I love reading, listening and viewing the messages of artists. Whether it's a great movie, beautifully created meal (yes I was one of the 3.7 million Masterchef viewers), or meaningful lyrics in a song, I find it fascinating to think of the underlying meaning of a message.
A recent song I have been listening to, BreakEven (by Irish band The Script) has a great line that really got me thinking.
'What am I supposed to do,
when the best part of me was always you?'
The song is about breaking up, and that it never is an even, clean break, but this particular line got me thinking; aren't all the best parts of us from others?
I talked to Alison about this last night and asked her, 'What are the best parts of you?' Her reply was instant. 'Being a loving partner and a mum.'
One facet of the best of Alison (there are lots more if you ask me!) is because of the people in her family. When you think about it, the best parts of any of us are because of the people around us. In your situation, are you a great sister, a great brother, a great friend? What else are you great at?
One of my great strengths is assisting people understand their emotions and feelings. This magnificent gift I am blessed with is only because of others who have modeled and demonstrated this to me throughout the twists and turns of my life.
To answer the question posed...
'what am I supposed to do,
when the best part of me was always you?'
...the answer is quite simple. Thank the people around you. Without them we are less than...
kind regards,
Darren and Alison
info@changeworksnt.com
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Give yourself a break
How was your workload coming into the end of the financial year?
Mine was just crazy! The last three months leading into June 30th were insane. I either had bitten off more than I could chew, or I had to deal with an unexpected glut of work tasks. Probably a little of both...
As the months progressed, from April into May, and then June, the pressure built and the days seemed to become shorter, whilst the to-do-list seemed to grow longer. Phew! It hurts just remembering it...
Then a strange thing happened. About two weeks ago things went quiet. I kind of woke up one morning at the start of the second week of July and had time to breathe. My to-do-list looked manageable. Sure there were still many things to catch up on, there was work happening, but for a tangible moment I felt on top of things.
Then a strange emotion kicked in. I felt guilty. Weird huh?
I had been working like crazy for as long as I could remember, and instead of taking a little time to plan, to catch up, to do those things I'd been frustrated at not being able to do, to just relax, here I was feeling guilty. Can you believe it? I am sure you can, because I think that many people are in exactly the same boat. For some, I'm sure, now is as busy as any time, but I am equally sure that some have hit a quiet spot after the crescendo of June 30th or are adjusting to a change of pace with school holidays finishing this week.
So why the guilt? I believe it comes from two key areas. I think it primarily comes from our incredibly well-developed stress response. We are so loaded with adrenalin for such a long time, that the adrenalin junkie within us craves more stimulation.
The other secondary reason for the guilt is social pressure. Our work environment lauds people who achieve huge workloads, or are perceived to be under huge workloads. Often when we ask someone ‘how's work?' a stock standard reply is ‘flat out' or words to that effect.
Well, I'm making a stand.
I am not going to feel guilty about a couple of quiet weeks (probably the only couple of weeks of the year too!) any longer. I will not crave the adrenalin. I will not feel the social pressure. I can, and will, give myself a break.
Hey, guess what... it feels good. I'm getting around to doing those things I wished I'd had time for only weeks ago. Why don't you try it next time you have a quiet week?
Give yourself a break.
Best wishes,
Alison & Darren Hill
Mine was just crazy! The last three months leading into June 30th were insane. I either had bitten off more than I could chew, or I had to deal with an unexpected glut of work tasks. Probably a little of both...
As the months progressed, from April into May, and then June, the pressure built and the days seemed to become shorter, whilst the to-do-list seemed to grow longer. Phew! It hurts just remembering it...
Then a strange thing happened. About two weeks ago things went quiet. I kind of woke up one morning at the start of the second week of July and had time to breathe. My to-do-list looked manageable. Sure there were still many things to catch up on, there was work happening, but for a tangible moment I felt on top of things.
Then a strange emotion kicked in. I felt guilty. Weird huh?
I had been working like crazy for as long as I could remember, and instead of taking a little time to plan, to catch up, to do those things I'd been frustrated at not being able to do, to just relax, here I was feeling guilty. Can you believe it? I am sure you can, because I think that many people are in exactly the same boat. For some, I'm sure, now is as busy as any time, but I am equally sure that some have hit a quiet spot after the crescendo of June 30th or are adjusting to a change of pace with school holidays finishing this week.
So why the guilt? I believe it comes from two key areas. I think it primarily comes from our incredibly well-developed stress response. We are so loaded with adrenalin for such a long time, that the adrenalin junkie within us craves more stimulation.
The other secondary reason for the guilt is social pressure. Our work environment lauds people who achieve huge workloads, or are perceived to be under huge workloads. Often when we ask someone ‘how's work?' a stock standard reply is ‘flat out' or words to that effect.
Well, I'm making a stand.
I am not going to feel guilty about a couple of quiet weeks (probably the only couple of weeks of the year too!) any longer. I will not crave the adrenalin. I will not feel the social pressure. I can, and will, give myself a break.
Hey, guess what... it feels good. I'm getting around to doing those things I wished I'd had time for only weeks ago. Why don't you try it next time you have a quiet week?
Give yourself a break.
Best wishes,
Alison & Darren Hill
Monday, July 20, 2009
Developing Human Skills
There are two types of skills used in any job.
These are the technical skills of the job, the skills that you need to be able to get the job done. For an accountant this may include the ability to use MYOB and other accounting software, knowledge and experience of taxation requirements etc. For a carpenter it is the ability to read building plans and the experience in using a range of tools of the trade. These technical skills are skills that we learn and develop through both formalised training and on-the-job learning.
The other type of skills needed in every job are human skills. These are the skills to be able to interact with, work with, communicate with, motivate and inspire other people. Whilst technical skills are generally taught through formal means often human skills are all too often left to chance. Recruitment decisions are based on a persons technical skills, with little or no weight given to a person's capacity to engage with customers or to get along with team members.
It is the capacity to engage with and effectively use these human skills that make one company, business, sales person, or individual stand out from their competitors.
The reality is that people buy people. They want relationships, they want to belong and be cared for. Whilst technical skills are essential, it is an individuals human skills make all the difference.
The secret is that human skills, like technical skills, can be developed and learnt, they dont' need to be left to chance.
To find out how Change Works can help you to develop human skills personally or within your organisation email us at: info@changeworksnt.com or check out our website: http://www.changeworksnt.com/.
We would love to hear your comments.
Warm wishes,
Darren and Alison
These are the technical skills of the job, the skills that you need to be able to get the job done. For an accountant this may include the ability to use MYOB and other accounting software, knowledge and experience of taxation requirements etc. For a carpenter it is the ability to read building plans and the experience in using a range of tools of the trade. These technical skills are skills that we learn and develop through both formalised training and on-the-job learning.
The other type of skills needed in every job are human skills. These are the skills to be able to interact with, work with, communicate with, motivate and inspire other people. Whilst technical skills are generally taught through formal means often human skills are all too often left to chance. Recruitment decisions are based on a persons technical skills, with little or no weight given to a person's capacity to engage with customers or to get along with team members.
It is the capacity to engage with and effectively use these human skills that make one company, business, sales person, or individual stand out from their competitors.
The reality is that people buy people. They want relationships, they want to belong and be cared for. Whilst technical skills are essential, it is an individuals human skills make all the difference.
The secret is that human skills, like technical skills, can be developed and learnt, they dont' need to be left to chance.
To find out how Change Works can help you to develop human skills personally or within your organisation email us at: info@changeworksnt.com or check out our website: http://www.changeworksnt.com/.
We would love to hear your comments.
Warm wishes,
Darren and Alison
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