Team building can have different shapes and forms; it can look like potluck lunches, cognitively
challenging activities, and fun events. An organization can benefit greatly from creating a spirit
of fellowship between its employees.

Reasons Why Team Building Is Important:

1. Creates unity

Team building activities break the ice and help employees work towards a shared goal. This
plants in employees a sense of teamwork, and the awareness that they are working with each
other and not against each other. This leads to the prioritization of the success of the organization
as a whole, rather than only seeking individual wins.

2. Leads to new ideas

Being familiar with other employees and establishing a safe zone to share one’s ideas will lead to
a flood of new and fresh perspectives as people feel more comfortable to explore and take risks,
without feeling like their ideas will be shut down by others. If people are more familiar with each
other, they will most likely be more encouraged to exchange ideas with one another, which can
lead to fruitful conversations.

3. Builds a healthy work environment

Team building can positively impact channels of communication at work. It can help employees
understand each other better and communicate effectively, which will prevent or minimize
conflicts. It will also help create new relationships within the firm, which can impact employees
socially, emotionally, and professionally.

4. Boosts morale

Team building activities don’t always revolve around fun activities, but the fun games can lead to
a boost in morale and can be a way to create good memories within the organization. In the midst
of a stressful time, using fun activities can be a good way to recharge again.

5. Increases productivity

An increased productivity comes as a byproduct of unity, new ideas, better communication, and
boost in morale. All of these factors create trust within an organization and lead to less
absenteeism and more motivation to work.

Team building activities help organizations develop trust, foster a culture of collaboration,
enhance communication, and increase productivity. It can take many different forms, like games,
retreats, events, and lunches. If team building is not a top priority for organizations, they risk
developing a toxic work environment that is marked by the rise of conflict, miscommunication,
and a self-seeking perspective.

Job burnout is a type of mental, physical, or emotional exhaustion that is work-related. The
feelings of depletion impact one’s mental wellbeing and overall motivation and performance at
work. Burnout can occur for different, and sometimes opposite, reasons. Burnout from an
overload of work can come when employees feel overwhelmed with tasks at hand. In the same
way, employees can experience burnout when they feel like they are not challenged or doing
enough. This kind of burnout leads to employees losing interest and disconnecting.

Factors that cause burnout:

• Having a heavy and demanding workload
• Being in an unfair environment that exhibits favoritism
• Working at an organization with values that are different from your own
• Having a community that encourages you to share your ideas freely
• Feeling in control of the kind of work that you put out

Signs of burnout:

• Extreme stress from managing work and simple tasks
• Loss of motivation
• Frustration with coworkers and loved ones
• Lack of concentration
• Always feeling fatigued and never well rested
• Withdrawal from others
• Skipping work more often
• Missing deadlines

If you are experiencing burnout, there are several ways that you can recover from burnout:

1) Create a life outside of work

Make sure that you are cultivating other areas in your life that need your attention as well. These
other areas can help you create a work-life balance and give you the push that you need to show
up feeling refreshed at work.

2) Create bonds with coworkers

Experiencing burnout can come from not having a community at work. Having positive
relationships with colleagues makes you less prone to burnout because you have an outlet to ask
for help and gives you a sense of belonging.

3) Set boundaries

When burnout comes from a heavy workload, sometimes the workload comes from our constant
“yes” to any task at hand. Learning to say no to extra work can help us preserve our physical and
mental health from pressure and exhaustion.

4) Take care of your physical health

Signs of burnout include missing meals, changing sleeping habits, and lacking interest in
exercising. A good way to combat burnout is by engaging in self-care. Giving in to burnout will
lead to neglecting oneself, and neglecting oneself can lead to a burnout. The vicious cycle will
continue until you take a stand. Eating nutritious meals, moving your body, and making time for
rest are all ways that you can prevent emotional and physical exhaustion.

Reflection Questions:

• Am I avoiding work, conversations, and meetings with certain colleagues?
• Do I find myself saying yes to extra workload without any consideration?
• What are ways that I can start looking after my physical and emotional health?
• Who can I reach out to and ask for help if I’m experiencing burnout?

How Do Sports Enhance Community Development?

1.Builds social connections

Sports bring people together and give them a sense of unity. It is a way to form connections and meet new people as they gather with one goal. It also creates a shared meaning and gives a sense of belonging as people come together.

2.Involve different groups that could be marginalized

Groups that are prone to exclusion tend to have health related problems, whether physical or emotional. Sports can involve different marginalized communities, like people with disabilities, refugees, and racial minorities. An example of the involvement of these communities can be seen in the 2016 Rio Olympics, where a team of Syrian refugees participated. Involvement in sports can give marginalized communities opportunities for a better life and help them meet people from different backgrounds.

