The Cockroach Theory of Self-development: A Story On How To Handle Stress

I found this interesting story posted by a friend in my facebook timeline. It is an interesting take on such a simple everyday occurrence, but the lesson is sound.

At a restaurant, a cockroach suddenly flew from somewhere and sat on a lady. She started screaming out of fear. With a panic stricken face and trembling voice, she started jumping, with both her hands desperately trying to get rid of the cockroach. Her reaction was contagious, as everyone in her group also got panicky.

The lady finally managed to push the cockroach away but... it landed on another lady in the group. Now, it was the turn of the other lady in the group to continue the drama.

The waiter rushed forward to their rescue. In the relay of throwing, the cockroach next fell upon the waiter. The waiter stood firm, composed himself and observed the behavior of the cockroach on his shirt. When he was confident enough, he grabbed it with his fingers and threw it out of the restaurant.

Sipping my coffee and watching the amusement, the antenna of my mind picked up a few thoughts and started wondering, was the cockroach responsible for their histrionic behavior? If so, then why was the waiter not disturbed? He handled it near to perfection, without any chaos.

It is not the cockroach, but the inability of the ladies to handle the disturbance caused by the cockroach that disturbed the ladies. I realized that, it is not the shouting of my father or my boss or my wife that disturbs me, but it's my inability to handle the disturbances caused by their shouting that disturbs me. It's not the traffic jams on the road that disturbs me, but my inability to handle the disturbance caused by the traffic jam that disturbs me. More than the problem, it's my reaction to the problem that creates chaos in my life.

Lessons learnt from the story:
I understood, I should not react in life. I should always respond. The women reacted, whereas the waiter responded. Reactions are always instinctive whereas responses are always well thought of, just and right to save a situation from going out of hands, to avoid cracks in relationship, to avoid taking decisions in anger, anxiety, stress or hurry.

Salary Increases Do Employees Have A Right To Receive Salary Increases?

Author: Elsabé Huysamen, March 2010
Source: http://www.masconsulting.co.za/uploads/news/2010_-_Do_employees_have_the_righ_to_a_salary_increase.pdf

Employers are regularly faced with the question whether or not their employees should receive salary increases.

The basic rule is that employees do not have a right to an annual salary increase, unless it is so stipulated in an employee’s contract of employment; or determined by a collective agreement between the employer and a trade union; or a bargaining council agreement; or a sectoral determination applicable to the sector within which the employer operates. In the absence of any of these, salary increases remain within management’s prerogative. Obviously, if the right to an increase is catered for in any of the aforementioned, the
employer cannot unilaterally remove this right and replace it with, e.g., a discretionary annual  salary increase or take away the right all together. This would amount to a breach of contract. The employee’s agreement would have to be obtained to effect such a change.

However, even if an annual salary increase is not guaranteed, not providing an increase to  an employee may still amount to an unfair labour practice. This would be the case, for example, if an employee meets all the requirements of a discretionary increase but the employer, without a valid reason, refuses to increase the employee’s salary. The employee who relies on this ground, would need to prove that:

a. he/she has some entitlement to receiving an increase (e.g. it has become established practice in the company to provide annual increases, or all other employees received one); and

b. the employer acted unfairly in not increasing the employee’s salary (e.g. by deciding arbitrarily not to give the employee an increase).

Even if there is no guarantee of an increase, employers who are running into financial problems, but whose employees might expect an increase, should at least inform the employees of its difficulties and decision not to implement an increase well in advance. Not doing so is harmful to good workplace relations and also opens up the risk of an unfair labour practice complaint.

Unless an employer is contractually or through a collective agreement or sectoral determination bound to give an increase, it is good practice to include a clause in the contracts of new appointees that there is no right to an increase and that the decision whether or not to award an increase falls squarely within management’s discretion. At the same time, of course, when awarding increases, employers should be clear about the criteria used to grant them, inform the employees about them and ensure that the criteria are
applied fairly and consistently.

Finally, it is important to communicate the basis on which salary increases are awarded to all employees. If the employer has a written policy regarding this, it should make reference to it in any contract of employment and ensure that existing staff, whose contracts might not contain such a clause, are provided with a copy of the policy. Employees should know in advance, what the criteria is for receiving increases, how regularly they are awarded and on what basis they are calculated. This creates certainty and clarity for employees in relation to increases and would result in fewer disputes regarding salary increases. The actual increase received by each individual employee, however, like other information that is personal to an employee, should be kept confidential.

