Are You SAD

This is actually a blog I posted a little over two years ago with few adjustments but seems appropriate for today.

It’s early March and we’re into the last few weeks of winter. How’s your mood? Did you know there is a season affective disorder (or SAD) that occurs during the long winter months? Well there is and many people get a mild depression, which can sap their energy during this period of long nights and short days. A couple of years ago a friend of mine discovered that just before Christmas each year they started feeling blue or sad and that they experienced loss of energy … it seemed to sap their productivity at work and with their family as well. They learned that with some thoughtful observations they were able to avoid having to get into medication by asking some simple questions and doing some practical things to keep themselves energized.

Two basic suggestions are

1. getting out and getting regular exercise … at least three or four times a week
2. get exposure to light … preferably sunlight … plus there is Light Therapy which one can get through a special lamp to use indoors … you can Google “Light Therapy” and get some good suggestions and insights (including Amazon.com)

Symptoms

Here’s a list of some of the symptoms, which are similar to other forms of depression:

• Hopelessness
• Increased appetite with weight gain (weight loss is more common with other forms of depression)
• Increased sleep (too little sleep is more common with other forms of depression)
• Less energy and ability to concentrate
• Loss of interest in work or other activities
• Sluggish movements
• Social withdrawal
• Unhappiness and irritability

“Am I” Questions

If you are experiencing “cabin fever” or the “winter blues” or finding that your energy is lower than usual, you might consider the following simple “Am I” questions before scheduling a doctor’s visit:

1. Am I exercising regularly? (3 to 4 times a week)
2. Am I eating a healthy diet … including some high-energy foods?
3. Am I watching my weight?
4. Am I drinking enough good-for-me liquids … staying hydrated? (water)
5. Am I getting out into the sunshine for 20 – 30 minutes a day?
6. Am I practicing good sleeping habits?
7. Am I maintaining a positive attitude?
8. Am I having some fun?

Light Therapy

Here are some the basics on Light Therapy:

• Light therapy is using a special lamp with a very bright light (10,000 lux) that mimics light from the sun
• A common practice is to sit a couple of feet away from the light box (lamp) for about 30 minutes every day. This usually is done in the early morning, to mimic sunrise
• Keep your eyes open, but do not look straight into the light (lamp) source

Symptoms should improve within 3 – 4 weeks if light therapy is going to help.

I hope these tips and suggestions are helpful if you are experiencing loss of energy or the winter blues.

Do you have any suggestions for avoiding being down in the winter months?

© Phil Hoffman 2012. All rights reserved

Energy and Change

Few words today are as important and impactful as the simple word change. In essence, everything in the business marketplace and the competitive landscape is changing. Furthermore, it will continue to … therefore, the key for success is getting ahead of change. You must do this by first acknowledging the reality, then by implementing a change plan of execution. You should lead this plan for acknowledging and embracing change in an aggressive and demanding manner that your key people recognize and understand. If they don’t accept this commitment, then you will know where to make some of the first changes.

Get In Front of Change

The simple but relevant message is that the status quo is not good enough. Single-digit growth in business is not enough; the tried and true is no longer enough; business as usual is not enough; yesterday’s ideas need to be learned from, but are not enough. Business has to improve for today and tomorrow. Nothing short of total commitment is acceptable for truly dealing with change … and the added commitment of getting in front of change has to happen.

Opportunity

The most positive step you can take is to develop a personal commitment whereby you do not see change as a threat … but as an opportunity. Then demand that your key people embrace a sense of urgency to boost productivity and effectiveness while getting ahead of change and a commitment to stay ahead of change continuously. This seemingly simple step is too important to not start immediately … this is the right mantra for you to develop for yourself and your key team players.

A change like this will not happen overnight. However, the commitment to do so can. Moreover, it can be done faster than you think … and should be attacked with a sense of urgency from the get-go. When you think back about your greatest achievements you will always say, “I just wish I had done it sooner.” This is your chance to be a true leader … a chance to change the culture in the best and most progressive manner you ever imagined. Speed is good … and getting good things accomplished faster is one of the things it takes to be successful in today’s fast-paced business world.

