Joyce Weiss

I work with organizations and individuals who want to kick conflict and chaos to the curb - Queen of Conflict Resolution and Communication Coach

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Life Coaching Strategies to Set Boundaries at Home and Work

Life coaching strategies are something that we can all use in our life – especially when it’s about setting boundaries to balance our hectic life.

Do you have colleagues or loved ones that use a lot of your time talking and talking while you are in the middle of something important?  If so, this article will give you some ideas on how to take charge of this stressful situation.

Do you have a tough time saying, “no” to others who ask you to volunteer since you are the “right person” to help them with a project?  If so, you will find out how easy it is to say, “no” without sounding aggressive.

Enjoy the life coaching strategies article and please let me know your boundary issues at work and home.  I will ask you to share these with me at the end of the article.

Life Coaching Strategies #1:  Learn the Power of Boundaries

You’re invited to be on the PTA!  You’re such a great baker; “We need your help with the bake sale!”
A co-worker needs your help with a work project!  You have no time and you don’t want to disappoint people who have such high regard for you.

It feels good when people ask us to do things we’re good at. Our egos are stroked. We like it when other people can count on us.  We also need to stop ourselves when people ask us to help them when our lives are out of whack!  Stop and remind yourself that it’s ok to take care of you or your family and not save the world 24 hours a day.

Life Coaching Strategies #2:  Remember Boundaries from Your Past

We had boundaries as kids such as – “Come home when the streetlights come on. No TV until your homework is completed.”

Too often, though, we don’t set them for ourselves as adults.

Think about recent commitments and make a list of duties you wish you had said, “no” to.  This can help you prepare a response for the next time.  Firmly enforce your boundaries. If you set boundaries and people still take advantage, it’s your fault for not taking care of your own time restrictions.

Remember, “You get what you tolerate.”

Life Coaching Strategies #3:  The Power of Family Boundaries

Shannon, a busy working mother, wanted to return to school to earn her degree. She knew the extra hours would life coaching strategiesaffect her family, so she called a family meeting.  She explained it was a two-year commitment.  Her kids would need to make their own lunches and life might be a little more stressful for a while.

The payoff was a better job for Shannon, allowing the family to have money for the vacation they wanted, or for her kids to attend college.  They agreed to her plan. To this day, when they complain, she reminds them about the family meeting.  This worked out for Shannon because she was focused and spoke about short-term stresses for her and the family.

Life Coaching Strategies #4:  The Power of Work Boundaries

Do you have a co-worker who stops by your desk, seeking help for her or his projects and leaving you with less time for your own?  Use ‘I’ language to deflect them.  For example, “I’m frustrated because I’d love to help you out.  I have a deadline on this project.” Or set a time limit:  “I can give you five minutes because I need to leave at 3:00 for my daughter’s soccer game.”

Life Coaching Strategies #5:  Friendship Boundaries

What about that friend whose number on your caller ID makes you Life coaching strategiesgroan?  These energy vampires are talkaholics, and it’s all about them and what they need.  You don’t have to pick up the phone. Or you can say up front, “I’m tied up this week; I’ll be glad to call you back or email you.”

Let’s Get Real

We encounter demands for our time and energy from many directions.  When those demands become too much, the continual stress can lead to an array of health problems.  Create and enforce boundaries to help manage your stress levels, and you will feel better about the commitments you make.

It can mean a longer, healthier, happier life.

 I want to hear from you

Send me what boundaries you set for yourself at home or work.  What boundary issues do you need to control?  You know I answer all comments and questions.

Please share this and any article that speaks to you or your company

Loyal readers like you help us find more people who could benefit from these posts.  Help us help them reduce conflict and quality of life.

Until next time,
Joyce Weiss
Corporate Communication Strategist and Career Coach

Until next time, Remember…”You Get What You Tolerate!”

PS Learn how I can leverage my 30+ years of communication and coaching experience to help you or your organization address life coaching strategies here.

