Improving Your Self-Discipline
This article is from RISQ Consulting’s Zywave client portal, a resource available to all RISQ Consulting clients. Please contact your Benefits Consultant or Account Executive for more information or for help setting up your own login.
Self-discipline is an important skill that can help you reach personal and professional goals. Developing self-discipline is like strengthening a muscle, as it can be improved with practice. This skill can make difficult tasks seem more manageable and help you achieve your long-term goals.
Understanding Self-discipline
The term “self-discipline” describes your ability to focus on a task or goal to accomplish something. Self-disciplined individuals are generally consistent, responsible, persistent and ambitious. They may have a strong work ethic and can successfully finish tasks that must be completed, even when they find it difficult to do so.
In the workplace, self-discipline can take many forms. Generally, self-disciplined workers will complete both exciting and uninteresting tasks on time. They are also likely to have a productive mindset that enables them to meet goals and reach milestones.
Improving Self-discipline
Like any skill, self-discipline can be refined with practice, and you may only sometimes be successful. Persevering even when you fail is crucial to reaching your long-term goals.
Here are some tips for improving self-discipline:
- Start small. Choose an area of your life that could benefit from greater self-discipline and begin with a simple task, like being on time daily. Practice discipline in this area until it becomes a habit.
- Challenge your mindset. Your thought patterns may be holding you back. Try confronting your notions of what you can and cannot achieve to accomplish more.
- Find ways to focus. Try dividing a large task into several smaller assignments if you’re having trouble completing it. Take breaks when needed to increase motivation and boost energy.
- Schedule time for high-priority tasks. Although multitasking may be necessary throughout the day, creating time to focus on certain essential duties can help you avoid potential distractions and maximize your attention span.
- Avoid distractions. You may be tempted to look at your phone or chat with a co-worker when completing a tedious task, but resisting these temptations can improve your self-control, strengthening your self-discipline in the long run.
- Set achievable goals. Motivate yourself by setting goals that can be accomplished and working toward them. Use your successes to encourage yourself to keep practicing.
Conclusion
Self-discipline can make the difference between knowing your goals and achieving them. Setting small, achievable goals and staying focused when working on tedious or repetitive tasks can help you become more disciplined. This can help you accomplish your personal and work-related goals in the long run.
Contact your manager for further guidance on self-discipline practices at work.
- Published in Blog
Understanding the Quiet Hiring Trend
This article is from RISQ Consulting’s Zywave client portal, a resource available to all RISQ Consulting clients. Please contact your Benefits Consultant or Account Executive for more information or for help setting up your own login.
HR professionals have likely already heard about “quiet quitting,” where employees put no more effort into their jobs than necessary, and “quiet firing,” where employers or managers slowly pull back employee duties instead of outright firing them. Now, there’s another phrase gaining traction in workplaces: “quiet hiring.”
While the term for it is new, quiet hiring isn’t necessarily a new concept. Given the ongoing talent shortage and a looming recession, more companies are exploring this trend to fill jobs and address priorities. This article explores the quiet hiring trend, its benefits and ways employers can leverage the talent strategy.
What Is Quiet Hiring?
Quiet hiring is when companies upskill existing employees and move them to new roles to fit business needs. It’s proven to be an efficient, cost-effective way for employers to snag in-demand talent without going through traditional external hiring channels. Quiet hiring addresses an organization’s immediate needs while not technically doing any new hiring.
An organization may already quietly identify and reward current workers who consistently exceed expectations and objectives. But forward-thinking organizations use quiet hiring to identify their own peak performers and promote them to avoid relying on external hires for open key positions. It is also used to acquire new skills and capabilities without adding new employees.
About 80% of workers in the United States say they have been “quiet hired,” according to a recent Monster survey. Furthermore, 63% of workers view quiet hiring as an opportunity to learn new professional skills. Career advancement opportunities, in turn, are helping employers retain employees. Even though it might seem like an organization may gain the most from quiet hiring, employees can benefit from this latest trend by securing a raise or promotion or developing new skills. In this way, quiet hiring gives power back to employees who want to move forward in their careers and be rewarded for exemplary workplace performance. The quiet hiring strategy is gaining traction since it benefits both employers and employees.
How Can Employers Quiet Hire?
Whether they know it or not, many organizations already engage in quiet hiring. However, some are being deliberate about it. Savvy companies like Google are already leveraging quiet hiring as a core component of their recruitment strategy. It’s expected that other companies will follow and look within to fill open or critical roles.
In many cases, organizations are not necessarily doing hiring freezes or layoffs, but they may be slowing down their hiring. Despite changes in hiring paces, organizations still have financial goals and business objectives to meet. Quiet hiring is rising to the top as a way for employers to work best with the talent that they currently have and make adjustments as needed for organizational success.
Consider the following ways that organizations are hiring quietly:
- Focusing on internal talent mobility to address business priorities
- Moving employees—temporarily or permanently—into different roles or responsibilities
- Upskilling employees to meet organizational needs
- Leveraging short-term contractors or gig workers to bring in additional talent
Although internal mobility is often seen as a positive for workers, employers should keep in mind that some employees may interpret quiet hiring as being told that their regular job—what they were initially hired for—isn’t particularly important at the moment. This transparency is even more critical if an employee’s move is permanent and the old responsibilities are not backfilled.
