It’s easy to get stuck in a repetitive routine, both at home and at work.

“With so many of us going from virtual meeting to virtual meeting, day-to-day work life can get boring,” says knowledge management consultant and Brock University Accounting alumna Stephanie Barnes (BAcc ’91). “I think we all get caught up in accomplishing tasks, focusing on proficiency and generally not wasting any time.”

An upcoming webinar Barnes is leading will share how adding short, creative activities to online meetings and throughout the day can add variety and fun, relieve stress and bring mindfulness.

‘Creative infusions for your work and life’ will take place Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 11 a.m. as part of the free Business Breathers webinar series facilitated by the Goodman School of Business’ Goodman Group. The webinars feature 30 minutes of live industry and faculty expert-led discussions, followed by a 15-minute Q&A period. Topics focus on leadership, management and innovation, as well as the financial and social impacts of trending topics.

After completing her master’s degree several years ago, Barnes was searching for something to do in her spare time other than study. She started experimenting with hobbies, such as mountain biking, golfing, photography, jewelry making and drawing. It wasn’t until she attended a leadership workshop in 2011 that she found an interest that stuck.

“We did these painting and creative activities,” she says. “It was better than anything I had ever done. I wanted to learn how I could incorporate painting and other creative forms into my consulting practice. I started adding small icebreakers to the beginning of knowledge management workshops. At first, people wondered what the heck I was doing, but they soon realized it was fun — and effective. It helped participants focus on the tasks at hand and got them more engaged.”

The webinar will offer specific suggestions on how to add creativity into personal and professional life and will demonstrate an activity as part of the presentation.

Barnes has more than 25 years of experience in knowledge management and accounting in the high technology, health care and public accounting sectors. In her consulting practice, she focuses on aligning people, process and technology to help organizations be more efficient and effective, as well as more innovative and creative.

Alongside her professional work, Barnes continues to pursue her interest in painting. She is an accomplished artist. Her work has been exhibited in Toronto and Berlin.

Everyone is welcome to attend Business Breathers webinars. Interested participants are asked to register online. A confirmation email will provide a Lifesize link to access the webinar at the date and time it is planned.

Upcoming Business Breathers: 

Creative infusions for your work and life
Presented by Stephanie Barnes, Chief Chaos Organizer, Entelechy
Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 11 a.m.

Positive forward motion in the COVID-19 era — Maximizing emotionally effective leadership in the FAST lane
Presented by Lesley Calvin, Founder and Chief Engagement Officer, Lesley Calvin Consulting
Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 11 a.m.

Green futures: How innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainability will drive the next economy
Presented by Brock Dickinson, Entrepreneur-in-Residence and Adjunct Professor, University of Waterloo
Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 11 a.m. 

Boost your career with community work and volunteering
Presented by Julia Deans, President and CEO for Habitat for Humanity Canada
Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 11 a.m.