Wellbeing is something we really prioritise at Unite People.
You might be wondering how exactly we measure this intangible state?
Well, through our weekly litmus test ‘Friday Pulse’ the company gains valuable feedback on its employees’ motivation, focus and happiness.
Founded by Nic Marks, motivational TED speaker and award-winning statistician, Friday Pulse combines short weekly surveys with more in-depth quarterly questions to gauge teams’ mental health and foster a productive, connected, and inspired team.
We all know the phrase healthy bodies, healthy minds – which is why we love to keep a fresh and plentiful supply of fruit in the office. On top of this, our hour-long lunchbreak allows ample time to fit in a walk or workout, reinvigorating minds, and bodies for the afternoon grind. In our Leeds office, we plan on creating a weekly running club too.
In 2023, UPL are taking employee welfare to the next level – sales team members will be encouraged to hit their profit thresholds with positive reinforcement. Incentives include outdoor group activities like rounders, hiking and tennis followed by tasty food and great conversations. Fresh air, exercise and social interaction – a winning combination! It goes without saying, these rewards will take place through the working week, complimentary of the business.
Speaking of UPL’s generosity – this week marks our annual Winter Conference. On Friday, all members of the UPL family will gather to reflect on 2022 and outline objectives for the coming year. This year, we are going go-karting, which is bound to encourage some healthy competition and get our energy levels racing! Afterwards, we will head out to dinner and enjoy some cocktails before dancing the evening away.
We are all about positivity, creating your own luck and pushing perceived limits to achieve results.
In the words of Price Pritchett PHD “if you must doubt something, doubt your limits.”[i]
However, we recognise that burnout is a very real consequence of hard work. In our most recent company-wide meeting, UPL’s leader and founder Ross Bayston highlighted its existence and urged employees to use their annual leave wisely each quarter to refresh and reset. Bayston also recommended reading Price Pritchett’s You², “A High-Velocity Formula for Multiplying your Personal Effectiveness in Quantum Leaps.” Pritchett’s book guides its readers through a method for realizing a quantum leap, to achieve greater results with minimal effort, improving performance and delivering success.
What is ‘Blue Monday?’
Coined by psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall in 2004, ‘Blue Monday’ refers to the third Monday of January and supposedly the saddest day of the year (today)!
So, what can we do today to combat the blues?
Firstly, if you are feeling down, understand that it is normal and there are real reasons why you feel this way. Be kind to yourself, you are not alone in feeling this way! Have a conversation with those around you and ask how they are – it’s nice to be nice. Furthermore, if you’re suffering a low mood, treating others with kindness has been proven to have an instant, positive effect to shift depression.
Secondly, don’t underestimate the power of daylight. In the winter months, when daylight hours are limited, make taking vitamin D a daily habit, and make the effort to get outside every day too.
Finally, be wary of New Year resolutions, these can be detrimental to both mental and physical health. Generally, resolutions are made off the back of guilt, which is not a great motivator. For example, after a Christmas period of indulgence, people gravitate toward ambiguous goals like ‘lose weight’ or ‘save money.’ A better idea would be to outline some realistic, healthy, and achievable goals like ‘have a piece of fruit each day’ or ‘reduce screen time to (insert realistic reduced time).’ Then, when these aims are fulfilled, they will have a positive effect on your mood – you’ll not only feel successful in achieving the goal, but the habits they create will likely elevate your long-term mood, too.
Best of luck for 2023 everyone, let’s go and smash it!!
[i] Price Pritchett, You², 1 Jun 1994.
