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There are a number of mental health risk factors which can be encountered in the workplace. The majority of threats arise from interactions between the nature of the work, the organisational and managerial environment, employee skills and competencies, and the support provided to help them do their jobs. For example, a person may have the competence to fulfil duties, but they may lack the means to do so, or unsupportive managerial or organisational behaviours may exist.
You will also find interesting manifestation of AI in art & craft, Digital marketing as the prominent tool for businesses and a lifestyle article on business wear. Wishing Merry Christmas – bringing new rays of light into everyone’s life and career!!
Hoping that you will like the content and choice of topics in Globally, an estimated 264 mil- this issue. lion people suffer from depres- Please write your feedback and sion, one of the leading caus- enquiry to es of disability, with many of contact@bizemag.com these people also suffering from Thank You symptoms of anxiety. Dr. Vaneeta Aggarwal We have brought specific inwww.Lstrategyq.com sights into managing mental www.bizemag.com wellness in workplaces through two articles in this special edition. Issue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
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hile it might be cool to be weird or being fashionable to be one among the elite society, the really weird people feel all of the pangs and pains of not being one with the crowd. For them, it serves only to add to life’s burden, the “weirdness” exerting its price to the full, from social stigma to exploitation and abuse. And that is for the people who are still able to do daily functions and activities. So let’s not even talk about the ones who are not. “A life wasted” is the correct phrase for it. People with mental illnesses are often denied to people with fundamental citizenship rights. We all are too familiar with the “he can’t take care of himself and his property” and “he is mad, his words have no validity” legal argument trope.
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Yes, suppose anyone can come up with a medical declaration that a person is a lunatic. In that case, the latter is almost no more a citizen. The lack of scrutiny and accountability is dangerous in corruption-filled corridors of power. It often results in not observing judicial processes, throwing him to the asylum being a simple solution. But before talking about the paradoxes of lunacy laws, let’s first look at existing legal frameworks that govern lunacy and mental health issues. As per the 2017 Mental Health Care Act,(IN) a mental illness can be seen as a “substantial disorder of thinking, mood, perception, orientation or memory that grossly impairs judgment, behaviour, capacity to recognize reality or ability to meet the ordinary demands of life.” The law includes mental health disorders and conditions resulting from alcohol and drug abuse within the scope of the mental issues that the broad term “mental illnesses” extends to. According to a NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, India) study, one of India’s leading institutes on mental health, mental illness has
taken tremendous proportions in India, enough to be a significant social problem. Some findings of the study include: • 13.% of the populace suffers from one form of mental illness • 10.6% of people with a mental health condition require immediate treatment. • A significant 1.9% of the entire populace suffers from severe mental issues like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia amongst others. Another 2018 study conducted by the philanthropic Live Love Laugh Foundation found that a whopping 87% of respondents were aware of mental illnesses. And 71% were aware of the stigma associated with suffering from a mental illness. Considering the tremendous
social toll of mental illness, it is time that political, social, legal and health institutions limit its impact. And one of the most meaningful steps they can take in this regard is by ensuring legal provisions for protecting patients. However, laws made but not implemented and observed will do us little good. Accordingly, we need to build up the social will and resolve to overcome the challenge. Rights Provisions for PMIs in the MHCA 2017 In Indian mental health care laws, the 2017 MHCA (Mental Health Care Act) is a landmark step. For People with Mental Illnesses (PMI), it stands for the rights they always needed but legal provisions they lacked. It includes:
1. You have the right to provide an advance directive
With the provisions of the mentioned Act, PIMs now specify the kind of treatment he prefers when his illness becomes severe. Additionally, he can also select a nominee who can Act on his behalf in the unfortunate circumstance of being unable to decide for himself. Thus, the Act further clarifies the end goal of all action Issue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
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taken under such circumstances- other requirements. Some of the the best interests of the patient other necessary criteria set by the legislators include: himself. 2. You must be able to access • The service should be affordable healthcare services The government is legally bound • The quality of the healthcare service is essential as well to provide healthcare services to all PMIs according to the provi- • Geographical specifics are not relevant in the providing such sions of the legislation. Additionhealthcare services ally, the recent legislation also states that such services need to • If the government fails to be aligned and acceptable by both provide the service on a disthe PMI and their family, amongst trict-wide basis, then the as10 Issue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
sociated costs of visits to treatment centres must be borne out by the government itself There is no room for discrimination in providing such facilities based on gender, class, sexual orientation, caste or religion
ty. And in the rare case that this is not feasible or if the family has abandoned the patient, it is up to the government to provide adequate aid. Further, children aged under three cannot be separated from their mothers unless the latter possesses a real threat to life 3. You have the right to get menand security to her child.
tal health care for free
In a somewhat landmark provision, the 2017 law provides free mental health care to people who can’t afford it, like destitute and homeless people or people below the poverty line. Such care can be provided by designated healthcare centres other than both government-funded and government-run facilities. PMIs also have the right to get all medicines listed in the Essential Drug list for free. However, all government-run or funded health care centres must, as a law, provide such services.
5. You have the right not to be treated in cruel, inhuman and degrading ways
The right to live a life with dignity has been formalized by Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. The MHCA Act has taken the bold step to extend such rights to the mentally ill as well. It protects PIMs against cruel, degrading and inhuman treatment at any mental health facility. Furthermore, it extends them the right to lead their lives safely and hygienically, besides providing them with privacy rights.
4. You have the right to lead a life 6. You cannot be treated by prohibited methods in a community setting As per the enacted 2017 MHCA legislation, the government must ensure that PIMs can access treatment within a community setting, living with his family. PIMs can longer be confined to isolation from the rest of socie-
According to the current legal provisions, ECT or electroconvulsive therapy or shock therapy is prohibited for children in popular discourse. However, suppose therapists do resort to the treatment form, even for adults. In that Issue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
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case, the health professionals are under a legal obligation to take due medical precautions like administering anesthesia and using muscle relaxants.