Perspectives: Let Go of Resistance

by Jason Jennings | Chief Learning Officer
 
Smoke jumpers are highly trained, highly evolved, elite firefighters who parachute into difficult terrain to put out wildfires. They need to have an extensive resume in remote terrain firefighting and be skilled in all of the tools of the trade. They must be in excellent physical condition and possess a high degree of emotional stability and mental alertness.
 
In the last century, 15 of the bravest smoke jumpers were battling a fire in a deep canyon when suddenly the inferno turned and raced right at them. The men tried to retreat, scrambling up the steep walls to get away. Tragically, 12 souls were lost.
 
The testimony of the three survivors and a review of the scene revealed a surprising finding. Large poleaxes, shovels and 12 heavy backpacks, in all some 115 pounds per man of professional gear, were on the ground hundreds of yards from where the smoke jumpers first turned from fighting the wildfire to race away. Only three dropped their gear early; the rest couldn't let go until it was too late.
 
This is all too human. Those tools represented who they were. Dropping them was like abandoning their knowledge and relationships for uncertainty. It was a hard choice, and the majority of them never had a second chance to learn how to make the right choices in the future.
 
The same is true of all of us. When we've got something we want, we'll resist like hell before letting go.
 
During research for my book, The Reinventors - How Extraordinary Companies Pursue Radical Continuous Change, my research team and I identified nine skill sets shared by organizations that have mastered the art of embracing continuous change. Here are three of them.
 
1. Yesterday's breadwinners:
Every product or service has a natural life cycle that begins with an introduction, followed by growth, maturity and inevitably a decline as it becomes yesterday's breadwinner. There are no exceptions. One would imagine any highly intelligent business leader would be quick to offload its crumb bearers, but history repeatedly demonstrates that even the best companies - much like the smoke jumpers - find it impossible to let go of their legacy services and products and frequently hold onto them so long they end up destroying the enterprise.
 
Thirty years ago Kodak was warned by its own engineers that digital photography would eventually replace film, but leadership couldn't let the legacy go and endured decades of downsizings, layoffs and plant closures, managing to stay alive only by suing other companies. Blockbuster refused to abandon a brick and mortar business model that relied on late payments for most of its profits and was upended by Netflix, which is now getting its own butt kicked by Redbox because it also refused to let go.
 
2. Ego:
Egoism maintains that individuals always act in their own self interest. Egotism means having an exaggerated sense of self importance and narcissism. Both are equally dangerous. Until leaders replace egotism with healthy ambition, stop doing everything in their own self interest and begin doing everything in the interests of the organization, no good change will occur.
 
3. Conventional wisdom:
In recent years, most Western economies have only grown by 2 or 3 percent annually, and most forecasts predict more of the same. Conventional wisdom dictates that if every company gets its fair share, achieving a 2 or 3 percent revenue increase would be acceptable. Most companies find the prospect of such anemic growth unacceptable and instead strive for an unconventional 5 or 10 percent growth target. Then, they do something really dumb and employ conventional wisdom in hopes of achieving an unconventional result.
 
To achieve an unconventional result, unconventional strategies and tactics must be employed. As writer Oscar Wilde said, "For any positive change or improvement to take place, look to the unreasonable man or woman. Reasonable people will just go along with the status quo."
 
It's the CLO's responsibility to make certain that letting go of yesterday's breadwinners, ego and conventional wisdom are a core part of any learning curriculum and become part of the organization's guiding principles.
 
 
[About the Author: Jason Jennings is the author of The Reinventors - How Extraordinary Companies Pursue Radical Continuous Change.]

Unconventional Career Tips

Many of my close friends have the same problem every time we meet up: money and job satisfaction. This article neatly sums up a practical way of looking at working in today's environment. While the article was written for older and more experienced workers, the same mindset can be used for those just starting out in their careers - especially in the Philippines where local jobs cannot compete with the salaries given by those in other countries.

6 Unconventional Career Tips For Older Skilled Workers

source: http://www.internsover40.blogspot.com/2009/10/6-unconventional-career-change-tips_29.html

The following is six unconventional mid-life career change tips based on the premise that the key to a successful career change transition is the integration of work, life and financial goals.
Unconventional Tip #1:
Each day you remain at a job because it is not fulfilling your financial goals is another day you postpone your financial freedom.

