Is your Ego Depleted?
Each month we share what Health & Wellbeing content has caught our eye, so you can stay up-to-date on what's been happening in the industry.
This month... it's Ego Depletion, how to manage it, as well as keeping your productivity (and sanity!) intact this silly season.
"Ego depletion" is a psychological theory suggesting that self-control, decision-making, and willpower all draw on a limited pool of mental resources. When these resources are used up, your ability to exert self-control decreases, making it harder to focus, resist temptations, and make sound decisions. In other words, after a period of intense self-control or decision-making, your "willpower tank" might feel depleted, leading to less effective self-regulation.
The good news, though? You don’t have to wave the white flag just yet. Here’s how to manage ego depletion and keep your productivity intact:
Take short breaks: Feeling drained? Step away, even for five minutes. Go for a walk, stretch, or simply close your eyes. A little recharge can go a long way.
Space out the big decisions: Back-to-back big decisions can drain you fast. The key? Plan ahead. If you know an important meeting is coming up, avoid scheduling another heavy task right after.
Lean on routines: Think of routines as “autopilot” for your brain. By sticking to consistent habits - like prepping lunch the night before or having a go-to work outfit - you'll save mental energy for the tasks that matter most.
Now, what’s one small change you can make today to keep your willpower tank full?
Read More: The Guardian Article
Coles is the next cab off the rank
Coles has announced that its 5,000 office employees will soon be required to work on-site at least three days a week to enhance collaboration.
This is a shift in its hybrid work policy, requiring office staff to work on-site at least three days a week, with one of those days falling on a Monday or Friday - effectively discouraging extended long weekends or remote work from distant locations.
The goal?
To foster collaboration, team connection, and in-person opportunities to "Win Together," as noted by CEO Leah Weckert.
While this policy applies across all Coles offices, including its liquor division starting January, the company says it’s about striking a balance between workplace flexibility and the benefits of in-person teamwork. The move reflects broader trends, as many companies grapple with how to optimise office spaces while meeting employee expectations for remote work.
However, surveys suggest flexibility is a major draw for workers, with over half of Australian tech companies losing staff to businesses offering more adaptable arrangements. As the RTO debate continues, it raises an important question: how can workplaces support collaboration while maintaining the flexibility employees value most?
If you need a quick sanity-check on what you are doing for employee wellbeing, I welcome a call here.
Stay Well,
Tom
To discuss how Pinnacle Health Group can help create a safer work environment, click the button below to speak to one of our OHS Directors for a quote:
December Masterclass: How to Launch a Wellness Week in 2025
Have you ever hosted a “Wellness Week” at your workplace?
What about considering the powerful benefit of “launching” your wellbeing program to kick the year off?
One of the biggest employee wellbeing challenges that we see with many workplaces, is the difficulty in engaging their staff and getting them inspired with the wellbeing program.
And one of the simplest strategies that we advise, in order to promote the plans for the year, and to showcase the exciting initiatives that you have no doubt worked so hard to lock in.
Tuesday, 10th December 2024
12:30 pm – 1:15 pm AEST
Get your FREE and exclusive ticket
A Wellness Week or Wellness Launch is a common initiative that our clients employ, usually at the start of the calendar year or financial year, and it is extremely effective in:
There is a strong need for workplaces to develop, communicate and execute a powerful workplace wellbeing strategy and program for 2025 - so we will be running a masterclass on 10 December all around launching 2025 successfully!
Pinnacle Health Group works with over 200 workplaces ranging from global organisations through to start-ups and small businesses. Working across a range of industries in employee wellbeing strategy and programmes has led to plenty of ‘ah ha’ moments and discoveries on the how-to of workplace wellbeing in the changing environment.
Our real signature is to map out a structured, holistic wellbeing program that engages employees from all backgrounds and health profiles - and makes it easier for the leaders to deliver.
This 45 minute Masterclass, delivered by Trent Marsh, is interactive and suitable for people in HR, Health and Wellbeing professionals in large corporate organisations, government teams, those working in mid-tier businesses and even small business owners.
We look forward to seeing you there!
领英推荐
This one's for the working parents
In our latest episode of the Well Workplaces Podcast, Tom sits down with special guest, Poppy Griffiths where they talk about Balancing the Trio: Careers, Families and Aging Parents and the challenges faced by working parents and carers.
The discussion centres on the findings of the National Working Families Survey 2024, conducted by surveying 6,000 working parents across Australia. Key topics include the persistent high stress levels among working parents, the need for more support in workplaces, gender-neutral parental leave policies, and the importance of flexible work arrangements.
The episode also highlights exemplary practices from Australian companies like Multiplex and Car Sales, and advocates for systemic changes at the government level to support working parents better.
Resources: National Working Families Report 2024
Trending: Productivity Hacks
Trending this month is Productivity - as everyone gears up for the end-of-year holiday rush. With workloads often increasing as December arrives, many are adopting new productivity strategies to stay organised and efficient. Here are some simple hacks that can make a big difference in managing tasks and reducing stress as the silly season sets in.
Start with Time Blocking by setting specific time slots for individual tasks to improve focus and minimise distractions.
The 2-Minute Rule helps you clear small tasks quickly, so they don’t pile up.
For larger priorities, try the Eisenhower Matrix to sort tasks by urgency and importance.
The Pomodoro Technique is great for energy, using uninterrupted 25-minute work intervals with short breaks.
Finally, a daily “Brain Dump” declutters your mind, helping organise thoughts and tasks. Begin with one or two of these hacks to find what works best for you.
Wellbeing Champions: What are they and why do they matter?
Have you ever wished your workplace had someone to turn to when you're feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or unsure about where to find support? That’s exactly where a Wellbeing Champion comes in!
At PHG, we see a Wellbeing Champion as more than just a title—it’s a mission. We define it as health-inspired individuals in your workplace who are passionate about helping others thrive. They actively support and promote health and wellbeing, creating a workplace where everyone feels seen, supported, and empowered to prioritise their mental and physical health.
They play a unique role in fostering a positive work environment by supporting mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and encouraging healthy habits across the organisation. Typically, these champions act as approachable resources, helping colleagues find mental health and wellbeing support and often partnering with HR or wellbeing leads to align initiatives with broader organisational goals.
The success of a Wellbeing Champions program often hinges on providing champions with clear role definitions and adequate training. This training should include understanding available support options, building basic skills for listening and guidance, and encouraging champions to stay within their boundaries (they aren't expected to diagnose or counsel). Effective programs also create networking opportunities for champions, so they can share best practices and learn from one another, enhancing the reach and effectiveness of the wellbeing strategy.
So, who will be your first Wellbeing Champion?
Internal job transfers for the win
Internal job transfers are becoming a go-to strategy for employers looking to retain talent and keep employees engaged. For workers, it’s a chance to take on fresh challenges and grow their careers without the uncertainty of switching companies. For businesses, it means filling roles with skilled, trusted people who already understand the company’s culture.
Employees benefit by gaining new skills, avoiding burnout, and exploring different career paths—all while staying in a familiar environment. Meanwhile, employers save time and resources by promoting from within, reducing the need for lengthy onboarding processes.
It offers the best of both worlds: career progression for employees and a stronger, more connected workforce for employers.
Catch up on our latest Well Workplaces Podcast episodes:
The Well Workplaces podcast is designed to create genuine wellbeing conversations in the workplace, sharing expert knowledge in a practical way.
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