3.Transforms individuals and changes their wellbeing to the better

Sports make people more active and therefore impacts their physical and emotional well-being. It helps individuals become physically healthier while simultaneously impacting their mental health as it boosts one’s mood and improves self-image. Having a positive self-image and becoming a healthier individual on your own increases the likelihood of successful relationships and expansion of one’s social circle.

4.It can enhance other communities through financial support

Teams and sports organizations can support NGOs and different communities in need through their contributions to charity. The funding raised through engagement in sports can indirectly pour into other communities that may not be directly involved in the sport, but the funding they receive might enhance their quality of life and lead to a transformation in communities.

Reflection Questions:

• How do sports impact nation or city pride?
• What role does sports play in my life?
• What is the impact of sports on physical, social, and emotional health?

Personal development plays a big role in one’s career. An individual’s ability to grow as a
character ultimately impacts the way they communicate, learn, get tasks done, and solve
problems. There are certain traits and employability skills that are essential in order for one to
excel in their career, which include: self-awareness, integrity, communication, and discipline. If
one commits to developing these characteristics, they will show their value in the workplace.

4 Types of Employability Skills That Impact Your Career

1) Self-awareness

The trait of self-awareness is marked by how aware you are of your strengths and
weaknesses, and areas that need development. Part of being self-aware is
understanding the weaknesses and thinking of ways to turn them into strengths. A
self-aware employee will be open to feedback and will think of ways to implement the
feedback. They will also have the social intelligence and interpersonal abilities it takes to
be able to deal with others and allow smooth interactions when conflicts arise.

2) An integral character

This is a trait that is often overlooked by many. An employee with an integral character
will be a reliable one, because they will be known for being faithful in little things that
equip them for much bigger responsibilities. An integral employee will also be a
character that avoids creating problems that negatively impact teamwork and dynamics
between coworkers, which eventually creates a healthy work environment. An integral
person will also have a reputation and image of a faithful employee, which will prove
their credibility to being in higher positions of power. They will also be attractive and
valuable to workplaces.

3) Commitment and discipline

If a person has a hard time being disciplined and committed to things in their personal
life, chances are this will also pour into their professional life. A lack of commitment and
discipline shows a lack of professionalism and passion. An uncommitted employee will
be difficult to rely on. If an employee is known for their discipline, they will be included in
big responsibilites. Their ability to abide by rules, show up on time, finish tasks when
they’re due will set an example for others and create a determined culture in the
workplace.

4) Communication

Part of having good communication skills is knowing what to say and when to say it. Not
only is it conversing, but it’s also being aware of nonverbal cues and body language.
Having good communication skills is keeping conversations a two-way street, and giving
others the space to share their ideas, opinions, and feelings. It is also ensuring that other
parties are on your same page, and that there is a mutual understanding of what needs
to be done. Miscommunications and misunderstandings can deeply impact the
relationship between coworkers and can cause a delay in tasks that need to be done.

These qualities can be acquired through reflection, intentionality, and proactivity. Taking the time
to develop in these areas will lead to significant positive changes, not only in one’s attitude but
also in one’s quality of work.

Reflection Questions

• What employability skills do I need to develop in order to enhance my career?
• Would my coworkers describe me as a team player?
• How do I define integrity? What does an integral employee look like to me?

When juggling the responsibilities of work and personal life, it can get difficult to draw a line between both. Maintaining a work-life balance looks like balancing the time spent on work with the time spent with loved ones and also time spent taking care of ourselves. This balance is essential because it helps us maintain our relationships with loved ones and helps us avoid
mental exhaustion from pouring ourselves into our work.

While we may think that working too much helps us reach our goals, it can actually have the opposite effect on us as it can negatively impact our productivity and also harm our personal life.

Signs of a poor work-life balance:

• You don’t take time off even when you’re sick
• You unintentionally isolate yourself from friends and family
• You experience extreme burnout
• You constantly think about work and feel like you’re not doing enough

How to balance maintaining a work-life balance:

1.Set boundaries

Learning how to say no to extra longer hours at work that come at the expense of time with family and friends is essential to maintain a work-life balance. Not just rejecting longer work hours, but also not answering emails after working hours to stay present with people you love. These boundaries must be communicated with coworkers in order to avoid fallouts and tension. For example, if someone asks to schedule a meeting during your lunch break, rather than agreeing to the meeting to get the task done, you should honor the time that you have to rest by scheduling it to another time. This will make coworkers understand that you value your time of rest.