Create a New Energy … an Edge

A focused effort to get ahead of change – to get in front of problems with solutions – will create an energy within yourself, your key people, and your company culture that will foster a  “Yes, we can!” attitude with a commitment for results. But even more important, it will foster a new energy. Despite any interruptions you and your team experience, your employees will see change is good which will intensify the commitment and the energy to be highly competitive in a very competitive marketplace. Once the perception of change is experienced, it will become a source for organizational energy. You will feel “the buzz” of urgency and expectation in a positive manner which can make things fun. This means you and your company will be energized … thus giving you an edge over your competition. Therefore, enabling you to execute for the long haul and perform better than you are today. This is an important decision and commitment.

Your thoughts and ideas are encouraged.

© Phil Hoffman 2013. All rights reserved

What is an Activator?

A while back I wrote a blog on what is a Maximizer (February 26, 2013). Maximizer was one of the skills and strengths listed in a series of assessment and evaluation tests* I had taken. Included was an in-depth report of my skills and strengths in leadership and management. Along with the Maximizer description was Activator, which again I had never seen before so it also peaked my interest. Therefore, I decided to delve further into this description and here’s what I learned.

Activator

Short Description Version

People who are strong in the Activator theme can make things happen by turning thoughts into action. They are result oriented and often impatient … strive for success and excellence in their management style. They make great leaders and want others to be successful.

Longer Description Version

“When can we start?” This is the recurring theme or question in an Activator’s life. You want action. You prefer experience and results to theory every time. You concede that analysis has its uses or that debate and discussion can occasionally yield some valuable insights, but deep down you know that only action is real, gets results, and it the best teacher. Only action can make things happen. Only action leads to performance … and results. Once a decision is made, you cannot not act. Others may suggest that “there are still some things we don’t know,” but this doesn’t seem to defer or slow you down. If the decision has been made to go across town, you know that the fastest way to get there is to go stoplight to stoplight. You are not going to sit around waiting until all the lights have turned green or there is less traffic before you start out. Besides, in your view, action and thinking are not opposites. In fact, guided by your Activator theme, you believe that action is the best teacher, therefore, the best means for learning. When you make a decision, you take action, you look for the result, and you learn (and teach). This learning helps form your next action and your next. How can you grow if you have nothing to react to? Well, you believe you can’t. You must put yourself out there. You must take the next step. It is the only way to keep your thinking fresh and informed … encouraging innovation. The bottom line is this: You know you will be judged not by what you say, not by what you think, but by what you get done. This does not frighten you. It pleases you, because you enjoy challenges and making progress.

Examples:

Mary C., Prioress or head nun of an abbey: In the 1970’s when we were struggling with the energy shortage, and costs were increasing constantly. We had 150+ acres and I would walk the grounds everyday thinking about what we should do about the energy shortage. One day it came to me that we had to do something and I decided that with as much acreage as we had that we should be drilling our own gas … and we did. We had to spend $100,000 to drill a gas well. If you haven’t drilled for gas before, you probably don’t know what I didn’t know either … you have to spend $70,000 just to drill to see IF you have any gas underground. So we had them drill with a special vibrating camera type piece of equipment and they said there was gas down there. Whew! But they didn’t know how much and didn’t know if there was enough pressure to bring it up. So they advised me that for another $30,000 they could try to release the well … but if you don’t want us to, we’ll just cap the drill hole and go home (with $70,000). So Sister Mary agreed to give them another $30,000 and, thank the good Lord, gas came spewing out. That was over 20 years ago and it is still pumping gas today.

John H., Entrepreneur: Some see me as impatient and not wanting to listen to the problems or potential roadblocks. What I keep saying is “I want to know when I’m going to hit the wall … I want to get in front of problems, and I need you to tell me what the result might be … and if it is going to hurt, how much. But if I choose to bump into the wall anyway, then don’t worry, you’ve done your job … I want to experience it for myself so I can learn the ramifications for myself.”

* The Gallup Organization

Are you a Activator? What are your thoughts on theme or style of an Activator?

© Phil Hoffman 2013. All rights reserved