Business & Life Patterns

Creative Energy Options

7 Ways to “Practice Safe Stress” during times of confusion and chaos

By Sylvia Lafair | March 25, 2020 |

Summary: Whether you attack or retreat, you remain in the “chasm of chaos” till you find your way to the safe stress zone. Here is the route to get to both safety and success. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I need help. Right now! Can you give me a quick, simple way of handling all the stress…

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Creative Energy Options

How Super Achievers Can Listen to Themselves and Others

By Sylvia Lafair | February 11, 2020 |

Before super achievers can listen to themselves or others, they need to know how they got to be so exhausting, annoying, and demanding in the first place.   Here’s how the super-achiever pattern was addressed with a new coaching client, Dan, a Senior VP in a large marketing company that offers leadership development courses for senior executives.  He said this about himself, which much initial pride, “Hey, I always have to be…

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Creative Energy Options

Are you an avoider or initiator at work?

By Sylvia Lafair | February 7, 2020 |

Are you (or someone you know) an avoider?  You know…when there is conflict, contention, carrying-on in a nasty way that doesn’t stop, do you ever think “I gotta get outta here?†We all have that feeling at some time. However, when it happens over and over it’s a powerful behavior pattern…the avoider. Avoiders often grew…

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A woman sitting in her office relaxing and looking at the view

What to do when life seems out of balance

By Sylvia Lafair | December 18, 2019 |

Everyone is telling me this year has more stress and strain than in the past? You agree? “Why,†people are asking, “is life so much more out of balance now?†I must admit, I’m not sure. However, I have a hunch that all the social media stuff is really making us kinda crazy. I was…

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A picture of a person wearing socks and sitting by the fireplace

Is it Really the Season of Joy and Fun?

By Sylvia Lafair | December 4, 2019 |

It’s officially the season of joy and fun…Or is it? We are programmed to be happy, merry, and filled with love and appreciation.  So, why are there so many who have inherited a black cloud filled with rain or snow that clings no matter what? If so, you are not alone.  Make you feel better? It’s good…

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Creative Energy Options

Can people with high emotional intelligence still be assholes?

By Sylvia Lafair | October 29, 2019 |

Here’s a question that comes up way too often. Before I state the question let me set the context.  Do you believe the leaders at your organization are good and positive people? Can you talk with your team and feel there is mutual respect? Have you ever been bullied by a brilliant boss?   Now the question: Can people with high emotional…

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Creative Energy Options

3 Key Ways to Win at Work

By Sylvia Lafair | October 1, 2019 |

My work with individuals and groups over the years has helped me to uncover 3 key ways to win at work when you’re feeling frazzled and ready to throw in the towel. Have you found that at one time or another you wanted to stuff a sock in someone’s mouth rather than listen to them…

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A young girl holding onto a hose and spraying water.

How do you stay calm, cool, and collected?

By Sylvia Lafair | July 30, 2019 |

When the heat index goes way into the red zone how do you stay calm, cool, and collected? Here is a composite of the types of emails I have been getting the past month, mostly from the east coast of the U.S. and from much of Europe. It goes something like this: “It’s too hot…

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Creative Energy Options

These 3 habits may be keeping you labeled as mega-stupid

By Sylvia Lafair | July 8, 2019 |

Summary: Who do you work with you think is a dumb ass? Here are ideas to move beyond judging and make a positive difference at work. Everyone has their idea of what “stupid” means. Someone who you will never ask for advice. Did you ever take the time to sort out the different levels of…

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Creative Energy Options

Are you a maximizer or a satisfier…take this simple test

By Sylvia Lafair | April 24, 2019 |

How do you decide what to decide? There is a great line in the play Into the Woods that we have used in our Total Leadership connections program that shows how so many of us wait to let others make decisions while we stand on the sidelines waiting for a signal for our next move. Picture Cinderella…

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