2.Identify your priorities

People tend to prioritize different things, and you need to identify your priorities. Ask yourself what your priorities are and manage your time accordingly. If your family is a priority, then time must be allocated to them. If your physical health is a priority, then you must also carve out time from your schedule for it. Identifying our priorities helps us understand how much time we will give each area of our lives.

3.Nurture your relationships

Be intentional when it comes to making time in your schedule for people you love. If you’re not mindful of how you spend your time after work, you will find that many of your relationships will suffer. It’s important to rest after work, but If you refuse to join in plans after work, you will isolate yourself from friends and family. Push yourself to say yes to plans that will help you not only maintain current friendships, but also meet new people.

4.Invest in things that you love to do outside of work

Hobbies can be things that are good for your physical and mental health. Exercising and going for walks is an excellent way to nurture both your physical and mental health. Preserving our mental health and cultivating our intellectual wellbeing look a lot like engaging in different hobbies like painting, learning an instrument, or learning a new language. All of these things can positively impact your health and be a source of joy outside of work.

5.Develop healthy habits

Perfectionists and overachievers tend to pour themselves into their work, causing a burnout. Diving too much into our work can sometimes look like neglecting our physical health. Make sure that you’re getting the hours of sleep that your body needs, and that you’re not skipping lunches in order to work. Start small by incorporating healthy habits that help you become productive at work and give you energy to invest in things after work.

Reflection questions:

• Are any of my relationships suffering from my inability to manage my time?
• What are my priorities? How do I want to spend my time?
• What boundaries can I draw that can help me avoid mental exhaustion?

Our characters are made up of the decisions that we make, and those decisions are shaped by a series of choices that turn into habits. Our daily habits pour into other areas of our lives, including our professional one. If these habits are not beneficial ones, it can easily block our professional growth and stunt our careers. For that reason, it’s important to adopt new habits that can enhance our career.

Here are five ways to improve your career and enhance the quality of your work:

1- Regularly ask for feedback

The easiest way to spot areas that need improvement is to ask people around us to give us constructive criticism. Receiving criticism with an open mind makes us aware of the weak areas that can be improved. On the other hand, being defensive can keep us oblivious of the areas that need to be changed. Make it a habit to regularly ask for feedback without taking it personally and to brainstorm possible ways to deliver a higher quality of work.

2- Go to relevant workshops and events

If there are any workshops, conferences, or events that are relevant to your industry then make sure to attend them in order to learn from them. This will also expose you to experts in your industry, which can be a good opportunity for you to find mentors. It’s an efficient way to network with like-minded people and gain new friendships that you can learn from.

3- Step outside of your comfort zone

To step outside of your comfort zone, you need to think about what this zone consists of. Figure out what it is exactly that brings you discomfort and think of small ways to step into them. If it’s public speaking, sign up for presentations or events that get you to socialize with others. Start taking risks and taking on tasks that can stretch your character and develop your skills.

4- Invest in your intellectual wellbeing

Intellectual wellness is the openness to learn new things and to develop new skills. It’s a desire to expand your knowledge by reading books, taking on new hobbies, or learning a new language. It also includes the ability to think critically and to dismiss any biases. Adopting healthy habits like reading books, especially ones that have to do with your industry,  can increase your knowledge and skill.

5- Build a routine

Building a routine and sticking to it helps you stick to a healthy and structured lifestyle. Building a routine with healthy habits like getting enough sleep, being productive at work, setting time aside for friends and family can help you become a better employee as it helps you become more punctual and professional.

Reflection Questions:

• How do I react when I’m met with criticism?
• How often do I make time for healthy habits like reading?
• Is my routine harming my professional life or is it enhancing it?
• How can I step outside of my comfort zone?

Our mental health is determined by multiple factors that can be on a social, economic, and
individual basis. It is our state of wellbeing that impacts other areas in our lives, like our ability
to build relationships, and our ability to work and create. As an aspect of health, for many years
mental health has been neglected and even looked down upon. With new generations breaking
the stigma surrounding mental health, people have become more and more aware of the
importance of taking care of our mental health. In the midst of all the changes that we wish to
make for the next year, looking after our mental health and wellbeing should be one of them.

Here are 5 changes that you can make in 2023 to take care of your mental health:

1- Write it all down

Journaling has many benefits for our mental health since it’s an efficient outlet to pinpoint
negative thoughts and replace them with positive self-talk instead. It’s also a good way to
identify triggers and track progress. Journaling helps people write down their fears, problems,
thoughts, and concerns which serves as a form of stress-relief.