If you're over 40 you probably already recognize that making a career change when you're young is a lot easier than making a career change when you're older. Typically, the older you are the more you've invested in your current career and the more you potentially have to lose. Many mid-life career professionals remained in careers that were not fulfilling because they felt that their job was “satisfactory.”

If this sounds like you, don't let the fears cause you to stay in a job that isn't satisfying your long term financial objectives. The risks of staying in a career that is not meeting your financial goals are often greater than the financial risks of making a strategic move to a career that you enjoy more and that has the long-term potential you desire.


Unconventional Tip #2:
Tip number two is not to believe that if you love what you're doing you're bound to make money.
While there is quite a bit of wisdom in the maxim "Do What You Love", there is not a direct correlation between loving your job and meeting your financial goals. If money is an important consideration in your career change make sure that you thoroughly research your new career to make sure that if you become the best at what you do that the money will follow.


Unconventional Tip #3:
The third unconventional mid-life career change tip is to focus on money issues -- not work issues.

When making a mid-life career change it is important to thoroughly explore your new career to ensure that it's going to be professional and that you're qualified for the job. However, no matter how much you feel you're going to enjoy a career change and no matter how qualified you feel for a new position don't hand in your resignation at your current job until you've solidified your financial future. No matter how much planning you do you can't anticipate everything that is going to occur down the road. If you're taking a large financial risk by making a career change you may just find yourself in the exact same position in the future -- just 10 years older without the financial resources to make another career change.

Unconventional Tip #4
Unconventional tip number four is to make sure you understand that the reason for disatisfaction with a career usually lies within. A lot of people report a bad boss, bad company, bad economy or bad work environment as their reason for job dissatisfaction when in reality they're just ready for a change. Many people simply feel the need to pursue a mid-life career change in order to experience new things and to grow. There's nothing wrong with this. Just make sure you know why you're seeking a career change. If you blame a career change on factors not truly responsible for your desire to change careers you may find yourself in a career with a great boss, with good company, in a good economy that still doesn't satisfy you.


Unconventional Tip #5
The fifth tip is to not be hasty. Ever heard the maxim "haste makes waste"? Well it applies to making a career change as well. Make sure you thoroughly explore your feelings of dissatisfaction with your current career before you start looking for solutions. One of the biggest mistakes that career changers make is that they rush into a career changing expecting their frustrations to be miraculously resolved. Many times these individuals find themselves in a new career experiencing the same frustrations as they experienced in their previous career.


Unconventional Tip #6
The sixth unconventional mid-life career change tip is to recognize that you need both a sound career plan and financial plan to have a successful mid-life career change experience.

Career planning in and of itself is not enough to ensure a successful career change. Most people pursuing a career change cannot control all of the factors affecting future job satisfaction. In reality there are likely going to be aspects of a new career that are not satisfying.

Financial planning by itself is not enough to ensure a successful career change. While many of us proclaim to be motivate by money, very few of us actually feel inspired by money to work at a job that is not fulfilling.

What to do with Sales people who can’t achieve their Targets?

by: SREE NIDHI S K, Director - Oscar Murphy International, Singapore & India

Targets, Targets & Targets and that becomes a nightmare for many people in sales. They run here and there, they call and call over the phone and face to face but fail to get anywhere close to sales targets. They sit in sales review meetings with a sad face, worries written all over their forehead. You know they can sell but they are unable to sell. They have the potential but can’t perform. What do you do? How to make them perform? How to make sales happen? How to quickly close in on targets? You have spent time talking to them, motivating them and even training them and to no avail. You threaten them with consequences and that too does not seem to have worked. Now what do you do?

Here is a list of 18 hot secrets to make the Star Get Sales:

1. Help them realize that Selling is not just an art but a science of buyer behavior
2. Help them realize that every customer is different and hence-‘one-size- fits- all’ approach does not work
3. Help them to learn to observe and look for client clues
4. Help them to be Subject matter experts in whatever they sell
5. Help them to understand customer’s personality styles, traits and preferences
6. Help them to grasp the key words in what the client talks or writes
7. Help them to learn the science of analyzing every client transaction
8. Help them to learn and practice the science of flexing their communication to suit the client
9. Help them to learn the science of subconscious planting of unique selling points
10. Help them to learn the methods of delighting different customers
11. Help them to gain a clear insight into selling steps of creating a loyal customer base
12. Help them to learn to enjoy the confidence of the smart selling process
13. Help them to learn the easy ways to build relationships and networks
14. Help them to gain courage to work on stretch targets.
15. Help them to learn the techniques in order sell at a higher price
16. Help them to practice the art of war to gain a stronger foothold against competition
17. Help them to think, plan and implement the profit centre concept
18. Help them to learn to work on the effort targets so as to get to the revenue targets.