Read more articles and listen to podcasts at our Life Coaching Strategies Knowledge Base

 

 

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Secrets from a Life Coach to Encourage Work-Life Balance

Do you want to learn 5 secrets from me, your personal life coach to encourage life balance at work?  If so, see if you can relate to these 3 questions.

  • Does your team complain that they have no time for themselves?
  • Is negativity starting to become part of your culture?
  • Is your team walking around like zombies because they are sleep deprived?

We all know that when there is a supportive work atmosphere, the team will be more productive.  Leadership needs to address life balance more so than ever before.  Millennials, Generation X and Baby Boomers all share the same need to make time for themselves after work. This is the new normal.  Companies that address these concerns will become the best and brightest places to work for in their industry.  But what can you do? Try these 5 secrets:

Life Coach Secret #1: Survey people to learn their needs.

Develop a work-life committee to gather information on which flexibility needs your coworkers want and report the findings. Whether they’re dealing with eldercare, childcare or continuing education, you can help give management a better grasp on what the team needs.

Life Coach Secret #2: Take suggestions under advisement.

When people’s personal needs are met, they’re able to concentrate better and be more efficient. Start by asking for one reasonable request – for example, staggering the start and end of workdays. After the company familiarizes itself with flexible schedules, tackle a new need.

Life Coach Secret #3: Make sure desires match positions.

People need to be happy with their work. Do you know someone in accounting who would rather be doing more creative work? Encourage him or her to try a project in that department! The entire company will benefit by having a happier and more productive individual.

Life Coach Secret #4: Recognize signs of burnout.

Do you work with someone who always seems tired, overreacts to minor problems, and has diminishing productivity? Gently broach the subject. He or she may need to schedule a vacation or may need to switch jobs.

Life Coach Secret # 5: Set a good example.

If you occasionally need to take time out of your workday to attend to personal obligations, don’t hide it – you’re actually setting a good example! There will always be projects that compete for your time.  Realize that some personal obligations need to take priority. When your work environment allows people to accomplish both their personal and professional goals, you’ll be rewarded with loyal, happy employees and coworkers … and increased productivity. Start setting yourself apart from the competition today!

I want to hear from you!
CLICK HERE to send me your questions about your work life issues at work.  What does your company do to ensure that employees feel balanced at home while being productive at work?

Until next time,

This is Joyce Weiss, Communication Strategist and Coach

You can gain control in your own life after working with me as your personal life coach.  I will do whatever it takes to help you improve your quality of life.

Feel free to call me (800.713.1926) concerning your own team or professional growth coaching.

Remember…You Get What YOU Tolerate!

See YOU Next Week.

CLICK HERE to review the table of contents and testimonials for your own copy of Take the Ride of Your Life:  Shift Gears for More Balance, Growth, and Joy.  Please call me to discuss special rates when you purchase quantities for incentive or holiday gifts.

 

 

“Terrific stuff Joyce! You are an endless source of Practical ideas and great inspiration for getting everyone involved in turning around potentially negative situations.  The bicycle analogy is something we can all relate to in our own life.  It is truly an inspiring message.” Bill Zehnder, President, Bavarian Inn Restaurant, Frankenmuth, MI  

 

 

 

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Making Time for Yourself is a Necessity, Not a Luxury

clock and hammer bigThe holiday season is so busy for most of us!  Shopping, parties, increased travel, family gatherings, returning gifts and so on and so on!

People tell me that they never have time to do what they really want to do – their day is just too full.  A key message in my work/life balance program –Take the Ride of Your Life!  Shift Gears for More Balance, Growth and Joy is… Making time for yourself is a necessity, not a luxury. We do several exercises to uncover what barriers we ALL need to remove so we can enjoy our life even more.… [Continue reading]

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So, You Want to do it ALL? Burn Out May Be Good For You!

Some of you sent me a message stating that the radio show link was not working on your system from the blog post that I sent last week.  I decided to resend this blog with a new link so that you can experience a very spirited and powerful interview with host Jim Blasingame who created the Small Business Advocate Radio Show.