2- Identify triggers and distance yourself from them

Reflect on how you can preserve your mental health and about the factors that tend to deteriorate
it. Is it a specific group of people in your life that don’t benefit or build your character? Is it
harmful coping mechanisms that actually hurt you more than help you? Is it social media that
makes you spiral into a cycle of comparison? Whatever your triggers are, start thinking of ways
to create a barrier between yourself and those things. Distance yourself from people that block
your growth, slowly quit unhealthy coping mechanisms, or consider a break from social media if
you need to.

3- Look after your physical health

Taking care of your physical health will ultimately impact your mental health. Make sure that
you’re consuming your daily intake of water and the appropriate calorie intake your body needs
to function. Research shows that getting 8 hours of sleep, eating nutritious food, and moving our
bodies for 30 minutes a day positively impacts our physical health which ultimately impacts our
physical health. You can adopt new habits like waking up earlier, switching to healthier
alternatives, quitting junk or fast food, or increasing your daily steps through subtle ways like
parking your car farther than your destination.

4- Start saying yes to new hobbies

Find a hobby that you can invest in. There are hobbies that can help your physical health like a
sport, and there are hobbies that can increase your skill and knowledge like learning an
instrument or a new language. These hobbies can be a source of joy and also a method to
increase fulfillment and self-esteem. Not only will you build your character and grow, but there
are also many social hobbies that can help you increase your connections and expand your social
circle.

5- Let it out

As the stigma around mental health is starting to shatter, it’s important to know that it is normal
and healthy to seek professional help if we need to. Not just seeking professional help, but
reaching out to loved ones for support if you need to speak to someone. We are relational beings
who were created to live in unity with others. Putting pressure on yourself to work through
things on your own can do you more harm than good, whereas having someone to lift you up in
times of need can make your mental health significantly better.

Reflection Questions:

• What are some of the things that negatively impacted my mental health last year?
• What changes can I make this year to protect my peace?
• What are small habits that I can start that can positively impact my physical health?

The beginning of a new year is always a time of reflection, re-evaluation, and retrospection for many. It’s a time people use as a fresh start and a fresh opportunity to rid themselves of an undesired trait or behavior. As much as there’s a wave of motivation over new year’s resolutions, people argue that most of them fail by mid-March. In order to create successful resolutions, you need to set goals that are specific and attainable.

There are several kinds of resolutions, and they can be centered around personal growth, social circles, health, or career. If you haven’t had any ideas yet, here are 5 ways to cultivate personal growth in 2023:

1- Develop self-awareness

Get to know yourself by taking yourself out, figuring out what you like/dislike, and giving yourself time to process emotions. Our phones have become pacifiers that make it difficult for us to sit with our emotions. Scrolling mindlessly for hours serves as distraction rather than entertainment, and this prevents us from processing emotions and thoughts. Make sure to take ten minutes to reflect or write in a journal using journal prompts online or the reflection questions posted at the end of every article. Journaling helps you identify your feelings and track your progress.

2- Aim for progress not perfection

People give up on their resolutions when they fail once. Your goals need to be shaped by a desire for progress rather than perfection, simply because perfection is unattainable. Focusing on your progress motivates you to keep going, while focusing on perfection discourages you. To grow, you need to realize that you are perfectly in process and that you deserve to be proud of yourself now rather than when you reach an end goal. This mindset makes you more likely to be consistent rather than give up.

3- Get out of the comparison trap

Easiest way to escape the trap of comparison is to celebrate your own wins and reflect on all the good things that you have going on. Walking into 2023 with a thankful heart is a way to become a healthier individual. Research shows that being thankful can positively impact your mental and physical health. Rather than looking to others, water your own grass by using your past-self as a benchmark. Make it a habit to thank others regularly and write three blessings everyday, and watch how your attitude shifts throughout the day.

4-Talk less, listen more

Most people don’t practice active listening because they’re too busy thinking of how they’ll respond to the person speaking to them while they’re still talking. As a new year resolution, don’t just choose your words wisely but also listen to what other people have to say.  Not only will it increase your knowledge, but it will also prevent you from oversharing or saying something you might regret. It will also enhance your relationships with others because they will feel seen and cared for by you.

5-  Volunteer somewhere

They say that the most precious thing you can offer to someone is your time. Giving your time to a charity or an organization where you can volunteer to help is not only a way to help others but it also stretches you as a person. Volunteering to organizations in need will help you develop empathy and expand your worldview. It will also expose you to people that might not necessarily share your background or values, which will build your character.