Each and every one of your sales people has a hidden Star that Gets Sales beyond targets. Your job is just to help them help themselves with the art and science of StarGetSales by putting the Cusomer First. Your Sales team probably needs professional help before it is too late and you can help them get it now.

The Magic Words - a lesson in sales

by Rene Espinosa


I once overhead a newly recruited sales rep say, “It is easy to close sales for as long as you are honest to your prospective customers.  Just be truthful and things will go your way.”  She said those words without batting an eyelash and with all the authoritative tone of an expert.  I couldn’t help but notice that those experienced in selling standing nearby expressed their disagreement through their facial expression and body language.  No, for sure, they were not against truthfulness, but they could not accept the simplistic philosophy of the newbie (who, by the way, miserably failed in her sales career until she was fired from her company).  Sadly, but not surprisingly, everything went south for her.

Integrity does not preclude the use of good persuasion techniques to help prospective buyers make decisions that are good for them.  Just as a farmer who makes a living by farming needs farming tools and equipment, persuaders, like entrepreneurs, marketing executives, sales people, suitors and virtually all who need to persuade others to buy their idea, need persuasion tools.

This is immeasurably important.  It is a major determinant of the success of organizations and individuals.  Brian Tracy once shared this amusing story about his meeting with an unproductive  entrepreneur.  He was extremely disconsolate and to diagnose his problem, Mr. Tracy asked, “Why are you not productive?  Are you not improving your skills in persuasion?  Are you not attending any training”  To which the man replied, “I don’t have to.  I just do what comes naturally.”   Naturally, he’s broke.

We may laugh at the satire in the story, but it should challenge every serious reader.   And the challenge is, “What is your Persuasion Quotient or that of your people?”  How many tools do you or your people know and use?

Among the potent weapons in the arsenal of effective persuaders is the use of Magic Words.  What are they?  Simply put, they are words that evoke positive thoughts, pictures and feelings.  In stark contrast, Tragic Words stir up unpleasant ideas or emotions.

Let’s have an example.  Do you remember our country’s coup d’ etat during the time of President Cory Aquino and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo?    Whichever event you would consider, the same thing happened.   After the noisy much ado about nothing, the rebel group was cornered and the government had a choice – to go all out or to make the rebels surrender.  The latter, of course, was immensely preferred.  A negotiator would be appointed to talk to the renegades.

And here’s the crux of the matter --- the negotiator would never ask the rebel forces to surrender.  Whattype of mental image would that bring to their mind?  Humiliation!  A  lost cause!  Defeat!  No way!  Pride was at stake.  And they would rather die than surrender (just think how bloody this could be)!  But instead of asking them to “surrender”, the smart negotiator would ask them to "return to barracks".   That sounds different.  There is no stigma of the word “surrender”.  Then what happened?  The rebel force surrendered, ooops, returned to barracks.  It worked!  Like magic!

How do you apply that to selling?  Let’s have one example.  Let’s take the word “price”.  Businessmen, as well as, marketing and sales professionals freely use the word “price” (of course, it depends on the industry) when convincing their target prospects to purchase what they offer.  But what pictures do consumers psychologically see when they hear that word?  Likely, they are negative.  They see their hard-earned cash leaving their pockets.  It conjures up heavy expenses.  Headaches.  Stress.  Of course, you have to mention the price but don’t say the word “price”.  Instead, use “value” or “investment” which is invariably linked to ROI.  A positive thought is planted in the mind.  (In case the word “investment” is not appropriate for your particular products, there are other words you can use and I will teach them in my forthcoming seminar)

But bottom line, the words that you use in your presentation matter.  I can say this with conviction because I have talked with my seminar participants who have given me their testimonies.  One classic case is that of a real estate agent --- a true story.  He said he was unable to close the sale but he convinced his prospective buyer to see him again.  Upon returning home, he reviewed his training notes and saw the session on Magic Words.  He remembered that in his presentation, he kept using the Tragic Words.  When he saw his prospect again, he changed all the tragic words he used before and profusely used the Magic Words.   The buying mood of his prospect changed very positively.  It's like magic!  Needless to say, he closed the sale.

