Lynda Barbaccia

Workplace Happiness and Your Physical Environment

Lynda Barbaccia — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:19:57 +0000

Most offices are not built with the health and happiness of it’s employees in mind. Employers need to realize what a significant issue this is. Creating a warm-inviting, non-toxic space for employees can save employers millions of dollars per year by helping employees to avoid burnout and reducing the amount of sick leave.
Think about it – if the office is filled with natural light, warm and inviting color tones and things which are pleasing to the eye, most individuals would feel happy and content in their work spaces and want to show up each day. It also sends a message that employees are appreciated and valued by their management team.
Be aware of toxic materials in your workspace! Most office buildings contain some form of toxic lacquers and paints. These materials can tear down our sensitive immune systems and create havoc on all levels of our health and happiness. Employers take heed and be aware of these toxic materials and either avoid them altogether or learn how to ward them off.
We spend more than 1/3 of our lives in our workspaces. That’s a pretty significant amount of time spent in one space. Doesn’t that warrant some “special” time and attention? We go to great lengths to create beauty in our homes, why then do we not put this focus on our workspaces? Humans respond to beauty. Beauty awakens our senses and creative abilities, stabilizes and grounds us while bringing joy.
Creating a warm and inviting workspace is easier than you think. It doesn’t cost much and is a fun task for employees to participate in. This can also be a wonderful way to get the creative juices of the staff flowing as well as fostering team spirit. Here are a few ideas to ponder.

1. Each week have a different employee bring in a bouquet of flowers and set it in a common area for all to see.
Something as small as a bouquet of flowers can completely shift the energy in the office. The bouquet doesn’t
have to be an expensive one.

2. Place a fountain in the reception area. The sound of the running water creates a serene and calming atmosphere
while drowning out the cacophony of unnerving sounds which we are continually exposed to. In addition, a
fountain is a very attractive item and is not expensive.

3. De-clutter your space. Make an effort to remove any items which you do not use on a regular basis. Clean out
your desk and organize your drawers and files. Dust and clean your desk and office furniture. A spotless office is
sure to provide job security. What boss wouldn’t love to see their employees working in a clutter-free
environment? Less clutter proves that you are on top of your duties and perform tasks in an organized and easy
fashion.
In addition a clutter-free space creates beauty while energizing and creating a smooth flow of energy
throughout the workplace.

4. After de-cluttering your space, try a cleansing ritual. You can use herbs such as cedar or sage and depending
upon the fire codes in your office, you can either burn these herbs or purchase them in liquid form. These herbs
are a powerful way of completely clearing out any unwanted negative energies which may be lingering from an
argument or an employee who is carrying a lot of negativity. Believe it or not, negative energies can become
lodged in your office space and without realizing it, can cause quite a lot of damage to your health on all levels.
You must check with your coworkers to see if anyone has any allergies and be respectful to their needs. It may
be a good idea to wait until everyone has gone home, then perform this ritual so that when the staff returns the
next day any traces of the herbs will have dissipated.

5. Decorate your space with colors which you find pleasing. Bring in a colorful shawl and drape it over your chair.
Put a colorful throw rug under your chair and colorful throw pillows throughout your space. It’s a known and
proven fact that the use of color has a powerful effect on humans. Use colors which warm and sooth your soul.

Remember to keep it simple and have fun!

I welcome your comments – Lynda@LyndaBarbaccia.com

Authenticity and Workplace Happiness

Lynda Barbaccia — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 18:17:59 +0000

How can I ever forget my first experience in the corporate world? I had had a falling out with a coworker who was brash and rude toward me for no apparent reason. Today this is called “workplace bullying”. I burst into my managers office to complain about this person and as I was rehashing what had happened, I began to weep. My manager stopped me mid sentence and abruptly said; “If you want to survive here, don’t cry in my presence. If you have to cry, go to the ladies’ room and do it there.”
I was completely taken aback. It was clear I was expected to follow some unwritten rule; never cry at work.
Keep a stiff upper lip. Don your power suit and pad your shoulders heavily.
It was the 80′s and back in those days if women were to hold their place in the business world it meant becoming stoic and restrained. Appearing tough and strong with a kind of masculine edge, after all the business world has always been a man’s world. It’s a tough world out there and in order to compete you must adopt a manner of behaving – emulating men in dress and manner.
This crying equals weakness doctrine, didn’t set well with me at all. I come from an Italian background and when we are upset we express ourselves fully and completely. I believe this is key to building healthy relationships and deepening ones connection to their work and coworkers. It is essential to ones overall happiness and health on all levels to process ones emotions and clear the air at all costs.
I went along with this plan for some years, but had an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. I began to experience health problems. Every corporation I worked for had the same unspoken philosophy. Getting dressed up every day and having to behave a certain way was slowly eating away at me. Stuffing my emotions in order to earn a living was asking the impossible. I believe this is the core of so much dissatisfaction and ill health amongst workers.
It wasn’t until many years later, I had an epiphany – Tired of the corporate world, I decided to try something different; I went to work for a small liberal arts college.
Here we were encouraged to express ourselves fully. All aspects of who we were, were honored and welcomed.
What a breath of fresh air!
I remember one of the first business meetings I attended. One of my coworkers was upset with another coworker. She began crying openly during the meeting. With tears streaming down her face, she and the coworker she was upset with, left the meeting and went into one of the offices. Behind closed doors they talked for several hours. When they emerged each one glowing and grinning, excited and ready to get back to work. Because of their freedom to clear the air and process their emotions in a healthy fashion, this lead to each one feeling a deep satisfaction and heightened sense of fulfillment with their work and the workplace in general.
An emotionless office is not possible, it is up to bosses and workers alike to find a way to express their feelings appropriately—which does not mean hiding passion, anger, anxiety or tears. Being authentic in the workplace is the only way one can truly experience deep gratification and satisfaction at work.
These experiences tell me that greater emotional openness lends vitality to American business. I urge both men and women to “bring their full, true selves to the game.”

Spring Forward to Your Greatness!

Lynda Barbaccia — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:01:27 +0000

Springtime is a time for renewal! It’s a time to get outside and appreciate all the beauty that surrounds you. Not only is it a time to reflect on all the beauty that Mother Nature is displaying, it’s also a wonderful time to clean and let go of all the old things that no longer work for you.
The first place to start this process is in your workspace. I always find that I cannot fully focus on a project if my workspace is in a state of disarray.
Most of us don’t realize how powerful it is to simplify our workspaces, by clearing old clutter and keeping everything around you clean, it becomes easier to achieve goals and feel inspired to create new ones.
This is a metaphor for your life. Less clutter in your physical environment, means less clutter in your mind-space.
Albert Einstein once said; “everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.
Getting things decluttered doesn’t just mean deciding what to do with your stuff, but also what your stuff means and where it belongs. Giving things a proper place helps you file and find them easily, which also cuts down on the stress in your life.
Springtime is a wondrous time to plant new seeds. We are standing on fertile ground. Take advantage of this time of year and make way for the new by getting rid of the old.
Happy Spring everyone!

Happiness in the Workplace is a Choice

Lynda Barbaccia — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 18:58:05 +0000

People have more control over their workplace happiness than they might believe. We have the power to turn any situation around and create the happiness we may be seeking. Happiness is not something outside of ourselves. It is important to remember that life continually presents us with all kinds of scenarios. Most of these scenarios are out of our control. We have no way of knowing what might be presented to us throughout the course of our days. Therefore we need to take responsibility for how we view the world and know that our happiness is within us and is quite accessible.

Workplace happiness is indeed a choice. Workplace unhappiness can be habitual. It is important to look at some repeated thought and behavior patterns which are leading us into feeling unhappy.

Take some time and journal your thoughts. For instance, lets say you start your day in a good mood, then after a couple of hours on the job, you begin to fade. You suddenly feel listless, cranky and drained of all your positive energies.

Go back over your day. What are some things which you could change?

Break it down in this way – Mind, Body, Spirit. How have you nourished any of these parts of you today?
Body – Diet and nutrition play a huge role in your overall mood. Did you eat breakfast? Do you eat a nourishing lunch?

Eating well is critical if we want to feel good about our work and our lives!

The mind – Tending to the mind is something that most westerners don’t take into account. The mind can play all sorts of tricks on us and lead us into some pretty dark places. Pay attention to your thoughts. You can’t control your thoughts, but you can learn how to turn down the volume, so that negative thinking is put on the back burners of the mind.

Spirit – How have you tended to your spirit today? Nurturing our spirits throughout our day will bring you more joy than you can ever imagine. Since joy is your natural state, taking tiny breaks for contemplation will feed your ability to experience the natural states of joy.

Workplace happiness is easier than you think. All it takes is a commitment to create change into your life. If you tell yourself that change is hard – remind yourself that life is nothing but change. It’s impossible to avoid it. Breaking old habits can be a real challenge, but don’t most of us crave a good challenge?

Effective Communication in the Workplace!

Lynda Barbaccia — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 20:34:04 +0000

Learning to effectively communicate can be a bit of a trick. However, I have learned that humility plays a key role in effective communication. Every time you have a disagreement with a coworker, it can be really easy to get involved in a power struggle with that person. We can look to others to try to win their support by convincing them that you are right and the other person wrong and by doing so we actually make the situation bigger than it needs to be. This can create all sorts of negative scenarios which can lend itself to utter misery and disenchantment in your work-life.

Below are some ideas to help you learn effective communication in the workplace.

1. Exercise your right to be wrong! That’s right – wrong. It’s important to be able to admit that you made a mistake. This can be a building-block to learning humility.

2. Give lots of feedback to others and always end it on a positive note.

3. Clear the air – When a conflict arises, take that person aside and discuss it with them privately. Never involve others in your conflicts. And, don’t stop discussing your conflict until you have reached a place where the both of you feel better about the conflict.

4. Plant the seeds of compassion. Compassion and empathy are the ability to feel what another feels. When you develop a compassionate heart, others will respond to you in kind. A circle of unity is formed and everyone wins.

5. Always use your humorous side to open up and be present with others. Humor is a wonderful way to make light of any conflict. Never take yourself too seriously.

6. Be honest! Do not be afraid to tell the truth. People will begin to trust you more and admire you. Be honest and always use tact.

7. Apologize if you have hurt someone’s feelings. Learn how to come forward and make an apology to someone. Again, this is a building-block to learning about humility. Everyone love a sweet, sensitive person.

8. Do whatever it takes to bring your coworkers together. Invite others to join you for lunch. Learn and be interested in your coworkers lives. Share yourself and let others know what makes you tick. The business world can force us to be mechanical. We are human beings after all and it’s a really wonderful thing to share your humanness with others, especially at work.

9. Never participate in office gossip circles. Your words carry great power and we have a choice to use them in a positive way or not. Choose your words carefully and speak about others the way you would want to speak about you.

10. Keep smiling at all costs. The key to effective communication is the ability to be light of heart and your smile will automatically put you in a place of light-heartedness. Everyone loves a happy person with a delightful smile!

For more tips – Lynda@LyndaBarbaccia.com

Happiness at Work and non-conformity

Lynda Barbaccia — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:45:08 +0000

It can be difficult to be yourself at work. This is a very common complaint I hear from individuals. When we are not being ourselves, it’s only a matter of time before we become bored and begin to feel dissatisfied. It’s as if we are stuck in some never ending rut.

Humans are designed to create. Each one of us is unique. How then can it be possible to experience levels of happiness, when we are having to conform and follow along with the crowd? Dress the same. Act the same., etc.

This is going against nature. It’s not what we came here to do.

I believe this is the reason so many individuals experience unhappiness in the workplace. Put simply we are not allowed to be ourselves.

Learn how to not care!
That’s right. Stop caring what others around you are thinking. It is impossible to experience levels of happiness unless you begin to completely respect yourself and your individuality.

When I wrote my book, I kept thinking, “oh my, what will people think if I say that”? Or, “what will my family think if they happen to read this”? Finally, I said phooey to that, I have a message to convey here, and no one is going to stand in my way!

Even though we hear the voice of objection we simply need to learn how to tune it out and keep going on our path with our heads held high. Sure, there are people out there who might think I’m crazy for writing some of the things I have written. And, yes there were those family members who shuttered when they read my book. No matter, I have learned how to tune into the voice of my true nature and not to bend because someone may not like me or what I have to say.

Think outside the box

Becoming a non-conformist, thinking outside the box individual is a process, but remember, it’s your birthright. We didn’t come here to be like everyone else.

Learn to take some risks at work. If you have a different thought or idea, put it out there. If it is not well received, give yourself credit for taking the risk and making your unique voice heard.

Happiness at work is a choice and learning to be yourself and not to conform to others will add a colorful, more soulful ingredient to your work and life!

Absenteeism in the Workplace

Lynda Barbaccia — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:02:09 +0000

Absenteeism is one of the largest internal cost drivers in organizations as it causes both direct costs – such as lower productivity – and indirect costs – such as a drop in work morale. Absenteeism costs employers millions of dollars each year. We can’t afford to continue on this track. We must make some real changes.

During my years in the workforce, I became passionate about finding the answer to this very question.
I knew that going to work each day and looking forward to doing so, is extremely important. If you wake up with a knot in your stomach each morning, that knot may at some point kill you.

I spent far too many nights staring at the ceiling wondering how I was going to face yet another day at work.

I needed to look forward to going to work every day. I believe this is essential part of our health and happiness.

Why is there such a drop in employee morale? Lets look at some of the causes

1. Effective communication is essential to the health of any organization. So many companies don’t realize this. Good, honest communication is key to keeping the energy clean in any workplace.

2. Learn to build a strong sense of team and company spirit. There are many ways in which to do this. Employers need to learn how to create more excitement for their employees. Create a “buzz” in the workplace. Help employees feel excited about the company and the role each one plays. Bring creativity to the forefront! It’s easier than you think!

3. Create an inspired work environment. Many employers don’t realize the value of the physical environment. How many offices are nothing but gray cubicles with fluorescent overhead lighting? How is it possible for the human soul to feel inspired and to want to be productive when employees are having to work in these kinds of environments? We go to great lengths to foster beauty in our homes – then why don’t we treat our workspaces the same way? Work plays a very significant role in our lives and we shouldn’t downplay it. Revamp your workspace and turn it into a space which nurtures you and your talents.

I want to mention something I recently heard about Oprah Winfrey. I learned that before each show, Oprah and her entire staff join hands, bow their heads and give thanks. This is one way she brings everyone together to let them know how important each member of her staff is. I’ll bet she doesn’t have to deal with low employee morale and absenteeism. Uplifting the morale of our workforce is much simpler than you think!

Creating Happiness at Work!

Lynda Barbaccia — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 16:28:44 +0000

Well it’s a snowy, dreary Monday morning here in the Rocky Mountain city of Denver. I can choose to feel like the weather outside or I can choose to feel all sunny and warm inside.

We humans have the ability to choose how we want to feel each and every second of the day. I believe each one of us is a gifted artist. Let me put it this way, every day when we open our eyes, we have a blank canvas in front of us. What color do you want to paint your day? We have an entire color spectrum to choose from.

This morning when I awoke, I looked out my window and saw nothing but gray and white. These two colors are not exactly my favorite colors. To be honest, the weather looked so dreary I actually went back to bed. When I realized that I was allowing the dreary weather to effect my mood, I immediately jumped out of bed and began to view the day differently.

Humans are amazing creatures. We have the ability to positively effect the lives of others and since we are all divinely connected, when we choose to bring happiness into the lives of others, we automatically create happiness in our own lives.

Okay, it’s Monday and the weather is frigidly dreary outside. Lets turn it around and have some fun.
Most of us are heading to work and driving on icy, heavily trafficked roadways. You have the power at your fingertips to shift this dreary day into a vibrantly, radiant one!

Here are a few tips for fending off the Monday morning winter blahs.

*Wear a feather boa to work – Make it a red one!

*Adorn your workspace with all sorts of fun and colorful items. Drape a colorful shawl over your chair. Add a colorful throw rug and pillows. Add splashes of color wherever you can.

*Bring in fresh flowers and display them on your desk.

*Give flowers to anyone who is having a bad day.

*Ask a coworker you don’t know very well to have lunch with you.

*Breathe deeply throughout the course of your day!

*Give compliments to those around you. Seek out the positive in others.

*Bring in a box of chocolate and share it with the entire staff

*Listen to some great music and sing along to it at your desk

*Refuse to use black or blue ink. Write only with colorful pens

Happy Monday everyone! Keep on creating happiness at work. Before you know it you’ll be getting that long awaited raise you’ve always wanted. Creating happiness at work means job security.
Lynda@LyndaBarbaccia.com

Negativity In the Workplace

Lynda Barbaccia — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 18:39:48 +0000

Does your workplace feel more like a battle-zone? Negativity in the workplace is on the rise according to a recent poll. Many employees are feeling extremely stressed in their workplaces as a result of negativity. How can you, the employee or manager stop workplace negativity in its tracks while increasing the morale in the workplace?

It is important that organizations foster an environment where their employees are able to develop a strong sense of self worth. Failure to do so may result in loss of talent, which in turn will lead to loss of potential revenue. Our findings demonstrate that happiness is high on the agenda for many workers and is emerging as the critical business issue of our time.

Here are 5 quick tips which you can easily implement every day to add to a more positive work experience.

1. Workplace gossip plays a key role in your overhaul health and happiness in the workplace. The next time someone tries to gossip about another coworker, choose to walk away or learn how to turn the conversation into something far more positive. Try it, it works. Keep your conversations positive as much as possible.

2. Focus on your coworkers and seek to help them whenever possible.

3. Reach out and make a friend! Make it a goal to talk to someone with whom you have not had a conversation. Even if it is a brief conversation this can make a huge difference in your overall morale.

4. Never take anything personally. Learn to foster your own feelings of self worth. Many of us have managers who do not give us the positive feedback we may be needing. You can learn to do good work and feel good about yourself without having a manager who is giving you the positive perks you feel you deserve. Understand that many people have difficulty giving positive perks. This is an issue on their part and not a reflection of you and your work.

5. Keep it simple! Keep your workspace clean and simple. Organize and file away whatever is cluttering your space. You will be amazed at what a clean workspace can mean for your overall morale.

I welcome your comments – Lynda@LyndaBarbaccia.com

New Years Resolutions – Happy 2011

Lynda Barbaccia — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 18:25:38 +0000

It is the end of the year and the beginning of a new year. What an exciting time! During this time of year most of us
take stock of what we would like to create in the coming year as well as make some resolutions.

It has always been my thought that every day should be treated like a new year and a new beginning. After all if you think about it thats exactly what each day is – the chance to create something new as well as reinvent ourselves in some way.

I have always felt that new years resolutions are some what absurd. Does this mean that we only have one day per year to change our behavior and make changes?

New years resolutions are a bit of a set up. I mean how many of us actually follow-through with them? When we don’t, we beat ourselves up for not losing those extra pounds and saving that extra money. Resolutions can be a vicious circle and in the long run don’t make us feel good about ourselves.

My suggestion is that we learn to think of every day as the opportunity to make changes. View every second of every day as a glorious way to reinvent yourself. From the second you open your eyes each morning, try to think of the day ahead of you as a divine and glorious way to learn, grow and change, because if you really think about it, you are already making changes throughout the course of your days. It’s impossible for you not to make changes and to grow in some way.

So tonight, go easy on yourself. Be aware of the changes you would like to create in the coming year. Know that when you turn your awareness to these changes, pure magic begins to take place. Trust and open yourself up to personal growth and realize that you are not alone. You are after all co-creating your life with the forces of the universe or the God force. Trust that all is well and that every day of the coming year and every day of every year there after is your divine opportunity to change, to grow and learn more about yourself and the world around you. Its all so exciting and miraculous!

Enjoy and celebrate who you are today, right now in this moment. Because you are already perfect.
Happy 2011 everyone!

Lynda@lyndabarbaccia.com