Category: Workplace

Lift The Weight – The RPA

Lift The Weight – The RPA

Paul Harris

As part of the work I am doing to campaign for better mental health in the work place, I am always on the look-out for companies and organisations that are truly making a difference.

The first organisation I would like to highlight is The Rugby Players Association (The RPA).

I was fortunate to be able to speak with Caroline Guthrie, the Senior Development Manager so I could gain an insight into the great work The RPA are doing to support its members. Read more →

Time Pressures and Amended Goals.

Time Pressures and Amended Goals.

Paul Harris

One of my biggest anxiety triggers is time pressure.  Most people will be able to relate in some way to this because modern life is run at a fast pace, and we don’t seem to be able to take a break.

For me most of the time pressure came at work, I was snowed under and never felt as though I was on top of the workload, I always seemed to be playing catch-up.  E-mails were the biggest problem for me because the time taken for people to respond was pretty quick.  It is the speed of modern communication that causes a lot of additional stress at work because people can respond almost instantaneously, or jump on the phone as soon as they have seen your e-mail (sometimes without reading it properly…..)

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The pressures of time also spread to my home life; working Monday to Friday, it only left the weekend to do homey things, such as cleaning.  I had so much I needed to squeeze into a weekend that it was Monday before I even knew where I was. Read more →

Fear and the Giant Green Rabbit.

Fear and the Giant Green Rabbit.

Paul Harris

FEAR:

  • An unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.
  • A feeling of anxiety concerning the outcome of something or the safety of someone.
  • The likelihood of something unwelcome happening.
  • A mixed feeling of dread and reverence.
  • Be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or harmful.
  • Avoid doing something because one is afraid.

Fear and anxiety go hand in hand.

It’s hard for most people to understand how it feels to be so scared of something that you are unable to function, that is why it is hard for people to understand anxiety.

Dr Karl Albrecht (listed in the top 100 thought leaders in American business) believes that there are ONLY five types of fear: Read more →

Sick Days are there for the Taking – The Problem of Presenteeism.

Sick Days are there for the Taking – The Problem of Presenteeism.

Paul Harris

We’ve all been there at one time or another, struggling into work when we basically feel like s**t.  We sit at our desk taking whatever medication we can, whilst feeling miserable and wishing we were at home in bed.

Drained - Photo by Victoria Palacios on Unsplash

If you look at your contract of employment, you may find a section which refers to sickness, in particular to sick days.

Sick days are quite simple really, when you feel unwell, you can take time off to get well and still get paid!  Read more →