7. You have the right to be treated equally and without discrimination
tion
According to the enacted law, every person, including PIMs, can make decisions. Accordingly, it is only natural that these decisions be informed, enlightened ones and the MHCA seeks to do just that. It translates to every PIM being aware of the legal provisions behind his admission, besides all sides of his treatment, including but not restricted to side effects. Healthcare specialists must provide the patient and his nominee with these details, necessarily in a language they can understand and grasp.
PIMs now have the right to be treated at par with other patients with physical illnesses during the treatment period. It includes access to emergency services like ambulances and other necessities. The law also safeguards PIMs against discrimination on any basis, including gender, sexual orientation, culture, religion, 9. You have the right to keep disease and treatment details caste, disability class and political and social beliefs. confidential
8. You have the right to informa- According to the new legal pro-
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vision, PIMs are assured of confidentiality concerning their illness and treatment details. All patient-specific information must be confidential even when the data is stored in an electronic or digital format. The provision has some caveats like in the larger inter of public security and safety, prevention of harm and other cases. The nominated representative of the patient can demand access to such information to ensure proper patient treatment.
10. You have the right to seek legal aid and pursue complaints
Free legal aid is something already enshrined by the Indian Constitution under Article 39A. The MHCA 2017 has taken the bold step forward and extended the provision to PIMs as well. The relevant authority is under a legal obligation to inform and provide PIMs with this right. Additionally, PIMs can now complain and get redressal about deficiencies in mental health facilities and services provided to them. A few other critical rights are provided to PIMs by the mentioned legislation, including accessing medical records and the necessary freedom to contact and communicate with contacts. They
may also refuse to meet or speak with a person they don’t want to. The Act is quite comprehensive and lays down guidelines for forming a Central Mental Health Authority along with State Mental Health Authorities to implement the legal provisions at the ground level. But stay hooked to the pages of this magazine as there is another following part that covers the legal rights of PIMs as envisaged in other associated legislation. The article will look closer at the provision for legal remedies to complaints by PIMs and a relevant case study. Issue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
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Learning to live with ambiguity is learning to live with how life really is; full of complexities and strange surprises. ~ James Hollis
People generally ask me - “What skills or habits should I acquire to be successful ?” Can there be a sure shot answer to this that fits one and all? Yes, without a blink, it would be - “Befriend Ambiguity.” Believe me – That’s the MANTRA. If one does not know how to handle an unknown, unprepared, not thought of situation, which is ambiguity, one would be thrown completely off the track, will be in a helpless situation often. All the planning, organisation skills, rehearsals just go down the drain and like how.
The million dollar question here is what is AMBIGUITY?
cause the goal is vague and in all likelihood, we don’t have access to all of the information we need. Worst, it might be when we come to a conclusion about a situation, but before we can act on it, the situation has already changed. Ambiguity, in other words, is uncertainty.” Ambiguity can be pure kryptonite for people like me with perfectionist tendencies – who prefer to be organised, planned and to know what to expect at all times Pandemic, if nothing else, has taught all of us to deal with ambiguity, uncertainty and unpredictability. In future too, we may have to face unknowns, perhaps, throughout our lives. It certainly would not help us to freeze when we encounter uncertainty. So what’s the way to get more confident with ambiguity? How can one learn to embrace uncertainty, instead of panicking or gong wrong at such times? Let us try to unfold the mystery….. One can adapt the following strategies to build up ambiguity muscle and confidence both!
Ambiguity is a type of meaning in which a phrase, statement or resolution is not explicitly defined, making several interpretations plausible. When we encounter an 1. Learn Strategic Thinking ambiguous situation, we might - Strategic thinking is an inbe unsure of how to proceed betentional, rational thought Issue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
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process that focuses on the 2. Develop An 80-20 Attianalysis of critical variables tude - The Pareto Principle that will influence the longsuggests that in any situation, term success of any project. It 20% of causes drive 80% of the can help us ignore most of the outcomes. If we understand & clutter. It includes deliberate become comfortable with this anticipation of threats and vulprinciple, our ability to deal nerabilities to guard against with ambiguity will increase failures. It provides a clear set manifold. This should be the of goals, plans, and new ideas thumb rule to encounter amrequired to thrive in a competbiguity. itive, changing environment. 3. Visualisation - Translate all
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Use the experience and creativavailable information into a ity to look for alternative uses visual. Thoughtfully sketching for the processes, products or the spinning thoughts in head systems we already have. It’ll can be really empowering and reduce effort, increase comfort illuminating. It’s like looking with change and invent new at a bar graph versus staring at pathways ahead! a bunch of numbers. Visualisation could mean developing a 6. Learn the Art of Stepping rough sketch of what’s known Back. - Just stepping back and versus the unknown like an iceasking ourself what best possiberg. It could even mean using a Ishikawa/Fishbone diagram to analyze how each move is connected to or dependent on another.
4. Interpersonal -
Think of data we can gather from our stakeholders to get an insight into what we could plan next. Enhancing our interpersonal skills, so that we can have more patience with others and they can have more patience with us can bring miracles. Aim should be to have a consensus style where others can provide input. The more perspectives, the more likely the decision 7. will be accurate and useful.
5. Mindset - One must strive for
a growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset enabling us to see ambiguity as an opportunity for learning. See the positive in ‘not knowing everything’!
ble solution can be prevalent, will help. It can help us to set the path for needed clarity.
Plan For The Future - One
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frustrations. to complete to get where one wants to land as an outcome. • One can be more patient with the confusion and frustrations 8. Remain Confident and that often occur when dealing Calm - Staying calm is a good with ambiguity by managing way to manage an ambigutime and stress effectively. ous situation. Take a moment to consider what we should • Knowledge of our own stress triggers can help cope with be doing and what outcomes levels of uncertainty; build reour actions can achieve. Apsilience. proach each task with confidence knowing that we have • Build in means to make changthe required skills, experience es to plans as necessary. and education. We must use • Be realistic in expectations and qualifications to complete dudeadlines. ties to the best of our ability, despite being ambiguous. Ask 9. Accept Change - Changes in plans, workflow, organisation for feedback about the quality structure can often create amof work once done. Following biguity. Acceptance of these steps will tremendously help changes and further questions • To be more present in the mowill provide more clarity. It’ll ment, practice mindfulness. help one to navigate these un• Do not focus on confusion and certain situations. Consider
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change to learn more skills and competency.
