Category Archives: Kits Tips Archive

Work on Your Job and Business Security Every Day

You have more control over your job security than you think. Not all of it – many of these lay-offs have been so massive that it doesn’t matter what you’ve done or haven’t done, you’re still on the list.

But now that things are settling down, you are wise to take stock of your current employment situation and if you want to keep this job (and that can be a good question), then there are some simple but very effective actions you can take each day to protect your job.

Here are the first three of my favorite tips…. Watch for the next four in October.

• Be Visible Every Day. Show up and step up. Be the person folks know (because they see you regularly) and the person known for your willingness to stretch and learn.
• Be Available to Others. Answer your voice mail and emails promptly. Help out if you can and especially if it strengthens your relationships and reputation within your company.
• Be Easy to Work With. Don’t give folks a hard time! Do an attitude check. Always be the person that others want to work with – the one that others gravitate towards.

And try this . . . put a post-it up close to your computer with these tips and mentally check off if you are doing these each and every day.

For example, yesterday I joined the Sparks Chamber of Commerce and signed up for the NNHRA Diversity Conference. These are two great ways to continue to be visible to folks who can bring work my way and it’s fun to boot.

If you can still take a longer summer vacation this year, do it. But if not, at least plan some mini-breaks for yourself and your family.

Allow yourself to step away from the concerns and pressures of work for awhile – you might even stop watching or listening to the daily news – and you will find yourself catching your breath, smiling a bit more and feeling a spring in your step. The work will be there when you get back, but you’ll have a fresh perspective, a tad more energy and a renewed commitment to the upcoming fall work pace.

Here are some mini-break ideas . . .

• Change up your daily routine
• Take the day off and go to Lake Tahoe
• Go on a road trip to someplace new & different
• Take a dip in clear blue water
• Reconnect with old friends over a glass of wine

Even if you put up the Gone Fishin’ sign for just a few hours, make sure it’s up there solid. No work talk, no business calls – you’ve gone fishin’!We need to work smarter – much smarter.

Toes in the Water And Sun on Your Back

It’s summer and with it comes the lazy, hazy lull before the busyness of the fall. During these delicious, long days we have a wonderful chance to relax, do something new and just sit and think. I recommend it.

Imagine yourself down by the Truckee River with your toes dabbling in the water and a warm sun on your back. Let your mind drift and meander with the flow of water.

Watch an interesting thing happen — delicious, new ideas begin to bubble to the surface. For just a few moments, play with the burbling possibilities and toy with “what could be” rather than “what is”.

This is possibility thinking (anything is possible) rather than probability thinking (it’s not very probable). And it’s a powerful boost for the creative juices. To bring out your inner entrepreneurial spirit, try these strategies.

• Be random, be playful, say Yes!
• Try something new now.
• Consider this: You don’t need all the answers before you start. So, start.
• Get your idea out there, see if it works, quickly adjust, and put it out again.
• Become a learning junkie by challenging and stretching yourself.

Above all, have fun with it. Play. Splash. And bring that playful, creative spirit back to the office when you’re ready to come out of the sun.

After the summer break and school starts up again, I think we’re going to see some real changes at all levels of business, and in firms of all sizes, too. We’ve all adjusted to upheavals and changes already, so you may be asking yourself, what more could there be?

The change is all about settling in, getting the work done and building the business – with fewer resources than ever before.

Already, every forward-thinking manager and leader is asking how it’s possible do more with less. The answer lies in management and in moving to a customized managerial style. A few tips to start you on the road:

• See people (including yourself) as individuals with differing work styles.
• Ask people what support they need in order to do their jobs well.
• Listen to the answers (setting aside what you think the correct answer should be).
• Provide whatever resources you can to help the individual succeed.
• Move people around, matching jobs with talent.

No one can do it all alone. We need leadership to pull teams together and to get much more accomplished with much less.

We need to work smarter – much smarter.

Good, healthy humor is a business asset. It creates an atmosphere of optimism, spirit and energy – all great qualities to integrate into your company culture. On a personal level, humor connects us with others in a very real way.

The ability to connect with your colleagues up and down the company ladder in a positive and supportive manner is key to your own career development and excellence. Your co-workers will gravitate to you because it feels good to work with someone who keeps their perspective, has a smile for others and helps us feel that times are good and getting better.

This is Emotional Intelligence at its best! Here are 5 tips to keep the laughter coming.

• Practice laughing (which will embarrass your teenager), so laugh harder
• Read two comic strips daily (my favorites are Zits & Pickles)
• Watch some of those old movies instead of doing another load of laundry
• Seek out the funny people in your life – they are good for your heart
• Give yourself permission to laugh at yourself – we really are great entertainment