MANAGEMENT TIPS

EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT TIPS TO BECOME A BETTER LEADER AT WORK
February 18, 2020 Work Well Comments Off on EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT TIPS TO BECOME A BETTER LEADER AT WORK

An employee’s relationship with their manager and executive team is a stepping stone to the rest of their career. 

You, as a manager, set the tone for how happy an employee is and often you’re a reflection of how an employee does and acts towards others. The particular skills a manager needs to develop these relationships can be honed through practice and experience.

A manager with poor people management skills can be a problem for a company and its people. It leads to top performers leaving the company after only a short period of time, unsatisfied customers and unaddressed problems which can cost a company a lot of money over the years. 

It takes someone special to be an effective and admirable leader but there are a few things you can do to become a better leader at work. Keep going, our top management tips await you!

What does it mean to be a leader?

Does it mean being good at your job, being well-liked, or being in charge of everyone?

Leadership doesn’t have a one size fits all definition, and there is no magic formula that will instantly make you a great leader. Instead, it takes time and dedication to learn how to achieve the goals you set, and how to inspire others to follow you and do the same. 

Everyone has their different ways of doing this, whether it’s through rewards, allowing more freedom within job roles or getting stuck into the job alongside your employees. Each approach works differently for everyone, but each type of leader has taken time to figure out their style.

Leadership qualities are unique to you but there are certain things you can take into consideration and certain things you can do to be an even better leader. 

Effective management tips

6 effective management tips

1. Trust is everything

Showing and telling employees you trust them is a great way to empower them and give them a sense of ownership in their work. It’s the best way for your employees to grow and become confident when taking on challenges. Building trust is a long-term strategy that takes constant work. You can increase trust by:

  • Keeping your promises to employees
  • Giving your employees space and time to complete their tasks
  • Supporting reasonable risks
  • Explaining the reasoning and data behind decisions and evaluations

2. Honest and open communication is key

Your employees want to stay informed about the business as much as you do, so keep them in the loop. Don’t let them hear about big changes at the company from various co-workers next to the coffee machine. It raises issues about transparency in the company and reduces their trust in you.

It’s important to build an environment where everyone’s opinion is heard. Make your employees feel comfortable enough to come to you with any concern they have or if they need some mentorship. 

3. A little credit goes a long way 

It should go without saying that employees like to be rewarded and recognised for their efforts and successes. Always reward members of your staff for their hard work. This applies to more than just the top performers; make it a point to recognise those who are improving and doing their best.

4. Opportunities and growth 

A willingness to provide opportunities for professional development and growth is an important aspect of any job. 

This is tied to knowing your staff members, their strengths and weaknesses, and recommending ways for them to continually improve. Whether it be an online course, funding for books, or part-time courses, employees should always have access to various avenues of self-improvement (this does not include encouraging them to watch YouTube tutorials).

5. Constructive criticism builds champions 

One of the most important people management skills is the ability to give useful, welcomed feedback. You have to be straight with employees, and they want to hear feedback from their managers — but you don’t have to be unnecessarily harsh.

6. Remember your employees’ wellness

A great employee will go the extra mile for you but it’s up to you to look after them and make sure they’re not eating and breathing their job. Instilling a well-balanced work-life is essential to being a good leader. For some tips, take a look at this article.

Being a better leader is a constant work in progress but it’s also important to remember that the office environment is also a massive contributing factor to your employees’ happiness in the workplace as well as your effectiveness at being a great leader. Find out how to create a healthier and happier work environment here.

WellBe Fitness

6 STEPS TO ESTABLISHING A REALISTIC FITNESS PLAN
February 12, 2020 Think Well Comments Off on 6 STEPS TO ESTABLISHING A REALISTIC FITNESS PLAN

The trial month of 2020 is over and as we wave goodbye to January, it’s time to remember those resolutions before they become a distant memory. Now that the January excitement has died down, the gym won’t be as busy and you can now establish a fitness plan (and stick to it).

A fitness plan doesn’t mean spending 3 grueling hours at the gym every single day with one of those hours devoted to the treadmill. A fitness plan needs to be something you’re excited about and motivated to keep up with, that’s how to remain consistent. 

No matter your goals or the plan you decide to use, 2020 is definitely the year for you to smash some goals!

