are the numbers 7/38/55. This formula refers to a 1967 communication study by Albert Mehrabian, which said that 7% of communication occurs through spoken words, 38% through vocal tone of voice, and 55% through body language. It seems to imply that the most critical aspects of communication are non-verbal. However, anyone who has visited a foreign country knows that non-verbal communication alone can only convey the most basic of messages. Misquotes of Merhabian’s findings are common. However, the study examined how people understand attitudes of like or dislike and should not be applied outside those perameters. In the context of emotions, non-verbal expressions do provide a great deal of information. When uncertain about the meaning of the words, people do pay more attention to non-verbal cues, and without being able to see or hear the non-verbal cues, the risk of misunderstanding is greater. Referring to the importance of behavior in communication, Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “What you do speaks so loudly I can’t hear what you say”. Therefore, when the words and non-verbal indicators do not match, trust in the words is greatly diminished.

Current Issues in Communication

Face masks, social distancing, and virtual meetings have become the norm during the pandemic and have resulted in Zoom fatigue, lower engagement levels, and a great deal of frustration. These adverse outcomes are a result of missing critical ingredients in our communication recipe.

Reduced contact with others can contribute to feeling more suspicious of others. That, in turn, can result in defensiveness, reinforcing suspicion, and becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. This negative spiral inhibits the teamwork mindset and hampers emotional intelligence and empathy.

Masks have made non-verbal communication more difficult. Not only do they muffle the voice for those hard of hearing and cover the mouth for those who read lips, but they make reading those universal facial expressions challenging.

We used to enter a room, read its nonverbal cues and adjust quickly to the circumstances. Now we try to figure out how to read the cues in the many virtual rooms represented on the screen. Simultaneously the overloaded brain must sort out where to focus our gaze – to the eyes on the screen or to the camera. The transmission delay freezing the facial movements or alternately garbling the voice and the background distractions, are additional challenges contributing to brain fatigue.

Many people feel self-conscious seeing themselves on the screen. The unstructured small talk that would have happened before the big meeting is now absent, reducing feelings of connection between people. The proxemics (personal space) clues are also missing and cannot advise us on how comfortable others are with our relationship. Keeping a social distance of 4 to 12 feet was generally for acquaintances, and close friends would normally stand 1.5 to 4 feet away. It is hard to read kinesics (movements and gestures) when you are not in the same room. Are they fidgeting because their child has come into the room or because they are bored?

Adapting the recipe

While our situation and tools may have changed, the basic human needs for communication and connection have not. Like substitutions in a recipe, find ways to adapt virtual experiences to human needs. Not everything about the current situation is negative. After all, everyone is getting better at using communication technology. Instead of comparing to how things used to be, embrace the changes with creativity!

To avoid the brain fatigue that comes with virtual communication, resist the temptation of multitasking. It overloads your already busy brain and possibly gives others the impression of disinterest. Intentionally take breaks to move and stretch physically. If virtual meetings make you feel pressured to have a designer workspace, use a simple room divider to hide clutter and remove distractions in your environment. Alternatively, use the “blur” feature in Microsoft Teams or Zoom to make your home environment more understated, or use their background options if you like a simple, non-distracting background.

Enhance teamwork by keeping meetings small and making sure everyone has a chance to speak in turn. Ensure that tasks and responsibilities are clearly assigned. Ask for comments from everyone and ask for clarification. Rather intentionally over-communicate than risk under-communicating and miscommunicating. Be sure to train all team members in using the tools effectively. Screen sharing can be beneficial when instruction must happen remotely. Finally, use ice breakers to initiate small talk to enhance the sense of camaraderie among co-workers, and take time to ask about their family or weekend plans.

Engage as many senses as possible. A phone call is better than an email or text, and a video call offers more significant benefits than a traditional phone call. If possible, move the Microsoft Teams or Zoom app box closer to your camera to enable a more eye-contact-like environment and eliminate background noise through audio apps like Krisp.ai. Establish yourself in the center of the camera, ensure that the video feed is working, then feel free to use a feature in many apps to turn off the selfie box, reducing self-conscious feelings.