How to Use Your Emotions to Get Promoted

By Beth Drehner

source: RD Asia

 

When it comes to succeeding at work, conventional wisdom says you should check your emotions at the door. But Anne Kreamer, a former Nickelodeon executive and the author of the new book It’s Always Personal (Random House, $25), disagrees. “Putting on that ‘armor’ diminishes people’s ability to bring their best selves to their work,” she says. Instead, Kreamer suggests, acknowledging and acting on your feelings can help you excel on the job. Here’s how to turn your emotions into opportunities.

I feel: Angry

How to get promoted: Engage in joint problem solving

Blowing a gasket at work is “universally uncool,” says Kreamer. But opening your emotional floodgates strategically can lead to solutions if both sides are willing to work together. Rather than confront the offender in the heat of the moment, schedule a one-on-one meeting. “The specific time and private space establishes boundaries so you have a greater chance of achieving a constructive outcome and maintaining the relationship,” Kreamer adds.

I feel: Afraid and anxious

How to get promoted: Improve planning skills; stop procrastinating

Are you unclear about an assignment? Feel underprepared for a meeting or overwhelmed by your workload? Identify what’s behind your fear and take specific action — ask your manager for details, write and rehearse your presentation, delegate some responsibilities. You’ll calm down and do a better job. “No boss minds helping an eager employee learn something new, but every boss resents having to intervene in a bungled project,” says Kreamer.

I feel: Happy

How to get promoted: Increase creativity and productivity

When you’re in a positive mood, your brain activity actually shifts, says Kreamer. “Your focus deepens, and your dopamine levels increase, which helps you see things from a different perspective.”

I feel: Like crying

How to get promoted: Do some self-analysis

Crying at work isn’t a sign of weakness or even a signal that you’re unhappy in your job. “It’s a yellow flag, a signal that there’s a problem that needs to be addressed,” say Kreamer. If you feel yourself getting teary, take a walk outside if you can. Then set up a meeting for the next day with the person who triggered your tears. It’s important to destigmatize crying in the workplace, says Kreamer. “We should just accept it for the biological fact that it is.”

Managing Work Stress

source: http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/managing-job-stress

Job stress comes in different forms and affects your mind and body in different ways. Small things can make you feel stressed, such as a copy machine that never seems to work when you need it or phones that won't quit ringing. Major stress comes from having too much or not enough work or doing work that doesn't satisfy you. Conflicts with your boss, coworkers, or customers are other major causes of stress.

It's normal to have some stress. Stress releases hormones that speed up your heart, make you breathe faster, and give you a burst of energy. Stress can be useful when you need to focus on or finish a big project. But too much stress or being under stress for too long isn't good for you. Constant stress can make you more likely to get sick more often. It can also lead to long-term health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, back problems, and depression.

Look for these signs of job stress:

• Headaches


• Trouble sleeping


• Problems concentrating


• Short temper


• Upset stomach


• Job dissatisfaction and low morale

What causes job stress?

Most of the time, it's the major sources of stress that lead to job burnout and health problems. Job stress can affect your home life too. Here are some common sources of major job stress, with examples of each:

• Lack of control. Feeling as if you have no control over your work or job duties is the biggest cause of job stress. People who feel like they have no control at work are most likely to get stress-related illnesses. Here's an example:
  
  
  
  • Shelly is responsible for putting together a report that her boss must deliver at a 4 p.m. meeting. She's been waiting all day for the notes and numbers she needs. Shelly finally gets the notes from her boss at 3:15 and rushes to prepare the report and charts and to make copies in time. She gets it done, but she feels mad and resentful. This is the third time this week that this has happened.
  
  
  
  


• Increased responsibility. Taking on extra duties in your job is stressful. You can get more stressed if you have too much work to do and you can't say no to new tasks.
  
  
  
  • John volunteers for every new project, because he heard that's the best way to get promoted. But the tasks are starting to pile up, and he's feeling overwhelmed. He knows he can't really manage one more thing. But this morning, John's boss asked him to take on another project, and John agreed. Now he's more worried than ever about getting everything done.
  
