Create More Meaning at Work & Home in 2014
Who are your Five Most Cherished Relationships at Work and Home? Here are five ways to build more meaning in your life this year.
We were bringing in 2014 at a friends home last night. Between the fun zany dancing, great music and delicious food, one of the things that struck me was that when we are in the company of friends we love, having fun, everyone’s best selves’ show up, including my own. There was a tangible energy of love and creativity last night at the New Year’s Party we attended.
So, what are the most important ingredients for living your best life? I’d maintain it is your friendships! When you start a new job, get to know your colleagues – those people who have your back will bring your stress levels down so your brain can function in it’s most creative state. Work will then start to feel easy, like a hobby and less like work at all! Our tribal sense of connection and belonging to others is modeled by ants, bees, and termites and is an evolutionary phenomenon of us humans too. As human beings we are basically tribal. Friends contribute to our every aspect of overall health at work, home and in the community. We need them and they need you. Researchers define this as ‘eusociality’, which suggests the innate human drive to be part of a group is genetic.
Within our ‘group’, altruistic behaviors rise because of an unconscious need to improve our gene pool. This phenomenon is called ‘eugenics’. “And the ‘eusocial’ group contains multiple generations whose members perform altruistic acts, sometimes against their own personal interests, to benefit their group. ‘Eusociality’ is what makes our communities evolve and develop. In conversation last night, it occurred to me just how important it is that we do our best to live in a loving state and support one another.
The more supports you have in place, the less anxiety and anger will undermine you. And, the less these emotional states overwhelm you, the faster you will breakthrough
anxieties of life-stage, relationship shifts, or changes in your career. One of the first questions I ask clients who are in any process of transition is “who are your supports”? Supports secure you when anxieties undermine your stability. Your good friends will show up in good times and in bad times. Watch out for ants, bees and termites, they’ll want to join you too! A key indicator of mental wellness is the established presence of three to five core friends who you are current with and can count on as your home team. The same can be true at work. This year break bread with the people you are shoulder to shoulder with!
1. Be current in your relationships
2. Let those you care about know they matter
3. Behaviors say more than words
4. Design your life this year in a way that provides time
5. Do your friends share the same values as you?
What do you want more of in 2014! When have you felt your best before? How did you do that? I’d love to hear from you. Cheers to your best life yet to come!
Life is counting on you!
Love the combination of personal stories and current research..
In my experience having a support system in place with people that share you values is critical. I learned that the hard way.. Thanks for the reminder and the research to back it up!
Karen
Yes we all benefit from truly understanding the brain with all the research that is now available. These are some of the research parts and more of this in my book. Thanks for joining the community! Welcome.
Well stated ! Surrounding yourself with people who support you and encourage you in a positive way is so powerful !
We are in this world together and the more we count on each other, the more in the zone we get. That’s the truth! Thanks for posting.. welcome to the community!
Jo-Ann;
Thank you very much for this blog. What a nice way to start the New Year! Instead of the usual target to lose the same 10 pounds, let’s focus on our friends and life around us!
All the best to you and your family in 2014!
Ewa