“You have to really believe in yourself and know that, in the worst-case scenario, if it doesn’t work out, you still built something really cool” 

Kevin Rose

I guess you could say I have had lots of variety in my careers, both in the Army (24 years) and in Social Care (20 years and counting), mostly highs with lots to do, lots of responsibility and lots of fun.  Only on a few occasions have I been mind-numbingly bored (my first posting to Germany in 1974 comes to mind).  I prefer to be stretched working for an organisation that is driven to reach their goals. With those sorts of teams and organisations as a leader you need to stay strong and, as my wife Joyce reminds me (often!), you are a long time at work so it is important that you are happy.

Staying Strong and Being Happy is not just for you but also those you support.  I have come up with my Top 20 tips.  They work for me and I hope there is something on my list that works for you too.

Top 20 Tips to help you and your teams Stay Strong and Be Happy:

In no particular order other than as they appear in my head:

In a month/ week I will check…..:

  1. Move people from dependence to independence – set them free to do what they were born to do
  2. Catch people doing things right – focus on what works rather than always looking for things that are not right in your area
  3. Reward yourself for a job well done (treat yourself)
  4. Reward your colleagues for a job well done (treat them)
  5. Celebrate success – create a buzz
  6. Ask a colleague if they are having fun? (Ask yourself are you having fun?)
  7. Try something new just for the hell of it. Take risks even though they may result in failure. Encourage your team members to do the same.
  8. Think about what matters and let the rest go – leave your baggage behind and move on
  9. Ask yourself what you are worrying about now – will it matter in 6 months’ time?
  10. Share your knowledge and skills with someone less experienced than you
  11. Exercise at least 3 times for at least 30 minutes in a week
  12. Review your diet – is what you eat rubbish? (if you drink alcohol – moderate)
  13. Switch off all forms of social media at least 2 hours before you go to bed (that includes email!)
  14. Involve your team members in real decision making. Develop a default position that your first response is to say yes.
  15. Open up exciting opportunities for those you are responsible for
  16. Read a leadership book to check where your thinking needs to be
  17. Sweat the Small Stuff – identify the small things that are wrong in your area so they cut down the odds of big things going wrong
  18. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst so have worst case scenarios already prepared
  19. Only respond to phone calls if a voice mail has been left – time different points of the day when you respond to email
  20. Make the first job of the day be something for you! Read a chapter of your book; write a letter, research something that interests you.  Work to your agenda not someone else’s.

 

Remember…………

“Everyone experiences tough times; it is a measure of your determination and dedication how you deal with them”

Lakshmi Mittal

Indian entrepreneur