thriving people, thriving organisations
Wellbeing.
Thriving.
Flourishing.
Wellbeing can mean different things to different people. In the absence of an accepted, universal definition, I find it helpful to think of it as thriving or flourishing.
But this is a dynamic state. At times we may absolutely feel we're thriving because we feel great, our health is fine, the things that matter are going well. At others we may not be well, or we may be in the midst of challenges. But I don't believe we need to be without any sense of wellbeing in these times. Or indeed that it means we have failed to look after our wellbeing.
Essentially, for me, wellbeing is;
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about how we can live in ways that put us in the best position to navigate life and all its challenges;
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it's personal, understanding what, from the wealth of knowledge about what makes for a great human experience, are most important and effective for me;
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the small things - habits, practices and activities - that make a big difference in my life;
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it's about intentionality, applying this knowledge consistently.
When we pay attention to our wellbeing we are most likely to live, work and play to the best of our ability. We therefore maximise our chances for positive emotions, vitality and physical health. And also have the resources and knowledge to weather the storms well and come out the other side in one piece, maybe even a better piece.
Wellbeing can often be talked about as the marvelous state of great health - emotional, physical, mental - and the absence of stress etc. - generally being tickety-boo basically. That's all lovely, but in my opinion, too simplistic. We need something more nuanced for the lives we actually lead.
It's not being well in all senses, all the time. It's not never struggling or finding things challenging. It's not never having difficulties, or facing them with a permanently radiant smile and eternal positivity.
Wellbeing is about recognising that looking after ourselves and others matters. Knowing and understanding the things that can help us navigate life to the best of our abilities. And doing them and supporting others to too. It is learning and growing in our ability to make choices and take actions that serve us well. Riding the highs and lows less painfully than we might without such steps and investment in ourselves.
And, very importantly, working on our wellbeing shouldn't be an extra burden or pressure. With some increased awareness there are simple, quick things we can do that will make a difference. Some in the moment, some when repeated over time. I believe wellbeing is about the small things that make a big difference.-
Life happens. Sometimes it's great. Sometimes it's bit of a drag. It can also be really tough.
As I learnt the hard way, there are decisions and steps we can take that can help to reduce the toughness or help us bounce back better. But perhaps more importantly, they can help us enjoy life more, appreciate it, develop resilience and thrive. Enhancing how we function and contribute in all spheres of life.
We can't control everything but it's within our power to have significant influence over how we 'do life' and the degree to which we can experience peace, contentment, joy and wellbeing. This can benefit all areas of our lives, even the tough ones.
Would you like your people to be engaged and resilient? See lower absence and turn over rates? Attract the best recruits? Then you will want to be an organisation that takes wellbeing seriously.
Personally, I believe that caring for your team is simply the right thing to do. Though there are numerous studies that will show that happier, healthier employees are more effective and committed.
But regardless of your thoughts on this, all organisations need thriving and effective people to deliver their vision and goals. An organisation is nothing without its people.
Life seems to be full on, everyone seems to be permanently tired, resources feel stretched and burnout, mental health challenges and workplace absence are all too common. Indeed, work absences are higher now than pre-Covid, with stress still a major driver of absence.
And smaller organisations are no strangers to these issues, in fact, they may feel them more acutely due to their size, context, financial pressures and aims. And for those serving and helping others there can be the added complications of guilt, vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue.
Organisations of all sizes can proactively support the wellbeing of their people. An important first step is ensuring that people are equipped and empowered to support their own wellbeing, there is much we can do to help ourselves, once we know how. There are also steps you can take to to look at the organisational factors that impact people's wellbeing. This needn't be overwhelming, and each step taken will help build an environment which optimises thriving. Organisations that invest in the wellbeing of their people are seeing improved engagement and performance, reduced absence and turnover.
There can be no thriving organisation without thriving people. Wellbeing matters.
How can I help?
Drawing on proven scientific and positive psychology insights, the aim is to provide simple, manageable and affordable support that offers life-long benefits.
Organisation support
Thriving people create thriving organisations. Attention to wellbeing helps people thrive.
Do you want to be an organisation that understands the importance of wellbeing? Supporting and empowering your people in their thriving, meeting your wellbeing responsibilities and equipping them in theirs?
I can help you to do this.
Resilience
This scientifically researched and developed tool from BeTalent helps you
understand your individual
resilient strengths and risks.
Unpacking how personal attributes impact both, this tool helps you better understand your stress response, and how it might derail you. You'll be supported to look at coping mechanisms that you may want to develop.
The tool can also be used with teams to look at team resilience.
Work to your strengths
Understanding and developing our strengths positively impacts all areas of our lives, both work and personal. We become more effective and energised and this directly feeds into our wellbeing.
I work with Strengthscope® to help you and/or your team flourish through understanding unique, personal strengths.
space maker
Psychological Safety
Diagnostic assessment to learn how individuals feel and to see if the environment and climate encourage psychological safety.
This tool from BeTalent can be used with both teams or individuals, and will include suggestions for increasing psychological safety to help identify and build strategies for success.
space maker
Core values
I've always been values driven and love to work with those who have shared, or compatible, values of their own. I believe our values drive how we interact, work and approach life, and as such they can help others understand us and decide if we're a 'good fit'. These are the core values which drive how small things operates.
Empowerment
My work is structured around sharing knowlegde and resourcing others, making them 'experts'. I'm committed to supporting others to gain more agency over their level of wellbeing.
People focused
It's all about helping people thrive. So I focus on understanding individual needs and situations. No one-size-fits-all but yes to working with clients to find what's best for them, working at their pace in a way that suits best.
Value
I'm proud of my work and strive to ensure that I offer useful, useable solutions and resources that translate into moving individuals and organisations forward. Avoiding the unneccassary expenses, such as glossy documents and fancy IT, enables me to offer affordable, quality work.
Integrity
No to pushing things you won't benefit from. Yes to using reputable materials and concepts responsibly. And being honest if I need to signpost you on to someone with more appropriate skills or experience.
Authenticity
You and your team will work with the real me. No pretending to be something I'm not in order to gain your trust or business. I seek to model healthy openness, honesty and vulnerability, and encourage others to do likewise.
The combination of Sarah's personal and professional skills and experiences means that she has strong levels of empathy and understanding and a wealth of tools, activities and ideas at her fingertips. I learned a huge amount during our time working together and would wholeheartedly recommend working with Sarah to anyone seeking support around organisational development, staff wellbeing and resilience.
Chief Exec, Boaz Trust
Sarah is a highly skilled, forward looking and gracious individual. Her particular area of expertise lies in developing and improving the places and systems in which she works...She has an eye for people and the relationship dynamics that make up any working environment...Sarah is an instictive enable of others... she does this with spiritual sensitivity to the needs of others and with humour and lightness of touch which wins affection and praise. I would not hesitate to commend her.
Minister, Holy Trinity Church