Why you need a fitness plan

We’ve all seen the fitness fanatics on Instagram who love to sell their online fitness plans and as much as they try and force you to believe that you simply cannot workout without one – there is a little method behind the madness. 

Having a plan means you’re more likely to stick to something and you’re more likely to succeed. 

Firstly, I think it is amazing that you’ve made the decision to get active and well done for taking that first step but failing to have a plan when starting a new lifestyle can result in burnout from lack of results. In the end, you’re more likely to quit so it’s time to change the narrative you’ve grown used to. 

How to establish a fitness plan

First things first, we are not here to tell you what to do, you need to find exactly what works for you, this is just a guide to get you started and remind you that having a plan is the key to success. 

 

WellBe Fitness

1. Be realistic with your scheduling

We would all love it if we could workout every single day for over an hour but at the end of the day, for most of us, this isn’t possible. 

I remember when I was in university, I found it so easy to make it to the gym but as life goes on, we get busier and our schedules quickly fill up with meetings, deadlines, projects and commitments (social or otherwise). 

Which is why it is essential to create a schedule that you can stick to so start out with fewer days and gradually increase them as you develop a new routine or simply keep it to 2-3 days a week and move it around to suit you. 

It is YOUR schedule and you don’t need to feel guilty about it. 

2. Find something you enjoy

Standing in the weights section at the gym isn’t for everyone – and that’s okay! If you want to master the weight section though, this could help you.

Start trying different things out and see what works for you. Go for a run, join a yoga or boxing class or sign up for the gym. If you find something you hate, move on from it, there is no correct way to exercise and if you do something you hate, you’re more likely to give it up because let’s be honest, I’d rather lay on the couch than endure an hour and a half of running.  

3. Set goals

Your goals don’t have to be based on appearance (although they certainly can be, if that’s what you’re looking for). Exercise is wonderful for both your mental and physical health too.

Take a step back and identify what you want to gain from becoming more active and write them down. Make sure you refer back to these goals every now and then to make sure you’re staying on track and just to give yourself a little reminder of what you want to achieve.

4. Start slow

One mistake you can make is going too hard on your first day. Getting active is exciting and you might want to jump in full force but by going too hard too soon, you risk injuring yourself or making your muscles so stiff that you wouldn’t want to do it again!

5. Give yourself a break

Perfection doesn’t exist and it’s so easy to get swept up in everyday life and end up missing a day or two. It’s perfectly normal and doesn’t mean you’ve failed.

All you need to do is make up for it the next time you can fit a workout in. 

6. Get an accountability buddy

You might be motivated to workout but actually doing it can be a little difficult (we know the struggle). This is when having an accountability buddy comes in handy! Find a friend or family member that you can rely on to help keep you motivated and ready to smash your goals. You both can help one another make it to the gym more often than not. 

This is merely a little plan to help get you started, once you’ve figured out the above, it’s time to plan your workout routines (you can look here for some inspiration!). 

Getting out of the mindset of what society deems necessary and remembering your capable of anything you set your mind to is the beginning to a successful fitness routine that you can stick to! 

Oh, and by the way, if you want a 12-week training plan that really works, then have a look at our Better Body Blueprint. It’s packed with healthy and simple meals, effective workouts and tried and tested advice. 

Yummy Peanut Butter Cups

DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER LOVE BITES
February 5, 2020 Dessert, Recipes Comments Off on DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER LOVE BITES

Treat yourself with these easy and delicious peanut butter bites!

Download Your  Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Love Bites Recipe Here

Yummy Peanut Butter Cups

Nice cream

STRAWBERRY NICE CREAM
February 5, 2020 Dessert, Recipes Comments Off on STRAWBERRY NICE CREAM

Fresh, tasty and oh so berry nice!

Download your Strawberry Nice Cream recipe here

 

Nice cream

Rice crispy treat

NO-BAKE PEANUT BUTTER RICE CRISPY TREATS
February 5, 2020 Dessert, Recipes Comments Off on NO-BAKE PEANUT BUTTER RICE CRISPY TREATS

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Love Bites are quick, easy and healthy dessert recipe that can be made ahead of time!

These also make for a great healthy carb snack to have before or after working out.

