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Beware of the Barrenness of a Busy Life [pmp video blog]

 

by Bob Rausch, Ph.D.

You can be so excited about the challenges you face that you don’t take time to refuel your energy. In fact, you may believe there’s no need to refuel because you love what you’re doing. Then, over time, life isn’t as exciting as it once was and you don’t feel as enthusiastic as you did. People often ask me how long it takes before they’ll feel the effects of burnout. It varies from one person to the next, but the symptoms are almost always the same. The stress feels deeper, more overpowering, and at times uncontrollable. The slightest thing makes you angry or agitated. Feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt often arise. Your energy and determination for leading people seems to have vanished. 

In the video, shown below, I recall a very energetic client who was so excited about his challenges he actually began to burn out. As leaders, we are truly made for the tough times and big challenges, but we also need to be aware of our individual need to refuel our energy.

5 Ways to Overcome Hyper-Responsibility as a PMP Project Manager

 

by Bob Rausch, Ph.D.

The leader I mention below in this video was a very young president of his family owned business and he felt the weight of the company on his shoulders. As a result he was trying to do it all, even things he could have delegated he took on himself. Finally the stress created uncontrollable anxiety and he ended up in the hospital fearing he would die of a heart attack. The doctors reassured him that he would live and that his anxiety was the result of his body reacting to stress.

How Will You Use Your Energy as a PMP Project Manager [pmp video blog]

 

by Bob Rausch, Ph.D.

Here’s a reminder that all of us have a certain amount of energy that we can apply toward whatever we feel important is in our lives. It’s up to us on where we expend this energy and it is up to us to decide how we can effectively use this energy in our life!

Make the Impossible Person Bearable [pmp video blog]

 

by Bob Rausch, Ph.D.

Have you ever known people who were impossible to please? You will waste a lot of energy if you get caught in the trap of trying to please impossible people. However, there are some things you can do that will make the situation bearable. This 5 minute video will outline some of the steps you can take as a PMP Project Manager to get along well with others.

3 Rules to Make Your NEED a WANT TO

 
Needs and Wants

by Bob Rausch Ph.D.

If you want more energy in the things that you do, this is how to get it. The next time you need to do something and are hesitating about doing it, change the "need to" to a "want to."

Shake Yourself into Action

 
By Bob Rausch, Ph.D.

One of my dear friends lives at Whistler Mountain outside of Vancouver, Canada. Ed is a straightforward kind of a guy who has little compassion or patience with people who beat around the bush. He is action oriented and loves seeing results. I spent a couple weeks one summer helping Ed build a garage onto his house and it was non-stop until I boarded the plane to come home. During one of our conversations I was complaining about a partner of mine and Ed stopped me in the middle of my conversation.

"Give yourself a shake Bobby. Stay in the partnership or get out, but don't bellyache about it."


I'm not as bottom-line as Ed, especially when people are going through difficult times, but in reality, he's right. Give yourself a shake or snap out of it or slap yourself on the head. Do whatever is necessary to get unstuck and begin moving in a positive direction. The longer you waltz around in a problem the more confusing the problem becomes. Here are several suggestions I believe Ed would make if you find yourself stuck.

    • STOP — (S)tart (T)hinking (O)f (P)ossibilities — After you give yourself a shake immediately begin thinking of the possibilities you have at your fingertips. Misery begets misery and enthusiasm begets enthusiasm. Begin "thinking" in the right direction and write your possibilities down.

    • Get moving — It's not enough to think in the right direction, you have to take action on them. This requires energy and
      sometimes risk. Often we don't know exactly what that direction is. Therefore, the first step of action is movement until the right direction reveals itself.

Six Steps to Maximize a Career Transition

 
By Bob Rausch, Ph.D.

You may be familiar with the adage: “No pain, no gain.” However, it’s difficult to believe that idea when you’re caught in the middle of a difficult career transition. That’s when you want to know if you will ever work again. Knowing how to manage perplexing thoughts and feelings is critical. You won’t receive the greatest benefit from a transition until you can do that. Use the following six steps to not only survive, but maximize, your next career transition:

Get Your Attitude Right


Accept that the overall purpose of a transition is to strengthen your character. Just like a weightlifter adds more weight to develop stronger muscles, a transition produces resistance that helps strengthen personal confidence and determination.

