We begin every year with new resolutions and a commitment to making positive changes in our life. A fresh start! Healthier habits! Better relationships! Then it’s January 3rd …
Well for better relationships, we get to try again starting on February 14th.
People who think that their private life and love life don’t impact their professional lives are in denial.
One of the challenges that HR people and managers face when measuring productivity is something called “Presenteeism”. It’s when someone goes to work but is out of it. That usually applies to someone who is suffering in silence from a non-treated medical condition, but it also gets a hit from stress at home.
When you’ve been up all night wondering if your marriage is okay or your children are okay, it impacts how you do your work. Having relationship problems keeps us in a stress response and irrational fears can sneak into how we perceive simple requests or exchanges at work.
So let’s treat Valentine’s Day like a do-over for that New Year’s resolution on improving our relationships. Let’s look at 5 impactful habits that spill over into your professional life:
1- Bring passion into your life
Remember when you were first dating? The newness of the relationship and the planned flirtations energized and excited every part of your day. It’s time to flirt with your wife or husband again. Like those silly “Good morning” Cialis commercials, it will put a spring in your step.
2- Reconnect regularly
Deciding that it’s important enough to make a regular date night can actually improve your work life. This gives you an opportunity to solve problems when they’re still small and to find reasons to laugh together.
3- Reset your brain
When we turn everything else off (yes, even your phone) and mindfully focus on the person that we love, we go back to work with a refreshed mind and soul.
4- Being goofy is great for decision making
When we are with someone that we value and trusts and we let our guard down to be goofy, it increases our Oxytocin (the love hormone) which is great for decision-making. Happy people are more creative and make better decisions.
5- Being in love increases your desirability
When you go around feeling happy and open to others, it’s infectious. People want to be around you. It’s easier to influence others because happy people are perceived as more confident. When it’s time to be considered for a promotion, being rested, energized, passionate, confident, good at decisions and happy are great qualities in a person.
You don’t believe me?
OK. Then think of the worst boss, colleague or employee you ever had, or think of someone you feel didn’t live up to their full potential. Did he/she have any of these qualities? Now think of the best boss, colleague or employee you ever had or someone you consider very successful. What about them?
This ain’t rocket science. It’s the magic of love. (Imagine birds singing happily as you read that last line.)
No special someone right now?
Then look in the mirror and make that time with yourself. Turn off the phone, get quiet, admire yourself and get in touch with what’s important. Be happy and fulfilled with your relationship with you and bring that to your professional life.
Happy Valentine’s Day! And make it a whole year of love!
BIO
Monique works with organizations or people who want to reduce conflict to create a culture of collaboration, engagement and productivity. The most successful leaders are not infallible when faced with someone who “drives them crazy!” Her strategies to empower people to better understand each other and have better outcomes, while having fun, are appreciated by all who meet her. She draws from 30 years of crisis intervention and mental health work, she is a Level II Accredited Trainer for DISC as a Human Behavior Consultant and a Certified NLP Professional Coach. She loves meeting people and getting to know them and their industry. So feel free to reach out.
