Dr. David Posen

Dr. David Posen M.D., speaker and also known as "Doc Calm" is one of North America's leading experts on stress mastery, work-life balance, health, resiliency and wellness. Stress is a fact of life – but it doesn't have to be a way of life. His dynamic presentations have empowered thousands of people to take control of their lives…and come out on top. Combining humour and practical analogies, Dr. Posen helps unlock the mysteries of stress and wellness.  +

Dr. Posen is the author of five bestselling books, Always Change a Losing Game; Staying Afloat When Water Gets Rough; The Little Book of Stress Relief; Is Work Killing You?; and his most recent title, Authenticity.

His magazine articles have appeared in Canadian Living and Readers Digest as well as several medical journals, and he wrote a weekly column on stress and lifestyle management for a year on the popular website canoe.ca. Dr. Posen has also appeared many times on TV and radio and has been quoted in many leading U.S. magazines such as Redbook, Cosmopolitan, People, McCall’s, Men’s Health and USA Weekend.

He has spoken widely to education, government, business and professional groups across North America to clients including Warner Brothers, Chevron, Verizon, American Express, University of Toronto, Pfizer, Research in Motion, Kraft, Hilton Hotels, Microsoft, Cisco Systems, and IBM, to name just a few.  --

Virtual & Keynote Presentations:

STRESS MASTERY >>>

VIRTUAL Stress Management Keynote by Dr. David Posen
Dealing with the Stress of Turbulent Times During Covid +

We’re living through uniquely challenging times, both physically and psychologically. The two major factors affecting our mental health at times like these are fear and uncertainty. What they have in common is a feeling of loss of control. In addition, we’ve all been pushed out of our comfort zone, trying to adjust to the new normal and navigating decisions regarding our health and that of our families.

OUTLINE
The Key to Stress Reduction is to Control The Things You Can Control:
How you Behave, How you Think and the Lifestyle Choices you make

ACTION STRATEGIES
Public Health Measures
Avoid News Overload
Use technology for work and to communicate with friends and family

COGNITIVE STRATEGIES
Reframing: Look for - and Focus on - the positives, benefits, opportunities
Learn to live with Uncertainty: 3 ways to avoid “Long-Distance Worrying”
Keep your Sense of Humour

SELF-MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
Maintain Daily Rhythms and Routines
Basic Health Habits – especially Sleep and Exercise
Work-Life Balance/Integration when working from home

Q and A --

Round Pegs. Square Holes:
The Stress of Trying to Be What You’re Not +

Today’s world is full of big expectations. The pace is fast, there’s too much work and the pressures to perform are high. It’s no wonder people become disconnected from themselves and the normal rhythms of living.

Everywhere we look we see people who can’t understand why they are stressed: people with schedules they can’t handle; exhausted introverts trying to be more outgoing; high school students trying to learn at 8:00 in the morning when they’re half-asleep; people in careers they don’t like.

When individuals struggle to be what they’re not designed or inclined to be, the result is high stress, poor health, low performance and general unhappiness. They are round pegs trying to fit into square holes.

Join David for a look at....
Introversion and extraversion - where you fit on the spectrum.
Becoming more self-aware and getting to know yourself better.
Understanding the conflict between natural time and artificial time.
How sleep deprivation is so dangerous, yet so easy to fix.
How to live in sync with who you are. --

Worplace Stress: How It ís Hammering Your Bottom Line
Designed For Top-Level Corporate Executives Suitable for Keynote or Seminar  +

Today's corporate agendas are tied to the premise of more - more units sold, more clients seen, more billable hours. Everyone wants bigger profits and more growth. Unless you can measure it, it didnít really happen. No one has taken a hard look at what the quest for more has really done to the bottom line. Until now.

Join best selling author and renowned speaker on stress, David Posen MD, for an up-close and honest look at what ís going on under the hood of corporate engines across North America.

