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In my two decades of working with organisations across the UK, from startups like the Letterbox Cocktails Company to giants like Vodafone and BMW, I've witnessed a concerning pattern that Ken Keis powerfully addresses in his work "Dying to Live." The story that particularly resonates with me is one he shares about James, a high-performing executive who seemed to have it all together on the surface.

James was the person everyone wanted on their project. He worked long hours, never said no to additional responsibilities, and consistently delivered results. His email responses would come at all hours, and his dedication was unquestionable. However, beneath this facade of excellence, James was slowly unravelling. His blood pressure was dangerously high, his sleep was fragmented, and his relationships were crumbling. As Ken poignantly notes in his work, James was quite literally "dying to live." 

This scenario plays out in workplaces across the country every day. As trainers, facilitators, and HR professionals, we're not just observers of this phenomenon - we're often caught in its grip ourselves. The pressure to perform, to always be "on", and to handle everyone else's stress while managing our own, can create a perfect storm of physical and emotional exhaustion. 

The corporate cost of stress is staggering. Beyond the obvious metrics of sick days and healthcare costs, there's a deeper, more insidious impact on creativity, decision-making, and team dynamics. When stress becomes chronic, it doesn't just affect the individual - it creates a ripple effect throughout the organisation, impacting everything from customer service to innovation. 

What makes Ken's approach in "Dying to Live" particularly powerful is his emphasis on understanding stress not as an inevitable part of modern work life, but as a warning signal that something in our work-life integration needs attention. He challenges the common narrative that stress is a badge of honour or a necessary evil for success. 

Through my work with Be More Effective Ltd, I've seen how unmanaged stress can undermine even the most sophisticated leadership development programmes or change initiatives. It's like trying to build a house on shifting sands - without addressing the foundational issue of stress, other interventions, no matter how well-designed, will have limited impact. 

The personal cost is equally concerning. As professionals dedicated to developing others, we often neglect our own well-being in service of our participants and organisations. The irony is that this self-neglect ultimately diminishes our ability to serve others effectively. As Ken eloquently puts it, "You can't pour from an empty cup." 

The "Dying to Live" eCourse offers a comprehensive framework for understanding and managing stress in both personal and professional contexts. It's not just about stress management techniques - though these are included - it's about fundamentally reassessing our relationship with work, success, and well-being. 

Ready to transform your relationship with stress and help others do the same?

Just click HERE to access this life-changing programme. The course combines scientific insights with practical strategies, helping you create sustainable changes in how you approach work and life. 

Remember, addressing stress isn't just about personal well-being - it's about creating healthier, more productive organisations where people can truly thrive rather than just survive.

Your journey to better stress management starts here, and the impact will extend far beyond your own life to touch everyone you work with. 

Take action today. Your health, your happiness, and your effectiveness as a professional depend on it. The "Dying to Live" eCourse isn't just another professional development programme - it's an investment in your longevity and impact as a facilitator of change.