How are you? Do you need some support? Feeling like crying sometimes? Anxious about your business, your health, loved ones?
Times are very tough for many people right now. The Coronavirus is causing health concerns, people are anxious about their health, the health of loved ones and fearful about their wellbeing and income too.
There is no doubt that these are very challenging times for most of us – and while there is so much focus on physical health and wellbeing I want to highlight how much we need to be aware of our own, and others, mental health and wellbeing.
Stop and Check Questions to Ask
How are you going? Have you stopped to check in with yourself?
How is your team going? Have you assessed their mental health and wellbeing?
How are your colleagues? How is your boss? How are your friends and family going? Do you need to stop and check?
Three ways we can find a way or make one through this time
- Stop and breathe
Some of us rush into action in a crisis – sometimes what we need most is to stop and take a breath! I’ve noticed that in all the extra work that was necessary for me to do (to change my plans for speaking engagements and workshops) more than ever I wanted to stop and take a breath. If you need a pause – pause. Stopping the incessant work and chatter gives you time to breathe! If you can, practise a mindfulness or meditation technique where you can take your mind off of your worries and just let it rest (focus on awareness of your breath instead).
- Change your focus.
Our emotions are driven by our focus, have you noticed that? Change your focus – focus on what is going well, who is helping you, the assistance on offer, what you have to offer, who you can assist, what is working for you. Email me at support@developmentatwork.com and ask for the Tell a New Story exercise to help you focus on more resourceful thoughts – to lift your hope and optimism. The main benefit of this exercise is it helps you to see new ways forward and lifts your mental blocks.
- Manage the Meaning
Manage what you say to yourself about this situation and what it means to you and your loved ones.
See the difference between Fred and Joan below? Who do you think is going to be more resourceful right now? Who will see and create a way forward and through?
FRED JOAN
| “Everyone is affected, I’m not in this on my own” | “No-one is supporting me and I feel like I have to do everything I can right now to keep my business from going under, so I don’t starve” |
| “Government and local Council are helping businesses like mine” | “There’s no help for a sole trader and the government information is too confusing to understand” |
| “I’m a resourceful person with lots of skills to offer so I will find a way or make one through these tough times” | “This is so overwhelming. I’m sinking here. I wish someone would help me!” |
Support for you
If you recognise some of Joan’s thoughts – what can you do? There is support available right now!
If you want more help to assess mental health and wellbeing and maintain a positive focus, you can contact HR Development at Work on 8322 8455 or bridget@developmentatwork.com.au privately for help with managing change, building a positive mindset, or managing the people aspects of change (including outplacement and redundancy).
Bridget can help you to:
- See things differently so you increase your hope and optimism and “find a way or make one” through this tough time
- Improve organisational wellbeing
- Identify the signs of mental health issues so you can address them to support yourself and your people
- Plan to manage mental health risks for your people in a time of change and uncertainty
- Support the mental wellbeing and mental health of leaders, employees and business owners in remote work environments
Connect with Bridget on LinkedIn
Southern Business Mentoring Program
For personal help for small business owners in Southern Adelaide – access the Southern Business Mentoring Program. Mental Health and Wellbeing services will be offered soon from Bridget Hogg and associates of HR Development at Work (free of charge) as part of this program to eligible business people.
For information about mental health services available to all see the Beyond Blue website.
About Bridget
Bridget’s passion is helping organisations effectively manage stress, change, mental health and wellbeing. She has worked with many organisations to help them “find a way or make one” through organisational change, times of uncertainty, downsizing and redundancy. She has managed transition programs with a psychological wellbeing focus for over fifteen years.
Bridget founded HR Development at Work in Adelaide in 2002. She has a background in resilience at work, psychology and NLP (BSc Hons, MSc. NLP Practitioner). Bridget has developed tools and techniques to enhance wellbeing. She assists organisations to identify and address mental health issues and enhance workplace and workforce wellbeing.
As a small business owner for 18 years and manager of a team of 14 she understands the stresses of small business.