Remember that life is not black or white, and if you fail at any of those things, you can always restart again. Starting on the 8th of May is just as good as starting on the 1st of January. All you have to do is just start.

Reflection Questions:

• How often do I spend time on my own? Do I use this time to reflect, or do I tend to be distracted?
• What goals do I want to achieve in 2023?
• How have I changed since this time around last year?
• Am I a perfectionist? If yes, how is it showing up in my life? How is it impacting my goals and my relationships?

Abiding by the business etiquette is not just a must in order for the firm to flourish externally, but internally as well. 

Benefits of Abiding By Business Etiquette 

– It creates a professional environment that clients can clearly see 

– It fosters a healthy work environment where individuals feel respected – Better clientele relationship expands business 

8 Business Etiquette Tips 

1- Dress appropriately 

What is the nature of your work? Do your working hours depend on meeting with clients, therefore requiring business casual attire? Or does the culture of your workplace value comfort as a method for productivity? Monitor the way others dress in the organization, and make sure to stick to the dress code established. 

2- Proof read before you send emails 

Making mistakes while writing emails is completely normal, especially when you’re juggling other tasks at hand. Having grammar or spelling mistakes in your emails can come across as unprofessional and rushed. Taking a few minutes to reread emails is an essential aspect of business etiquette. 

3- Don’t interrupt 

Giving others a chance to share their input in meetings, even if we disagree with them, is the way to have effective communication. Fruitful and up-building conversations can’t happen if they’re only one-way. Interrupting others while they speak can come across as hostile and overbearing. 

4- Be considerate of time 

A lack of punctuality can show a lack of professionalism, whereas showing up on time shows that you value other people’s time. Not only being considerate in that aspect, but also being mindful of when you reach out to other coworkers. When you contact other coworkers, make sure that it’s at a time that is appropriate and convenient to them.

5- Respect staff room protocol 

Not just the staff room, but any shared space in the organization should be kept organized and clean. Honoring and respecting shared spaces looks a lot like cleaning after yourself. Shared spaces can also be documents, and they must be kept private as well. 

6- Greet everyone 

Greeting your coworkers can make you seem approachable to others, which will help you make friendly connections at work. When introducing yourself, make sure that you also pay attention to the other person’s name. 

7- Watch your language 

Not only does using rude and derogatory terms negatively impact relationships within the firm, but it’s also a negative reflection of the person and the organization as a whole. In addition to offensive language, make sure to avoid slang and maintain a formal tone when addressing other people in your organization. 

8- Be fully present 

Avoid using your phone during meetings, since others will assume you are uninterested. This can create hostility between coworkers, and hinder productivity and efficiency. To show interest, maintain eye contact and ask follow up questions. 

Reflection Questions 

– How do you treat clients or customers? 

– Do you follow dress codes? 

– Do I show respect for shared spaces and items?

Encouraging diversity and empowering women in the workplace is one of the most important
aspects of creating long-term employees. Not only does women empowerment positively impact
a firm’s overall performance and culture, but it also impacts their position in society as a whole.

Benefits of Women Empowerment at Work:

1. Closing gender gap reduces poverty
2. Giving them opportunities to learn increases economic growth
3. Highlighting their voices shifts conversations around topics like sexual and physical
   abuse, which brings positive change in a society
4. Diversity in the workplace leads to innovation

Four Ways to Empower Women in The Workplace

1.Accommodate to their needs

Women’s needs cannot be clustered into one group. There are new mothers, single parents, fresh
grads, and many more different seasons of life for women. Their needs will look different, and it
can impact their work. For that reason, being flexible and accommodating can be the reason they
feel supported.

2.Promote women to leadership roles

Assuming that a woman cannot be in a position of leadership because of her nurturing and caring
nature is a stereotype that many businesses lean into. They end up missing out on great
innovative ideas and setting a culture that does not recognize their high achieving women.

3.Amplify their voices

Encourage women to share their opinions and ideas in meetings. When they feel heard, not only
will they be encouraged to bring innovative ideas to the table, but they will also speak up if they
feel unsafe. Silence can stem out of fear of not being heard, which can let immoral and unethical
behavior go unnoticed in a firm.

4.Watch out for discrepancies between pay rates

Women should receive equal pay for equal work and experience. Making sure that women
receive it is the way to make them feel valued and appreciated at work.

5.Give them mentoring opportunities

Support can be offered to women in terms of training and mentoring groups by other women in
senior positions. This can create a safe space and a solid foundation for women.

Reflection Questions:

• What are barriers to female empowerment?
• How can I support other women in my organization?
• How can change in the workplace bring a change in society?