I loved that song, Bobby McFerrin 1988 when the world was a much simpler place. No matter what we do we have days when we are up and cope with anything and days when we are down and the world gets on top of us all. What are the tricks of the trade you use when you are struggling to ‘turn that frown upside down?’ In the world of social media so many people turn to the ‘hive-mind’ for support, what can seem like a random note to Facebook can actually be a cry for help, and so often they go un-responded to or worse become derided for seeking attention.
No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world!
Robin Williams
What makes us glum? I am returning from teaching at the Next Gen CIO school in Brussels, a great experience, one of the teachers was there to convince the next generation of CIOs that they really need to look after themselves an awful lot more if they are to have the energy they need to be truly great CIOs. He advised on diet, sleep patterns and ways to manage stressful situations, all clearly impactful in the health and wellbeing of what we do. What percentage of CIOs have stress symptoms I wonder, my guess its very high.
But tomorrow, the 10th of October, is world Mental Health day, I for one will be remembering a good friend, a friend that couldn’t get the help he needed at the time when he needed it the most. Despite being loved deeply by everyone around him stopping worrying and trying to be happy was no longer an option.
So on the day that you read this extra short blog post at some point give a friend a second glance and consider do you know how they are feeling, do they need a little more support, can you be, just a little bit nicer to them. Even better, consider a colleague, a member of your team, a manager, a leader and ask yourself could I do something today to show them that I care, because for some people that will be the giant leap they need to not worry and be happy.
After all it is the little things in life that make us smile, and smiling is infectious.
What’s right is what’s left if you do everything else wrong!
Robin Williams