Be aware of how you appear to others and try to remain present and focused. Sitting upright with the body open communicates friendliness, whereas sitting hunched forward and arms crossed can send boredom, hostility, or anxiety signals. Compensate for the loss of proxemics and kinesics by using language and tone to express emotions (e.g., saying, “hearing that makes me so happy!” when you are wearing a mask and they cannot see your smile).

Work on enhancing your active listening skills. Focus on trying to understand the reasoning the speaker is using, even if you disagree. Do not make assumptions but rather always ask for a clear answer. When asked to respond, be prompt and ensure your reply is also clear. Allow each speaker extra time to explain in greater detail than you might have given in-person, as this may be a helpful way to compensate for the lack of body language.

When considering ways to enhance emotional intelligence and empathy, beware of the shortcomings of words only communication such as email and texts. While using emoticons can help discerning lighthearted and serious concerns, misunderstandings are still more likely. Use names when addressing people and communicate respect and appreciation for their input. Feeling understood often increases honesty and trust, resulting in more productive conversations.

Leverage the desire for connection and channel frustrations into finding new ways to express a teamwork mindset, active listening, empathy, and non-verbal cues. Remember what Emerson said about actions speaking louder than words? Be sure that spoken words and body language agree. This harmony will add flavor to the communication recipe! “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” (Colossians 4:6, New International Version – Bible)

Further Reading:

Mehrabian’s Communication Study
Bible Gateway
8 Virtual Icebreakers for Remote Meetings

by Judy Martens

The Amazing Science of Gratitude

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

The year 2021 is well underway. The hope which a new year brings has faded as COVID-stress and the endless waiting for improvements take their toll. Not seeing these improvements has resulted in poor coping…. The question remains: how do we continue to be most effective; to be our best selves each day? Whether clients, colleagues, or family; how do we guide them to a better future?

Gratitude!

The word immediately conjures images of bouquets, handmade cards written in inexperienced script with crayon, a turkey dinner surrounded by family, and whispered prayers. A nice sentiment, to be sure, but is there any substance to it? Indeed, the scientific data is in on the crucial and amazing effects of expressing thanks.

The Research

Scientists have discovered that grateful people are healthier, happier, better employees, more resilient in crisis, and more spiritually minded or connected to God.

Gratitude is good for our well-being. According to a 2012 study published in Personality and Individual Differences, gratitude’s positive effects resulted in fewer reports of aches and pains. These grateful people were also more likely to take care of their health, and exercised more often, which would increase health and well-being. 1

A 2011 study published in Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being found that writing in a gratitude journal improves sleep. 2

As part of a study by Emmons and McCullough on the effects of gratitude, a group of young adults was asked to keep a daily gratitude journal. A second group was asked to journal about things that annoyed them or why they were better off than others. This conscious effort to be grateful in the first group was found to promote heightened well-being. It increased prosocial behaviors, built friendships, and inspired altruism. Comparison with others who are less fortunate did not have an impact unless it was intentionally processed into gratitude.3

This enhanced well-being and prosocial behavior extends to the workplace. A grateful manager results in greater cohesion within the group and increases employee productivity. Gratitude builds professional commitment as employees are more likely to volunteer for assignments or do something extra to complete a project. A study published in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management consistently found gratitude resulted in higher safety ratings, higher job satisfaction, more proactive behavior, less cynicism, and fewer absences due to illness.4

Gratitude increases resilience in times of crisis and stress. A Behavior Research and Therapy study on Vietnam War Veterans in 2006 found that a higher level of gratitude resulted in less Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and daily gratitude increased their sense of well-being.5

A study conducted during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic among Chinese Singaporeans found that gratitude promoted positive coping and prosocial behavior. Participants were more open to supporting the well-being of others. In fact, “gratitude could be a key resource in enabling adaptation to crisis.”6

Brain Science

Our brains respond to giving and receiving expressions of gratitude by releasing the crucial neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters are responsible for our emotions and enhance our moods, resulting in feelings of happiness.