Discover:

• The misconceptions about productivity;
• The real business cost of workplace stress;
• The fallacy of face time and the futility of long hours;
• The myth of multi-tasking;
• Why a top-down approach can make a
  real difference.  --

Treating Workplace Stress: A Doctor's Prescription
Designed For Middle Managers Suitable for Keynote or Seminar  +

As the pace of work continues to increase, the economy sputters and jobs are in short supply, organizations and the people who run them keep ramping up the stress levels on their employees. Some workers wear their stress like a badge of honour; others resign themselves to what they see as the "new normal" and accept the situation as "the way it is". The real truth is that workplaces are making people sick. Not enough people are talking about it, and when they do, no one is listening.

Join best selling author and renowned speaker on stress, David Posen MD, for a revealing look at workplace stress - what ís causing it and what can cure it.

Discover:

• The scope and cost of workplace stress;
• How the conspiracy of silence affects everyone;
• The misconceptions about productivity;
• The fallacy of face time and the futility of long hours;
• The myth of multi-tasking;
• Simple, yet enlightened strategies to the problem.  --

You Have More Control Than You Think  +

Stress is a fact of life – but it doesn't have to be a way of life. Many people use the word without actually understanding what is meant by it. In this clarifying and reassuring presentation, Dr. Posen demystifies the subject by explaining the fundamentals of stress theory without the jargon and then, most importantly, what to do about it. Filled with insights and "aha" moments, "Doc Calm" will make stress less intimidating and give you tips and techniques to master it.

Learn:

• What stress is, how to recognize it and where it comes from;
• The simple PPP formula for taming stress in your life;
• Time management tips to help you control your day;
• How the way you think affects the way you feel;
• ow simple lifestyle changes can profoundly improve your energy and your mood.  --

Always Change a Losing Game  +

Much of our overload is self-generated. We try to do too much, get too little sleep, use caffeine as fuel and overtax our schedules. These are all “losing games” and as we all know from the realm of sports, you should "Always Change a Losing Game."

Learn:

• What your work-life balance looks like now - and how you’d like it to be;
• Five personality traits that lead to overload;
• How belief systems keep us on the overload treadmill;
• How to create a mind-set that leads to better balance;
• How to increase productivity and still have time for leisure.  --

Be Good to Yourself AND the Bottom Line  +

In today’s dynamic work world, a staggering number of people choose to take care of business instead of taking care of themselves. Not only is it a bad personal decision, but in the end it’s just as destructive for the business. The reality is that good health and self-care can not only co-exist with business success, but actually promote it. With a little persuasion and a touch of humour, Doc Calm will show you how to be good to yourself and improve the bottom line.

Learn:

• Discover five simple self-care strategies that leverage productivity;
• Understand the relationship between stress and performance;
• Discover a tool to monitor your stress and pace yourself;
• Marvel at some paradoxical truths, including when Less is More.  --

Get a Grip: You Have More Control Than You Think  +

There are lots of things we don’t control: the weather, the economy, government policy and other people’s behavior. But there are others we do command: the way we behave, how we think and the lifestyle choices we make. The lesson? Take more control in those areas and good things will start to happen. Join Dr. David Posen for a thoroughly enjoyable yet informative session focused on enhancing your energy, building resilience and taking control of your life.

Learn:

• How to deal with overload;
• How to change the way you feel by changing the way you think;
• A simple visual tool for monitoring stress and pacing yourself;
• Four simple lifestyle modifiers that will change your life;
• How you can choose what stresses you.  --

The Beliefs That Run Our Lives  +

"People should be on time". "If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself". “You should make your bed every day.” Who says?

Whether you see them as philosophies or cultural attitudes, beliefs influence our lives in more ways than we can imagine. Join Doc Calm for a lively session that takes direct aim at the rules, regulations and attitudes that run our lives. With real-life examples and an abundance of humorous anecdotes, this keynote is all about the power of beliefs and what to do about them.

Learn:

• Exactly what beliefs are and how to identify them;
• Why beliefs are so powerful and how they run our lives;
• Doc Calm’s counter-intuitive challenges to many common beliefs;
• How to question, challenge and modify your own beliefs.  --

Burnout: Rescue Yourself from the Brink  +

Burn-out never happens quickly. It quietly evolves year after year, leaving a trail of signs and signals that are ignored or overlooked. The result is a person with ongoing exhaustion, greatly diminished interest and feelings of frustration and futility – someone who’s on the brink.

