What is Debt?

Technically speaking, debt is any amount of money owed to another person or organisation.

Realistically, debt is money spent but not yet earned.

Practically, we think of debt as being unable to repay bills or borrowed money.  

 

Research carried out  in the UK found that more than 15% of us regularly miss bill repayments or feel overwhelmed by debts because even our best-laid plans occasionally go awry.

Here are the 5 most common characteristics of personal debt and their effect on resilience and well-being.

 

1. Debt is so often so Mundane

There’s a common misconception that money management issues are karma, the reasonable result of extravagant life style choices. Sadly, the truth is much grittier.

A lost job, relationship breakdown, an illness or anything that affects our ability to maintain consistent income can create debt problems within a matter of weeks and it can happen to anyone.

Judgement, therefore, just isn’t helpful.

Helpful is an open mind and a willingness to create a recovery plan.

Go to https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en for more advice on how to move forward when things are going wrong.

2. Debt is Super Stressful.

About 50% of people with diagnosed mental health issues live in debt but who can say how many became ill because of debt or vice versa?

What we do know is that stress related to debt makes money management even more challenging. Short term fixes often have long term consequences and filling the fridge with a payday loan is a great way to perpetuate the debt, stress cycle.

The ability to recognise the most common signs and symptoms of mental illness in yourself and others can help prevent debt and depression becoming partners for life.

Step Change is a charity who offer support with debt stress, find them here  … https://www.stepchange.org/debt-info/debt-stress-and-mental-health.aspx

3. Debt is Incredibly Isolating.

Despite the overwhelming worry, people find it really hard to talk about debt to family and friends.

Honestly, family and friends often find it hard to talk about debt too.

A great support network can help reduce stress, maintain self-esteem and enable a rapid return to health, well-being and financial equilibrium.

If you’re worried about someone close to you, ask how you can help, make no judgement calls and keep it confidential.

http://• Ways to spot a friend in debt http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40340737

4. Debt is Seriously  Exhausting.

Night time worry is notorious for being the most profound and least productive worry pattern of all.

Losing sleep to worry will always have a negative effect on well-being and emotional resilience.

To protect your job, your relationships and your health, it’s important to get help with sleep loss as early as possible.

Make one appointment with your GP, and another with a debt counsellor, then have a long talk with your nearest and dearest.

http://www.frugalitymagazine.com/losing-sleep-over-debt-here-are-4-simple-solutions-89252/

5. Recovering from Debt is Exceptionally Empowering

Getting mad at debt and kicking it out is actively good for your personal resilience.

People who never worry about money often never think about it and that’s a risky strategy.

Once you’ve sorted your bills, negotiated with creditors and made a few basic changes you’ll feel stronger and more competent than ever.

For more advice on Resilience and Wellbeing go to  https://embraceresilience.com/embrace-resilience-wellbeing/

 

 

Challenging Behaviour

A term used to describe behaviour which threatens the quality of life of an individual or others.

A single unit module, designed to provide information advice and guidance to those who encounter challenging behaviour at home or at work.

 

The course focuses primarily on challenging behaviour in dementia but includes guidance content which applies equally well to a wide range of alternative situations.

This course will help you to;

Understand what can reasonably be described as challenging behaviour.

Describe some common examples of challenging behaviour.

Apply good practice when addressing challenging behaviour in others.

Identify appropriate responses to different types of behaviour.

Make your workplace a little happier – Embrace-Learning.

Go to http://www.embrace-learning.co.uk to see fifty more brilliant E-Learning courses from Embrace.

Working at Height

Working at height is one of the most common causes of fatality and major injury in the UK.

Used in the workplace the term usually describes work carried out in any place, where if there were no precautions in place a person could fall from a distance liable to cause injury, or where a person working below the site could be injured by falling objects.

This short course is designed to support safe working practice for those of us who have the occasional need to carry out work at height.

Learn the do’s and don’ts of working where there is a risk of falling or being injured by another person’s fall.

Work safely with ladders.

Perform a risk assessment before working at height.

Name the relevant regulations that govern working at height.

Make your workplace a little safer – Embrace-Learning.

