Tool 5: Recognise red flags

Recognise your own and other’s red flags and see if you can respond with kindness when you see ‘red flags’.

Personal ‘red flags’ – negative self-thoughts:

• Why can’t I relax?
• I must never let people down…
• It’s up to me, I must be strong…
• I cannot stand this anymore…
• I wish I were somewhere else…
• Why don’t they just do it?
• What is the matter with me?​

Bring kindness to yourself! What do I need right now? How would I treat my best friend?

Others’ ‘red flags’ – certain behaviours:

• Avoiding contact
• Cynical remarks
• Complaining
• Less creativity
• Continiously working over hours without extra output
• Tense
• More sick leave​

Try to realise that these behaviours are signs of stress, someone is not OK. What does the other person need? Can you ask? Listen – no need for advice!