Sharon M Weinstein

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February 9, 2017 By Sharon Weinstein

E is for Engagement…

Nurses are the largest segment of the healthcare workforce and they are at the core of care delivery, safety, and outcomes.  In today’s environment, we hear much about the patient experience but think about it – you cannot deliver a great patient experience without great employee engagement. 

Are those responsible for providing care in your organization treated as well as those they serve?  Engaged employees are energized, committed, action-oriented, problem-solvers, critical thinkers, and innovators.  They have a voice, and their voices drive change within the organization.  They see, touch, and feel it each and every day.  Engagement is woven within the vision, mission, and goals of the institution, and your staff knows it.

A crisis exists today…and that crisis is stress.  Regarding of the professional role, stress is usually work-related.  We all have the same requisite number of hours in a day – only 24.  And yet, we try to extend those hours and make them equal 36 or more.  It is virtually impossible, and our productivity demonstrates our failure to adhere to the ‘work day’ as a somewhat normal work day.

A workplace is only as good as how it treats its workers.  Today’s employers are constantly seeking ways to assist their workers in managing their job responsibilities and their personal responsibilities and needs. Strategies for work/life balance help create supportive, healthy work environments; strengthen employee commitment and loyalty, and result in more productive workplaces and improved patient outcomes. Nurses are at the heart and soul of healthcare, and yet, they sometimes do not have time for self-care and renewal activities – activities what would make them whole, enhance their well-being, and allow them to celebrate themselves.

Think about what drives engagement!  “An analysis of Press Ganey’s national nurse engagement database Dempsey et al, 2015 identified drivers of nurse engagement.  Key drivers of nurse engagement in 2015 included:

  • The organization provides high-quality care and service.
  • The organization treats employees with respect.
  • I like the work I do.
  • The environment makes employees in my work unit want to go above and beyond what’s expected of them.
  • My pay is fair compared to other health care employers in this area.
  • My job makes good use of my skills and abilities.
  • I get the tools and resources I need to provide the best care/service for our clients/patients.
  • The organization provides career development opportunities.
  • This organization conducts business in an ethical manner.
  • Patient safety is a priority in this organization.”

By giving nurses a voice; by providing a healthy work environment, including opportunities for professional advancement and personal growth, today’s health systems will put the E in Engagement – enhancing retention, empowering staff, and enriching the workplace.

Filed Under: C-Suite, Celebrations, CEO, Environment, Health & Wellness, Hospitals, Human Resources, Nursing, Success, Talent Management, Wellness, Work-Life Balance, Workplace Stress Tagged With: balance, commitment, Employee engagement, enrich, Fatigue, Health, organization, personal development, Safety, self-development, SharonMWeinstein, speaker, Stress, success, Wellness

December 16, 2016 By Sharon Weinstein

Your Environment…your choice

Your environment is your space…it is your body, and the settings in which you live, work, and play. Your body probably started out on an even playing field 25 or more years ago. And, your home and work settings have influenced your body’s ability to adapt – to thrive and survive today and forever. Think about where you live, work and play, and think about the sources of stress that present on an almost daily basis and influence your ability to be well and to stay well.

Let’s begin with choice! The choices that you make, about what you put into your body and that with which you surround yourself, impact your outcomes – how well you feel, how productive you are, and how good you look. Are the choices that you are making healthy, or will they impair function? For example, is a can of soda on your desktop – eager to turn your body into an acidic environment that will slow you down, swell you up, and put you to sleep? I hope not!

The work-life connection

A crisis exists today. Millions of people are unwell, suffering from the stresses that are part of modern living: lack of sleep, poor nutrition (and obesity), exposure to dangerous pollutants, no exercise, and time pressures. And people — millions of people — are looking for solutions.

Workplace wellness programs are beginning to earn their place among necessities within the environment. Model programs for disease management are decreasing days lost from work, enhancing lifestyle, and increasing performance. As workweeks are expanding and stress levels are rising, more hours are spent at the workplace, and health takes a toll.

One of the greatest sources of stress for workers, regardless of professional role, is work-related. We all have the same requisite number of hours in a day – only 24. And yet, we try to extend those hours and make them equal 36 or more. It is virtually impossible, and our productivity demonstrates our failure to adhere to the ‘work day’ as a somewhat normal work day.

