Posts from the Stress Management Category
Stress Management, Parrotheads & Passion!
September 13th, 2009 by Beth Kennedy
Went to see the Jimmy Buffet concert at Jones Beach on Long Island, NY this summer! We first tailgated with my family and celebrated my Niece’s birthday! I was once again struck by how nice and welcoming people can be! Everywhere my seven year old daughter went people were giving her fun free beach stuff – what is better than a parrot pen or Marino’s Italian Ice when your 7 years old?
When the world is filled with so much stress and anxiety how refreshing it is to be somewhere so focused on fun! To watch Buffet sing his heart out, with the ocean behind him, reminded me of the magic he brings! It was my 11 year old daughter’s first “real” concert and to see the smile on her face was priceless!
I can’t help being someplace like this and seeing how passion can bring such happiness to so many people. Whether your gifted like Buffet or just passionate about music or something else…..it is such a reminder to me how important it is to follow your passions whatever they may be!
When The Student Is Ready The Teacher Will Appear
July 24th, 2009 by Beth Kennedy
This is a Buddhist proverb. Though it has ‘spiritual connotations, of course, it does mean more than that.
When you needed to learn new skills to advance in your field, accomplish or attain goals you thought were well beyond your reach, gain new perspectives on situations at work and at home, you often found someone to help you. That certain person seemed to ‘arrive’ at just the right moment. You were ready.
Want to succeed in your company, career and life? Well the coach is here, is the student ready to Spark Success?
Resilience During Career Changes
June 13th, 2009 by Beth Kennedy
Career changes can leave us feeling nervous, excited, sad, angry, disoriented, confused, a mix of a many emotions. During this particular time in our history career changes are very likely. How you cope can make the difference between success and failure.
Resilience is the ability to cope well, bounce back, remain optimistic, etc. in the face of change. Sound difficult? Take a step back from the ‘throws of emotions’ to see the possibilities rather than the challenges. You have a choice in how you cope.
There are numerous tips and actions that can be taken to help you develop career resilience and I invite you to read my story and strategies here:
Change & Transition….the continual process!
January 26th, 2009 by Beth Kennedy
I recently facilitated a training in Boston called, Individual Transition in Organizations. I really like the class because it focuses on effective strategies to get through transitions and it is based on William Bridges Transition model. The positive feedback from class participants made me realize how important this subject is right now!
We are all going through changes on a daily basis especially with what is taking place in this economy right now. The question we need to ask ourselves is how is our transition tool kit?
- Change is just an event. Transition is all the psychological elements that take place as a result of the change.
- We need to really look at how every transition is effecting our life and make some positive action strategies.
- Career coaches find that individuals in career transition actually get a job quicker when they have resilience and focus on positive healthy life strategies besides just 6 – 8 hours a day of networking and on line job search.
- Ask your self today….What changes are taking place for you right now and how are you dealing with transitions? What positive transition strategies are you using to keep yourself motivated and engaged?
“Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.” Karen Kaiser Clark
Happy New Year- which goal comes first?!
January 12th, 2009 by Beth Kennedy
A New Year is a great time to take inventory and decide what is working and what needs to be changed. Often we try and focus on too many new goals for the year and just feel frustrated.
What I recommend for the month of January is to begin by focusing on you and as Stephen Covey likes to call it, “Sharpening the Saw.” What are you doing to keep yourself focused, recharged and refreshed? Take a look at your eating habits, exercise, hobbies, friendships, life balance and attitude. Set a goal or two in these areas. Also think about how balanced is your lifestyle between your personal life and work. When you focus too much on one at the expense of another, your risk more stressors to complicate your life. How is your attitude in 2009? Having a positive attitude plays a huge role in life and work.
- Today, decide on one goal that will make you feel better about yourself. Write it down and put it some place you can see it every day! There is plenty of time to set other goals but we need to focus first on ourselves and you will see your happiness and confidence blossom!
“When you have confidence you can have fun, and when you have fun, you can do amazing things. – Joe Namath
Walt Disney: The Magic of Leadership
October 20th, 2008 by Beth Kennedy
Just got back from a family trip to Walt Disney World! I really enjoyed in Disney’s Hollywood Studios the attraction – Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream. It is a well done walking tour of Walt’s life followed by a brief film. Some interesting Walt Disney tidbits include:
- Every Saturday, Walt would take his 2 daughters for special daddy time. While at the park he thought about how great it would be to have a place were parents and children could be engaged together…. thus came his idea of Disney Land!
- Disney based his character of Mickey Mouse on a mouse he had adopted as a pet while working in a Kansas City studio. Ub Iwerks reworked the sketches made by Disney so that it was easier to animate it. Mickey’s voice and personality was provided by Disney.
- Disney won 26 Oscars, including a record 4 in 1 year. He holds the record for the individual with the most awards and the most nominations.
- Disney did not see all his dreams come true. He passed away in 1966, a few years prior to the opening of his Walt Disney World Resort dream project in Florida.
Walt often said he had to thank Mickie Mouse for his success! Amazing to think of the happiness that Disney created by having a clear dream and vision!!
Jimmy Buffett: Passion & Attitude!!
September 7th, 2008 by Beth Kennedy
I had quite a weekend attending my first Buffett concert with my husband, sister and brother! What an experience! To see Jimmy Buffett’s passion and attitude on stage is incredible! He thanks the audience for allowing him to do what he loves for the last 40 years. I could not stop thinking about my coaching clients, that have made changes in their life so they could have more fun and do what they really enjoy!
The tailgating experience is teambuilding at it’s best!! Everyone is so diverse and there is this incredible bond among parrot heads. Fun is an understatement! Everyone is so excited to be celebrating! Talk about skill building or competencies….you see the greatest innovation (we saw a bus turned into a pirate ship and other margaritaville props that were incredible). Our concert was moved from 8:00pm to 3:00pm due to the tropical storms predicted. Talk about incredible communication. They managed to get the word out two days in advance. Everyone has this positive “no worries” attitude but what is amazing is after only 15 minutes the hard rain begins and his fans cheer even louder dancing the entire time. I was thinking how excited Buffett must be on stage to see thousands of people enjoying every song and celebrating together despite the stormy weather!
I want to thank my sister for her great coordination and planning skills or I would never of had this experience. As they say in Buffett land, “It’s 5:00pm some where.” Celebrate with family and friends whenever you can!
Tea for 2!
March 10th, 2008 by Beth Kennedy
”You’ve got to think about the ‘big things’ while you’re doing small things, so that all the small things go in the right direction.” ~Alvin Toffler
Today I met my friend Janet for tea and scones at the Four Seasons in Boston. We started a tradition 10 years ago that we would meet there two times a year to celebrate our birthdays! Every time we do it, we both mention how relaxing and recharging it is to be together and how we know we will be doing this for a very long time! Besides just drinking tea we also share our goals for the year! We both find this activity much more productive to do in March as Spring approaches than in the cold days of January.
- My coaching clients know that I spend a few minutes every session focusing on their stress management! We focus on the connection it has to their success!
- Stress management is different for everyone but the key aspect is you feel recharged! Sometimes it is something we do on a regular basis like exercising or eating healthy and other times it can be something a little different!
- Sometimes it’s the simple stress management strategies that motivate and recharge us! Have fun!