Follow the link below to see information 50 more brilliant Embrace Learning Modules.

http://www.embrace-learning.com

Autist, Aspie or just another uniquely talented colleague who takes everyone at their word and probably loves the jobs you hate – lucky you.

 

 

No two people with Asperger’s are the same.

They share the same level of intellect, talent, skills and desire to work as the rest of the population and yet unemployment rates for people on the autistic spectrum range from 75% to 97%, even when the economy is healthy.

With thanks to http://the-art-of-autism.com/favorite-quotes-about-autism-and-aspergers/

It’s a commutation thing.

People with Aspergers often have quirks that require a degree of social adjustment from the rest of us, which can turn interviews into a special kind of minefield. But employers ignore this section of the population at their peril because about 700,000 people in the UK are on the spectrum and that’s a lot of potential to miss.

Why? Because characteristics of the condition often include professional attributes that few others can match. Perfectionism, the ability to absorb every tiny detail of a process and a willingness to test outcomes to the Nth degree are all on this list.

Here are just a few typical Asperger’s characteristic and some hints on how to embrace their potential.

They may find it difficult to understand non-verbal communication

Body language or tone of voice is often lost on those with Asperger’s.

Which means they won’t always pick up on what you didn’t say.

Which also means you’re less likely to accidentally hurt their feelings.

Try not to take their apparent ambivalence personally. If you’re having a bad day, or a good day and your facial expression isn’t getting the required response, just say so.

Say, I’m having a good day today, let me tell you why.

Say I’m proper grumpy today so I won’t be speaking to you till home time. Just do it, it’s fine.

Interpreting the thoughts and motives of others isn’t really their thing

Office politics, cattiness and unspoken motives are lost on the average Autist. They work at a refreshingly straightforward and much more transparent level than most. Share your feelings if you want some recognition, conceal them if it feels better but don’t expect your Asperger’s affected colleague to read your mood without help.

Non-literal uses of language, such as jokes or irony won’t resonate

They might not get the joke and they almost certainly won’t pick up on irony. All of which might take a bit of getting used to. Be fair though, you probably don’t get every sense of humour you encounter either.

Don’t take it personally. The process of learning to say exactly what you mean can be a revelation.

You might even learn something about your own communication style in the process.

Respecting social conventions might not be instinctive

This can feel awkward – but the same rules of explicit instruction apply. Your colleague won’t be offended if you ask them to stand a little further from your desk, speak a little more quietly indoors, or stop talking to themselves. In fact they’ll most likely appreciate your clarity and willingness to help them fit in with the crowd.

Getting anxious if their routine changes

Dependency on routine is what makes many Autists tick, it’s what allows them to excel at certain tasks and it’s part of their overall uniqueness. Embrace the quirk, don’t force sudden changes unless you absolutely can’t avoid it, give them plenty of warning and allow for a period of adjustment.

 

Experiencing occasional sensory meltdowns

Imagine being asked to write a detailed report in the middle of a packed dance floor.

Some autistic people are incredibly sensitive to stimulation that most of us don’t even notice. The tick of a clock, the rumble of the coffee maker, a tiny flicker in the overhead light. These people have a lot to contend with, so expect occasional meltdowns and look for ways to offer a little bit of calm when they come along.

 

Crashing and banging

Yip, people can be clumsy, get used to it.

Don’t expect more than a person can offer and be kind, this isn’t carelessness we’re talking about.

Asperger’s is often accompanied by Dyspraxia – yet another life challenge for your colleague – vive la difference.

 

For more information about working with Asperger’s, Autism and other conditions go tohttps://embraceresilience.com/library-accredited-learning-modules/

Co-designed by Embrace-Learning and some very clever people at Forever Manchester. ABCD introduces the principles of Asset Based Community Development to those with an interest in improving lives and reducing dependency in local communities.

 

With the focus firmly on the positive aspects of community life, the module aims to support pride, in ownership and positive action. Suitable for professionals or volunteers, the course suggests some fab ways to uncover the secret skills and hidden passions in your neighbourhood and includes fun ways to bank new connections and get people talking about what really matters where you live.

Get more details about this course and loads of others by clicking here … https://embraceresilience.com/library-accredited-learning-modules/

 

 

www.forevermanchester.comFocused