I recently came across an article in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) that makes for an interesting follow-up to my post last month about the importance and difficulty of Sabbath rest. The article looks at a study published this October in the Harvard Business Review (HBR) that found that backing away from the intense, always working, 24/7 way of life yields measurable improvements in not just work quality and output but also in employee satisfaction.
Blog posts by Sean Slevin
For more information about Sean please visit the About Us page.
Study Finds that Predictable, Required Time Off Reaps Big Benefits
Monday, October 19th, 2009Intended Audience: General
Couple’s Counseling: Why I Don’t Take Sides
Friday, September 18th, 2009Intended Audience: Dating, Married
Sometimes when a couple comes in for marital counseling they both, on some level, (and perhaps only unconsciously) want the counselor to take their side and help them change their spouse. This is an interesting dynamic and one which, if I succumbed to, would actually not be good for either spouse or for their marriage. So what I seek to do is tricky: I seek to be on everyone’s side, and also no one’s side. What I mean is that I seek to be there for both spouses individually, but also be there for the marriage.
The Art of Stopping
Tuesday, September 1st, 2009Intended Audience: Christians, General
As I’ve grown in my own awareness in the past few days of my need for a vacation I have been reflecting once again on the faith involved in choosing to cease from one’s labors for a season. Regardless of one’s religious beliefs, the act of taking a break from one’s labors (and/or other kinds of ceasing) can be inherently scary–whether it be for 10 minutes or 10 days.
E.D. Drug Ad Critique: Cialis
Wednesday, July 15th, 2009Intended Audience: Married, Men
(Note: This blog post contains frank discussion of male anatomy. It may not be appropriate for viewing in your workplace or in the presence of children.) Consumer Reports AdWatch has another helpful TV advertisement critique. This one is regarding Cialis, a drug for treating ED (link to the video is in the footnote).
Internet-Based Insomnia Treatment
Tuesday, July 7th, 2009Intended Audience: General
I recently came across an Associated Press (AP) article about an internet-based treatment for insomnia that is apparently netting promising results in an initial study that has just been published in the Archives of General Psychiatry.
Doodling, Dishes and the Brain
Thursday, June 18th, 2009Intended Audience: General
A while ago I came across a fascinating piece on National Public Radio (NPR) about how doodling actually helps the brain to pay better attention (as opposed to the common assumption that it signals that the individual has completely “checked out”). This certainly fits with my experience, not just with doodling, but in other settings like doing the dishes or driving.
Sleeping Pill Ad Critique: Rozerem
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009Intended Audience: General
Consumer Reports AdWatch has an informative critique of a Rozerem sleeping pill ad, along with some good suggestions for alternative ways of improving sleep (link to the video is in the footnote).
Types, Temperaments and Personalities–Oh My!
Friday, May 22nd, 2009Intended Audience: General
Working to make sense out of our own personality and the personalities of those around us can be very helpful. Let’s face it–people are complicated! And with an array of personality, type and temperament instruments available it can be just as daunting to decide on which model to use as it can be to figure out how to understand someone you care about. In this post I’ll share some of my journey down the road of types, personalities and temperaments.
Downtown Harrisonburg and Birds
Thursday, May 14th, 2009Intended Audience: General
We are enjoying being back in downtown Harrisonburg. Kristin and I had lived downtown for the first few years of our marriage. I have many fond memories of our walks around various parts of downtown and the adjoining neighborhoods. So though we don’t live downtown anymore, we are excited about having our office there.
