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3 Ways to Boost Your Creativity and Inspiration
A few times during the year I find myself in somewhat of a brain-funk space where I just can’t get anything done. Instead of writing and creating, I find myself spinning my wheels, distracting myself with nonsense like T.V. watching and social media scrolling instead of getting things done.
Here are my 3 ways to help you boost inspiration each day.
Brain dump. Get some sticky notes and create a word cloud. Write down keywords related to your industry or a project you want to work on but can’t seem to get your thoughts together. Getting the words out of your head and seeing them on paper will help to spark ideas you wouldn’t otherwise get if the words are all jumbled together in your brain.
Take a walk. Spending time outside is a great way to expand your mind and get your mind to think in terms of a world view or the “bigger picture”. Sometimes being in confined spaces limits your thinking and creativity. Getting those endorphins to release through a brisk walk or run outdoors can help jolt your creativity and inspiration.
Find new surroundings. Sometimes when you’re in the same place for too long, you become distracted by complacency. It’s hard to be creative if you’re not seeing anything new or if you’re not putting yourself in a new environment to spark ideas. I work from home primarily, but I’ve found that I can actually be more productive when I go to a coffee shop or a bookstore. Somehow, having a little background noise helps me to focus more and get in my zone when writing.
3 Ways Mental Health Impacts the Workplace
Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience some form of mental illness every year, the American Psychiatric Association reports. A 2002 Pfizer Outcomes Research study showed approximately 217 million days of work are lost annually due to productivity decline related to mental illness and substance abuse disorders, costing Unites States employers $17 billion each year. Today, that number has grown to over $193 billion in lost revenue. Statistics like these are why businesses are realizing more and more that not making Mental Health a top priority can cost them big time.
When I consult with companies facing high employee turnover, I encourage better training for Senior Leaders and Managers to help them take a more active approach in reducing the stigma related to mental health.
1. Loss in Productivity
Work demands and challenges can lead to increased anxiety and stress, causing a reduction in engagement, productivity, and an increase in mistakes. Because many mental health disorders are not easily recognizable, it’s common for managers to label bad performance as laziness or lack of competency. Instead, managers should provide employees with a variety of resources to help improve performance, including options within their healthcare packages directly focused on mental health awareness and aid. Initiating the conversation with employees about the challenges they face daily will help leadership to better understand the cause of loss of productivity as well as helping employees who are too afraid to ask for help talk openly about their performance issues.
2. Communication
While there is an increase in awareness surrounding the mental health industry, it is still a stigma among many, preventing them from getting the help they need. Having open and transparent communication is essential to reducing the mental health challenges affecting the workplace. Many employees feel if they share their mental health concerns with their employer, it could jeopardize their job. It is important to encourage employees to prioritize their health, especially to avoid burn out and abrupt behavior. Addressing issues head-on will not only improve transparency, but it could also encourage others to take more of an active approach in seeking help as well.
3. Engagement
One of the most effective ways to increase engagement in the workplace is through genuine leadership. As leaders, it is important for you to be transparent about how you handle high-stress situations at work. Your staff needs to feel that you can relate to them and sharing your challenges and strategies could help them to build a more trusting relationship with you, and in turn, increase their interest and engagement. During your meetings, make mental health a topic of discussion and look for ideas from your team. Some things that have worked well for my clients is to develop a recognition program that rewards leaders/managers who demonstrate evidence-based improvements in metrics of mental health and well-being and measurable business results.
Improving the health and well-being of employees is worth the investment and up-front cost. It may not seem like it at first, but the long-term benefits of investing in mental health programs and strategies can help your business to remain competitive and reduce the hidden cost of employee turnover.
Mental Health Resources
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