I do hope you were intrigued by the title:  Burn Out May Be Good For You!

Do you…

  •      Find it hard to delegate?
  •      Wonder if you will ever catch up?
  •      Crash at the end of the day without doing something that you want to do?

If you answered yes to only one of these statements, please continue reading this article.

Jim Blasingame, founder of the Small Business Advocate has invited me to be a guest on his radio show numerous times each year.  Both  of us have upbeat and VERY interesting conversations about how to succeed in business.  I decided to share a personal story that happened to me this summer.  He loved the idea on how I turned burnout into something positive.

Click HERE to listen to Jim Blasingame’s interview with me on How Burn Out May Be Good For You!

JIM BLASINGAME is the creator and award-winning host of The Small Business Advocate Show, a syndicated columnist, and author of Small Business Is Like A Bunch Of Bananas, Three Minutes To Success, and The Age of the Customer: Prepare for the Moment of Relevance.  He is one of the world’s foremost experts on small business and entrepreneurship.  You can reach Jim at jim@jbsba.com. 

Thoughts From Joyce

I learned the following valuable lessons when I burned out this summer:

  • Sometimes the body is smarter than our brain.  Start looking at the signs when you get sick.
  • Think about what change you need to make when you don’t enjoy what you do (at home or work).
  • Decide what you need to delegate or get rid of to let you do what you want to do.  (I decided to refer some of the lower paying programs to speakers bureaus
    or other colleagues.  This is a win/win.  I can then concentrate on the clients who I WANT to work with in the future).
  • Take time to reflect why you are burning out.  Are you sleeping enough, eating right, or taking time for YOU?  If not start a small list of what you can change.  You may need to change how you think about work or home.  This is the biggest hurdle that I see when I consult others.  Whose life is it anyway? 
  • High Achievers break (not over achievers…that sounds negative)…they don’t bend.  That is why we break down physically. 
  • Start listening to our relatives or friends when  they tell us how we are burning both ends of a candle.  Don’t become defensive…thank them!

 Click here for my short article on Why Burnout Can Be Good For You.

 Want to Use this Article in Your Newsletter or on Your Website?

Of course! You are welcome to print this, and any other articles we send, if you use the following byline:
A recognized expert on Resolving Conflict in the Workplace, Joyce Weiss, M.A., CSP is an author, accountability coach, and a Certified Speaking Professional. To book Joyce to speak at your event or company call: 800.713.1926 or email: Joyce@JoyceWeiss.com
Visit her website at JoyceWeiss.com to sign up for your own FREE video series and Communicate with Impact Weekly to Resolve Conflict in the Workplace.

Was this helpful?

Please send me any comments that you may have about this article. Hit the link at the end of this post to share your ideas or questions. Loyal readers like you help us find more people who could benefit from these posts to reduce conflict at the workplace and home. There may be someone in your life who is feeling stressed out…who could benefit from the inspiration and knowledge on improving their working condition or home life.

Until next time,

This is Joyce Weiss, Business Conflict Resolution Consultant
I help people become top level leaders who get GREAT results.
How do I do this?
I teach them to tackle the tough conversations with bullies and negative people to build employee engagement, accountability, and rock star performance…
The Result? My clients get a better night’s sleep!

Feel free to call me concerning your own team/executive retreats, workshops, on line professional growth coaching, and keynote speeches.

Remember…You Get What YOU Tolerate!

 PS  Click here for my short article on Why Burnout Can Be Good For You.

PPS  See you next week!

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Go From FEAR to In GEAR

Joe Brown and Adrienne Coleman at BCBSM
Joe Brown and Adrienne Coleman at BCBSM

Joe Brown, from Blue Cross Blue Shield of MI brought me in to speak and do a book signing during National Management Association week in Detroit.  Thanks to Joe Brown and Adrienne Coleman who made me feel like part of their Blue Cross Blue Shield family.  I read from the chapter STRESS:  “I’m afraid to take off the training wheels” – Go From Fear to In Gear. 