10. Make Decisions Without Having All Of The Facts -
Many a times, we need to make decisions without having complete information. In such scenarios, try to gather as much information as we can to make a guided decision. Making notes to explain our reasoning, monitoring the outcome of our decision ensures we have more facts and details if we encounter a similar situation in future.
11. Improve Problem-Solving Skills - To improve prob-
ours. If one is unsure of how one feels about chosen or potential career path, thinking about other types of jobs helps. Researching these opportunities can help one create a more defined long-term plan should one design to make the switch.
lem-solving skills, try to define the situation and ideal outcomes as best as one can. If 13. Communicate Often - To prevent ambiguity, continuone needs to choose from mulously communicate. Asking tiple options, one must weigh questions and explaining your the pros and cons of each opplans and progress encouragtion. Documenting the proes others which can help one cess helps in revisiting choices work toward the same goals later. Problem-solving skills and objectives. Be as specific can help to better use the limas possible to ensure the mesited tools and information one sage is clear and easy to undermust evaluate the situation stand while communicating. and clarify uncertainties. 12. Plan Possible Alterna- • Strengthen communications skills so one can be even more tives - Creating different/alclear in expressing the objecternative plans can help find tives without others inadvertmore success in our endeavIssue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
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ently interpreting something else. • Explain ambiguity and its causes to others, so they can be more patient with themselves and others.
14. Creative Approach - Am-
mind to see things from a different perspective. Get self out of comfort zone, putting self in new situations, doing something new and different will not only give one the confidence but also the experience to cope with uncertain situations.
biguity should be seen as means to more creativity and Key Take Away(s) innovation as it challenges the Ambiguity is a part of life as the
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circumstances constantly keeps changing around us which leads to lack of clarity on many dimensions. Ambiguity not only overwhelm us but also prevents us from managing uncertainty. Good news is that as we learn the art of managing ambiguity, we are equipped to handle increasingly more ambiguous situations. And while yes, ambiguity at times add on to the stress, it also encourages innovation and agility and ensures we’re evolving. As per Psychology - someone who can deal with ambiguity “can effectively cope with change, shift gears comfortably, decide and act without having the total picture, and handle risk and uncertainty.” Those with a strong ability to deal with ambiguity are often described as adaptable, flexible, and comfortable with uncertainty. When in an ambiguous situation in future, remember that ambiguity is POSITIVE too!
Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next –
‘Delicious Ambiguity’ ~ Gilda Radner AUTHOR: Dr. NEETA PANT
Dr Neeta Pant is a Senior HR Professional, Clinical Psychologist, Executive Life Coach, Soft Skills Trainer, Graphologist, NLP Practitioner and Hypnotherapist (India) Issue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
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here are plenty of ayes as well as nays when it comes to artificial intelligence in design. Experts have all sorts of opinions about using ai in design, in art and handicrafts. However, we must remember that as things stand today, only humans can create an authentic design. Human agency is necessary for the design to create context and feed the aesthetic needs of the populace. But that hasn’t deterred researchers from bravely charting new frontiers in making AI achieve the design abilities of humans. According to futurists and industry thought leaders, AI will indeed achieve the ability to think critically. As a result, they can play critical and productive roles in complex tasks and positions. Furthermore, they opine that AI can play a significant role in helping humans design better VR (Virtual Reality), AR (Augmented Reality) experiences. They can also facilitate the evolution of its kindthrough Machine Learning. AI holds the promise of making designs for both art and craft a far more manageable task and thereby get more and better designs. Artificial Cognitive Abilities With AI, machines can final-
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ly “think” in a manner that resembles the process of human thought. To cite an example, modern AIs can deal with visual and auditory information from their surroundings. Further, AIs can store all of this information in their memory and retrieve the same for the required length of time. In other words, modern AIs can “see,” “hear,” and ultimately analyze all such inputs. So don’t be at all startled to hear that current AIs can: • Distinguish between different vital data like shapes, colours, codes, objects, texts. For example, Ais can process high-speed movements on western highways (Tesla cars, for example) with great accuracy and without any form of stress. • Classify the various types of input information or data and use particular parts of them when needed. • Store all sorts of information and facts for extended periods which exceed present human capacities and capabilities. These “cognitive” capabilities of modern Ais can facilitate an emerging role of the technology in design with the help of sensors and IoT (Internet of Things) de-
vices. It gives AI-based programs to come up with or at least modify art and handicrafts design. Further, suppose the program is fed with popularity information. In that case, it can decently change existing designs and provide various variations without human intervention. Thus, AI helps to ensure that handicrafts, art artists, and craftsmen spend less time “thinking” and more time doing. It, in turn, boosts productivity by leaps and bounds. Understanding the Context With the help of AI, machines are now able to understand the context by using suitable algorithms which are not related but are intelligent as well. Furthermore, AIs have the remarkable ability to hold a vast memory. It makes it possible for them to use an
enormous corpus of data to base their actions. Such actions have become more effective as they are sensitive to the task’s unique needs and have context. There are now several AI-powered apps that can develop graphic designs based on specific needs as per the information that the AI receives. Such programs now can categorize design needs. They can accordingly output a wide variety of results that comes with colours, background, textures and other details that suit the need of user artist and artisans. Additionally, AIs can now personalize its creations. For artists and artisans means that now they can cater to the unique design preferences of clients and come up with additional designs that best appeal to their tastes.
