One simple tip to boost your mood (and business)
Reading time: 3 minutes
Some people embrace winter. Not me. I am 100% a summer person. Rainy days and lowering temperatures have a negative impact on my mood and energy level. On top of that I tend to feel stressed with so much to do before Santa comes around. Feels like I am not ready to say goodbye to 2015 yet. But don’t worry it happens to me year after year. And so far I’ve survived it all ;-)
As most of you know I recently discovered the power of working out. But little over a week ago – and although most of the time I am confident of a positive outcome in all domains – my glass was half empty instead of half full. My personal trainer – who has become an expert in reading my state of mind over the last months – made me put on my boxing gloves and we started. Hitting. Kicking. Faster. Harder. What a liberating workout. Thank you PT.
After the boxing session we talked about it. Am I suffering from winter blues? Could this be it? And if it is I am sure I am not the only one. Am I? So whether you suffer from it yourself or have to lead a team where one or more people are experiencing a drop in productivity along with temperatures, it gave me the idea to write something about winter blues and its remedy in a business environment. Better mood. More productivity. Stunning business results. Interested?
As always when starting a new blog post I do some upfront research trying to answer the questions I have. And there it was: the solution for all my winter misery was only one click away. From exercising (I must admit that’s true) to eating a healthy diet full of proteins (let’s all catch and eat more fish). From getting more sunlight (get outside or move your desk closer to the window) to pumping up the beat and volume of your playlist (no slow Christmas Carols this year). From helping others to cherishing your sleep. All logical explanations. Easy.
Then I started writing. But it felt as if I was only repeating and reframing what had already been written. And if it is that easy why am I – and so many with me – suffering? Until I saw this quote on LinkedIn: “Too many people undervalue what they are and overvalue what they are not”. And it hit me. I am not suffering from the cold.
As I am writing this sunrays are caressing my cheeks. I work out. I eat healthy. I coach kids for free. Okay – true – I need to work on my sleeping habits. But I am doing so well. I am feeling better than ever. I did catch some amazing fish this year and I have all those people around me that support me and believe in me. What am I complaining about??
So instead of giving you some tips to boost your mood and productivity, I ask you to take a step back and look at the big fish you yourself caught in 2015. Honour your catches. Celebrate even the littlest progress. Be happy with where you are right now. And get the most out of every day.
I am sure you can be proud of yourself.
And – I promise – it will boost your mood ;-)
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Have a good and productive month of December!
Sofie
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About the author
Sofie Varrewaere is the founder of BigFish4.me and a certified Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coach. After studying a Master in Psychological and Pedagogical Sciences, she ogled into the magical world of Recruitment, Selection and HR Services. Working for the world leader in HR, she has always been in an advisory role in relation to the larger goals of several multinational organizations. In 2013 she started her own company in International executive Coaching. Doing what she is good at, challenging others as well as herself
SOFIE VARREWAERE 