Career Professionals of Canada News Feed
As career professionals, many of us have experienced toxic work environments firsthand, or we may have helped our clients deal with the fallout of toxic environments. Such a scenario can cause undue stress on us, our co-workers, and other people we deal with. In turn, it can negatively influence our attitudes toward people and work in general, and may even affect our personal lives. In this article, we’ll explore what a toxic work environment looks like and how we can help our clients deal with the situation. What is a Toxic Work…
In Canada, more than 10 people die by suicide every day. Although suicide occurs frequently, there is still a lot of stigma around suicide and efforts to prevent it. September is Suicide Prevention Month. Throughout the month, groups comprised of representatives from all sectors—workplace, health services, community, school boards, and post-secondary institutions—organize events designed to bring awareness of and provide education on the issue of suicide. WARNING! This article may trigger emotional responses. Use your self-care and mindfulness resources to sit with the contents of this post and seek help if…
As career practitioners, we work with clients daily, yet we may never know what these individuals have experienced in the past. Trauma can evolve from a distressing event—a job restructuring, injury, the loss of a loved one, an accident, or even a transition from one country to another. A trauma-informed care approach is necessary for safe and supportive crisis intervention and service delivery. It acknowledges that a client has experienced some form of trauma in their life. What is Trauma? Trauma involves the event, experience, and effect. Trauma is an…
With life gradually returning to normal after COVID, some people report that they’re having difficulty adjusting. Some feel exhausted, unmotivated, unsettled, anxious, and perhaps even depressed. For the last two years, all of us have had to draw heavily on our physical and emotional resources. But, let’s face it, those resources are not limitless! Think of the different aspects of yourself as being similar to a bank account; you can’t maintain a healthy account if you continuously make withdrawals. It’s vital to focus on making deposits to keep your reserves topped-up. I’d like…
The start of a new year is a great time to reflect upon our journey over the past year. It’s also a great time to check in with our mental health. Ask yourself: What are my big wins? How am I feeling? What impact have the challenges of the past couple of years had on my nervous system? How can I make self-care a priority in 2022? Personally, I learned a lot on my journey of shifting my nervous system from a state of isolation and fear to return to…
Many career practitioners struggle to find a balance between their family and their career. Yikes! Even as I write that sentence, I cringe. What is this elusive “balance” that people refer to? Instead of balance, I have learned to live a “blended” life. In his book Who’s Got Your Back, author Keith Ferrazzi writes about the idea of living a blended life, not a balanced one. “The elements you see in [your life] aren’t individual territories or fiefdoms. They should, and will, overlap!” This got me thinking about how often I…