  
  
  


• Job satisfaction and performance. Do you take pride in your job? If your job isn't meaningful, you may find it stressful. Are you worried about doing well at work? Feeling insecure about job performance is a major source of stress for many people.
  
  
  
  • Raoul has worked in his new job for 8 months. He thinks he is doing well. But his boss doesn't say much, so Raoul isn't sure. He wonders if he's on the right track, but he's afraid to ask.
  
  
  
  


• Uncertainty about work roles. Being unsure about your duties, how your job might be changing, or the goals of your department or company can lead to stress. If you report to more than one boss, juggling the demands of different managers can also be stressful.
  
  
  
  • Rosa's old manager was promoted. Now Rosa is working for someone new. She's heard that the new boss plans to "shake things up" in her department. The new boss just hired Emily, whose job seems to be the same as Rosa's. Rosa worries about what this means for her.
  
  
  
  


• Poor communication. Tension on the job often comes from poor communication. Being unable to talk about your needs, concerns, and frustrations can create stress.
  
  
  
  • A new job with more responsibility and better pay just opened up in Jill's department. Jill knows she can do this job. And she's been with the company longer than anyone else on her team. She waits for her manager to ask if she is interested. But after several weeks, a coworker is promoted to the new job. Jill feels hurt and angry, but she doesn't say anything.
  
  
  
  


• Lack of support. Lack of support from your boss or coworkers makes it harder to solve other problems at work that are causing stress for you.
  
  
  
  • Jeff works in a busy office answering customer complaint calls all day. It would be easier to handle all the calls if he could at least trade tips with his coworkers. But everyone else is busy too. His coworkers never make it out of their cubicles during the day, even to let off a little steam.
  
  
  
  


• Poor working conditions. Unpleasant or dangerous physical conditions, such as crowding, noise, or ergonomic problems, can cause stress.
  
  
  
  • Sonya is exposed to constant noise at work. She wears earplugs, but at the end of her shift her ears are ringing. She often comes home with a headache.
  
  
  
  

What to do about job stress

You can reduce some job stress by learning how to manage your time and your job duties. Think about the kinds of events that trigger stress for you at work. Then you can focus on one or two things you can do that will help the most to reduce stress. Here are some ideas:

You and your boss

• Meet with your manager at least once a year (every 3 or 6 months is even better) to talk about your job and your performance. If a performance review is already part of your job, treat it as a chance to clear up issues that may be causing stress for you. Here are some questions to ask:
  
  
  
  • What is expected of me in this job?
  
  
  • Where is this company going? How do I fit into that plan?
  
  
  • How am I doing? What are my strengths? How can I improve?
  
  
  • What can I expect from you if there's a problem with my work or my job?
  
  
  • If I continue to do well, how and when can I expect to be rewarded?
  
  
  
  

You and your job

• Get organized.Keep track of your projects and deadlines by making a list of what's urgent. Decide what matters most and what can wait.


• Don't put things off. Use a schedule planner to plan your day or week. Just seeing on paper that there is time to get each task done can help you get to work. Break a large project into small steps, and set a deadline for each one.


• Learn to say "no." Don't overcommit yourself. If you take on too much, you're creating stress.


• Focus. Do one thing at a time. In some cases, you can do two things at a time. But if you start to feel stressed, go back to doing one thing at a time.


• Concentrate. Try to limit distractions and interruptions. Ask others to give you a block of time when you are not disturbed.


• Delegate. Ask someone else to take on a task. It's not always important to have all the control.

Take care of yourself

• Make time for you. Leave your job at the office, even if your office is a room in your home. Leave your cell phone at work if you can, or decide not to answer it during times you've set aside for you and your family. Don't check work e-mail at home.


• Stay positive. Remember that everyone has good days and bad days at work.


• Reward yourself. When you finish a difficult task, celebrate. Enjoy a snack at your desk, or-if your job permits-take a short walk or visit with a coworker.


• Schedule time for fun. If you spend every second of your day getting things done, you may resent never having time for yourself. If your employer offers a flexible work schedule, use it in a way that fits your work style. Go into work earlier and take a longer break at lunch to make time for a yoga class or a walk.


• Practice breathing and relaxation techniques. You can do these at home or in a quiet place at work.

Setting a goal to reduce stress

First, identify what's creating stress at work. Maybe it’s lack of control over your job. Or maybe it's worry about losing your job or how you are doing at work. You might feel stress because you're unable to express your thoughts and ideas to your boss and coworkers.