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Creating Designs That Are Far More Modular Brands can now leverage handicraft artists’ craftsmanship to greater extents, thanks to the robust design system that AI makes possible. For example, they can provide specially handcrafted souvenirs and other brand accessories that align with its design scheme and uniqueness. AI achieves such results from the wide variety of design elements, patterns and modules that it uses while coming up with designs. Consistency in design is one of the significant characteristics in marketing these days, be it a humble startup or a large corporate enterprise. With the help of AI, artists
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and artisans are finally able to add a metrics layer to their creations. As a result, they cater to market needs to far greater extents. The best thing about AI is that the more data you feed into the system, the better the program will provide optimized results. Make It Possible to Analyse Huge Amounts of Data Through online interaction, a massive amount of data regarding consumer preferences are generated daily. Further manufacturers themselves account for a large portion of the same. Such data availability led to fields like business intelligence flourishing with the petabytes of data available for analysis. That, in turn, has made data analysis far more complex, refined and valuable than ever before. Such data that AIs can act on only makes the lives of designers and handicrafts manufacturers easy. Identifying Structures The ability of AI programs to recognize object structures facilitates the task for machines to distinguish between essential features of human appearance. It includes things like thumb impressions and characteristics of human faces. Such a technolog-
ical development has made Ais capable of identifying, putting to memory, and detecting structures afterward. The identification of object structure is something that modern Ais are capable of doing and effective in doing so. They accomplish this ability by registering all images in a specific category. This ability to classify images has made them far more able designers than thought possible before. They can come up with attractive designs in a relative jiffy. However, experts concede that specific components of such tech need to be refined and improved. As of now, many AI image identification tasks are not full-proof, i.e. the program is still prone to make mistakes. Such efficacy is, however, enough to provide to facilitate the work of art-
ists and artisans. Create Visual Cues and Styles in Design Ai-powered visual style generative tech can apply filters to images and videos intelligently. It is a result of the capability of modern Ais to recognize images. For example, Ais can now differentiate between objects like human bodies and pears and accordingly recommend and implement different filters. Ai tech, therefore, can conjure up generative and dynamic visual cues and styles. AIs can transform half-finished sketches into refined artistic images. Further, the more you inter-
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act with machine learning programs, the better the AI program makes refinements to reach your intended result. The final word of AI in design is still out for the jury - the artists and craftsmen to decide. But it will be safe to say that they sure promise to be effective and intelligent assistants. It makes it possible for even aesthetically inclined but untrained designers to excel at their craft or design of choice. Ultimately, AI makes it easier for specialized professionals to better cater to their users without hassle. Furthermore, it makes designing a more strategic activity through its excellence at automating rep28 Issue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
etition. It all adds up to far enhanced and personalized design content. Therefore, it only makes sense for artists and artisans of all trades to tap into this considerable design potential of AI. Thus, the design industry stands to benefit in its entirety. ***
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varied lot of industries and find digital media skills to be extremely helpful. Such popularity of a relatively new development is due to how digital media merges the two worlds of creativity and tech. Therefore, it is little wonder that professionals find it easier to get jobs if they are duly trained in digital media. Digital media has assumed a proportion in our times that is almost all-encompassing. From websites, social media, video games and even advertisements, many as-
What Is Digital Media? By using the term “digital media,” people refer to content that has been encrypted or consumed through machine-readable platforms. The tech that powers such encryption or consumption is something people use the term for also. To break up the phrase, people can refer to numerical, usually binary digits as digital. On the other hand, the word “media” refers to a specific information transmission method. Finally, people use the whole term to refer
pects of our online world involve one or another form of digital media. Suppose a business can safely chart through digital media waters. In that case, they can make better, more informed strategic decisions regarding marketing and, even sometimes, core business activities.
to sharing information through digital screens or devices. Thus, all media, irrespective of format created, distributed, viewed, or stored on an electronic device, can be digital media. Now that we have digital media covered let’s acquaint you with an even newer term- the new norIssue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
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mal. Almost anyone connected with business and other organizational aspects like HR has heard of the word; it is still helpful to know precisely what it is. What then is the New Normal? The world before COVID-19 and after it are hardly the same. Things have changed, and as people resume their everyday routines after the lockdown, the wholly changed set of practices and habits are what is together referred to as the “new normal.” The new normal has affected many fundamental aspects of society and our way of life: • How We Interact With One Another • The Even Bigger Rise in Telehealth • How We Evaluate Personal Hygiene However, a section of people does indeed feel as if everything will return to the pre-pandemic way of life after some time. Things will only get better, but COVID-19 has brought about changes too fundamental to revert to an earlier state for the foreseeable future. 32 Issue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
Consumers Delight, Providers Steep Path Ahead
When we talk about media, the conversation is incomplete without the mention of the entertainment industry. The various competitors trying to tap the digital entertainment content market are significant in number. And that’s good because it gives consumers, particularly US consumers, to pick from various free and paid solutions. According to a particular survey, most respondents enjoy paid video streaming and are frequent or occasional players of video games. Additionally, a good number of them also pay for streaming music. The interesting thing to note here is that they also pay for TV-based entertainment packages and subscriptions. The plethora of options available
to entertainment lovers makes observing and noting their favourite activity valuable and gives us crucial insights. The survey we were discussing listed 16 entertainment activities. The most popular entertainment is still watching TV and movies from the comfort of the respondent’s home. The 57% majority of respondents list the two in their top 3 favourite entertainment activities. For the demographic Gen X, Millennials and Boomers, it occupied the top slot in their preferences. However, things were a bit for Generation Zers’. For this particular demographic, playing games was the favourite entertainment activity (26%), music (14%), net surfing (12%) and enjoying engagement
