Make Their Day – FISH! Philosophy Training

FISH! Philosophy Tips: How To Show Up For Yourself, And Others

FISH! Philosophy Tips: How To Show Up For Yourself, And Others

There’s no denying it. We live in a different world than the one we lived in just weeks ago. Businesses worldwide have been affected in ways that are still largely unknown. Storefronts across the nation have either shut down completely or they are adapting to the new normal. The ways in which we interact with one another have shifted from mostly in-person to strictly virtual platforms—and our prior social norms are expected to transform in the near future to fit the post-pandemic reality. As we physically distance and adapt to this new world, we’re called to bravely show up for ourselves and each other. Now more than ever, looking to the practices of The FISH! Philosophy can help shape how we take on each day...

Jackie Johnson2021-04-02T09:41:57-05:00April 27th, 2020|

Nine FISH! Philosophy tips to deal with burnout

Nine FISH! Philosophy tips to deal with burnout

We all experience stress. But sometimes, like a leaky pipe that eventually bursts from pressure, the stress turns into burnout. Regular stress and burnout exhibit many of the same symptoms, such as exhaustion, anxiety, and trouble sleeping and eating. But where stress feels temporary, burnout feels like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. You feel empty and used up. You can’t concentrate. You get no pleasure from activities you used to enjoy. You may feel disconnected from people you love. Burnout has many causes, such as marriage problems or caring for an aging parent. Work burnout is especially common. According to Gallup, 23 percent of people say they feel burned out at work often and 63 percent feel burned out sometimes. The result is low morale, high turnover and poor performance. What can you do if you’re feeling burned out at work? Here are nine things you can do to help yourself and others find relief:

Jackie Johnson2021-04-02T09:52:22-05:00August 7th, 2019|

4 Key FISH! Philosophy Lessons from Teachers

4 Key FISH! Philosophy Lessons from Teachers

As the school year wraps up, take a moment to remember your favorite teachers. They didn’t just teach you about academics. They taught you about life. They inspired you to want to learn. They showed you how to work successfully with others. We’ve met many dedicated educators who use the FISH! Philosophy to improve the lives of their students. Here are 4 lessons we can apply to our adult lives:

Jackie Johnson2021-04-02T09:57:30-05:00May 28th, 2019|

How to give and receive criticism—the FISH! Philosophy way

How to give and receive criticism—the FISH! Philosophy way

The Greek philosopher Aristotle had a foolproof strategy to avoid criticism. The answer, he said, was “saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.” None of us gets through life without being criticized, whether it’s by parents, teachers, friends, bosses, coworkers or spouses. Some differentiate criticism from feedback. They say criticism implies judgment, while feedback is about looking for a solution. A good distinction, but feedback often contains elements of criticism. And criticism can be delivered with the most caring intentions.

Jackie Johnson2021-04-02T10:00:04-05:00April 17th, 2019|

Four FISH! Philosophy tips to help each other handle stress

Four FISH! Philosophy tips to help each other handle stress

Human beings, like all animals in communities, are wired to feel what people around them are feeling. It’s an evolutionary trait: When a cave dweller anticipated a threat, the sooner other tribe members picked up on those perceptions, the safer they’d all be. It works much the same today, except the threats aren’t woolly mammoths. Our stresses come from being asked to do more with less. Information overload. Fear of mistakes. Tension with coworkers. Possible layoffs. It’s estimated up to 50 percent of employees view work as the main source of stress in their lives. That means you or the person working next to you is probably feeling overwhelmed. Inevitably one of you will start to feel it too.

Jackie Johnson2021-04-02T10:02:18-05:00March 14th, 2019|

Nurses and Flying Fish: The Impact of Culture on Healthcare

Nurses and Flying Fish: The Impact of Culture on Healthcare

Was that a stuffed fish flying through the air? Todd Wilkins couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Todd was in Children’s Memorial Hospital (now Lurie Children’s Hospital) in Chicago with his four-year-old son, Michael, who was being treated for neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer. Todd was watching Michael on the overnight shift. Usually a confident person, tonight he was feeling nervous and unprepared. As Michael slept, Todd left the room to ask the nurses a question. He turned the corner and saw a nurse toss a stuffed Pete the Perch to a coworker.

Jackie Johnson2021-04-02T10:05:21-05:00February 11th, 2019|

Memorable Quotes from 20 Years of The FISH! Philosophy

Memorable Quotes from 20 Years of The FISH! Philosophy

Time flies when you’re having fun! It’s been 20 years since our award-winning video, FISH!, introduced The FISH! Philosophy to the world. Over the next year, we’ll celebrate by sharing inspiring stories, tips and activities to help you continue to live the four practices. Be sure to look for special offers on our programs and workshops throughout the year. In this month’s blog, we kick off 20 Years of FISH! with 10 great quotes from people who have used The FISH! Philosophy to improve their work and lives:

Jackie Johnson2021-04-02T10:11:31-05:00December 10th, 2018|

Four ways to build gratitude with The FISH! Philosophy

Four ways to build gratitude with The FISH! Philosophy

Gratitude isn’t just for Thanksgiving anymore. Research shows people who regularly acknowledge and reflect on what they are thankful for are happier and healthier. In a study of 24 personality strengths, gratitude was one of the most influential in helping people enjoy their lives. But practicing gratitude isn’t always easy or automatic. It takes more than waiting for something good to happen, then casually noticing it. Your brain has a tendency to regulate itself, like an emotional thermostat. This is called hedonic adaptation. The more you’re exposed to something that stimulates your emotions—whether it’s a loving family, a job promotion, fun hobbies—the less your brain is stimulated by that emotion.

Jackie Johnson2021-04-14T07:31:33-05:00November 14th, 2018|

4 Tips for Better Conversations—the FISH! Philosophy Way

4 Tips for Better Conversations—the FISH! Philosophy Way

“Can we talk?” It’s a critical question in every workplace. Whatever the subject, how we communicate builds trust or tears it down. Sometimes, when we have territorial spats or personality clashes, it seems easier to just stop talking. But that doesn’t help. Think about it: Have you ever had a great relationship in which you didn’t talk to each other? When we stop communicating, we fill that gap with our own interpretations, insecurities and fears—in short, what we think is going on. That’s how you create silos and opposing camps. To improve your relationships, shift your conversations. Here are four FISH! Philosophy tips for conversations that strengthen relationships.

Jackie Johnson2021-04-14T07:32:45-05:00October 22nd, 2018|

Four Ways to Listen Better With The FISH! Philosophy

Four Ways to Listen Better With The FISH! Philosophy

Listening makes real communication possible. In a workplace that values listening, people feel safer to suggest creative ideas and bring up problems that need to be addressed. Information is less likely to be distorted as it travels through the organization. People are more likely to feel supported and respected, improving teamwork and morale.

Jackie Johnson2021-04-14T07:38:25-05:00November 27th, 2017|

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