Supervisors and managers can help address these concerns by clearly articulating why the new project or department is crucial to organizational success. Regardless of the decision to quiet hire, it’s vital for employers to ensure employees feel valued and part of something bigger. If these extra steps aren’t taken, current employees may feel undervalued and start looking for other career opportunities outside the organization.
Summary
Quiet hiring allows employers and managers to hone in on employees who are already going above and beyond in their daily work and proving they have what it takes to excel in a given role. As with any trend or strategy, quiet hiring will impact every workplace and workforce differently. Many organizations already take part in this strategy. However, some employers may need to look closer at their current workforce to better meet organizational goals and objectives.
Reach out to RISQ Consulting for guidance on the latest employee attraction and retention trends.
- Published in Blog
Combating Imposter Syndrome
This article is from RISQ Consulting’s Zywave client portal, a resource available to all RISQ Consulting clients. Please contact your Benefits Consultant or Account Executive for more information or for help setting up your own login.
Imposter syndrome is a feeling of self-doubt that affects how workers view their abilities and qualifications when they don’t think they belong or deserve their job. It can affect an employee’s work by impairing job performance, contributing to burnout and reducing overall job satisfaction.
In fact, according to the International Journal of Behavioral Science, around 70% of the population has experienced imposter syndrome at least once.
With an increase in remote work environments, imposter syndrome has worsened due to a lack of in-person interaction. Face-to-face interactions can provide feedback through body language, which employees lack when working from home. When working from home, workers can also become distracted by things such as pets and children. Furthermore, these distractions can increase stress and anxiety, contributing to self-critical feelings about job performance.
All of those factors can negatively impact your well-being as an employee. Consider these strategies to help combat imposter syndrome, including when working from home:
- Let negative thoughts come and go. Negative feelings towards yourself are common. To combat the anxiety associated with them, it can be helpful to recognize them and avoid giving them further thought. Avoid being too hard on yourself.
- Get together with co-workers. If there are in-person events at your workplace, consider attending them to interact face-to-face with co-workers. You could also consider scheduling a working lunch or post-work happy hour with a co-worker.
- Talk about your experience. Sharing about your experience with imposter syndrome can help both you and those you work with feel less alone. Share your advice with co-workers to help spread knowledge and awareness.
- Practice positive self-talk. Practicing affirmations and writing down the facts can weed out the false accusations in your head. Write down the positive ways you contribute to your workplace so you can recognize your accomplishments.
- Have self-compassion. Perfection is not possible. When you’re experiencing negative thoughts, it’s essential to be kind to yourself. It’s also important to recognize that you were hired for your role for a reason.
You don’t have to combat imposter syndrome alone. Working remotely can foster feelings of isolation, but imposter syndrome affects millions of workers each year; therefore, it’s important to know you’re not the only one affected. Knowing how to combat it can help you and those you work with.
Prioritizing Your Well-being
In recent years, there has been a shift to organizations allowing employees to work remotely. This remote work option has given employees more time to focus on their well-being. While remote work can help improve overall job satisfaction, it can also have some adverse effects. Some aspects of remote work can negatively impact your mental health and, as a result, affect your physical well-being and job performance.
According to recent research from Zippia:
- Almost half (40%) of remote workers say that struggling to unplug at the end of the workday is their biggest challenge.
- Half (50%) of remote workers feel lonely at least once per week.
Driven in part by this social isolation, remote employees have started to shift towards prioritizing their well-being. With the increase in employees working from home, there has started to be a more significant focus on using extra time that was previously for commuting on other nonwork-related tasks. Some of these activities include extra sleep, leisure activities and home projects.
As a result, focusing some attention on your well-being will improve not only your physical and mental state but also your work experience. To prioritize your well-being, consider trying some of these strategies while working remotely:
- Connect with co-workers. Connecting with others is important when working remotely to combat feelings of isolation. Make time to connect throughout the week by planning meet-ups such as post-work walks or lunches.
- Exercise for 30 minutes daily. Exercise can help boost your mood and improve your overall well-being. Some typical workouts include yoga, biking, walking and stretching.
- Schedule regular breaks. Take breaks throughout your day to help prevent daily burnout. Small breaks in your workday could include taking a short walk or making a snack.
- Create a designated work space. When working in a remote environment, it’s important to have a space designated for work. This space should be somewhere you feel productive, such as a desk. Spaces like your bedroom or couch are associated with relaxation, so they may not be the best locations to be productive during the day.
If you’re a remote or hybrid employee, consider trying some of these tips to help prioritize your physical and mental health.
Every workplace is different, so consider how prioritizing your well-being can fit into your schedule. You could also reach out to your manager or co-workers to discuss prioritizing your well-being.
- Published in Blog
6 Tips For Better Brain Health
This article is from RISQ Consulting’s Zywave client portal, a resource available to all RISQ Consulting clients. Please contact your Benefits Consultant or Account Executive for more information or for help setting up your own login.
