Doing things differently

Flexibility is a key characteristic of learning organisations and those who lead them. Psychological flexibility means adapting successfully to changing situational demands; it can help people adapt their mental resources and behaviours in response to change. 

People who are flexible are better able to balance competing needs and life domains, while remaining committed to their goals and values. Research has established that social workers who are more flexible tend to be more resilient, and that in turn protects them from work-related stress and burnout (Kinman et al., 2020b). 

Flexibility also enables people to think about problems and tasks in more creative ways. Our habits can undermine our ability to meet new challenges, whereas changing unproductive behaviours can help us feel less stressed, happier and more in control (Fletcher & Pine, 2012).

Although everyone has a toolkit of useful behaviours, people tend to over-use the same tools regardless of whether they are appropriate for the situation. Small actions can break habits and result in changes in behaviour; maintaining these changes can give you the confidence to take on new challenges. 

Changing something about your work routine and reflecting on the outcomes can be effective. For example, eat your lunch somewhere different and see if your mind is clearer. Some examples of small actions in your personal life that can lead to behaviour changes are provided below. 

Also, keeping a list of things that you have accomplished through the day (and encouraging those you manage to do so, too) can be particularly helpful in highlighting how you use your time and taking steps to make lasting change. KFP4 Mission and Vision offers some guidance on making ‘I did’ lists and how these (and other techniques) can be used to improve your productivity.

Do something differently

Small actions in your work and personal life can break habits and lead to changes in behaviour, encouraging a more flexible outlook. Maintaining these changes can give you the confidence to take on new challenges. When deciding on a new course of action in your personal life, remember that using a different skill set to what you use at work will be particularly effective and will help replenish your mental and physical resources.

• Do a course on something unrelated to your work.

• Start a blog.

• Join a choir.

• Change the furniture around in your office or your home.

• Learn another language.

• Try a new sport.

• Learn a musical instrument or create something artistic.

• Join a book club.

• Plant a garden.

• Write a short story or a poem.

• Learn a new craft.