10 Questions you should be asking yourself this January
For many, the new year is a time for change and reflection. A time to rejuvenate after the bustle of Christmas with new goals set for the coming months. Regaining balance after gorging on a diet of mince pies, brie and dry turkey sandwiches can seem impossible, but with a good routine and self-reflection, we can all get back on track.
At the end of each year Bill Gates has an ‘End of Year Assessment’. To check what went well and what didn’t. We can all do the same to encourage better self-awareness and positive progression in our career and personal lives.
As you read on, ask yourself these 10 questions and see how you felt about your 2018.
1. Did you get enough sleep?
Body clocks. They’re a real thing – and integral to a healthy lifestyle. Christmas and new years are holidays that can really disrupt our daily routine. Waking up later than usual and going to bed late, messes up our body clock, causing low mood levels and even depression. Take a moment to think about your sleep patterns in 2018. Did you sleep too little or too much? Was it irregular or restless?
Try these steps if you think your body clock needs a reset:
· Turn off your phone at least an hour before bed. Studies show too much screen time late at night disrupts sleep
· Put on some white noise
· Take a bath (the rise and drop in body temperature promotes drowsiness)
· Turn your clock-face away from you, stressing over the time while trying to fall asleep makes it harder
2. Were you physically active?
The real question should be: were you active enough?
Lack of time is a common excuse. But, simply taking 15-20 minutes daily to do some yoga or cardio at home is good enough. Some people even enjoy jogging on the spot while watching TV.
Going to the gym is a lot easier if you’re lucky enough to have one in your workplace. At our B&Q house we offer colleagues access to a fully fitted, air-conditioned gym and fitness classes. If you prefer to exercise with people, why not join a local team? We have a B&Q 6aside football team and a B&Q cricket team.
3. Did you take care of your mind?
Meditation and mindfulness were popular topics in 2018. We started making time for mental check-ins with various meditation apps.
We work with Macmillan, Samaritans, Mind and Canada Life to offer FREE access to a range of employee support services including: 24/7 telephone and face-to-face counselling, access to over 53,000 leading consultants to offer free second opinions on diagnosis and treatments.
4. Did you try new things?
Get out of your comfort zone. Join a new club or try a new recipe. At B&Q house we have a Choir, knitting club and walking club!
5. Did you learn enough?
Make an effort in 2019 to learn something new. Great places to start are:
· gardening
· languages
· sewing
· painting
Career wise we should all be striving to develop new skills. At B&Q we offer development support through mentoring, secondments, and virtual learning. We work with Virtual Ashridge, an online provider that allows colleagues to learn various skills such as project management, leadership and building relationships.
6. What did you do that was exciting?
Bungee jumping, starting a business, deep sea diving or just reading all the books you wanted to. It’s what was most exciting for YOU.
7. What did you do to celebrate you?
Take time to reward yourself. Have a bubble bath, redecorate your room, buy yourself a gift. Sometimes we need to pat ourselves on the back and recognise we did good.
8. Did you leave work AT work?
Or, were you checking emails at 10pm?
It’s important to leave work stuff where it belongs…
One way to leave your work niggles behind is: before you leave at the end of the day, make a plan for how to address any unfinished tasks in the morning.
9. Did you spend enough quality time with your family and friends?
Work/life balance is important for wellbeing. Here at B&Q, we’re flexible about time off and working patterns. That's why we enhance the statutory annual leave entitlement to give colleagues a little extra time with friends and family or to apply for a career break.
We work with Timewise to make sure we’re getting flexible working right. For more information on Timewise, check out their website https://timewise.co.uk/
10. What could I have done better?
Everyone’s life has its twists and turns which are unavoidable but focus on what you can control. Don’t have regrets, just think about how to improve. Even the littlest changes can make a big difference. Finally, the most important question to ask yourself this new year: What do you need to do to make 2019 the best year possible?
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Coronavirus: Australian Cricketers Stick With Handshakes Despite Threat
Australia's cricketers will continue to shake hands, coach Justin Langer said Monday, despite England enforcing a strict fist-bump only policy to prevent spread of the coronavirus. COVID-19 has claimed the lives of three Australians, with the global outbreak forcing a host of sporting fixtures around the world to be cancelled or played behind closed doors. Australia's three-game one-day series against New Zealand begins Friday and Langer said there were no plans to change how the team interacts in the dressing room or on the field. "No, we'll keep shaking hands... there's plenty of hand sanitiser in the Australian kits," he told cricket.com.au Monday following the team's 3-0 series loss in South Africa."I'm sure we'll just keep shaking hands and move on from that," he added.England captain Joe Root last week said his players would be talking sensible precautions on their tour of Sri Lanka."We are not shaking hands with each other, using instead the well-established fist bump, and we are washing hands regularly and wiping down surfaces using the anti-bacterial wipes and gels we've been given in our immunity packs," he said.Langer admitted that some players were exhausted heading into the series against New Zealand having featured in all three formats almost continuously since last year's World Cup, including the likes of leading batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner."The truth is we've got some weary boys at the moment, particularly our senior players," he said."They play so much cricket and you think about what they've done... since we started the World Cup (in England last year)."They're mentally tough guys but it's a real challenge for us."The first one-dayer begins in Sydney on Friday with the second two days later, before the series wraps up in Hobart on March 20.
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Australian Open 2019: Medvedev cruises to set up Wawrinka last-16 clash - tennis
World number four Daniil Medvedev eased past Alexei Popyrin in straight sets Saturday to set up a last-16 clash with former Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka. The tall Russian had few problems dispatching the unseeded Australian 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena as he steps up his quest for a maiden Grand Slam crown. “I knew it was not going to be easy and happy to win in straight sets,” said Medvedev, insisting he had no expectations in Melbourne.“(But) of course every time no matter what tournament I’m super disappointed (if I lose).“Hopefully I can win seven matches here, but very tough.”He now plays experienced 2014 champion Wawrinka after the Swiss got an easy ride through his clash against John Isner, with the American retiring injured while losing 6-4, 6-1. Wawrinka, a former world number three who has never returned to his best since knee surgery in 2017, said he was happy to be in the second week of a Slam once again.“I think I was playing well again today,” he said. “I was really happy the way I was moving, the way I was playing. “That’s very positive. It’s great to be back in the second week, that’s for sure. Feeling way better.”Popyrin conceded an early break and was never allowed into the match by a man seeded behind only the Big Three of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. After Medvedev rattled through the first set, Popyrin went off for treatment for a leg problem midway through the second.When he returned the Russian was ruthless, wrapping up the set then completing a routine victory, using his strength and big serve to good effect.
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