with social media (11%). It is interesting to note how a mere 10% of Zers professed that watching TV and movies at home was their favourite entertainment activity. Suppose the entertainment preferences don’t change over time. In that case, that could mean a tremendous upheaval in the entire entertainment industry, especially in video entertainment. The number of digital media options is already significant. The money you need to pay up for them is already totalling a considerable number. Naturally, more and more consumers are turning to ad-supported digital media entertainment options to get the best of both worlds. Lack of high-quality content and unsatisfactory user
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experience is also causing many consumers to switch their platform of choice. Due to the pandemic, many media production firms found it hard to produce entertainment content. Everybody Loves Social But Many Don’t Trust It Anymore Social media has evolved into something far more functional than merely being a platform to connect and share stuff. It has become one of the commonest gateways to consume media-related content, including games, video and the tricky subject of news on social media. Social media commands such a power in our times that international governments are trying their bit to “tame the beast,” if we may say that. However, awareness about the potential value of their data has made social media users question the intentions of the platforms. To salvage the situation, social media platform firms must take trust-building steps, show responsibility, and have some regulation mechanism in place. Almost every one of all ages uses social media, but their online social activities vary significantly as per age. Millennials and Zers use 34 Issue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
social media to catch up on music than anything else. For the Generation X demographic, the most popular online activity is consuming news. A significant 34% of US adults use social media news as a source of information. Use Advertisement to Personally Engage with Consumers Social media and entertainment both depend to a great extent on advertising dollars that support these popular mediums. They spend their money obviously to get new consumers by catching their attention, eventually boosting their ROI or Return on Investment. After the emergence of COVID-19, the revenue generated from advertising went down in 2020. In contrast, digital advertisement spending surged, and its
profits were similarly at an alltime high. Again, digital advertising grew phenomenally on almost all the popular social media platforms. Hand in hand, ad-supported streaming services also continued to become even more popular with consumers, mainly after COVID-19 emerged. Advertising will need to get its act together as it continues its forays into digital advertising regarding consumers’ personalization and privacy preferences. These are not at all rigid, and different media and consumer segments show different choices. For example, a significant number of consumers are only too happy with ads provided the content is free. At the same time, the other side is averse to ads in any of their forms. So, knowing the exact, specific sentiments of consumer segments is
essential. It is evident that, like all other spheres of life, we will feel the new normal’s effects in digital media. One exciting thing that we must add to the pointers we mentioned above is how transmedia or mixed-media is gaining popularity. Both artists and writers and their fans and followers are discovering and loving its possibilities. As artists went back to the studios with the only social interaction online, experimentation was inevitable. AUTHOR Dr. VANEETA AGGARWAL
CEO, Founder L’strategyq Advisors and Bizemag Media Issue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
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The work-from-home culture has indeed brought about a shifting paradigm in office wear. Pre covid era had some really strict office wear decorum that almost lapsed during the covid phase work from home. However, with the decline in the aggressiveness of the pandemic, some offices have resumed their previous work structure and also resorted to a hybrid model connecting both works from home and work from office culture. So, now is the ultimate time that one has to re-think about unpacking the office wear collection from the wardrobe that was almost lost
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for the past one and half years. From managing Monday blues to jazzing up your Friday thrills, office wear can be interesting and not necessarily carry the mundane boring label on them. Let us have a glance at some popular and trending ideas that can help you nail the office fashion game.
Trending Office Wear Ideas • The Classic Corporate Look
If you love old school and your office members appreciate you being in a completely classic look, then you have to go the typical
office way. This look is mostly applicable to corporate offices. It includes shirts or straight tops (not too long) paired with straight trousers or very classic denim. The pro tip for this look is not to overdo things and keep it as minimum and subtle as possible. You can team up this look with some detailed accessories. During the work from home culture, this look has almost said goodbye to all office workers. While working from home, nobody is resorting to this look. During seminars or office meetings one can wear such clothes even when at home, but that instance is quite rare
• The Business Look
The business look is a hybrid look between the too formal and too informal. You can create this look by pairing up blazers over t-shirts (mandatorily nude or subtle in color, ideally non-printed) and the bottom wear could be a bit less formal. You can try out jeans rather than formal straight trousers. The business look should include a blazer or an overcoat and you can play around with the accessories. Skirts and tops or formal tunics are also a great option
for creating the business look. In the work-from-home culture, this dressing style has been the trendiest. Because of the very fact that it blends the office wear decorum with the comfort and informal environment of the home. When working from home, usually accessories are not needed, only a complementary watch can be enough. Issue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
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• The Glam Look
The glam look is great for Fridays when you plan to hang out with your friends after the office. It is also a perfectly suitable dress code for small office gatherings or on special days at the office where you need some more sparkle and shine than the other days. To create such a type of look, you can go with almost any kind of decent yet gorgeous outfit. However, the colors should not be too bold. Moreover, try to keep the makeup down to the earth. A nude shimmer makeup look will be the best. There are a few trademarks of this type of look - statement jewelry, a bit more makeup than what you do for the regular days.
What Should be the Style from home, here are a few things Quotient When Working to keep in mind regarding your outfit From Home?
While working from home, the • Though you are working from home, do not forget that you pro tip is to pay special emphasis are in a virtual office environon the upper wear rather than the ment and need to maintain at lower wear. By this time, we all least the minimum dress decoknow, that not our entire body is rum. Many people commit the visible across the screen through mistake of wearing too casual the front camera. So, it is enough, clothes while attending office if we pay more attention to the from home. This can create a part visible. Even when working 40 Issue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
negative impact should other people ask you to turn the camera on at any time. • There is no need for loud makeup while working from home. However keep in mind that, that your face should be clean, your hair neatly brushed, and preferably tied. Your face should not reflect boredom or tiredness. It is winter now, the pro tip is to always apply a bare minimum moisturizer on your facial skin.
• When attending office webinars or virtual meetings, try to dress up properly. There is no need to wear formal blazers all the time, but you should also not be in your nightgown when attending meetings To sum it all up, your style reflects who you are and how you dress up is a big part of your style. So, be it at home or at your office desk, workplace style should always be sophisticated and smart.