This presentation is for executives, professionals, those who struggle through a work life that’s high stress and those who are in frequent intense interactions with others. Each setting forms the perfect breeding ground for burn-out.

Learn:

• To understand what burn-out is and who is most vulnerable;
• About the stages of burn-out, detection and self-monitoring;
• Why the best treatment is prevention;
• A multitude of treatment options that don’t include medication.  --

Sleep and Productivity: It's Time to Wake Up!  +

We're a sleep-deprived society – and it's costing us! We're tired, cranky, less productive and more prone to accidents. How much sleep do we need? How do we know if we're getting enough? This session is for everyone who wants to find the answers. Combining science, humour and helpful tips, Doc Calm tackles this vital but often neglected subject.

Learn:

• The five ways to identify if you’re getting enough sleep;
• How sleep deprivation affects your body and mental function;
• To understand the five sleep stages and the importance of REM sleep;
• Why teenagers are walking zombies in the morning;
• The three ways to get more sleep and to pay off sleep debt.  --

Taking Care of the Caregiver  +

People in the "helping professions" – nurses, doctors, the clergy, etc., - have always known that care-giving is draining, both physically and emotionally. But the same applies to people caring for elderly or ailing relatives or those with special needs. How can caregivers continue to give support if they're not paying attention to their own needs?

Designed to benefit both professionals and non-professionals alike, Dr Posen’s presentation helps caregivers understand the importance of reducing stress, caring for personal needs and putting a little breathing room back into life.

Learn:

• How to monitor your physical and emotional energy;
• How to pace yourself and know your limits;
• Why time-outs are so important and how to find diversion;
• How to avoid and deal with compassion fatigue.  --

Managing Stress in a Stressful Environment  +

Today's workplace isn’t just dynamic, it's demanding. Relentless deadlines, chaotic pace and high workloads are simply the norm. All together, they create a setting that's stressful, difficult to manage and the perfect environment for burn-out.

No executive should miss this session with Doc Calm. He combines his knowledge and expertise as one of North America's leading authorities on stress with the gentle humour that's his alone to unearth, explore and reveal solutions that mean a healthier business existence for everyone.

Learn:

• How to work smart so you don’t have to work as hard;
• How to master the Email Avalanche;
• To understand how "Working Fresh" leverages your time;
• Why attitude is everything and how to talk to yourself;
• How to neutralize difficult people.  --

The Stress of Success – Deal With It  +

There's an old piece of wisdom that says, "Be careful what you wish for". For many people who have struggled to get ahead and find success, those words speak volumes. They've discovered that stress doesn't diminish with success – it simply changes. In fact, they just trade one set of problems for another.

Entrepreneurs, CEO's, new managers and every executive in between will know that Dr. Posen speaks their language when they hear him talk. Join David for a thoughtful presentation that looks at how to manage your stress and your life once you reach the level of success you've been striving for.

Learn:

• How to deal with overload and complexity as success spins off new problems;
• How to protect your work time for the things that matter most;
• How to maintain your energy and enthusiasm;
• How to reap the rewards of your success: time, adventure, and giving back.  --

Humour in the Workplace: A Little Fun = Big Productivity  +

Most people don't think of work as a place to have some laughs, but if you and your company can create a little levity at work, you'll be rewarded with less stress, more energy and increased productivity. Humour and play in the workplace aren't just "nice to have" extras – they are major, value-added parts of a successful work environment.

This could be the most lively and enjoyable keynote you've ever attended. Using an extensive set of interactive examples, Doc Calm engages his audience and shows us that humour is much more than telling jokes. You will experience the energizing benefits of playfulness as you laugh and learn at the same time.

Discover:

• The four principles of integrating humour into the workplace;
• Seven benefits of humour and play at work;
• The relationship between humour and creativity;
• How playfulness can help bring people closer together.  --

CHANGE MASTERY >>>

Staying Afloat When the Water Gets Rough  +

We're living in a time of unprecedented change. The abilities to be resilient and adaptable aren't just good traits – they're survival skills! But how do we meet the challenge and exemplify survival of the fittest?

