If you are self-isolating, you can still do a lot of fun, creative, and engaging things right in your own home or apartment. Staying busy and away from the television and social media platforms can help to alleviate the feelings of anxiety that can easily overwhelm you when hearing the same information again and again.

Taking care of yourself is always priority one, but if you are feeling healthy and up to doing things, or if you are proactively self-isolating due to potential contact with someone with the virus, here are some of the top things to do to help to pass the time.

Volunteer to Help Online or by Phone

If you have friends with kids who are home from school, you can always volunteer to tutor or mentor a child in an area of interest or expertise. This can easily be done over the phone or through any of the many free apps and programs available.

You can help kids with homework and assignments, or even get involved in online games or multi-player apps that help to give overwhelmed Moms and Dads a bit of time away from the kids, even if they all have to stay indoors.

Clean Out Closets and Cupboards

Most people have closets, spare rooms, storage areas, and cupboards they have meant to clean out for years. This is the perfect time to take it slowly and determine what stays, what goes, and what could be donated to a charity of your choice.

Start and Finish a Book

Online books available through any number of websites make it easy to read a classic you have always wanted to read but never seemed to have the time. If you are not a reader, consider downloading an audio version of the book and listening to a story that has withstood the test of time.

Start an Online Course

There are lots of free online courses, more extensive certification courses, and online language courses that can be a perfect way to spend a few hours a day. If you are completing the courses for work or a specific certification, make sure they meet the required criteria.

Take a Virtual Tour

There are several of the major museums and art galleries around the world that offer free virtual tours of their facilities. This is a wonderful way for the whole family to explore museums and art galleries around the world, include The Louvre, the Guggenheim, and the Smithsonian National Museum, to name just a few.

Have a Home Spa Day

Treating yourself to a special day of pampering, self-care, and just doing something for yourself is a great way to unwind. There are articles online on how to create your own natural spa products; all you need is a few common kitchen ingredients, a few essential oils, and time to sit back and relax.

Keep in mind, if the family is self-isolating, playing board games, cooking meals together, and planning fun things to do in the house can also be a part of staying active and engaged during this time.

Creative thinking includes elements of creativity combined with the ability to work with data, input, and information. While some people are more likely to be creative thinkers naturally, it is also a skill that can be developed.

Thinking creativity is important in the workplace. It allows for new, innovative, flexible and adaptive solutions that may springboard off of current practices or develop a completely unique approach to a problem, challenge or an issue.

To develop creative thinking skills, try one or more of these strategies on a daily basis. The more you try, the more you will find ways to start thinking outside of the box and expanding the possible solutions.

• Learn your creative state – people may be more creative when they have time to think about something without interruption. Others may find talking and bouncing ideas off others is a starting point for generating new and unique ways to consider options. There are also those who find movement to be a state that generates creativity. Thinking while taking a walk, pacing the office or even playing outside with the kids may be the best state for creativity.
  

• Learn your creative time – most people are more creative during certain times of the day. This may be in the morning when you are fresh, and your mind is free from the challenges of the day, it may be in the afternoon when you are accomplishing your tasks or in the evening when you are relaxing and winding down.
  

• Accept all ideas – just as you brainstorm and accept all ideas without judgment, creative thinking starts with generating a list of possible options or solutions, no matter how outside of the box they may be. Jot them down and then think about the benefits of each one, before limiting your options by crossing anything off the list.
  

• Daydream on an issue – one of the best ways to tap into your creative side is to let your mind wander through a problem. Relax, sit back, get comfortable and just let the thoughts wind through all the possibilities, no matter how outside of the current thinking they may be.
  

• Change your language – changing language from “this won’t work” to “how could we make this work” goes from negative and closed thinking to open and creative thinking.
  

• Doodle – if you are a doodler, let it happen. Doodling on a pad, a whiteboard or even on an app while thinking about a problem can be very helpful in triggering your creative side. It is not the quality of the doodle that counts; it is the associated change in thinking that provides the benefits.
  

Finally, talk to people you see as creative, innovative thinkers. Ask them how they developed their skills and what strategies they use to come up with unique solutions and options.

True Colors – GREEN

Assessments : So Many Choices
by Cindy Stradling

There are hundreds of assessment tools in the market today and depending on the results you are looking for there is one that can provide participants and managers with a better understanding of each other’s person communication style, strengths, areas for growth and preferences.  One of my favourites is still True Colors when you are looking for an easy to administer and fun way to learn about yourself and others on your team.  For the month of May I have decided to provide details about each of the four colors Blue, Orange, Gold and Green.  As you read through the details each color, identify what is most like you and least like you.  Have fun!

Communication with a GREEN

Setting the tone

Clear expectations re outcome

Feedback Techniques

Sincere recognition when earned

No “hoopla”

Praise for

Intelligence, knowledge

Competence, quality of work

Independent initiatives

Ingenuity, capabilities

Analytical abilities

Logical, precise explanations

Rewards

Freedom to determine process to accomplish project goals

Projects involving designing new models, innovation

Values

Autonomy, independence

Objectivity, rationality

Creativity (design, planning, problem-solving, implementation)

