Do you ever feel that you are just going through the motions at your job each day; cashing your salary at the end of each month only to realise that you have to go through the whole process again next month? There are times when we may feel that we are stuck in a rut, not only in our careers but also in our personal lives. The stresses of living can sometimes overwhelm us. The demands of meeting the payments of bills, on time, ensuring that our family’s needs are met or working overtime to pay for college fees can all leave us with little time to reflect or not being able to see the “wood for the trees”.

It’s at times like these that we need to take a little time out of our busy schedule, take stock of what is important in life and find inspiration to getting the joy back into our lives again. The recent covid pandemic certainly highlighted that our way of living has changed. There are many options to simplify the whole process. It is only when we can undertake an honest evaluation of our lives that we can start to get back into enjoying life, and improve our career and personal lives.

Here are some suggestions to help get the process started:

  1. Make a list, positives and negatives; why you love your career or why you started it?
  2. Check out new hobbies in an area that interest you. Physical activities reduce stressors in the body. Mindful activities help us to reconnect with self. Be open to try new ones or even pick up an old hobby again. 
  3. Speak with the HR manager. They can be a great source to explore options which can improve situations.
  4. Are there opportunities available to improving quality of life, which may not have been considered before? Family and friends can be great help to provide some more insight on this one. 

Sometimes all we need is a little bit of inspiration to get back up and run the race again, and realise what is important in life! It might even inspire us to try out a new training course or to spend a little more time on hobbies that we love. Finding the balance between our professional and personal lives is a continual process. Trust that the answers will come when the exploration starts. Our story of change may even inspire family and friends as they see the benefits that we experience with the new way of being.   

#Inspiration #StuckInARut #HR

As we well and truly settle into summer, many of us will be seeking out fun activities for our annual summer holiday. Planning for sunny days, or even rainy days with our families, can be a struggle when looking for something that will suit the whole family. Many experts claim that getting back into nature is one way of nurturing ourselves and getting to enjoy quality time with self and others. The freedom of the great outdoors and plenty of fresh air helps with restoring our inner-balance and connection with loved ones. There is also a great sense of adventure and each person can contribute to the occasion.

“A journey of a thousand miles must begin a single step.” – Lao Tau. There are lots of outdoor activities to choose from, suitable for the whole family. Some of our suggestions for experiencing some wonderful adventures and fun in the great outdoors include:

  1. Zip-lining and sky diving, for the more adventurous.
  2. Canoeing and kayaking on local rivers or lakes.
  3. Picnic in some of our wonderful heritage sites.
  4. Camping on a glamping site.
  5. Sailing with a local club.
  6. Golf, pitch & putt and tennis.
  7. Wind surfing and paddle boarding on local beaches.
  8. Simple walks or mountaineering.
  9. A day out at a local or national heritage site, such as Killarney National Park, Kilkenny Castle, the Cliffs of Moher or Giants Causeway.
  10. Car racing track.
  11. Zoo and animal parks.

If planning activities for colleagues at work, the fun-day could be more interesting with a fundraising initiative for a charity. It can be a charity based in the local area or one that is close to our heart. The event can be posted on social media platforms to increase awareness and hopefully boost donations. Fundraising initiatives usually create plenty of good-will and there is a greater chance that the whole team will come on-board for the adventure.

Nature provides fun and respite for so many and can be a great way to increase wellbeing – perfect for families and colleagues. It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg; activities can be adapted to suit any budget. The most important element in the whole trip is that people connect in a relaxed environment where stronger bonds can be formed and there is greater potential to have a lot of fun, and it is an ideal opportunity to get some much needed time away from technology and the demands of everyday life.

#Fun #Adventure #OutdoorActivities