A workplace is only as good as how it treats its workers.   Today’s employers are constantly seeking ways to assist their workers in managing their job responsibilities and their personal responsibilities and needs. Strategies for work/life balance help create supportive, healthy work environments; strengthen employee commitment and loyalty; and result in more productive workplaces and improved customer satisfaction.

As professionals, we have expectations from our work environment, from those with whom we work, and our future. Oprah Winfrey suggests that, “right now you are one choice away from a new beginning—one that leads you toward becoming the fullest human being you can be.”

If your path is paved with good intentions, but your work is unrewarding and your time is not your own, negotiate. Think things over and make a change. Negotiate for change in the workplace; work with your employer to improve the environment, your outcomes, and the company’s success.

As workweeks are expanding and stress levels are rising, more hours are spent at the workplace, and health takes a toll. Initiatives aimed at producing a healthy workforce, enhancing recruitment and retention, decreasing overall healthcare costs, and enhancing productivity and bottom line are evolving.  Workplace Wellness Programs provide the structure, encouragement, incentives and ongoing support that many individuals need in order to make lifestyle changes. Embark on the journey to workplace wellness…and begin by treating your staff well!

It’s your choice! It’s your business! It’s your future! Make it a healthy one…

Life Balance…it is what I do and who I am! I work with organizations that want to learn how life balance can drive safety, satisfaction, and success!

Sharon is an energetic, motivating and highly skilled professional speaker and author specializing in work/life balance. After all, she wrote the book.   She is the founder of SharonMWeinstein, an LLC and two not-for-profits.

 She holds the coveted Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation, the highest earned international recognition for professional speakers. This makes her one of only 12% of all speakers to hold this designation and one of only 22 nurses in the world with this credential.  www.sharonmweinstein.com

 Are you ready to embrace a life in balance in 2017 and beyond?

 

 

Filed Under: C-Suite, Celebrations, CEO, CFO, CIO, Consulting, Dreams, Environment, Health & Wellness, Holidays, Wellness, Work-Life Balance, Workplace Stress Tagged With: balance, Choices, Educate, empower, Encouragement, enrich, Environment, personal development, Relaxation, self-development, SharonMWeinstein, speaker, work

September 20, 2016 By Sharon Weinstein

MM…what does it mean to you?

Driving on the Interstate, I saw a sign that said, “MM” and I wondered aloud what that might mean.

  • Could there be a Mastermind meeting at the next rest stop?
  • Is it a filler term that is often used in speech, such as: um, uh, ah, mm
  • Could it possibly refer to M & Ms for sale at the next highway shop?
  • In some locations, MM might indicate the ubiquitous mouse
  • For Hollywood followers, MM is synonymous with Marilyn Monroe
  • Might it refer to the metric measure with which I am most familiar?

There are so many applications for the term MM, including those used in pure mathematics in which MM is an abbreviation for “million”, short for “mille mille”, or 1000 × 1000.

And then there is the ‘mm’ used as a sign of distraction…the humming sound you hear when you nod your head in agreement, meaning “Yes”, “I agree” or “I hear you”.

We live in an age of instant communication, via texting. Texting has unique meanings for MM, such as:

Merry meet – Make me – Missing my

https://www.allacronyms.com/_internet_slang/MM/text_messaging

When I decided to identify other ways in which MM might be used, I discovered an extensive list of acronyms:

Acronym              Definition

MM        Million

mm        Millimeter

MM        2-digit Month (as in MM/DD/YYYY)

MM        Multimedia

MM        Materials Management

MM        Memory Module (computing)

MM        Money Market

MM        Master of Music

MM        Mass Media

MM        Marketing Manager

MM        Media Manager

MM        Meeting Minutes

MM        Marilyn Monroe

MM        Mile Marker

MM        Mickey Mouse

MM        Memorandum

MM        Malignant Melanoma (malignant skin lesion)

MM        Multi-Meter (Multimeter)

MM        MusicMatch (computer music application)

MM        Middle Man

MM        Mamma Mia

MM        Mastermind (archetype in the game City of Villains)

MM        March Madness (college basketball)

MM        Mighty Mouse

MM        Mucous Membrane

MM        Minnie Mouse

MM        Millimolar (SI measure)

MM        Married Men

MM        Mickey Mantle

MM        Master of Management (degree)

MM        Military Mission

MM        Money Makers

MM        Mid-Month

MM        Mission Management

MM        Mapping Mode (windows programming)