The hippocampus and amygdala, the parts of the brain which regulate bodily function, memory, and emotion, are activated with feelings of gratitude. This allows the limbic system in the brain to release toxic emotions, thereby reducing pain and depression, and improving sleep and stress regulation.7

An interesting aspect of this process is that events we experience do not trigger a release of dopamine unless our attention is focused on them. The average day is full of many good and bad moments, but unless noticed, the neurotransmitter will not be released that will allow one to feel either good or bad.8

Dr. Caroline Leaf says in her blog, Is Pessimism Bad for the Brain, that “Every time we feel pessimistic, we should practice being thankful rather than merely ruminating on our lot in life. This can revive the wired-for-love design of our brains, activating a self-perpetuating cycle of positivity in the mind. Choosing to be grateful instead of thinking the worst in any given situation helps us see our circumstances differently and gives us the ability to persevere and stay positive even when times are tough!”9

Where you focus your attention makes actual physical, and chemically discernable differences in your brain and in how you feel. However, gratitude is not a quick fix or a miracle guarantee. One still needs to acknowledge the reasons for sadness and grief, and work to reduce stress. Gratitude redirects our vision from the present difficulties to the many good and right things that also exist.

Science and Faith

Not only are grateful people physically, emotionally, and relationally healthier but they are also different in spiritual matters. 10 Scientific research confirms what human nature has intuitively known, and history demonstrates: a strong positive association between gratitude and religion.

Across the globe are varied cultures that had equally varied celebrations of thanksgiving for harvests and blessings. History documents that chants of gratitude were part of ancient Buddhist monks’ days and that prayers of gratitude were often included in Native American ceremonies. Ancient wisdom in the Judeo-Christian Bible references giving thanks well over 100 times in the Old Testament, and one out of every 6 of its Psalms contain expressions of thankfulness. Therefore, gratitude is not a new idea, nor is it exclusively connected to one culture or religion. It is deeply rooted in human interactions and is how we can see beyond ourselves to other people or circumstances responsible for blessings. As part of the common human experience, gratitude forges connections with individual people, groups, communities, ideas, or with God.11

Along with many of our clients, the staff at Plains Edge embrace the Judeo-Christian perspective of God. Therefore, we would like to highlight the way gratitude is woven into the Christian faith.

The Biblical Psalms are full of gratitude expressions in worship (Psalm 100:4, 95:2, NIV)12. When Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”, it shows God’s awareness that looking beyond ourselves with gratitude is what we need to forge a spiritual connection with Him.

Alternatively, as Dr. Leaf has pointed out, the consequence of neglecting thankfulness rewires the brain in negative ways. The result is a loss of spiritual connection with God, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Romans 1:21)

The Bible encourages believers not to “conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2) This is to be accomplished by taking “…captive every thought…” (2 Cor 10:5) and thinking about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy (Phil 4:8).

When we respond to problems around us by praying “with thanksgiving,” we are promised that we “…will experience God’s peace…” which exceeds anything we can understand. (Phil 4:6-7) Focusing on difficulties causes us to lose sight of both God’s presence and His goodness, thereby robbing us of peace.

Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we receive undeserved grace and forgiveness of sins, resulting in profound gratitude to God.

Barriers

If gratitude is beneficial from a scientific and faith perspective, why do people struggle to practice it? Obviously, problems demand attention, whereas blessings are already secured and easier to take for granted, but the struggle is much deeper than that.

One common barrier is entitlement. The entitled person receives something good but feels they are “owed” or deserve it, essentially practicing ingratitude. The grateful person does not assume the world owes them anything.

Another barrier is the misunderstanding that gratitude comes from a place of privilege. The expectation that “I will be happy when…” causes us to miss out on the day-to-day joys of life while waiting for a particular dream to be fulfilled. This mindset feeds the myth of scarcity and feelings of never having enough.

Fear also creates barriers to gratitude by making us uncomfortable in sharing our emotions. Honesty about how hard a situation is does not nullify the goodness of God or other valid feelings of thankfulness. Choosing to practice gratitude during difficult circumstances shifts our perspective and brings joy back into life.

Gratitude Lifestyle

It is easier to feel thankful when things in life are going well, but gratitude is not just a singular event but rather a lifestyle that habitually looks for blessings each day. Dr. Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D., states that there are two parts to gratitude. The first is affirming the goodness that always exists in life. The second is recognizing that the source of these good things is often outside of ourselves.

