Five ways to focus on the positive

Author

Encompass Health

Posted on

Dec 03, 2021

Book/Edition

Florida - Sarasota, Bradenton & Charlotte Counties

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Many of us believe that once our workplace is running smoothly, then we will have time to be happy but research actually shows the opposite to be true. When we embrace happiness first, in spite of our circumstances, we strengthen our ability to think creatively and solve problems more efficiently.
At Encompass Health, we strive to focus on the positive as part of our five core values, known as The Encompass Health Way. Through this, we strive to have a positive spirit and find light even in the most difficult situations. We celebrate successes and inspire others to create meaningful impact every day.
While there will always be external circumstances that make our work challenging, deciding to be happy is something we can control. Below are five science-supported activities that can help you focus on the positive which in turn can increase your resilience, problem-solving abilities and overall quality of life. Pick one of the activities below and try it out with your team.
Gratitude
Research shows that expressing gratitude allows you to notice the good things that already exist.
Action item
There are many ways of expressing gratitude, but an easy way to start is writing down five things a week that you are truly grateful for. Focus on the why behind your feelings of gratitude and focus on that as you are writing about them. Make sure you truly feel grateful about them, not just writing what you think you should be grateful for.
Take it to your team
Share this practice with your team and ask people to take turns at the beginning of team meetings highlighting what they are grateful for.
Cultivate optimism
No matter how rough a day was, every day holds the opportunity for something really great to happen.
Action item
Spend 15-30 minutes thinking about what you would like your team to look like six months from now. Write a description of what that goal looks like: describe the interactions that take place, your daily tasks and your teams outcomes. Hold onto your description, read it daily and think about how good it will feel to reach that goal. Plan small action steps to help you reach it.
Take it to your team
Have your team do the same exercise on their own and ask them to bring in a picture of something that symbolizes their vision. Make a poster for your office or put the pictures on a bulletin board for everyone to see.
Care for your mind and body
We've all heard it before, its important to take care of our minds and bodies. Its hard to make yourself the priority, but you cant take care of others if your vessel is empty.
Action item
Your movement doesn't have to take place all at once. Make a point of parking a little further from the door than you normally would, stand up while youre on phone calls, or set a timer that reminds you to stretch every hour.
Take it to your team
Keep some comfortable shoes in the office and turn your one-on-one meetings into walking meetings.
Learn new coping skills
People who create meaning from their adversities are more resilient and are able to find new solutions to old challenges.
Action item
Make a point to look for a lesson in each situation. Consider what skills your current situation is allowing you to develop and focus on mastering them.
Take it to your team
Empower your team to challenge every negative comment they hear with a positive or silver lining. You could even turn this into a game and give people points for every silver lining they find during the week.
Avoid overthinking
Overthinking a difficult situation drains our mental resources. Controlling our thoughts, however, allows us to reclaim cognitive control of our lives.
Action item
Schedule 30 minutes a day to allow yourself to worry or ruminate over difficult situations. When your mind starts to chatter outside of the scheduled time, gently remind yourself that you have some time set aside for that later, but to refocus on the task at hand.
Take it to your team
Challenge your team to not sweat the small stuff. Encourage the team to make posters of the big stuff. This could include things like your teams mission or goals. When the team finds themselves spending time and energy on challenges, have them circle back and decide if this is time well spent or if they are overthinking the small things.

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Encompass Health

Stroke Rehabilitation 6400 Edgelake Dr., Sarasota, Florida, 34240

At Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota, we are dedicated to two fundamental principles: the progress our patients make and the outcomes they achieve. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our industry-leading performance scores, which demonstrate our unwavering focus on your recovery and well-being.When you arrive at our hospital, we will conduct a comprehensive assessment known as Functional Outcome Measures to determine the level of assistance you require for basic tasks. This assessment serves as a baseline to measure your progress throughout your rehabilitation journey. Based on this evaluation, your rehabilitation team will collaborate with you to establish challenging yet achievable goals and develop a customized treatment plan tailored to your individual needs.Throughout your stay, we will closely monitor your progress, adjusting your treatment plan as needed to optimize your outcomes. Before you discharge from our hospital, we will conduct a follow-up assessment to evaluate the extent of your improvement and ensure that you have the knowledge and resources necessary to continue your recovery journey beyond our walls.Our commitment to quality care is further underscored by our accreditation from the Joint Commission, symbolized by our prestigious Gold Seal of Approval. This accreditation serves as a testament to our adherence to rigorous standards of safety, effectiveness, and patient-centered care.At Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota, your well-being is our top priority, and we are honored to be your partner in achieving your rehabilitation goals.

Encompass Health

Rehabilitation Services 6400 Edgelake Dr., Sarasota, Florida, 34240

At Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota, we are dedicated to two fundamental principles: the progress our patients make and the outcomes they achieve. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our industry-leading performance scores, which demonstrate our unwavering focus on your recovery and well-being.When you arrive at our hospital, we will conduct a comprehensive assessment known as Functional Outcome Measures to determine the level of assistance you require for basic tasks. This assessment serves as a baseline to measure your progress throughout your rehabilitation journey. Based on this evaluation, your rehabilitation team will collaborate with you to establish challenging yet achievable goals and develop a customized treatment plan tailored to your individual needs.Throughout your stay, we will closely monitor your progress, adjusting your treatment plan as needed to optimize your outcomes. Before you discharge from our hospital, we will conduct a follow-up assessment to evaluate the extent of your improvement and ensure that you have the knowledge and resources necessary to continue your recovery journey beyond our walls.Our commitment to quality care is further underscored by our accreditation from the Joint Commission, symbolized by our prestigious Gold Seal of Approval. This accreditation serves as a testament to our adherence to rigorous standards of safety, effectiveness, and patient-centered care.At Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota, your well-being is our top priority, and we are honored to be your partner in achieving your rehabilitation goals.

Encompass Health

Rehabilitation Facilities 6400 Edgelake Dr., Sarasota, Florida, 34240

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