MM        Mobile Management

MM        Mobility Manager

MM        Money Match

MM        Money Mart

MM        Minutes/Month

MM        Mega-Memory

MM        Mean Mom

MM        Mensa Member

MM        Military Message

MM        Mineral Map

MM        Mission Minded

MM        Momentum Management

MM        Micro Mole

MM        Master’s Degree in Management

MM        Master of Ministry

MM        Materiel Manager

MM        Millions or Thousands

MM        Main Memory

MM        Magic Missile (Dungons & Dragons)

MM        Major Mode (Space Shuttle)

MM        Mad Max

MM        Maintenance Measurement

MM        Molecular Medicine

MM        Mad Magazine

Adapted from http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/MM

Wow…what an incredible number of possibilities! So, what was that MM by the side of the road? It stood for Mile Marker.   I’ve lived in 7 States, and I’ve never before seen a sign that said only “MM” and nothing more. Mile markers on interstate highways help you determine which direction you’re going. On most interstates, mile marker numbers begin at the south state line on north-south routes and increase as you travel north. On east-west routes, the numbers begin on the western state border and increase as you travel east. http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-do-highways-have-mile-markers.

With a GPS, who needs a mile marker?

imagesdjb3ufbsI’d rather see Mickey or indulge in some M & Ms.  How about you?

 

 

 

 

Life Balance…it is what I do and who I am! I work with organizations that want to learn how life balance can drive safety, satisfaction, and success!

Sharon is an energetic, motivating and highly skilled professional speaker and author specializing in work/life balance. After all, she wrote the book.   She is the founder of SharonMWeinstein, an LLC and two not-for-profits.

 She holds the coveted Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation, the highest earned international recognition for professional speakers. This makes her one of only 12% of all speakers to hold this designation and one of only 22 nurses in the world with this credential.  www.sharonmweinstein.com

 

 

Filed Under: Driving, GPS, Health & Wellness, Road signs, Travel, Wellness, Work-Life Balance Tagged With: balance, Directions, Driving, GPS, Safety, Signs

July 27, 2016 By Sharon Weinstein

Your Environment…your choice!

imagesCA63FFWQYour environment is your space…it is your body, and the settings in which you live, work, and play. Your body probably started out on an even playing field 25 or more years ago. And, your home and work settings have influenced your body’s ability to adapt – to thrive and survive today and forever. Think about where you live, work and play, and think about the sources of stress that present on an almost daily basis and influence your ability to be well and to stay well.

Let’s begin with choice! The choices that you make, about what you put into your body and that with which you surround yourself, impact your outcomes – how well you feel, how productive you are, and how good you look. Are the choices that you are making healthy, or will they impair function? For example, is a can of soda on your desktop – eager to turn your body into an acidic environment that will slow you down, swell you up, and put you to sleep? I hope not!

The work-life connection

A crisis exists today. Millions of people are unwell, suffering from the stresses that are part of modern living: lack of sleep, poor nutrition (and obesity), exposure to dangerous pollutants, no exercise, and time pressures. And people — millions of people — are looking for solutions.

Workplace wellness programs are beginning to earn their place among necessities within the environment. Model programs for disease management are decreasing days lost from work, enhancing lifestyle, and increasing performance. As workweeks are expanding and stress levels are rising, more hours are spent at the workplace, and health takes a toll.

One of the greatest sources of stress for workers, regardless of professional role, is work-related. We all have the same requisite number of hours in a day – only 24. And yet, we try to extend those hours and make them equal 36 or more. It is virtually impossible, and our productivity demonstrates our failure to adhere to the ‘work day’ as a somewhat normal work day.

A workplace is only as good as how it treats its workers.   Today’s employers are constantly seeking ways to assist their workers in managing their job responsibilities and their personal responsibilities and needs. Strategies for work/life balance help create supportive, healthy work environments; strengthen employee commitment and loyalty; and result in more productive workplaces and improved customer satisfaction.

As professionals, we have expectations from our work environment, from those with whom we work, and our future. Oprah Winfrey suggests that, “right now you are one choice away from a new beginning—one that leads you toward becoming the fullest human being you can be.”

If your path is paved with good intentions, but your work is unrewarding and your time is not your own, negotiate. Think things over and make a change. Negotiate for change in the workplace; work with your employer to improve the environment, your outcomes, and the company’s success.

