Business
Healthy individuals equal healthy organizations
Published
9 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersBy Johanne Bouchard EBS Business Columnist
I am increasingly passionate about striking a healthy balance in all aspects of life. To me, this means combining physical, emotional and mental health with the many demands and pleasures in this world.
In part, it’s a desire to see individuals living fully, but also stems from my firsthand experience seeing how individuals’ overall health – or lack thereof – affects the prosperity of organizations.
In a previous column about the importance of succession planning, I addressed how losing a key manager to health issues can affect a business. In my work as a board and executive consultant, I’ve seen the long-term negative effects of high stress; low physical activity from years of desk work; poor diet from eating “convenience” food or skipping meals; sleep deprivation; and ergonomically incorrect work stations, to name a few examples.
It’s only a matter of time before factors like these affect the intellectual acuity, energy level and morale of the people responsible for the wellbeing and productivity of the organization. A trickle-down effect also exists in business – imbalanced leaders who don’t prioritize their own wellness affect everybody.
I believe empowerment of the individual is the solution. How can you, as a business owner, executive, board member or employee, take the best care of yourself for your own sake and the sake of your colleagues? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here are a few basics that can make a world of difference:
Adequate sleep. A good night’s sleep is the foundation for good health. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, “If you’re sleep deficient, you may have trouble making decisions, solving problems, controlling your emotions and behavior, and coping with change.” How well and how much are you sleeping? If it’s possible, incrementally increase your night’s sleep by going to bed even 15 minutes earlier than usual. The long-term benefits to your productivity will be dramatic.
Adequate water. If you’re constantly drinking coffee, tea or soda during the day, and rarely drink a glass of water, you’re probably dehydrated. This can manifest in headaches and general fogginess, among other symptoms. Investing in a re-usable water bottle to carry with you and use during the day is a manageable solution.
Adequate activity. As our dependence on computers has risen and our leisure time has become increasingly dominated by screens, so has our collective time sitting. If there’s no way around the sedentary nature of your work, try setting an alarm to go off once an hour and trigger a “standing/walking break.” And if you have the option, choose a more active position for working, like a stand-up desk or walking during one-on-one brainstorming sessions.
Of course there’s always more we can all do to achieve balanced lifestyles. But the fact remains that we live in an era when personal health is often subverted by the demands of career, family and material success. Consider how the trickle-down effect might impact organizations if business leaders made their own comprehensive health a priority.
Johanne Bouchard, a former high-tech marketing executive, is a leadership advisor to CEOs, executives and entrepreneurs, as well as an expert in corporate board composition and dynamics. Visit johannebouchard.com to learn more or download her recently published eBooks “Board Composition” and “Board Basics.”
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
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March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
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Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
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Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome
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Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome to come, if you don’t know who to bring come alone this is a great mixer event! This is an event hosted by Big Sky OUT as we work to provide queer safe spaces throughout the community.
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(Sunday) 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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Cowboy Coffee
25 Town Center Ave. Big Sky, MT 59716