Holiday Celebrating Without The Guilt #HappyHolidays #StressLess

The holidays are a fairly emotional time of the year for most of us. For some people, the holiday period brings memories of warm family gatherings and happy times. For others, it may bring feelings of depression related to loved ones who have passed on, or simply of childhood memories and experiences that weren’t very pleasant.

While our memories and experiences of holidays past are not something we can change, we can  try to ensure that the current holidays don’t add to any emotional burden we may already have.  That may sound complicated, but actually all it means is having a little more awareness of the emotions we face at this time of the year, and of taking a little more control of our lives and actions so that we don’t end up feeling bad about this year’s holiday season.

An easy starting point? Pay more attention to your food and drink intake. Yes, Thanksgiving dinner and holiday parties offer many opportunities to over-indulge. But, remember, you are the one in control of your actions and choices. Limiting yourself to one helping of dessert, or refusing Uncle Waldo’s constant offers of more wine, doesn’t mean that you’re depriving yourself, but rather simply enjoying the holiday in moderation.

And, most importantly, you won’t feel guilty the day after, or face January with the problem of an expanded waistline.  For most of us, the holiday period can be a stressful time. Your job is to try to be sensible and not add more anxiety and stress to what you may already be feeling.

That’s especially true when it comes to holiday parties. Yes, these are additional opportunities to be tempted by too much of too many wrong things to eat, but far too often a bigger problem is  the opportunity to consume too much alcohol. All it takes is one office party and one drink too many and suddenly you’ve said or done something that you’ll not only regret the next day but that may negatively affect your career.

Yes, you want to enjoy this holiday season, but it’s important to remember that you, at all times, are the one in control of you. Keeping your actions sensible and reasonable doesn’t mean you can’t have a great time, but hopefully can mean you won’t have anything to regret. 

For more tips on having a happy Holiday Season, contact RTG-Troy today.  We are committed to assisting others reduce stress and anxiety.  Sometimes having another person to bounce thoughts off of can ease your burden.  We are here to help.

-Reprinted in full or in part with attribution to the American Counseling Association’s Counseling Corner Blog.

Is It Time For That Career Change? #CareerAdvice #Counseling

Current news reports seem to show that in many areas of the country the economy is performing strongly. Housing prices are up, corporate profits are increasing and unemployment rates in most places are at historic lows.

An environment like this can be a good time to evaluate your own employment situation and how satisfied you are with both where you’re working and the kind of work you’re doing. If the answers you find show you aren’t enjoying your career, this might be the time to consider a change.

While making a mid-life career change can seem frightening for most people, if the alternative is staying in your current position where you’re feeling unhappy and unsatisfied, then such a change is at least worth considering.

Start by asking yourself some questions about your current career:

–  Do you find you dread going to work each day?

–  Does Sunday afternoon leave you depressed because Monday morning and work are approaching?

–  Is your current work providing a sense of contentment or accomplishment?

–  Are there things you enjoy about your work, or do you find it difficult to be interested and motivated in your job or field of work?

–  Do you feel your abilities and experience are being underused?

If you’re answering yes to the majority of such questions, it’s a strong sign you may be ready for a career change. That doesn’t mean you should head for work tomorrow and hand in your resignation, but rather that it’s time to start researching options.

Your library or local bookstore is a good starting place. There are numerous books on career change that can help you identify your abilities, interests and values.

You may also want to consider meeting with a professional counselor specializing in career and employment guidance. Such counselors can provide resources such as interest and personality tests that can help you clarify your goals and identify possible careers. A counselor will work with you to help you narrow your focus and to develop a plan for action.

Making a major career change can seem daunting but staying in a job that leaves you unhappy and dissatisfied can lead to serious problems. Done correctly, a career change can give you a better sense of control over your life, and excitement about the opportunities in your future.

For more tips or career counseling contact RTG-TROY today. You do not have to navigate career/employment stress alone. We have tools to help. Don’t wait until you are overwhelmed, reach out, and make positive action steps. We are here to help.

-Reprinted in full or in part with attribution to the American Counseling Association’s Counseling Corner Blog.

Need To Build A Better Relationship With Your Boss?

While we don’t have any quick fix for the demands of business, we can offer some advice for a way to make the work place a little less stressful.  When you are able to build and maintain positive relations with your boss, it usually will pay benefits in terms of reducing work-related stress, improving overall job satisfaction, and affecting how you are treated (and paid) at your job.

But a more positive relationship with your boss doesn’t just happen. Getting there requires  you being pro-active and taking the lead in building that better relationship.

Start by learning about what matters to your boss.  As you learn your supervisor’s values and concerns, it becomes easier to interact with him or her as a person, rather than simply as a boss.

It’s also important to understand your boss’s expectations. Are there reports or other job actions your supervisor needs to do his or her own job?  Are there certain “pet peeves,” such as dress codes or timeliness, that matter a lot to him or her?  Make time to talk with your supervisor and ask questions about what’s really expected of you.

Communication is a vital step. That doesn’t mean always being ready to complain, but rather being open and approachable, and being ready to listen.  Ask periodically, in a genuine way, how you’re doing. Make it easy for your boss to talk with you, try out new ideas, offer suggestions, and feel that his or her responsibilities can be shared with you. When there are problems, try a solution-based approach, offering ideas on how to fix things, rather than just complaining.

It also helps to be flexible. When meeting times, deadlines, or job goals are changed, it’s  easy to blame your boss for such problems, but it often isn’t his or her fault. Blaming the boss won’t improve a relationship. Instead, try to accept and adapt to changes, and realize that an employee who can handle the unexpected will be appreciated. Discuss the problem if the changes are really making something impossible for you.

A supervisor wants to know you’re interested in more than just collecting a paycheck.  Supervisors notice when there’s open communication, when criticism is accepted in a positive manner, and when an employee is actively working to build a relationship that will help you both work better.  And in tough economic times, a happier boss is a very good thing.

For more tips on getting along with your boss or just getting through life, contact RTGTROY today.  We can help you communicate more effectively and find new skills for positive interaction.

• Reprinted in full or in part with attribution to the American Counseling Association’s Counseling Corner Blog.