 

Download your  No-Bake Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats Here

 

Rice crispy treat

A GUIDE TO SELF-LOVE

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE ART OF SELF-LOVE (PLUS 8 TIPS TO IMPLEMENT)
February 4, 2020 Eat Well Comments Off on A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE ART OF SELF-LOVE (PLUS 8 TIPS TO IMPLEMENT)

Self-love… We’ve all heard about it and we know we should be more mindful to actively engage in self-love but, and I know I am not alone in saying this, but self-love can certainly prove to be difficult. 

Instagram is a haven for self-love hashtags and guides by influencers who are sometimes trying to help but for the most part, are just trying to sell their next batch of detox tea. 

So where do you start? What even is self-love? This simple term sounds so easy but it can be one of the most difficult things to master. 

Instead of jumping straight into some ideas on how to practice self-love, let’s start right at the beginning. 

What is self-love?

Self-love is exactly what it sounds like, it’s all about loving yourself. But we don’t mean in the sense of indulging in that fourth brownie because “self-love and I deserve it”. I mean, you may deserve it but we’re getting off-topic.  

Self-love is neither a synonym for self-obsession and vanity or the idea of being overly generous and self-sacrificing. Self-love is putting your happiness and needs above anything else and focusing on living a life that is authentically yours. 

Self-love is truly about: 

  • Embarking on a journey that is a little messy, unpredictable but authentic 
  • Embracing uncertainty 
  • Understanding your voice, the honesty of your stories and the magnificence of your being
  • Removing the things that hinder your speech or the hesitance in your voice when communicating your absolute truth
  • No longer confiding to the self-imposed beliefs and ideas that you have created about who you should be

Once you relieve yourself of the picture-perfect you and begin embracing who you are and start living a life you’re in love and obsessed with, that’s when you step into your innate power and truly find self-love. 

SELF-LOVE

Why is self-love so important?

Self-love can seem blown up or something isn’t of great importance but it truly is. Self-love motivates you to make healthy choices in life and live a life that you both love and are proud of. 

When you hold yourself in high esteem, you’re more likely to choose things that nurture your well-being and feed your soul. These things may be in the form of eating healthy, exercising, doing things you love or having healthy relationships. Whatever it is, self-love is about finding your happiness in everything you do and surrounding yourself with people who support that. 

Most of the time, when we’re being too hard on ourselves, we do it because we’re driven by a desire to excel and do everything right, all the time. This entails a lot of self-criticisms, and that nasty inner voice that constantly tells us how we could’ve done things better is a hallmark of perfectionism. 

It’s time to let go of the idea of perfectionism and embrace who you are all that you’ve achieved because you really are doing amazing!

How to practice self-love

There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to loving yourself. You need to find what works for you but it can be daunting in the beginning. 

These are just a few tips to help you get started:

  1. Start each day by telling yourself something really positive. How well you handled a situation, how lovely you look today. Anything that will make you smile.
  2. Fill your body with food and drink that nourishes it and makes it thrive. For some ideas, check out this article. 
  3. Move your body every single day and learn to love the skin you’re in. You can’t hate your way into loving yourself. Take a look at this article for some guidance. Here’s a hint, if you wouldn’t say it to a friend or loved one, don’t say it to yourself. 
  4. Stop comparing yourself. This is such a tricky one but so important! Comparison is the killer of self-love. Unfollow and remove people who make you feel less than but also remember we’re on our own journies and everyone is different. 
  5. Celebrate your wins no matter how big or small. Pat yourself on the back and be proud of what you have achieved.
  6. Take some time to relax and re-energise, we can’t love ourselves if we can barely keep up with what we’re doing. This article may be able to help with relaxation!
  7. Practice self-care. 
  8. Step outside of your comfort zone and actively start living life! 

These are just a few tips on how to get started but it’s truly up to you to let go of societies version of you and to embrace who you authentically are and fall in love with that version of yourself. Take care of yourself, you deserve it!

Latest and greatest health trends

NUTRIENT TIMING: THE FACTS AND THE FIBS
January 28, 2020 Eat Well Comments Off on NUTRIENT TIMING: THE FACTS AND THE FIBS

Have you heard about nutrient timing? Either from a fitness guru on Instagram or one of your friends who is always the first to try any of the latest and greatest health trends. The term sounds so legitimate and the way this term has been thrown around in the “fitness industry”, you probably feel like you need to know more about it.