Learn:

• The six ways to change your attitude about change;
• To understand what adaptation energy is and how to generate it;
• The 12 ingredients of Resilience and Change Mastery;
• To understand the importance of balance and stability in times of change.  --

Does Anyone Know What's Going On Here?  +

Change and uncertainty – two bugaboos that can drive many of us to distraction. For some, change seems to happen without rhyme or reason and no matter how they try they can't find it within themselves to adjust. For others, it's uncertainty: rumours swirl, fears increase and people find themselves involved in "long-distance worrying".

Enter Doc Calm. With a hearty mix of practical advice and light humour, he helps participants navigate the confusion of uncertainty and the stress of change to discover a place called understanding.

You'll Learn:

• How to talk to yourself when change seems to be arbitrary and unclear;
• To understand what "long-distance worrying" is and why it's stressful;
• To discover the difference between worry and concern;
• Four ways to effectively deal with worry and live with uncertainty.  --

GRACE UNDER PRESSURE: Managing Yourself During Tough Times  +

We’re going through a watershed moment in recent history – a time of economic upheaval that is generating enormous stress and uncertainty. Combining elements of stress and change mastery, Dr. Posen has put together a program to address the fears, worries and feelings of instability that are plaguing so many people, especially in the workplace. Carefully blending empathy with real-life solutions and humor, Doc Calm offers tools, techniques and credible reassurance to get through the difficult times in which we’re living.

Learn:

• How to detect and monitor your stress levels.
• To believe in your ability to handle stress during tough times;
• A repertoire of Resilience tips and strategies;
• Four ways to deal with "Long Distance Worrying";
• The elements of self care and how to keep your balance.  --

WORK-LIFE BALANCE >>>

The Lifestyle Balancing Act  +

With all the demands made on us by work, family and friends, finding a comfortable work-life balance can seem like a utopian dream. Take heart. Throughout this fully enjoyable and lively session Doc Calm has a trunk full of strategies to achieve it.

Dr. David Posen helps us to envision what a pleasing balance would look like and teaches us that our jobs are not our lives. It's all about balance – balancing time, energy and balancing the way we see ourselves.

Learn:

• To take a snapshot of where you are now with regard to work-life balance;
• he seven things that "tip us over" on the work-life balance scale;
• To identify ways to work smarter and fresher to reduce overtime hours;
• Seven ways to make time for leisure when there isn't any;
• To discover "the other you".  --

Always Change a Losing Game  +

Much of our overload is self-generated. We try to do too much, get too little sleep, use caffeine as fuel and overtax our schedules. These are all "losing games" and as we all know from the realm of sports, you should "Always Change a Losing Game."

Join Doc Calm for an entertaining, yet enlightening session that will change the way you live. By taking a cue from the sports world, Dr. Posen leads participants through a step-by-step process that will reveal new ways to improve work-life balance.

Learn:

• What your work-life balance looks like now - and how you’d like it to be;
• Five personality traits that lead to overload;
• How belief systems keep us on the overload treadmill;
• How to create a mind-set that leads to better balance;
• How to increase productivity and still have time for leisure.  --

Running on Empty: Manage Your Energy-Manage Your Stress  +

Bank accounts work on a simple premise: you have to put money in before you can take money out. Our bodies are exactly the same. How can you draw on energy to combat stress, if there's nothing in the bank?

This could be the most revealing time you'll spend in years. Doc Calm explains how acute stress generates quick energy, yet chronic stress drains it. Using the players in the NHL as his examples, he demonstrates the link between increasing energy and reducing stress; and he does it all with rock-solid logic and a good dose of humour.

Learn:

• What a healthy stress cycle looks like and how to use it to pace yourself;
• Why sleep is so crucial and how to get what you need;
• How sugar and caffeine can actually drain you of energy;
• Why exercise is an "energy factory";
• How to create a "flow state" for better psychic energy.  --

Dr. David Posen is represented by K&M Productions. To inquire about Dr. David Posen's speaking schedule & booking Dr. David Posen, contact us.