Begin cultivating a gratitude lifestyle by affirming goodness around you. Like the students who participated in the Emmons and McCullough study, try keeping a gratitude journal. List three things every day that you are thankful for or create a weekly list. When life gives you lemons, read over the journal to remind yourself of the good things while you sip that proverbial lemonade! When you look in the mirror, think about things that you did well today.

Embrace gratitude’s change of focus to see beyond yourself to the source of those good blessings. Express gratitude to those around you and to God. Meditate on Scripture, use prayer and worship music to keep your focus on Him.

Finally, allow the gratitude lifestyle to develop prosocial behaviors and enhance social relationships. Extend grace to those around you who are struggling and be a source of positive change in your community.

Conclusion

Gratitude is more than just a polite sentiment. An integral part of the human experience, it is how the human brain is wired to forge connections beyond oneself. Being grateful evokes good feelings in us today and creates a lifestyle that helps us embrace the good in future days. It enables us to be the best self that God intended for us to be.

Thanks for joining us in exploring this topic!

1 Forbes: 7 Scientifically Proven Benefits Of Gratitude That Will Motivate You To Give Thanks Year-Round
and
Personality and Individual Differences Journal Vol. 54 Issue 1

2 Effects of Constructive Worry, Imagery Distraction, and Gratitude Interventions on Sleep Quality: A Pilot Trial. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being July 2011, Volume 3, Issue 2, pages 193-206 Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being July 2011

3 Counting Blessings Versus Burdens: An Experimental Investigation of Gratitude and Subjective Well-Being in Daily Life, Robert A. Emmons, University of California, Davis and Michael E. McCullough, University of Miami Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2003, Vol. 84, No. 2, 377-389 Greater Good in Education: Counting Blessings Versus Burdens

4 Burke, R.J., Ng, E.S.W. and Fiksenbaum, L. (2009), Virtues, work satisfactions and psychological wellbeing among nurses, International Journal of Workplace Health Management, Vol. 2 No. 3, pp. 202-219. emerald insight: Virtues, work satisfactions and psychological wellbeing among nurses

5 Kashdan TB, Uswatte G, Julian T. Gratitude and hedonic and eudaimonic well-being in Vietnam war veterans. Behav Res Ther. 2006 Feb;44(2):177-99. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2005.01.005. PMID: 16389060. National Library of Medicine

6 Tong EMW, Oh VYS. Gratitude and Adaptive Coping Among Chinese Singaporeans During the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Psychiatry. 2021 Jan 26;11:628937. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.628937. PMID: 33574774; PMCID: PMC7870711. National Library of Medicine

7 Positive Psychology: The Neuroscience of Gratitude and How It Affects Anxiety & Grief

8 ABC News: Thankfulness Linked to Positive Changes in Brain and Body

9 Dr. C. Leaf: Is Pessimism Bad for the Brain

10 The Grateful Disposition: A conceptual and Empirical Topography Michael E. McCullough, Southern Methodist University, Robert A. Emmons, University of California, Davis, Jo-Ann Tsang, Southern Methodist University. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2002, Vol. 82, No. 1, 124 Greater Good in Education: The Grateful Disposition

11 Forbes: The Science of Gratitude: How it affects your Brain and How You Can Use it to Create a Better Life

12 All scriptures are quoted from the New International Version (NIV) Bible

by Judy Martens

Seeds of Hope for 2021

Photo by Majharul Islam on Unsplash

Out with the Old

Many people are more than a little eager to leave the chaos of 2020, leaving the hardships of a global pandemic behind. The start of a new year is traditionally a time to ponder New Year’s resolutions and fresh starts, a time of new inspiration and fresh energy to re-focus on life. But wait…before throwing out the whole 2020 experience, perhaps ask this simple question: Are there good things that have emerged that should be carried forward into 2021?

When left-over carrot tops and plant stems are put on the compost pile in the garden to decay, they change into good soil that nourishes plants for the future year. In the same way, the beautiful thing about our “normal” way of life being destroyed is that change is an opportunity to determine what is worth keeping and examine new seeds that are sprouting!