Think about why you want to reduce stressat work. You might want to protect your heart and your health by reducing stress. Or maybe you simply want to enjoy your life more and not let work stress control how you feel. Your reason for wanting to change is important. If your reason comes from you-and not someone else-it will be easier for you to make a healthy change for good.

Next, set a goal for yourself that involves reducing your stress level. Think about both a long-term and a short-term goal.

Here are a few examples:

• Shelly's long-term goal is to reduce stress by managing her frustration over things she can't control at work. Her short-term goal is to learn to do deep breathing and relaxation exercises when she gets stressed. She'll try it the next time her boss hands her a last-minute project.


• Jill’s long-term goal is to reduce stress by speaking up at work and expressing her interests and ideas more effectively. Her short-term goal is to practice being more assertive. When she’s ready, she'll contribute an idea at a department meeting.


• Raoul's long-term goal is to reduce stress by having a better understanding of what’s expected of him at work. His short-term goal is to find out how he is doing now. He plans to schedule a meeting with his boss to talk about his performance and how he can improve.


• John’s long-term goal is to reduce stress by learning to say "no" to projects he doesn't have time to handle. His short-term goal is to get organized and prioritize the projects he has now. He is going to make a list of all of his work and then prioritize the tasks that are most important.

After setting your goals, think about what might get in your way. Use a personal action plan(What is a PDF document?) to write down your goals, the possible barriers, and your ideas for getting past them. By thinking about these barriers now, you can plan ahead for how to deal with them if they happen.

Most important, make sure you get support from friends and family in your efforts to reduce job stress. If your company has an employee assistance program, you might use it to talk with a counselor. A counselor can help you set goals and provide support in dealing with setbacks.

Know when to quit

If you are truly miserable because of a stressful job, it may be time to think about changing jobs. Make sure you know whether it is you or the job that's the problem.

Before you quit, spend time thinking about other job options. Not having a job will probably also lead to stress. Getting another job before you quit is best, but sometimes that isn't possible. Decide what is less stressful for you-unemployment or being miserable in your current job. It might help to talk with a counselor about your choices.

Author	Jeannette Curtis
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
Last Updated	April 22, 2009

What Most Influences Employee Satisfaction?

This article was shared to me, and I believe it summarizes what people look for in an organization. Are the same true for you too?

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What Most Influences Employee Satisfaction?


Although my clients have annual revenues from less than $1 million to billions...there are certain key “employee satisfiers” that are common and crucial to any size company.  I urge my clients to provide their team with “RESULTS.”

R        REWARD.  This is accomplished with compensation, recognition, awards and the acknowledgment of a job well done.

E        ENVIRONMENT.  Give employees the best possible working environment.  (Little things matter.  On one client’s “internal audit,” their people continually complained about the    need for a working ice machine.  When this request was ignored, it was interpreted to mean, that management simply didn’t care.)

Some companies are now offering their employees on-site doctors or nurses, concierges to conduct employees’ personal errands, summer camps for workers’ kids and believe it or not, nap tents for quick workday zzzzzs!

S        SUPPORT.  Offer support to all employees.  Support from fellow employees.  Support from leaders.  Provide mentors.   Create a sense of community.  Establish a culture of inclusion.  People like to “belong.”

U        UNDERSTANDING.  Listen.  Pay attention to one’s concerns and challenges.  Empathize.      Ask questions.  Seek others’ knowledge and expertise.  Ask their opinion.   Value it.  Let trust and honesty reign supreme.

L        LONGEVITY.  Offer opportunity.   Advancement.  A career track.

T        TRADE OFF.  Let people be valuable and productive contributors...in the office and at home!  Promote balance.  Victories shouldn’t include forgotten families.

S        SATISFACTION.  Encourage achievement.  Endorse risk-taking.  Foster feelings of accomplishment.  Help others realize their hopes, dreams and goals.  Let people do, what they love to do.