So, let’s dive in shall we? What is nutrient timing? Is it necessary to eat at a certain time? And will it have an actual effect on your body?

Let’s take a look at the facts and fibs that surround this topic!

What is nutrient timing? 

Simply put, nutrient timing involves eating foods at strategic times in order to achieve certain outcomes. It’s supposedly very important for muscle growth, sports performance and fat loss. If you’ve ever run for a scoop of peanut butter before a workout or panicked if you forgot to have your protein shake right after a workout – that is nutrient timing. 

It surrounds the idea that your body will develop better or secure better results if you eat at certain times of the day and when it is more optimal. This way of eating has been used by bodybuilders and fitness competitors for up to 50 years now and many studies have been conducted on it. 

One of the world’s leading researchers in carbohydrate timing, Dr John Ivy, has published many studies showing its potential benefits. In 2004, he published a book called Nutrient Timing: The Future of Sports Nutrition. This is just one of the many researchers who believe nutrient timing is key!

But like with anything, there are some doubts about the studies, for example: 

  1. Short-term blood markers: Many of the studies only measure short-term blood markers, which often fail to measure up with long-term benefits. Have a look at this article on the matter.
  2. Ultra-endurance athletes: Many of the studies follow extreme endurance athletes, which do not necessarily represent the average everyday person. 

For these reasons, the findings in much of the research that supports nutrient timing may not apply to everyone.

Latest and greatest health trends

When should you be eating your meals?

We don’t mean just eating morning, noon and night.

Nutrient timing extends further than just eating before or after a workout. You probably have that one work colleague who is always going on about a new “health” trend. We guarantee that some point you’ve heard, “you shouldn’t eat carbs after 6 pm” or “you should eat more in the morning and less in the evening”.

Many people think that the reason you gain more weight if you eat late at night is that you have less opportunity to burn off those calories, but this is a very basic view. It’s often assumed that our bodies shut down when we sleep, but that’s not true. Our bodies work throughout the night while our minds rest.

BUT evidence suggests that more energy is used to process a meal when it’s eaten in the morning, compared to later in the day, so you do burn slightly more calories if you eat earlier. However, it’s still unclear how much of a difference this would make to your overall body weight. 

This means that it may be a better idea to consume higher quantities of food earlier in the day and focus on consuming nutrient-dense foods later in the evening. For some healthy recipe ideas, take a look at this article. 

So, what do we make of this?

Here’s the bottom-line, research isn’t always perfect or conclusive. There may be some accurate points of measure in these studies but there may be a few fibs along the way too.

We’ve come to understand that nutrient timing isn’t particularly important for most people trying to look and feel better. It may be more beneficial to those whose careers are centred around working out but so many really smart and hard-working people are getting lost in the finer points of nutrient timing.

Focusing on timing your meals while consistently missing out on sleep, or vegetables or other (slightly more important) health and lifestyle factors is more of detriment to your body. The other factors will yield you far more results in a healthy lifestyle in the long run than merely focusing on the timing of your meals. 

A healthy lifestyle is a holistic approach with many factors to consider, if this is something you’re concerned about or if you need more information, we’d be happy to help!

Employee wellness program

5 STEPS TO A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER & MORE PRODUCTIVE WORKPLACE
January 21, 2020 Work Well Comments Off on 5 STEPS TO A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER & MORE PRODUCTIVE WORKPLACE

The new decade is well underway and can I just say, I for one am incredibly excited for this year and the opportunities to come! 

Of course, with the start of the new year, we often tend to hit the ground running. We all know the rush of a new year. Trying to find our feet and get back into a routine but most importantly getting adjusted and back into the swing of things at work can be difficult. As each day passes, work can become a little more unpleasant for all employees… but it doesn’t have to be! 

There are programs you can put in place to improve employee health and wellness, and as a whole, this aims to help reduce sick absenteeism, improve employee productivity and enhance the overall work environment. You’re probably wondering how we’re going to do that? 

