The early part of next year will see HR departments up and down the country running a variety of programmes designed to help their employees after the rigours of Christmas & New Year and prepare them for the year ahead.
Wellbeing is usually the order of the day, but why not have your cake and eat it? MEQ® Programmes provide proven improvements in the four key areas of: productivity (aka general health at work), emotional intelligence, sleep and mindful behaviour.
Following on from last month's Secret Solutions section, where we asked participants to put their problems in a hat and discuss mindful solutions, here are some more.
Problem 1 of 2
“How do you deal with a loss that you caused?"
– Secret Tuesday Participant
Solutions
There is a tendency among humans to apportion self blame where none is deserved. Roll out the red carpet for the loss you mention in a gentle and compassionate (to yourself) formal practice (i.e. meditation) so you can be curious about the issue from all sides. Is this really entirely all down to you or - if you are honest and non-judgemental - are there other factors at play?
All things must pass. Impermanence is a cornerstone of mindful awareness. What pops into existence also pops out. It is said that we influence our surroundings. It is also said, "everything is written." Whatever your belief; the sun will come up tomorrow; time will not stop; and somehow, loss will eventually become gain
“Trying to speak French fluently. Having the courage to speak it regularly."
– Secret Tuesday Participant
Solutions
Firstly you are not alone. It has been said many times by many people that some of us fear public speaking more than we fear death. Outside of Paris most French people will be delighted at any attempt by a foreigner at speaking French no matter how befuddled. Inside Paris you might encounter the odd person who has 'had enough' of tourists. With a little mindful awareness and perhaps even compassion for these frustrated people, you will be able to shrug your shoulders in gallic response to this 'worst case' scenario. In short, what have you got to lose?
Let's centre on what you think. Mostly because it's almost always a waste of time pondering what someone else is thinking. How do you feel when you perceive yourself to have been mute where you could have contributed? Why do you feel this way? Is there judgement? If so let go of some of this judgment. Work backwards to the point where you - at the very least - are prepared to crash and burn splendidly. Enjoy your mispronounced, juxtaposed bad grammar and incorrect vocabulary and know this. The worst thing we teach our children at school, is that being wrong is bad. Being wrong is just about the best thing in the world. It should be embraced, rewarded and perhaps even encouraged.