Community Spirit

Crisis often pulls people and communities together. Not surprising then that 2020 saw some wonderful examples of community spirit, kindness, and generosity. There was a renewed appreciation for family and friends along with new and creative ways of connecting with them. Whether through Zoom calls, taking a walk outside together, or checking in to see if there were needs during a time of sickness, we created a community spirit. There was great applause for essential and health care workers. New appreciation was developed for schools and teachers, and homeschooling was recognized for the difficult thing that it is. Local small businesses found new support from the community as well.

With that community spirit was also an increase in awareness and compassion for social inequalities. We trust that our eyes were opened to the homeless and low-income families without computer or internet access. They are definitely in need of more support.

Embracing Technology

Restrictions required new ways of doing things. Working from home, eCommerce, electronic signatures on contracts, online shopping with contactless pickup, are but a few examples of new ways of accomplishing things. Technology enabled virtual tourism. Some examples are a virtual tour of the Vatican in Rome, The Louvre in Paris, Guggenheim Museum in New York, The Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts and Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, and many more!

Healthier Planet

The restrictions of the pandemic also brought about some surprising but healthy outcomes for our planet. Reduced travel resulted in a noticeable reduction in carbon emissions and air pollution. Personal hygiene and cleanliness became even more important to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Presenteeism is the expectation that one must report to the office even when sick. This pre-Covid social expectation has been drastically reversed. Now those even feeling mildly ill are expected to stay home or work remotely, if possible. This indicates an underlying shift in how our culture thinks about work. It is more important that the tasks are completed than the time spent or location. The freedom to stay home when not feeling well can only be a positive step toward better physical and mental health for employees.

The renewed emphasis on getting out and being active resulted in bike shops often being unable to keep up with demand. This is an encouraging change for a culture that has become increasingly sedentary.

While the isolation and pandemic restrictions may have caused mental stress, there was also an increased awareness of the need for mental health support and the effects of such stress on individuals. Even the increase in pet adoption and planting gardens were signs of people finding healthy coping strategies during their restlessness.

A significant drop in the number of premature births was observed worldwide– some places reporting a staggering 80% decline. While there may have been multiple contributing factors, the increased hygiene measures and behavior changes that resulted in less physically demanding work, less shift work, more sleep, and increased support may be a partial explanation.

Creativity

While some activities, such as Drive-in’s, puzzles and board games made a come-back, there were also new bursts of creativity. With many running races and marathons cancelled, new ways to host community activities emerged, such as virtual races and local runs that would not have ordinarily garnered such a keen interest. One such example is Villageruns.com where routes in surrounding communities were posted in an online platform. Participants were encouraged to run the routes to suit their own schedules. Those who completed the runs still received the traditional finisher shirt; it met both motivational and physical distancing needs.

Fundraisers and concerts went Virtual. Local fundraising dinners became a curbside pickup meal and still provided the opportunity to support local charities. Churches found ways to livestream services and some even offered choir participation from the safety of home. The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and other local musicians such as Steve Bell, offered online concert tickets and access to a live stream music event.

New markets for personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies created opportunities for business. New jobs opened up for delivery or cleaning staff. For example: a craft store that would otherwise be required to shut down as they were not selling essentials, now offered local delivery of supplies. Even advertising has been affected, such as Apple’s “Creativity goes on” ad which is comforting and positive, and comics have sought to capture the witty side of our lockdown lives!

Embrace the New

Sift through the composting remains of 2020. Discard the negativity and leave behind the cynicism. Remember to wash your hands often. Stay home when you are sick. Breathe, and allow the seeds of community spirit, kindness, and generosity to sprout. Let’s continue harnessing technology to meet human need and make decisions that are healthier for us and our planet. Embrace the new growth of creativity and allow the resulting hope to grow in 2021!

Resources

Washington Post: He asked strangers to share positive things…

Zurich Insurance Group: Will you go into work when you are unwell…

Travel Trend: Virtual tourism

Forbes: Best ads from coronavirus lockdown

by Judy Martens