Have you ever heard of an employee wellness program? Massive brands like Google and Virgin have implemented these sorts of programs into their companies and have seen the benefits in happier, more productive employees who actually want to come to work. 

What is an employee wellness program?

There’s no one definition that defines an employee wellness program and there’s no right or wrong way of doing it. It all depends on the needs of your employees. 

An employee wellness program is just what the name suggests. It is a plan put in place to increase the overall health and happiness of your employees. It’s a little way of showing that you as an employer care about your people. No matter the size of your company, you can start your own employee wellness program in just 5 easy steps. 

Some programs focus on health education, other programs host health days where screenings are conducted and employees are able to learn more about their own health. A  wellness program can be as simple as morning meditations and rewards for healthy and active lifestyles among your employees. There are many ways of implementing a wellness program. 

Don’t worry if you feel a little confused or slightly overwhelmed – we can help you!    

What are the benefits of employee wellness programs?

Healthy and happy employees bring an array of benefits to the workplace! Some of these include:

  • More productive employees

There are numerous studies that suggest a healthy lifestyle correlates with increased productivity. Don’t believe us? Next time you hit a rut, get your heart rate up (deep breathing and a few jumping jacks can do the trick!) or change your snacks to some nutritious ones and you’ll likely get back into the zone.

For more information on office productivity, read this article!

  • Less office stress

Too many people and companies accept workplace stress as the norm. But it leads to burnout, which can result in higher employee turnover. This is why a wellness program is important. It will give your employees a new perspective of the workplace.

  • Fewer colds, flu and other illnesses

Everyone knows healthy practices prevent illness. And your business will have a higher rate of success when fewer sick days are taken.

  • Fewer office-related injuries

Taking a break to exercise or just stretch prevents common office injuries.

  • Happier employees

Offering a wellness program leads to happier employees. They’ll appreciate the benefit and be generally positive because they’re leading a healthy life and they will be happier knowing that the place they work at cares about them. 

 

Effective employee wellness programs

Where to start

It can be difficult navigating your way through an employee wellness program to figure out the best approach and what’s suited to your employees (but that’s what we’re here for). 

These 5 steps are the perfect way to get started! Let’s take a look…

1. Identify current issues 

A little research goes a long way! You will struggle to improve employee health and wellness without figuring out what some of the main issues are first.

Look at time and attendance, days of sick leave taken, employee satisfaction and stress levels, as well as extended health insurance costs. Talk to both management and employees to get an understanding of where the biggest issues are.

We, at WellBe, see this as a pivotal step in starting an employee wellness program because it puts you in the right direction of what’s important and what’s needed. 

2. Get input from everyone

Once you’ve found out some of the areas that need some work, chat with your employees to figure out what they’d like and what they’d what to get out of the wellness program. 

It’s pointless implementing a program that no one is interested in. 

3. Make a plan that fits

Now that you’ve collected your data, you can start putting a plan together. Remember to make sure the plan is aligned with your company culture so that more employees are excited to get on board! If you need a little assistance, get in touch with our team and we can help develop a personalised plan for your company and the needs of your employees. 

4. Encourage employee and management buy-in

Communicate the plan throughout the office and get management involved. This way more employees will be excited to take part. 

5. Track, measure and readjust

As with any workplace policy, measuring success, soliciting feedback, and adjusting accordingly will be key to the long-term success of an employee wellness program. This can be done by taking surveys or asking a variety of employees for their feedback. 

It’s also a good idea to celebrate achievements; anything from recognising individual employee goals for better health to crowning winners of office challenges can go a long way towards building support around the program.

Employee wellness programs are growing in popularity by the day and for good reason. These programs are important to the happiness of your employees and the overall success of your business. These programs are a great way of showing your employees that you value them! 

Some examples of effective employee wellness programs

I mentioned how your employee wellness initiative doesn’t have to be fancy and complicated. Not in the least. In fact, here are some simple solutions to improving employee wellness: 

  • Healthy snacks in the breakroom 
  • Healthy meals in the canteen 
  • Walking meetings 
  • Discounts off gym memberships for employees
  • Sunrise yoga on certain mornings 
  • Challenge boards where employees can write down their health goals (run a 5km race, lose weight, stop smoking etc.) and rewards are given to those who achieve their goals. 
  • On-site massage therapists 
  • On-site psychologist or life coach 

You can find more detail on these examples here. 