Truth, fairness, perfection, accuracy

Intelligence, wisdom, knowledge

Competency, efficiency, answers

Quite time for thinking

Complexity, global view

Expertise in subject matter

Preferred Environments

Unstructured and creative

Quiet, private space for thinking

Minimal noise or intrusions

Highly creative colleagues

Teams of scientists, engineers, technicians working together

Reference area, lab, large tables

State-of-the-art technology

Team Building

Visionaries – insightful, strategic thinkers and problem-solvers

Answer the “why”, give rationales

Share concern for quality

Request system designs that will “mistake-proof” the process

Acknowledge problem-solving strengths, capabilities

Allow thinking time

Reduce time constraints

Coach re conflict resolution

Learning Styles

Independent, self-directed

Quiet, uninterrupted study time

Interested in theory, concepts

Likes logical, lecture-style presentations

Wants recognition for competence

Thrives on challenge

Likes to explore, extend new info

Needs relevant tasks

Characteristics

Cool, calm, and collected, self-controlled

Feel emotions, don’t express them

Future-oriented, theoretical, ingenious

Variety of interests

Strategic problem-solver, pragmatic

Perfectionist, determined, persistent

Use precise technical language

Intellectual

Explore all facets before deciding

Contribute optimum effort

Skills

Researching, designing, inventing

Handling complexity, developing models

Applying subject matter expertise

Analyzing, problem-solving

Diagnosing, exploring ideas

Concentrating on key details

Planning, strategizing, being systematic

Abstract reasoning, logical thinking

Checking for accuracy

Drawing insightful conclusions

Interests

Ideas, insights, improvements

Technology, innovations

Probing for future

Efficiency (max output, minimum waste)

Entrepreneurial pursuits

Learning, developing new competencies

Philosophy, debating

Leadership Style

Expects intelligence, competence

Sets high standards and expectations

Seeks ways to improve systems

Encourages change which leads to improvements

Visionary, analytical

Expects competent follow-through

Rewards and Motivators

Independence, autonomy

Understanding the big picture

Quite time to think and process info

Recognition for competence and idea

Likes to explore, extend new info

Relevant tasks

High achievement, challenge

Stressors

Incompetence, errors, oversights

Routine, tradition, busy work, redundancy

Unclear mission or expectations

Lack of system or system support

Rules that block strategy, restrictions

Deadlines, unreasonable schedules

Quick decisions with little time to analyze

Too many projects or details

Interpersonal conflicts, unfairness

Having input challenged or ignored

Small talk, social situations, outbursts

Project implementations and follow-up

“Out of Esteem” Behaviours

(or what others might see when you’re having a bad day)

Indecisiveness, confusion

Refusal to comply or cooperate

Withdrawal, extreme aloofness

The Silent Treatment

Snobbish, put-down remarks, sarcasm

Perfectionism, due to performance anxiety

Highly critical attitude toward self and others

At Work

Interested in ideas, insights

Pragmatic, ingenious, strategic

Interested in technology, entrepreneurial

Strive for more output, less waste

Dislikes routine, tradition, busywork, redundancy

Careers – Professional

Attorney, criminologist, FBI agent

Actor, TV broadcaster, critic

Journalist, editor, writer, ad exec

Engineer, industrial designer, researcher

Marine biologist, vet, geophysicist

Computer systems analyst, programmer

Physician, psychologist

Architect, urban planner

Professor, anthropologist

Careers – Vocational

Technician

Technologist

Legal assistant

Medical assistant

Photographer

One of the great things about running the Athena Alliance is the vast amount of knowledge and sharing.  For the summer months I thought I would like to share with you some of the great articles written by my Alliance Members.  Please enjoy the following article submitted by Wendy Woods:

Three Keys to Make 2011 a Great Work Year

Here are three tips guaranteed to increase your engagement and productivity.

Express Gratitude
Work is always filled with challenges so it’s easy to focus on what isn’t working or the endless frustrations.  Expressing gratitude is an easy and quick way to increase your engagement and productivity.  Whether it’s simply acknowledging your gratitude or expressing it to your coworkers, clients or suppliers, research shows that it has valuable benefits.

Specifically employees who express gratitude have greater personal satisfaction, adaptability, and energy. They also promote greater communication and cooperation within their organizations.

How can you express gratitude genuinely at work? (the key here is genuinely) Let your colleagues, boss or clients know when and how they have made your life easier. Also at the end of each day, acknowledge three things you are grateful for no matter how small.

Be Mindful
It’s hard to be focused on the present when there are so many pressures, deadlines, and distractions everyday.  A constant state of multitasking, 7/24 availability and busyness has become the norm.  The assumption is that this increases productivity resulting in greater professional and personal success.  According to the research, these attempts at greater efficiency have the opposite effect making it more difficult to learn, remember or be creative.

So what is mindfulness? The best definition is Jon Kabat Zinn’s “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; On purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.”  It’s taking things back to basics.  Focusing on and working in the now instead of multiple things, thoughts or conversations at once.

How will mindfulness help you create a great year? The scientific research says it all.  Mindfulness improves areas of the brain responsible for decision making, emotional flexibility, and empathy as well as increasing attention, focus and emotional wellbeing.  It’s also been shown to improve health by lowering blood pressure, boosting the immune system and managing depression and anxiety.

How can you add mindfulness to an already jammed packed day? Start by taking 1 -2 minutes several times a day to focus on your breath.   Push everything else aside and simply breathe where your abdomen inflates when you inhale and deflates when you exhale. This will make you more mindful giving you greater concentration and appreciation of your work.

Laugh More
Laughing more at work, appropriately of course, is guaranteed to help make a great year. Why? First it is a fast stress buster.  According to William Fry of Stanford University, 20 seconds of hearty laughter is equivalent to 3 minutes of hard rowing. Second, laughter facilitates cooperation.  Researchers found that people are more helpful with those they share a laugh.  Finally, laughter increases creativity and innovation which are critical organizational skills.

How can you laugh more with your co-workers? Share cartoons, stories or even laugh at yourself (an easy and safe target).  As long as you are laughing together, never at anyone, then laughter is constructive and everyone benefits.