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How Employee Pride Drives Organizational Value
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hile there are hundreds, if not thousands of studies on employee engagement and motivation, the vast majority focus on job satisfaction and how employee experience translates to job performance. While we believe that job satisfaction is necessary for high levels of job performance, it is not sufficient. In reviewing the literature on employee motivation and engagement we found a missing, yet essential piece, in the concept of work pride. We wanted to explore this concept in more depth, especially as it relates to key business outcomes that are driven by a company’s employees. This study examines two aspects of work pride: Personal pride in one’s work and pride in one’s company.
The Study
ly influence work pride. Using a 5-point scale where ‘1’ meant ‘strongly disagree’ and ‘5’ meant ‘strongly agree’, the survey asked the respondents to indicate their level of agreement or disagreement, with 53 items which represented items that theoretically should predict the personal pride one has in his or work, as well as the pride one has in his or her company. A portion of the 53 items represented ‘outcome’ items, and the remainder pertained to recognition as a potential catalyst for pride. Two items were used to measure personal pride in work and company pride which were: – ‘Overall, I experience a tremendous amount of pride in my work.’ – ‘I am extremely proud to work for my current company.’ These items were used as overall measures of pride in predictive modelling exercises.
Intrinsic drive inspires perThe online study surveyed 1017 sonal pride in work full-time employees who were not self-employed or independent contractors. The study sample had diverse representation across key demographics that potential-
The survey items were factor-analyzed to produce broader underlying constructs to predict work pride. One such factor was laIssue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
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belled ‘intrinsic drive’. Intrinsic drive is best described as the feeling a person gets knowing his or her work has made a positive impact on others. Many times, the worker’s contribution is one he/ she considers to be something for which he/she is uniquely qualified to deliver, resulting in a strong sense of pride in his/her work. The study showed that recognizing employees for desired behaviors and achievements was an effective way to increase personal pride of employees, Another component of intrinsic drive is more of a personality factor some might label ‘perfectionism’. People with strong intrinsic drive cannot stand to look at work that is either unfinished or completed at a lower standard of quality. When someone with strong intrinsic drive looks at a job welldone, they experience a high degree of self-satisfaction which translates to pride.
• A belief that they are uniquely qualified to complete a task that others cannot do as well • The ability to stand back, look at the end-product they have produced, and feel a sense of admiration of their own work • A strong drive to complete every job to perfection
Culture, external validation are keys to company pride Company pride is driven primarily by company culture. The factor analysis showed that 18 separate items predicted company culture and included such diverse ideas as high trust and respect for leadership; having a strong mission, vision, and values; maintaining a positive corporate reputation for ethics; consistently displaying considerate treatment of employees; and having a high profile for corporate contributions to social, environmental, and governance causes.
Effectively, workers with high intrinsic drive have strong pride in A second factor that predicts corporate pride is external validatheir work due to: tion. External validation occurs • A strong connection between when friends, relatives, and cothe work they do and positive horts outside the company remark outcomes for the company and on prestige associated with the its customers job and the company. Examples 46 Issue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
would be situations where others show high awareness of your employer, express interest in having a similar job, or comment on the recognition you’ve received. External validation can occur from conversations, through reading an article or hearing your company mentioned in a positive way on a newscast or other media source. In this case, the emphasis is less on company culture and more on external familiarity.
retention, productivity, and profitability. Compared to those with low pride, those with high personal pride in their work were: • 10 X more likely to be highly satisfied with their jobs • 8 X more likely to look forward to coming to work every day
• 7 X more likely to advocate their company as a place to work and believe they are being paid fairBoth types of pride have a tremenly for the value they create at dous impact on engagement work Overall, 43% of respondents inSimilarly, comparing those with dicate they have the highest levhigh company pride to those with el of pride in their work, while low pride, those with high pride about half as many (20%) indicate were: low pride in their work. Company pride is more divided with • 24 X more likely to stay at their approximately one-third (33%) current companies even if ofof respondents indicating high fered higher pay elsewhere company pride, while another one-third (30%) had low company • 21 X more likely to recommend their companies to others as a pride with the other third (37%) place to work. somewhere in the middle. The survey asks a series of ‘out- • 14 X more likely to look forward to coming to work every come’ items that have been posiday and to want to remain with tively linked to external metrics in their companies for their entire previous proprietary studies and career. can thus be used as proxies. These items predict outcomes such as A key takeaway is that personoverall job satisfaction, advocacy, al pride drives job satisfaction Issue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS an affiliate partner of WorkProud©, a leading employee recognition & engagement platform and app who sponsored some of the research referenced in this article (see www.workproud.com).
Dr. Bob Nelson is president of Nelson Motivation Inc, the leading authority on employee recognition and engagement, and a multi-million copy bestselling author of books on those topics (eg, 1,001 Ways to Engage Employees, 1,501 Ways to Reward Employees, and his most recent book: Work Made Fun Gets Done! Easy Ways to Boost Energy, Morale, and Results) that have been published in over 30 languages. He has served as an HR Strategist for 80 percent of the Fortune 500 companies and is 48 Issue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
Dr. Rick Garlick has over two decades of employee experience research, beginning with his work at The Gallup Organization in the mid-90s. He has held leadership positions at Maritz CX, J.D. Power, and Magid, a boutique consumer insights and business consulting firm. He currently serves as Chief Research Officer for the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) where he oversees key employee motivation research initiatives that advance the science of the industry. Dr. Garlick has served as chair of the Research Committee for the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association (HSMAI) Foundation Board and Meeting Professionals.
and performance regardless as to whether an employee works on-site or remotely, but company pride provides stickiness to a particular organization due primarily to its organizational culture, which was slightly higher for remote employees.
Conclusion While this study represents the first step in our exploration of personal and company work pride, it suggests that fostering personal and workplace pride is critical in driving productivity, as well as attracting and retaining top talent. Developing behavioral practices and a company culture that creates and facilitates employee pride are thus critical success factors. Following are some broad categories that companies can take to help positively impact employee pride in their work and organization:
behaviors and results at the individual, group and organizational levels.