Be “On Purpose”


Being on purpose means that you clarify what specific purpose the transition serves in your life. For example, are you going to be a stronger leader, more sensitive to the needs of others, or know how to handle difficult challenges more effectively?

Believe in Someone or Something Bigger Than You


It’s important that you believe in someone or something bigger than you. Some people focus on their faith in God, while others focus on their overall vision for their life. Both of these mindsets deflect attention away from the circumstances of your situation and focus on prevailing through your transition. 

Characteristics of Insatiable Males. Part 3

 
By Bob Rausch, Ph.D.

Escapes the Insatiable Male May Use


Insatiable males employ several escapes to alleviate the misery they feel. These escapes fall into one of these categories:

    • Alcohol or drug abuse

    • Over-involvement in their careers

    • Excessive physical exercising

    • Emotional or sexual indiscretions.


His chosen escape will be pursued with a vengeance. However, it only serves to temporarily relieve the pain, which returns more powerfully than ever. Each escape is one more thing that he can't get enough of.

Insatiable men are a unique and fascinating breed. They are a product of a "personality culture" that demands success. They came from families who expect them to have the good life and fulfill the "all American" dream. Now that the good life is an illusion they are looking for ways to change. This desire for change provides the coach a golden opportunity.

First Steps in Shifting Insatiable Characteristic


What to do? Keep in mind insatiable characteristics will always be a part of his personality. However, he can learn to develop new patterns of behavior. Generally, for this shift to take place it takes a crisis or the desire for something better. Only then will he be open to change.

Characteristics of Insatiable Males. Part 2

 
By Bob Rausch, Ph.D.

This unique mind-set began a cycle of distinct behaviors, characteristics, emotions, and escapes in million of men. I have termed these men "insatiable" because their appetites are never appeased. Their heritage has left them hungry for contentment and meaning in life. However, they will never achieve these using the tools acquired in childhood. Insatiable male characteristics have resulted in a generation of men who ultimately are disappointed with success and life.

Hyper-responsibility: All insatiable males develop a sense of hyper-responsibility. He over-steps the boundaries of normal responsibilities and takes on responsibility that belong to others. He makes people dependent on him for all the answers or to take care of them. He becomes the "rescuer" who needs to pull the wagon, while others take the ride. In the workplace, he will likely feel it's up to him to solve problems and answer everyone's questions. At home, he feels he is in charge of everyone's happiness and entertainment.

The Need to Please: The insatiable male generally likes to please people, but compromises himself to oblige others. They will often say "yes" to things they need to say "no" to. The positive feedback he receives from people-pleasing feeds the image of success he has formulated. After years of people pleasing he finds himself getting fed-up and frustrated with people. In contrast, they feel guilty because everyone cannot be pleased.

The Insatiable Male. Part 1

 
By Bob Rausch, Ph.D.

For the past 28 years I have been in the business of helping people solve their problems. During this time, I have seen literally hundreds of people however; one type of person has captivated my interest – the insatiable male. I continue to be intrigued by these individuals for two reasons. First of all, the more coaching and consulting I do the more insatiable males I discover. Secondly, most insatiable males feel trapped and are looking for a way to satisfaction.

Insatiable males are men from all walks of life. They are hard-working individuals who strive to make the American dream come true. Many of them have achieved some degree of outward success.

Whatever degree of success it has not brought them the contentment or the satisfaction they expected. They are diligent and industrious individuals who need to excel and to "prove" they can be successful. However, their results lead to frustration and stress instead of satisfaction. They feel inadequate in spite of numerous accomplishments. Many feel guilty because they have devoted so much of their life to work and neglecting family involvement.

These men want change in their lives but can't pinpoint where change has to take place. Most of them say they feel trapped or on a treadmill with no way off. For them, there's never enough time, sex, energy, accomplishments, money, or love.
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