In any workplace, recognition plays a crucial role in creating a positive and productive environment. This is especially true at BYU, where values like scholarship, belonging, and commitment to our double heritage are often emphasized. Recognizing the efforts and achievements of employees not only boosts morale but also fosters a sense of community and belonging. As we approach Employee Appreciation Day on Friday and Student Employee Appreciation Week, let's explore the power of recognition and how we can make it a regular part of our workplace culture.
One of the most divine gifts we have been given from Heavenly Father is the gift of agency. Things that inhibit our ability to choose and separate us from this gift are things that God and His prophets advise us to avoid. Addiction is a state of compulsive need to partake in substances or engage in behaviors or activities that are harmful to us. This kind of compulsive state can take many forms, from substance abuse to excessive phone use, pornography, and other unhealthy coping mechanisms. Avoiding these compulsions is crucial for promoting holistic wellness and happiness, both in and out of the workplace.
A common question I get when delivering training is what to do when your co-workers or boss have different expectations about how work gets done. It could be about email response time, prioritization of tasks, or even what constitutes a completed assignment. My response is typically a suggestion that they talk with that person or team and lay out expectations and preferences. It’s a conversation about how you have conversations and how you work together. Here are some ideas about how to have that conversation.
Prayer is a powerful tool that can enhance our overall wellness. Prayer is a way to connect with God and others, seek guidance, and find comfort. But did you know that prayer can also have significant benefits for your body, mind, and spirit? Let's explore how prayer can boost your wellness and what it truly means to pray.
Happy New Year! It's that time again—the gyms are packed, spinach smoothies are trending, and everyone seems to be talking about getting healthy. But let’s be real: is wellness just about doing push-ups and eating broccoli? Not even close. Wellness is about caring for all parts of yourself—the physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, social, and even financial parts. And this year, it’s time to stop treating wellness like a chore and start seeing it for what it really is: a choice to live a fuller, happier life.
In Preach My Gospel, hope is defined as an abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to us. This principle is not just a passive wish but an active expectation that good things will happen through faith in Jesus Christ. Hope is characterized by confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance. It is a vital Christlike attribute that can significantly impact our overall well-being and professional life.
I always feel appreciated when colleagues ask me about how things are going with sincerity. It's one thing to hear, "How's the research?" but much more meaningful when someone asks, "Did you hear back on that manuscript you submitted last week?" It shows that they actually care about what I'm doing, so I try to reciprocate and do the same back.
Several months ago, I started saying a prayer of gratitude every morning when I wake up. This is based on what President Nelson taught: “Each new morning is a gift from God. Even the air we breathe is a loving loan from Him. He preserves us from day to day and supports us from one moment to another. Therefore, our first noble deed of the morning should be a humble prayer of gratitude.” I start my prayer by thanking Heavenly Father for the air I breathe that is a loving loan from Him. Then I continue my prayer of gratitude. In my prayer, I thank God for BYU, for my colleagues at BYU, for the leadership at BYU, and for the students at BYU. Following my prayer, I read at least one verse and ponder it. I learned to do this based on what Elder Costa does: "When I wake up, instead of looking at my phone, I say a prayer. Even a simple prayer. Then I read a scripture. This helps me with my weekly covenant that I make as I partake of the sacrament to 'always remember Him.' When I begin my day with a prayer and a scripture, I can 'remember Him' when I do look at my phone. I can 'remember Him' when I face problems and conflicts, and I try to face them like Jesus would."
