The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Employees Presented

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Employees Presented by: Greg Brannan New Jersey Employee Advisory Service

Habit #1: Have a Good Attitude • The impact of our attitude - on our health - on our relationships - on our career • The connection between thinking, feelings, and behavior - sub-conscious beliefs - conscious thinking (self-talk) - emotions - behavior (actions & habits)

Habit #1: Have a Good Attitude • Practice replacing negative thoughts with more positive ones - don’t allow negative thoughts to flow freely (“don’t go there”) - reframe negative thoughts into something constructive • Minimize worrying - research study • Don’t just accept your negative emotions - adjust your thinking to improve your mood

Habit #2: Get Along Well with Others • Prioritize people over tasks, your agenda, etc. - put people and their needs & feelings first • Proactively bond with others - reach out and connect with others (get to know them) • Practice kindness - value being good to people

Habit #2: Get Along Well with Others • Pick the right times to interact - for both you and the other person • Practice good listening skills - really hear them (be interested in what they’re saying) • Always disagreeably - it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it

Habit #3: Have a Good Work Ethic • We reap what we sow - you get out, what you put in • Hard work is motivating - provides a sense of satisfaction • It increases our confidence - leads to positive self-esteem, belief in our capabilities, etc.

Habit #3: Have a Good Work Ethic • It helps to further develop our abilities - our knowledge and skills naturally increase as we work hard • Consistently putting in a great effort gets you noticed - can lead to new opportunities, promotion, etc. • Hard work produces good results - much of success in life comes from hard work

Habit #4: Be Enthusiastic • Enthusiasm provides energy and motivation - creates engagement and enables us to do things well • It’s contagious - can influence those around you to get engaged • Count your blessings - being grateful increase enthusiasm

Habit #4: Be Enthusiastic • Focus on areas you’re passionate about - we’re naturally more engaged when we’re “into it” • Stay positive - negative thinking reduces enthusiasm & motivation • Manage your stress level - too much stress inhibits enthusiasm

Habit #5: Practice Emotional Intelligence • Emotional self-awareness • The ability to rationally manage our feelings - i. e. , think before reacting • A tendency to use emotions for self-motivation - i. e. , get the butterflies to fly in formation • The ability to recognize and be sensitive to emotions in others

Habit #5: Practice Emotional Intelligence • Recognize physiological & emotional reactions to pressure (fight or flight response) • Be aware of the dynamics of overreaction - underlying issues (feeling threatened) - contributing factors (energy level, stress level) - button-pushers (difficult people) • Practice responding, instead of reacting - pause to think before speaking when you’re feeling emotional - intentionally respond more rationally

Habit #6: Manage Your Stress Well The Health Impact of Chronic Stress Emotional Effects: anxiety, aggression, apathy, boredom, depression, fatigue, frustration, guilt, shame, irritability, bad temper, moodiness, low self-esteem, threat, tension, nervousness, loneliness, inability to make decisions and concentrate, frequent forgetfulness, hypersensitivity to criticism and mental blocks Health Effects: asthma, chest and back pains, coronary heart disease, diarrhea, faintness and dizziness, headaches and migraine, neuroses, nightmares, insomnia, psychoses, hypertension psychosomatic disorder, diabetes mellitus, skin rash, ulcers, loss of sexual interest and weakness

Habit #6: Manage Your Stress Well • Adjust your thinking - Be constructive in the way you think about stressful events • Stay in balance - Take time for yourself regularly (take breaks, don’t eat at your desk, plan fun activities) • Pace yourself - Don’t confuse activity with productivity • Exercise regularly - Work out your stress

Habit #7: Be Resilient Factors that Determine Resilience • Our attitude towards stressful events • How we respond to challenging circumstances (emotionally, in our behavior, etc. ) • The quality of our support system • Our overall health

Habit #7: Be Resilient • Improve the way you think about challenges - i. e. , “I don’t have to do this” – “I get to do this” - aging study • Proactively connect with your support system - don’t isolate during tough times • Take care of your health - exercise, get enough sleep, eat right • Don’t give up - persistence pays off

About EAS The Employee Advisory Service is a State sponsored program designed to help employees and their dependents with personal, family or work related issues that may adversely impact their work performance. EAS helps to restore the health and productivity of employees and the workplace as a whole. Problems are addressed in the quickest, least restrictive and most convenient manner while maximizing confidentiality and quality. Call us at our toll free number 1 -866 -327 -9133, to schedule a confidential appointment. Email us at EAS_Help@csc. nj. gov