As workweeks are expanding and stress levels are rising, more hours are spent at the workplace, and health takes a toll. Initiatives aimed at producing a healthy workforce, enhancing recruitment and retention, decreasing overall healthcare costs, and enhancing productivity and bottom line are evolving.  Workplace Wellness Programs provide the structure, encouragement, incentives and ongoing support that many individuals need in order to make lifestyle changes. Embark on the journey to workplace wellness…and begin by treating your staff well!

It’s your choice! It’s your business! It’s your future! Make it a healthy one…

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Environment, Health & Wellness, Parenting, Wellness, Work-Life Balance, Workplace Stress

June 28, 2016 By Sharon Weinstein

How’s the C-Suite treating you today?

images (1)The Chief

So you are the Chief – Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Chief Information Officer! What is that “C” contributing to your stress levels, and what are you willing to do to relieve the stress. Do you really think that stress doesn’t have an impact on your body, your memory, your ability to function as a Chief, and your outlook on life?

The numbers tell it all about the body

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 60% to 70% of all disease and illness is stress-related.
  • An estimated 75% to 90% of visits to physicians are stress related.
  • According to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Women’s Association, 60% of women surveyed said work stress was their biggest problem.
  • Job pressures cause more health complaints than any other stressor, says the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Your outlook

I can guess what you’re thinking… here’s one more thing I have to worry about. As a senior executive, you need to worry! You can’t – nor do you ever want to – eliminate stress altogether. Some stress is beneficial. I’ll even go out on a limb and say that stress by itself is never actually harmful or bad. It’s your reaction to stress that creates problems. It’s your outlook that counts!

We’re simply trained to ignore the signs of stress in an attempt to keep the problems at bay. No wonder: changing life-long behaviors is in itself stressful. This is a classic mind-body disconnect.

The Three Phases of Stress

As you know, just being in business today creates stress, and at your level, stress is more prevalent. Here’s how most people react to a stressor (such as: earnings announcement, problem at home, manufacturing flaw, countless and mind-numbing meetings):

  • First, in what is called the “Alarm Phase,” they react to the stressor. This might result in a burst of anger, shock, or surprise.
  • Second, they move into the “Resistance Phase,” when they begin to adapt to the stressor. They learn to cope with the dysfunction, lack of sleep, or 16-hour work days. This phase can last for years, and after a while will feel very “normal.”
  • Third, the body finally loses steam. They go into the “Exhaustion Phase,” where their ability to resist is reduced. They’ll feel tired, unable to concentrate, and will often catch colds or become ill – the body’s way of slowing them down.

I know from experience that there are many ways to more effectively handle the everyday stressors, as well as those big once-in-awhile stressors. I’ve taught meditation, mindfulness training, breathing exercises, and disseminated countless bits of information on general nutrition and the benefits of regular exercise. Perhaps, as the C-suite executive, it is time for you to learn how to relax!

Squeeze a few minutes of relaxation into each day

Far too many of us lead lives that are frenzied and hurried from the moment we wake up in the morning to the moment we crawl into bed at night. The more packed every moment of your day is the more you need to make time to relax; for a few minutes of deep breathing to 20 minutes of deep relaxation or yoga. Making this a habit will keep you in better stress shape for the day that chronic stress knocks on your door, which it almost certainly will if it hasn’t already. After all, in your senior position, the problems land at your door.

The human system can tolerate a tremendous amount of stress. Over the years, however, too much stress breaks down your resistance to illness and disease and impacts your memory. Remember, the negative consequences of your stress are strongly influenced by your rest habits. Since stress is unlikely to diminish in our high-pressured American lifestyle, take the time throughout your day for the natural unwinding of your stress response.

There are only 24 hours in each day

You don’t have time to rest, you say? You have more time than you think you do. You could:

  • Do deep breathing while driving to work and during other stressful moments throughout your day.
  • Get up 15 minutes earlier and spend the time doing deep relaxation, yoga or journaling.
  • Take 2 minutes several times a day to tense tight muscle groups for 10 to 15 seconds, and then relax them completely. Repeat this two to three times each round.

 So you are the Chief

images

How is the C-Suite treating you today? There is no better time to consider the actions that you will take to enhance your role and to preserve your ability to function as a Chief.

 

Filed Under: C-Suite, CEO, CFO, CIO, Health & Wellness, Wellness, Work-Life Balance, Workplace Stress Tagged With: Action, balance, C-Suite, Chief, Educate, empower, enrich, long hours, resolutions, Stress, time management

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