Work-Life Balance Archives - Sharon M Weinstein

March 24, 2019 By Sharon Weinstein

Are you a meeting planner with too much to do?

Achieving More by Doing Less…what meeting planners need to know-

Are you kidding me?
Is this even possible?
How can I make it happen?
When do I start?

Work-life or workday balance…what is it and why does it matter? Whose responsibility is it? As meeting planners and team players, we share the responsibility of implementing strategies to ensure work-life balance.

Annual conferences, regional meetings…they spell long days, long weeks, and the need to be on- all the time with multiple responsibilities pulling you in multiple directions! There is so much to do and so little time! How can you achieve more and do less?

Is all this a cliché or is it reality? In today’s environment, it certainly seems that it is indeed our reality – a reality of the times in which we live and our expansive scope of work. Balancing work and personal life can be a challenging task. Are you prepared for the challenge?

Is your performance impaired because you are out of balance? Are you caught up in the balancing act, unable to do it all and care only for others in your lives without caring for yourself? You are only as good as you are balanced! If you do not take the time for yourself – yes, even with the array of responsibilities pressuring you now – you will not be the best that you can be. That personal best includes you as parent, partner, friend, partner, professional, educator or event manager. That personal best is what will enable you to reach new heights in your career, to achieve your goals and to maintain your health.

It will start with a successful conference or meeting, allowing you to achieve more and do less, minus the stress. To learn about the five steps needed for balance, opt into https://smwgroupllc.com and receive the secret tool that will get you to, and through, that next meeting.

March 1, 2019 By Sharon Weinstein

It’s time to get SMART and detox!

You have a plethora of SMART devices and apps that facilitate your life’s work, keep you on track and on time, turn on the lights and TV, and shut them down. Wouldn’t it be great if you had an app or device that allowed you to master self-care the smart way?

As a business owner, you work long hours and probably take little time for yourself. The time is now to get SMART, and start by forming a digital detox (yes from those amazing devices and apps that you cannot live without). Try these five easy steps to regaining your time and energy, while getting SMART about self-care:

Think about the communication tools you use and select one! Then, request your clients to use that one to communicate with you.
Set parameters for time online; you do it for your kids, and you should do it for yourself.
Schedule breaks for yourself- even 15 minutes per day will make a huge difference in how you feel and your performance.
Add mindfulness to your walking and eating routines.
Make a gratitude list- think about people, places, and things that bring you joy.

SMART devices and apps do not ensure smart use of your time. It’s time to get smart by identifying those things that must be done and those that can wait. Identify the groups to which you must belong, and those for which you must volunteer your time and efforts. Complete your work and take a break! Even though there is so much to do and so little time, take time for yourself and make being SMART and in balance a part of your daily routine! You will thank yourself, and those around you will thank you too.

April 1, 2018 By Sharon Weinstein

Culture drives performance…engagement

Employees are unhappy at work, and companies are paying for it! Results matter and to survive and thrive in today’s economy, companies need an engaged workforce. The bottom line, in companies large and small, is a concern that can be managed through culture and hiring practices.

If you were to rewrite the future of your organization, what might that look like? What changes could you make in your company’s culture that would drive performance, enhance the bottom line, and generate an engaged workforce that ensures your success and theirs?

As a master of work/life balance, I’ve spoken and written about the impact of the environment on behavior, productivity, relationships, and yes- health! What I know is that CULTURE DRIVES PERFORMANCE…and a culture of success is the first step in communicating your goals, your vision, and your mission. Employees can and should be ambassadors for your organization; they will do so if you set expectations with them, communicate those expectations, and hold them accountable.

Reward your superstars by recognizing and cloning them. Author Seth Godin has often referenced past culture (follow instruction, be on time, work hard, suck it up), with current culture (be remarkable, be generous, be creative and connect people and ideas). What I know is that CULTURE DRIVES PERFORMANCE, and a culture of recognition and replication will lead to success.

You are familiar with the Good to Great philosophy of “having the right people in the right seats on your bus.” Take it a step further with the right fit credo. Hire for values! What I know is that CULTURE DRIVES PERFORMANCE, and a value-driven culture will attract and retain the right people.

In the words of John Ruskin, “In order that people may be happy in their work, these three things are needed: They must be fit for it. They must not do too much of it. And they must have a sense of success in it.”

Ruskin says in a simple quote what I know to be true: CULTURE DRIVES PERFORMANCE, and a culture of success, recognition and fit will drive your future!

August 27, 2017 By Sharon Weinstein

SCORE!

And I scored! All 5s, that is, on a scale of 1-5 during 8 presentations in a two-week period! I knocked it out of the park, meeting and exceeding the expectations of my hosts, sponsors, and audiences. WOW – it felt great!

The thrill of the game
The drama of the goal
The sound of the bat
The thrill of the crowd
The standing ovation

Perhaps you have been there, when the Cubs won the World Series, when Simone Biles took home Olympic Gold, and when Stephen Curry, Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James have scored.

“To me, form is not about scoring runs but how you feel about your game. Sometimes the runs are not there, but you know you are batting well, and that is good form for me.” Gautam Gambhir

As an adult soccer player, I scored a magnificent goal that won the game and the trophy. In the process, I broke the metatarsals of my left foot, but I continued to play. When I learned to play golf 8 years ago, I scored a trophy as most-improved player in the 18-hole women’s league!

As speakers, trainers, facilitators, consultants – we are expected to SCORE a win for those who engaged us! We customize programs, give it our all, exceed expectations, excite the audience, offer a call to action, and get great reviews. To those who attend our sessions, embrace our content, employ our techniques, and follow us – thank you! As a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), I share your commitment to the process and the outcome!

We are professional speakers! Our goal (no pun-intended) is to score for you every time, at every event, and at any venue! I scored, and I enjoyed the thrill, the drama, the sound, and the standing ovation. WOW – it felt great; let me SCORE for your organization or event!

The win will be yours, simply for asking!

July 24, 2017 By Sharon Weinstein

What are your strengths?

What are your strengths? Within the workplace, you identify your strengths as communication skills, technology, people management, writing, leadership and more. What about within your life – how would you identify your strengths? When you update your LinkedIn profile, what changes do you make? Perhaps those changes address your workplace, your functions, your responsibilities. Think beyond your professional profile; think about yourself.

I encourage you to consider the following areas: physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and intellectual.

The physical you requires good nutrition, appropriate weight, beneficial exercise and adequate rest.

The emotional you needs to give and receive forgiveness, love and compassion; needs to laugh and experience happiness; needs joyful relationships with yourself and others.

The mental you needs self-supportive attitudes, positive thoughts and viewpoints and a positive self-image.

The spiritual you requires inner calmness, openness to your creativity, and trust in your inner knowing.

The intellectual you requires fulfillment, personal development, and satisfying relationships.

It is mid-year, and perhaps it is time to realize your strengths and reach your potential.

Resolve to be the captain of your ship – your body/mind/spirit. A comfortable, healthy balance between your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects doesn’t happen accidentally. Someone has to be in charge, and that someone is always you. Sit back, recognize your strengths, and prepare to launch anew in mid-2017!

To start the process: