Get outside more

Two suggestions here to help you walk out the door and take some time for yourself outdoors. Firstly, I am offering ten free copies of my Coach Yourself workbook to the first people to respond to this email. Click here to get it now.
The other suggestion is a venture that I am involved with from the folks at Sgath an Tighe. Using similar ideas to the Coach Yourself format it is targetted more specifically at your spiritual development in a retreat format. Two trips are organised for this summer and you can find details on my blog post by clicking here.
 

Article - Working with people you dislike

I frequently come across people who are required to work with colleagues that they don't like, or don't respect. It can be really hard. There are others that I have spoken to who are struggling to live with people who fall into the same category. My guess is, even if you haven't been in the position yourself, you can bring to mind others that you know who have, maybe even in your own workplace, or you can easily imagine such a scenario arising.
 
How do they deal with it? Often, I think the answer would be 'badly' - they do nothing that makes the situation better and often leave themselves in a worse position than before. This is either because of what they have done which compounds the situation, or their lack of action results in it becoming even more internalised and stress-inducing.
 
Following on from a variety of sources that I have read recently, here's my take on how not to end up killing them or yourself.

Look at yourself

Firstly, can you remove yourself from the situation? If it's your spouse or your boss, this will be problematic and create more or bigger issues in the long term. However, if we are talking about someone else then it might be possible to spend less time in their company or on their team. A lack of encounters should lead to a lack of frustration, annoyance or upset. If you are still obliged to read communications from them, then schedule it for a time when you can deal with it more rationally.
 
If it is not possible to avoid the person, then think about managing your reaction to them and whatever it is they do that grates. Whilst it might be possible to change them and their actions, it is by no means certain. However, you can manage your own feelings. People argue by saying something along the lines of, "but they always make me feel..." however my normal response talks about choices. You always have a choice; either you let them control your feelings and learn to live with that, or you choose to feel something different. Nothing is set in stone when it comes to what is inside you. It might not be an overnight change and you might need to enlist some help but its worth making to reduce your stress levels.
 
Focus on something else... Read the full article on the website

Single Item Survey

I love being outdoors - just as well given the work I choose to do! What about you - do you enjoy being there and do you get out enough. I have set up a double item survey (one question quickly morphed into two, but thats all!) to find out your views on the outdoors and I've made it really simple. Click here to take the survey.

Remember though, for those of you less interested in walking outdoors but who are keen to be coached, I can be persuaded to stay in and work with you. Especially in the storms of winter/spring!