A brief lapse in memory, such as misplacing your wallet or forgetting a birthday, is often associated with being overly busy or having an excessive amount of stress. In fact, memory loss is a common part of aging. What can be problematic is when the episodes of forgetfulness increase and intensify into a more severe problem, such as mild cognitive impairment or even Alzheimer’s disease.
This is why taking care of your brain health is essential. There are small daily efforts you can make to slow memory decline. Read on for six tips about taking care of your brain health.
-
Exercise Daily
Physically active people are less likely to experience a decline in their mental function, according to the Mayo Clinic. The increased blood flow to the brain during exercise aids the natural brain connections that occur during aging. A simple routine of 30 minutes of physical activity daily can help boost your brain health. Try choosing an activity that will increase your heart rate, such as hiking, playing tennis or biking.
-
Eat a Balanced Diet
A balanced diet not only helps physical health but cognitive functions as well. Try to incorporate foods high in monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids. These foods can include salmon, nuts and avocados, for example. It’s also important to avoid foods high in trans and saturated fats, such as processed foods and fatty cuts of beef.
-
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Sleep plays a vital role in overall health, including brain health. To get a good night’s sleep, you should aim for seven to eight consecutive hours of rest per night. This gives the brain a chance to detoxify and relax after each day, which is critical for a healthy brain and memory.
A lack of sleep can be a detriment to your brain health. If you’re having trouble sleeping, it can be helpful to reach out to your doctor.
-
Participate in Social Activities
Regular social interactions can help decrease memory loss. This can especially be important if you live alone or work remotely. A simple way to incorporate social interaction into your daily life is to connect with loved ones such as family and friends. If you have time in your evenings, this could be a good opportunity to try a new hobby or class within your community.
-
Activate Your Brain
The more mentally stimulated you are, the better your brain’s overall function will be. To engage in mental stimulation, you can participate in activities such as reading, brain games, painting and puzzles. If you’re looking for where to start with brain-stimulating exercises, reach out to your doctor for recommended resources.
-
Receive Regular Check-ups
Certain health factors, such as artery and vein health, are critical to brain health and function. By going to regular check-ups, you’re able to get your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol checked. Your doctor can tell you if your these and other numbers are in a healthy range. If not, they can provide care to help you get your numbers in a healthy range.
Conclusion
Brain health significantly impacts your memory and cognitive function. Practicing these six habits can positively impact your brain’s health. If you have further questions about how to better the health of your brain, reach out to your doctor for more information.
- Published in Blog
5 Alternatives To Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
This article is from RISQ Consulting’s Zywave client portal, a resource available to all RISQ Consulting clients. Please contact your Benefits Consultant or Account Executive for more information or for help setting up your own login.
When times get tough, it can be instinct to look for a coping mechanism. Coping mechanisms can help people feel like they’re escaping reality by relieving stress or being able to distract their minds. While this is a normal feeling, it becomes a problem when one turns to unhealthy coping mechanisms, which can be harmful in the long run.
This article explores ways to turn unhealthy coping mechanisms into healthier alternatives.
Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
There are typically four main reasons people turn to unhealthy or destructive behaviors: mental health, stress, isolation and neurobiology. Here are some of the most common unhealthy coping mechanisms:
- Oversleeping—Sleep is a common way that people try to escape. While sleep is good for your overall health, too much sleep can inhibit the amount of movement your body needs daily.
- Excessive drug or alcohol use—Substance misuse can be a dangerous coping mechanism as it can have serious long-term side effects such as health complications, addiction and death.
- Over- or under-eating—Over- or under-eating outside of the recommended guidance can cause health issues. Try to stay within the recommended daily intake guidance.
- Impulsive retail spending—Excessive shopping can lead to financial problems. Making small purchases over time can also lead to hoarding or family problems.
Alternatives to Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
It’s normal to have feelings of wanting to escape from reality due to stress or anxiety. Healthy coping mechanisms can help address stress and anxieties in a positive way—and also develop into long-lasting habits.
Check out these healthier alternatives for coping with stress or other unpleasant emotions:
- Create task lists. Unhealthy coping mechanisms can prevent you from reaching your short- and long-term goals. Making a task list of personal goals can help you achieve the things you want and elevate your mood by physically seeing your accomplishments when they’re checked off the list.
- Talk about stress. Find someone willing to listen to you, such as a close friend, family member or mental health professional. Putting your feelings into words can help alleviate stress and feelings.
- Address negative feelings. Negativity is a normal part of life. Trying to avoid it is called avoidance behavior, which can result in reaching for unhealthy coping mechanisms.
- Learn your triggers. Knowing what you negatively respond to can help help you keep track of and be aware of how you react.
- Pick up a new hobby. For example, outlets such as painting or picking up running can be therapeutic. Incorporate a frequent time and space to practice your new hobby.
Practice Healthy Coping Mechanisms
Having negative or overwhelming emotions is normal. It’s important to consider using healthy coping mechanisms to help deal with stress. If you have an ongoing emotional problem, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.
- Published in Blog