Expand Employee Communication Raising employees’ awareness and their link to positive organizational efforts and activities regarding customer and market impact, social responsibility, and charitable contributions should increase employee work and company pride.
Encourage More Mindful Reflection Asking employees to take time to reflect on their successes each day, as well as encouraging periodic team debriefings with a focus on learnings, and the role of the company in society should also help increase both personal and company pride.
Increase Employee Recogni- These actions represent a good tion start on building and strengthAn expanded and more systematic focus on employee recognition at and between all levels of the organization will likely boost both pride in employees’ work as well as their company pride. Especially link that recognition to desired
ening workplace pride. This research also represents a baseline for additional research on the topic as well as a series of initiatives designed to translate these findings to individual industries and companies. Issue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
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Improved Quality Begins with Establishing Values
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he holy grail today in business is quality: Quality of service, products, and experience. Additionally, businesses must contend with public perceptions of quality. Many organizations try to manage their perception of quality rather than actually attempting to create quality. Competition has migrated from involving only your competitors to the reviews or posts that your business receives on the internet. This shift has helped to develop a new focus on customer experience and quality, in which you’re only as good as the newly empowered public deems you in your latest review. Meanwhile, companies react to reviews inconsistently. Customer reviews are oftentimes fueled by emotions, and, as such, trigger emotions in the receiver as well. Some business people take personally the comments made pub-
lic and this creates the potential to react out of character. In fact, the entire review sequence can be out of character for the writer and receiver to the point where you might wonder whether the experience was truly life-changingly detrimental to the person instead of just experiencing a cold hamburger, a temperamental desk clerk, or a forgotten item in a shopping cart. Cycles of poor service communication are only exacerbated by their public nature and they challenge businesses and their employees to remain objective and positive. When faced with a client that’s struggling with quality issues, it’s best for the organization do a “values check.” Use the word “values” with people today and it takes on many different meanings. Similar to the definitions associated with quality, values too are subjective. Regardless of what values you want to embed in your organization, if you set some standard principles, teach them to your team, and require that they be upheld consistently, then quality will improve dramatically. A value proposition isn’t someIssue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
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thing reserved only for the customer. Your team must understand that when mistakes happen, they need only to fall back on the values that support positivity in the organization. As a result, the reaction to issues of quality will be a positive learning experience and not an emotional one. When a staff member who’s supported by a values-driven organizational culture faces a quality issue, the person can handle it in a way that aligns with the company’s values. The reaction and attention to the issue will become more positive and the end result will be a team that handles quality issues openly, directly, and positively — which customers will notice. Instilling a values-driven response to the way in which your team communicates with a dissatisfied customer can help in maintaining a more supportive approach towards any customer displeasure, even when that customer is emotional.
work, for example, are expected behaviors, but neither have much to do with the quality of service or the quality of a product. For these considerations, the perception of quality matters, and the team must be able to apply and uphold the organization’s values in any situation with customers. Yes, if you brag that you have the cleanest restaurant in town, and you also say that your company values honesty, you could set yourself up to be challenged as dishonest when a customer finds a dirty bathroom or a wad of gum under the table. Your value statement must support behavior that instills pride and consistency in each team member’s actions. Those actions need to include the act of providing excellent service to customers in delivering your product, and also when faced with a dissatisfied customer. This means that your value statement must support the actions taken by your team in both good situations and bad, in a way that will continuously support quality in every interaction.
When creating an organizational value statement, it’s best to connect your statement to words that support the issues your team may actually face. Honesty and hard Consider including these com52 Issue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
BRIAN SMITH
MARY SMITH
Brian Smith, PhD, is founder and senior managing partner of IA Business Advisors, a management consulting firm that has worked with more than 18,000 CEOs, entrepreneurs, managers and employees worldwide. Together with his daughter, Mary Smith, he has authored his latest book, Individual Advantages: Be the “I” in Team (BookBaby, March 2, 2021). Learn more at iabusinessadvisors.com.
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ponents within your value statement to allow your team to better uphold quality across your organization:
1. Teaching Mindfulness: One
value that supports quality in an organization is Mindfulness. Yes, Mindfulness can be a part of a company’s value proposition because it instills a number of behaviors that support reacting to situations positively, even during stressful moments. When you teach and support mindfulness, you teach and support another key value proposition: situation awareness.
2. Developing situation awareness: Situation aware-
ness is when you slow down long enough to become aware of all that’s happening in the present moment. You become mindful and focused on the task or the conversation at hand and better able to react calmly and thoughtfully.
3. Maintaining consistency :
In addition, an important element of any value-driven organization is maintaining consistency. To achieve consistency
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an organization needs policies, procedures, and structure. Consistency begins with standardized training and ends with unvarying accountability. Including Mindfulness, situation awareness, and consistency in your value statement, along with other no-brainers such as honesty, integrity, and hard work, will provide your team with value-driven tools they can apply in all situations and, as a result, will expand the quality provided through your organization.
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The kaleidoscopic beauty and diversity of India make it difficult for tourists to choose a favorite destination. You practically have an array of different destinations and cities to choose from. From east to west, from north to south, the country has mesmerizing beauty and enthralling cultural glimpses. If you love a bit of history on the plate and want to explore a rich cultural heritage, Jaipur - the pink city of Indi can be an ideal destination for you. Not only it is one of the most famous tourist destinations in India but the city has so much more to offer. Adorned with the creativity and glitter of Rajasthani culture and heritage, Jaipur is all set to give you the much-needed dose of vacation. The grandeur and captivating beauty of the architecture of Jaipuri buildings and the vibes of history peep out through every corner and lane of the place. From shopping your favorite lehengas to Jaipuri juttis, from colorful turbans to the Jaipuri mirror handicrafts, make sure you include Jaipur in your holiday bucket list Visiting Jaipur is definitely going to be one of the best phases in your life. Rajasthan has a glo-
rified history and when you visit Jaipur the entire city will seem like a canvas to you painted with ravishing forts, gorgeous buildings, and some magnificent fiestas of ancient architecture. Most of the important spots in Jaipur are heritage buildings. The sprawling city offers a panoramic view of the forts, mahals that scream out of the glorious history and majestic tradition of Rajasthan.
