Well-being At Work And No-Meeting Days

Who is responsible for well-being?

We all have a role to play.

This was the key lesson from a recent study by Deloitte on workplace well-being.

The report highlights the need to broaden how we think of well-being at work.

That it is a shared responsibility of organizations, leaders and individuals.

And that work has a huge influence on every aspect of our physical and mental well-being, so it’s time to re-think how we approach it.

I have my own perspective on responsibility that I share below. But what stood out to me the most is that . . .

One of the statistics showed that while 80 percent of executives say well-being is a top priority, nearly 90 percent of workers think their work life is getting worse.

THIS is something to pay attention to.
THIS is urgent and important.
THIS is why I do the work that I do.

The good news is there is a path forward.

First, let’s step back and look at the bigger picture for a moment.

Your life is happening right now.

Not when you retire. Or your kids get older. Or you finish that big project. Right now.

And if your work life is getting worse – or not any better – it’s time to wake up and pay attention.

Because your stress, frustration and overwhelm with your work life . . .

It impacts your connection with your partner and kids. Your relationships with your team. Your leadership and performance.

Your own peace and happiness . . . and a good night’s sleep.

Too much stress creates a negative ripple effect into all areas of your life. Like a rock being dropped in the water.

But while you may or may not have control over some of what’s happening at your workplace, your thoughts, beliefs and actions are always within your control.

I 100% agree that organizations and leaders need to take people’s well-being more seriously and look at what they can do to create a better work environment.

I also 100% believe that you as an individual MUST take responsibility for your days and life, and not wait for someone else to change something (or you might be waiting awhile).

So I am here to encourage you, to offer you perspective and ideas to better approach how you work, live and lead . . .

And to give you a kind and non-judgmental kick in the butt you might need to . . .

Stop settling for the way things are. Decide now to make a change.

Whether you’re feeling things aren’t how you want them to be at work or you have a team member who might be struggling with this, it’s time to pay attention and take action.

Here’s the thing: when you start to make small changes to take control of your days, experience less stress and boost well-being, it creates a positive ripple effect.

And you start to see . . .

Your relationships improve with your team.
You are more present and connected with your partner and kids.
Your performance improves.
You lead stronger.
You feel happier and more peaceful.

Where to start? Here is one action for you . . .

Have you felt overwhelmed by your calendar filled with back-to-back meetings? Do you wish for more uninterrupted work time to tackle your to-do list?

Do you need more space to flex when something unexpected happens in your week, like when your kids are sick or a team member is away?

If this is you, a micro-step offered in the article was blocking time.

"This can mean scheduling time on your calendar for yourself to get deep work done or just for self-care. And it can also mean blocking off no-meeting times for your team.

Both ways will boost your own well-being and give others the permission to do the same in their own lives."

One way I encourage others to do this is to consider implementing a "no meeting day" into your work week.

Not just for your own focus and productivity but for your well-being and that of your team as well.

By setting aside a day where you prioritize your own time and eliminate meetings, you allow yourself and your team to focus on important tasks and reduce the stress that comes with a packed schedule.

"No meeting days" not only increase focus and productivity, but they also help reduce burnout, boost well-being, and promote work-life balance.

It provides the space for you to do your best work without constant interruptions or distractions and to flex as you need when those unexpected things happen.

My personal favorite is "No Meeting Mondays". It's been a game-changer for me when it comes to not stressing about work on the weekends and getting a great start on the week.

So, what do you think about blocking off a day on your (and your team's) calendar for uninterrupted work time?

Or what is one other small step you can take this upcoming week to boost well-being for you and your team?

Be bold. Don't settle.

All my best,

What Next?

You can sign up for Stacey's masterclass, The Confident "No" here.

Stacey L. Olson is a Leadership and Certified Positive Psychology Coach, has 15 years of corporate experience and has gone through her own transformational change from burning out to balanced in life while performing at a high level (both in her corporate career and own business). She works with professionals who want to work less, live more and be their best even with all the demands, high expectations and messiness of everyday life. Stacey is the founder of The Balanced Leader™ program and offers executive and leadership coaching, workshops, and speaking.