Personnel Support Programs
Do You Have Enough FISH in Your Diet?
Stress: Take Charge is one of the Health Promotion courses offered at CFB Edmonton. Participants experience a wide variety of activities, information and strategies to manage stress. One of the excellent resources used during this course is the film "FISH: Release the Potential" (www.fishphilosophy.com). The following tips are from CF members, civilian personnel, and CF family members. These are their ideas on how to implement the four key principles of "FISH: Release the Potential".
Play…
What is PLAY? If you think of it as a way of "learning, experimentation or interaction", you’re right. We learn the same way now, as we did when we were children: by playing with ideas. However, the "fun" people want is often the very thing many organizations fear most. Lightheartedness can only occur in an atmosphere of mutual trust – there needs to be freedom or permission on the side of management balanced by a responsible approach to fun by staff/employees. What participants said:
• Laugh tonnes!
• Play on words (puns, jokes)
• Joke around (but don’t tease/ mock to humiliate)
• Don’t take yourself too seriously
• Ask a silly question – at appropriate times, not during the CO’s briefing!
• Have fun competitions
• Use props i.e. non-picture, fax/ picture
• Beverages, bar-b-q, dinner parties together often
• Play sports/ recreate together
• Intensive Humor Therapy - don’t underestimate it!
• Send a joke (tasteful, discretion) by email
• Make silly faces at co-worker when they are talking to the CO
• "If I’m not working then I am playing one way or another"
• laugh at yourself
• joke (but not tease) with customers/ clients/ patients
Sgt Dirom (AKA Sgt Shrek) and his colleagues are a great example of "Play" at work. Note the "camo paint out of control" look!
Click here for more info CFB Suffield FISH Philosophy Ideas
Make Their Day…
What is the difference between MAKE THEIR DAY and simply being pleasant? The difference lies in doing something unexpected or out of the ordinary – taking that extra step you didn’t have to. It might be something as simple as holding open a door for someone whose arms are full or telling a coworker or employee, from your heart, how much you appreciate them. When they least expect it or when they need it most, make it happen! Participants ideas:
• Compliment and encourage others (many in agreement with this one!)
• Be that one person who treats anyone you are speaking to like a human being
• Remember: A smile is contagious!
• Do a favour or something a little extra without expecting anything in return
• Bring cookies!
• Go that extra mile
• Everyone needs candy!
• Let troops leave early, if nothing else is going on/ needs to be done
• If I see something someone would enjoy, I pick it up for them and bring it to work
• note/ remember important days (birthday) and acknowledge them
• talk to clients/ customers/ patients while performing a task or service for them
• find something positive to highlight about someone and tell them
Be There…
To really BE THERE for another person – whether that person is a customer, coworker, family member or friend – has a powerful effect. Think about how good it feels when someone gives you undivided attention. In contrast, you are likely to miss important moments in life if you are not "there" for others. BE THERE, being truly present, means suspending what you think you know while you are listening. How participants viewed this:
• follow up/ through on commitments at work
• be supportive of co-workers
• Listen to people’s problems, doesn’t mean you have to solve them
• Acknowledge others with a simple "good morning", "hello"
• Be on the grill first thing in the morning
• Treat others as a person, not a number
• Acknowledge what is happening "now"
• Listen to all, sincerely
• Arrive early, have coffee on
• Truly listen to what people are saying. Show this by responding to what is said
• Give guidance, not opinions
• Remind people that we all have to be at work, so lets make the best of it
• Be attentive
• Take time to have real conversations with your co-workers
• Even when you are not scheduled to be at work, show up and say hi
• Notice the person, not the diagnosis/ ability/ disability
Choose Your Attitude…
We often feel captive to unpleasant or stressful situations and our reactions show it: "I can’t help it! I’m like my father!" "When will management stop forcing all this change on us?" It’s easy to justify our attitudes by blaming someone else for them, or by pretending that they don’t matter to anyone else. When you CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE from moment to moment, it not only affects you but everyone with whom you come in contact. What participants suggested:
• Have a positive attitude and you will have friends and family to share it with. Have a negative attitude and you will have a lonely life
• It is your choice to join the CF. Therefore, make the most of every opportunity and adventure
• Choose to be happy
• Don't change your address...address your issues!
• Be calm and tell yourself "I am going to have a good day!"
• Serve others with joy
• Make a conscious decision not to judge others
• Don’t be the grouch that everyone hates!
• Look at/ for positive aspects of life, situations
• Challenge yourself with "how many smiles can I create today?"
• Joke around about silly things
• Choose to be happy, and laugh at the flag watchers
• Don’t let boss’ mood bring me down instead, focus on looking forward to serving the customer
• Work at maintaining a very positive attitude
• If you’re unhappy, your platoon is unhappy, remember that you affect others
• When in arguments, say lighthearted things to break the tension… then start discussing again, but more positively
• Choose to be positive, even if someone ticks you off on a daily basis!