The final word

We know you’re probably very busy though and the logistics of a wellness program might sound a little time-consuming but that’s why we’re here! Find out more about the employee wellness programs we do and let us know if we can help you! 

Stay Motivated At Work

6 SIMPLE OFFICE HACKS TO INCREASE YOUR PRODUCTIVITY
January 14, 2020 Work Well Comments Off on 6 SIMPLE OFFICE HACKS TO INCREASE YOUR PRODUCTIVITY

Getting back into the swing of things at the beginning of the year is no easy task. Our minds tend to wander back to days next to the pool and we can’t stop longing for fun family activities instead of long meetings (that could have been an email instead). This can often lead to feelings of anxiety and stress because we are struggling to get our tasks done. We all know the struggle but the truth us, work doesn’t have to be like this. 

Setting new goals, getting back into a routine and becoming more productive will leave you feeling accomplished at the end of every day. With just a few simple hacks, you’ll end each day feeling energised by your accomplishments!

There are only so many hours in the day, so it’s essential to make the most of your time. There are two ways to increase your productivity, you can either put in more hours or work smarter. We definitely prefer the latter!

Remember, being busy doesn’t always mean you are being productive. Just some food for thought. 

Simple office hacks

1. Set small goals

Most of us look at goals as a tedious exercise because let’s be real, do any of us actually stick to them? It’s time to change your opinion on goal setting.

Goals don’t have to only be about where you see yourself in 5 years or the New Years Resolutions you recently set. Your goals can be small deadlines or to-do lists you make to hold yourself accountable each day. Setting goals will help you break down your calendar into smaller, less overwhelming tasks and make you more in control. This enables you to meet your goals and be more productive.

2. Take regular breaks – downtime is important

This sounds like the opposite of being more productive but hear me out. Taking scheduled breaks can actually help improve concentration. Research has shown that taking short breaks during long tasks or during a long day helps you to maintain a constant level of performance. Whereas working at a long task without any breaks leads to a steady decline in performance.

This little step will also ensure your quality of work is always at a maximum!

3. Avoid multitasking 

It may feel more productive to be doing multiple tasks at once and we’re often taught that multitasking increases efficiency. This is far from the truth though.   

Research shows that multitasking can make us up to 40% less productive – shocking! When multitasking, our focus is split into several tasks which means we do not complete each task at optimum capacity. This means you will take longer to complete tasks and more often than not, the quality of work you produce will slip. 

 

Stay Motivated At Work

 

4. Put the distractions away 

Our phones are our biggest distractions. Keep your phone on silent while you’re completing tasks and keep it out of sight. This will limit your distractions and enable you to truly hone in on what you’re doing. 

It might be beneficial for you to work with earphones in as well to limit the many distractions you can hear around you. 

5. Keep active

Keeping active during the week may help improve productivity. This doesn’t mean spending hours on the treadmill at the gym but where possible, build in set times during the week for taking a walk or doing something active. 

Getting your blood pumping could be just what’s needed to clear your head and get your focus back. You can even inspire your coworkers to do the same, take a look at this article for some tips!

6. Eat nutritious food throughout the day

The food we eat is extremely important in boosting our brainpower and impacting how productive we are at work. High sugar snacks can cause a decrease in your productivity and lead to energy crashes.

Keep healthy snacks at your office or create healthy meals to stay fueled for a productive day.

Not every day at the office will be a perfectly productive one. Make sure you don’t beat yourself up over it. Instead, refocus your energy and implement these tips. Once you find what works for you, you’ll be amazed at how much more you can get done both in and out of the office. 

I’m off for a walk to refocus, how are you keeping productive today? 

2020 WellBe Calendar
January 10, 2020 Uncategorized Comments Off on 2020 WellBe Calendar

What better way to start the year than with a motivational calendar? Seriously, it’s even got motivational quotes. And we aren’t talking just any kind of quotes, but the ones that really stuck with us. 

Each month has a wellness theme and space for you to write down your goals. Which we this rather appropriate for January, don’t you think? 

Hit download below and get your own! 

You can download our 2020 Wellness Calendar Here 

 

2020 Wellness Calendar