Must-Visit Travel Spots in Jaipur
Here is the list of the top 5 must-visit places in Jaipur: 1. City Palace: It is the residence of the Rajasthani Royal Families. This is one of the most famous tourists spots in Jaipur that was home to the most famous ruler of India - Maharaja Man Singh
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2. Hawa Mahal: Hawa Mahal is one of the iconic ambassadors of Jaipuri culture. This 5 storey building is an architectural masterpiece featuring the world’s famous Jaipuri lattice architecture. The phenomenal structure of the building will enthrall you.
3. Jal Mahal: Want to get awestruck by another majestic architectural marvel - then visit this tomb built over water. A building standing tall across the Man Sagar Lake in Rajasthan is a must-visit place while your stay in Jaipur.
4. Amber Fort: Famos across the world by the name of “Cheel ka Tila”, this is located in Amer Village of Rajasthan. The elephant safaris are a must if you are visiting this fort. The entire fort is built with red sandstone and is another architectural beauty. 58 Issue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
5. Jaigarh Fort: Built in 1726, this fort is situated on the Aravalli Range and was dedicated to the security strengthening of Jaipuri Royal Families. It was a storehouse of the arms and ammunitions. This fort has now been converted into a museum open for visitors.
Jaipur - The Cultural Ocean
The frame of Jaipur is decorated with colorful relics of Rajasthani dresses, jewelry, and handicraft items and it is a paradise for shopping. Also, when in Jaipur, do not forget to explore the traditional Rajasthani food like Daal-Baati-Churma, Ghewar, Laal maas, and so on. Jaipur is an ethnic city with the aroma of traditional Rajasthani cuisine everywhere across the city. Do not forget to is one of the best things you will savor some of those to strengthen ever come across. the memories of Jaipur in your soul. Jaipur is equally famous for many traditional festivals like Camel Festival and Teej. Jaipur is located in the Great Thar Desert, hence you can get a complete taste of the desert as well as the architectural marvel of the city. Exploring the royal heritage of the city Issue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
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MONTH’S HOROSCOPE Aries (Ram): March 21–April 19
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ou might feel like you’ve changed, but your circumstances and relationships are at a standstill. Don’t fret. You’ve been on a profound structural shift since last spring. It can take time for things to fall into place and manifest into tangible change. Give yourself ample space to unlearn deeply ingrained habits.
Taurus (Bull): April 20–May 20
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n any relationship, don’t confuse respect with love: you can be respected without being loved and vice versa. Take a trip down memory lane and allow yourself to mourn the ways you haven’t been cared for, and the times you weren’t able to articulate how you wanted to be cared for.
Gemini (Twins): May 21–June 21
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ome of the best relationships—romantic or platonic— involve people who are willing to be vulnerable, genuinely care about each other and know how to communicate. Perhaps right now you’re realizing that some of your relationships fall short on these criteria. Find a happy medium—accept that you and those around you are works in progress. 60 Issue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
Cancer (Crab): June 22–July 22
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uring the pandemic you may have realized how many extras there were on your plate and, hopefully, by now, you’ve reordered your priorities. If a relationship or self-assigned responsibility doesn’t resonate with you or push you to grow, maybe it doesn’t need as much of your attention. Cultivate what you want to grow.
Leo (Lion): July 23–August 22
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o you ever think about how shame can sometimes take unrecognizable forms? Reflect on how the shame you’ve felt in your life takes shape now, and how it affects your relationships and perception of yourself. Is there a way you can humour yourself and play with your accumulated internalized shame in hopes of generating a transformative relationship with it? Try.
Virgo (Virgin): August 23–September 22
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e’ve been moving and remodelling our physical spaces since last spring. But there’s more of the same this month ahead. It seems the idea of “settling” is hard to come by when restlessness flows through you and around you. In many ways, this pushes you to figure out what it means to be at home in your body instead of your external environment—it can’t provide the ease and respite you need right now. Issue 18, December 2021 | CONTENTS
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Libra (Balance): September 23–October 23
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ou are a product of your environment. Your idiosyncrasies and mannerisms are shaped by those you surround yourself with. As much as you can, pay attention to who and what you’re exposing yourself to on the regular.
H
Scorpius (Scorpion): October 24– November 21
ealthy independence is possible if a person has people they can depend on when they need to. Take the hermit crab and sea anemone: both individual creatures whose mutual relationship helps them stay safe from predators and find food. When you think of your capacity to support yourself, who are the people who have made this happen?
Sagittarius (Archer): November 22– December 21
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ou’ve been on an extraordinary and harrowing, shedding-of-skin odyssey since last spring. The good (and bad) news is that you’re in for a final round of your epic journey this month. Don’t worry if you feel frustrated, as you’ve been cleaning house and altering your core self. Grief disorients and makes time loose and formless. It may take a mo-
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Capricornus (Goat): December 22– January 19
sually, you pride yourself on being laconic: you save your words for when they matter. But you might surprise yourself by being verbose and having more to say than usual. Since last spring, you’ve been more introspective, visiting painful parts of your past. Now, as you come up for air, you have a determined resolve to give hope a chance.
Aquarius (Water Bearer): January 20– February 18
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hen the world hit the pandemic pause button, you too were reevaluating your dreams. Your aspirations and goals have been on a fated detox since last spring. This may have resulted in a change in spaces you saw yourself belonging to. The goal right now is to feel the bubbling whir of your life’s upcoming renewals, even if you don’t feel equipped to plan too far into the future.
Pisces (Fish): February 19–March 20
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t is both painful and liberating to realize the life you want to lead— one that resonates deep within your heart and soul. This epiphany can trigger regrets of wasted time. But it can also embolden you to take the plunge towards who you want to become, instead of who you’re expected to be.
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