This post consists of a powerful story from my book, Take the Ride of Your Life!  I hope that you enjoy the message as much as Joe and Adrienne’s team did.  They asked very powerful and insightful questions during the discussion.

Alyce’s Story

Alyce is a crisis counselor for abused women. She understands the power of asking for and giving help. She spent her earliest childhood in a Louisiana migrant camp. She remembers watching her mom pick tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, apples, peaches, and cherries under broiling southern skies.

“My first bike did not even have wheels. It was a real old Schwinn. Everybody took turns pushing each other on it, because it didn’t pedal,” she recalled.
“It had a big seat on it, and we pretty much taught ourselves to ‘ride’ it. All the kids took turns holding the bike and pushed each other until we skinned our knees. We had a ball.”
It wasn’t until Alyce turned eleven or twelve and moved to Michigan that she got her first new bicycle.

When Alyce thinks about her bikes she has some keen insights. 
“That first bike wasn’t complete. Yet, a bunch of kids got together and supported each other so we could all play. Then all of a sudden, I had a bike that I could ride myself. It’s like my life. I love doing things with people, for people. I’m much more content with this than being by myself. I’m happy with my life. Now I have a full bike with everything
on it — and I’m sharing it.”

Click here to order your own copy of Take the Ride of Your Life.  It is an easy summer read to help you Shift Gears for More Balance, Growth and Joy.

Joyce’s Thoughts
Many of us don’t ask for help because we think it is a sign of weakness. Asking for help is a strength. It is a sign that you are taking care of your own needs.
Sit down and create a list of people who can help you feel less pressured. Problem-solving gives you control of the situation; it allows you to create your own positive
environment amid the stress of everyday chaos. Problem-solving is another technique that moves people into action. It gives control, versus staying stuck and complaining about
the same old things.

Gear-Shifting Action Steps
1. Write the name of a negative person who brings you down. Problem-solve a plan to protect yourself.

2. Who is a cheerleader in your life? What does this person do to encourage you?

3.  Who are you a cheerleader for? How do you encourage this person to be the best he or she can be?

4. On the left side of a paper, make a list of the situations that troubled you last year. On the right side, list the effects of each situation. Hopefully the items on the
right side won’t seem so important.

What worried me one year ago?
What are the consequences?
At work?
At home?
With relationships?

Now make a list of the troubles you’re facing today.
Visualize how they will turn out one year from now.
What worries me today?
What will be the consequences?
At work?
At home?
With relationships?

Want to Use this Article in Your Newsletter or on Your Website?

Of course! You are welcome to print this, and any other articles we send, if you use the following byline:
A recognized expert on Resolving Conflict in the Workplace, Joyce Weiss, M.A., CSP is an author, accountability coach, and a Certified Speaking Professional.
To book Joyce to speak at your event or company call: 800.713.1926 or email: Joyce@JoyceWeiss.com
Visit her website at www.JoyceWeiss.com to sign up for your own FREE video series on Resolving Conflict in the Workplace and Communicate with Impact Weekly.

Was this Helpful?

Please send me any comments that you may have for this article. Hit the link at the end of this post to share your ideas or questions. Loyal readers like you help us find more people who could benefit from these posts to reduce conflict at the workplace and home. There may be someone in your life who is feeling stressed out…who could benefit from the inspiration and knowledge on improving their working condition or home life.

Until next time,

This is Joyce Weiss, Business Conflict Resolution Consultant
I help people become top level leaders who get GREAT results.
How do I do this?
I teach them to tackle the tough conversations with bullies and negative people to build employee engagement, accountability, and rock star performance…
The Result? My clients get a better night’s sleep!

Remember…You Get What YOU Tolerate!

P.S. Click here to order your own copy of Take the Ride of Your Life.  It is an easy summer read to help you Shift Gears for More Balance, Growth and Joy.

 

Contact Joyce

Email: joyce@joyceweiss.com
Phone: 248-681-5831