A couple of questions came in after Wednesday’s email.

In case you missed it, the email talked about how companies look after their staff.

Let’s take the questions in turn.

Phil writes: 

Like a lot of things, how one feels about how they’re looked after by their organisation is all relative – relative to peers or social circle.  Interesting one to unpack regarding wellbeing, being a function of others’ wellbeing!

Put another way:  does the wellbeing of other people impact our own wellbeing expectations?

It’s a great question.

And Phil’s right.  It’s normal to compare yourself to others.  

It can be a useful way to temperature check how you’re doing.

At work you might compare your qualifications, career progress or salary to your colleagues.

Outside work you might compare your social life or popularity to your friends.

I even compare my cooking skills to one of my good friend's.  He makes a tasty paella and I struggle to dice an onion (just ask my girlfriend).

Now, these comparisons can be helpful.  But I don’t think they’re always helpful.

Back to the cooking example.

If I decide I want to be a better cook, that’s all fine and dandy.

But if I decide I should be a better cook just because my friend’s a better cook, then I can see a danger.

Why?

Because it could lead to chasing a goal I don’t want.  Or I could start to feel inadequate or aggrieved.

It’s the same with wellbeing at work.

My advice is this:

Use comparison as a barometer if you like.  But don’t try to match a friend’s wellbeing, or bask in how great your wellbeing is vs your peers.

Look inwards instead and stay focussed on what matters to you.

As my main man Teddy Roosevelt once said: “Comparison is the thief of joy”.

Okay, on to the next question.

This one came in from Mills:

You say weekly yoga classes or beers on a Friday don’t show that an employer cares.  But you didn’t say what would.  What would you want an employer to do for you?

Thanks for the question. 

I recently read an article about Ineos (Jim Ratcliffe’s company).  I’ll use this as an example.

Every colleague at Ineos has their own, personal lifestyle goals (if they want them).  Could be training for a marathon or could be walking the dog each day.

Doesn’t matter how big or small, Ineos will go out of its way to support these goals.  It’s weaved into the fabric of the company’s ethos.  

This is what I mean by a company that cares for its staff.

If it was me, I’d want support with my health and fitness...

I’d want dedicated days to work on side projects...

And I’d want the option to take regular sabbaticals.

These things are important to me.

But this is only me. 

It’s not one-size-fits-all. 

In your case, training for a marathon might be less appealing than getting a Justin Bieber tattoo.

So my question for you is this:

What’s your equivalent?  What could your employer do to support you more than they are today? 

Your answer will be individual to you.  And you might not want anything at all.

But if you do – and you get clear on what this is – it’s a step in the right direction.

Because then you know what you’re shooting for.

Time to wrap up.

That’s it for today.

- Tom 

p.s. Whenever you're ready, here are the ways you can connect with me