Jeff Blackman, J.D., CSP is an international speaker, author, broadcast personality and lawyer. His extensive work with clients in the areas of sales, marketing, negotiations, customer service, leadership and adapting to change—has earned him the title of "business-growth specialist." His books, audio and video business-growth tools include; RESULT$, Peak Your Profits, How to Set and Really Achieve Your Goals, Profitable Customer Service and Opportunity $elling. To learn more about how Jeff can help you—maximize results, contact the FrogPond at 800.704.FROG(3764) or email susie@FrogPond.com

Copyright© 2002, Jeff Blackman. All right reserved. For information contact FrogPond at 800.704.FROG(3764) or email susie@FrogPond.com

Dealing with the MMDA

This was forwarded to me by a colleague, who also received it from somebody else. However, the information it shares is very enlightening, and is useful for everybody who owns a car and drives - especially those who drive to work.

All information below is part of the forwarded message.
Sharing MMDA color coding and other helpful facts


I called their hotline kanina kasi nakaka-praning talaga at naguguluhan ako sa coding scheme. Which cities are exepmted, meron at walang window period. I searched the web prior pero iba-iba ng sinasabi sa mga forums. Then finally, yung nakausap ko from MMDA hotline 163 (salamat at sinagot nila agad yung call ko) gave me the following info on the color coding scheme:

1. No window hours: Makati, Malabon and Las Pinas. Number Coding is in effect from 7 am to 7 pm!
2. No number coding: Taguig, Marikina and Paranaque. So, feel free to roam around these cities anytime.
3. Pasig City has window hours of 9 am to 4 pm (note the 1 hour additional to the normal 10 am-3 pm window).

*Just as an aside - I heard that Pasig has adopted the same window hours as the rest of the other municipalities. No extra hour. Since there is no way to confirm this in Pasig, I advise conservatism and just assume the shorter window, just to be
sure. ->>*
4. San Juan has window hours now according to MMDA website.
5. Pasay City is implementing Number Coding except on the following roads: Ninoy Aquino Avenue, MIA Road, Domestic Road, Portions of Airport Road, Sales Road, Tramo.
6. EDSA, C5, Pres. Diosdado Macapagal Avenue, Roxas Blvd (Pasay) have window hours regardless of the city (meaning one can drive via EDSA in Makati any day).
7. For the rest of Metro Manila (Caloocan, Mandaluyong, Manila, Muntinlupa, Navotas, parts of Pasay, Pateros, Quezon City, Taguig, and Valenzuela) number coding is in effect (window hours of 10 am-3 pm is also observed).

Eto naman sa isang forum ko nakita. Paki confirm na lang yung facts:

TOOLS AGAINST MMDA OFFICERS

I just reached my limit last weekend, and decided to take action against the abusive MMDA enforcers. I basically called up the MMDA head office and inquired from the Personnel Officer, Antonio Pagulayan, to clarify their policies. Here is what I got.

If any of these abuses seem familiar to you, Mr. Antonio Pagulayan (Personnel Officer) has asked that you call either the MMDA hotline (163) or call the METRO BASE at 0920 9389861 or 0920 9389875 and ask for an Inspectorate. They will send inspectors to the place where these MMDA officers are extorting, even while you are arguing out of your apprehension.

6. MMDA officers are not allowed to group together in order to apprehend. They are not even allowed to stand together in groups of 2 or more. The only time they are allowed to work together is for special operations (probably when they apprehend groups of buses for smoke belching)
7. Swerving IS NOT a traffic violation. Moving one lane to the left or right is not swerving, no matter where on the road you do it. And it is even less of a violation when you do it with a signal. Swerving is defined as shifting 2 or more lanes very quickly.
So you can argue your way out of this, and call the Metro Base for help.
8. Sadly, using the yellow lane is a traffic violation and will get you a ticket. However, buses are really not allowed to go out of the yellow lane, so if you see selective apprehension of private cars only, you may complain.
9. MMDA has confirmed that your license MAY NOT BE CONFISCATED at a traffic apprehension. The only time they can do so is if you are part of an accident, or it is your third violation and you have not settled your fines yet. They are only allowed to give you a ticket, which you can contest. He recommends actually receiving the ticket in some instances, so that you can
report the officer who did it.
10. Also, you are free to ask any of these officers for their "mission order", which is written by their supervisor. If they apprehend
you for a violation that is not in their mission order for the day, you can report them and they will receive disciplinary action.

Succeeding With Your Bright Ideas

by Robert B. Tucker, The Innovation Resource


Everything you've accomplished in life began as an idea in your mind. So how can you have more ideas? In my 15-year study of business innovators in fields as diverse as software design, advertising and banking, I have discovered that what separates the people who stand out from those who don't is not superior intelligence or superior education. Instead, it's the unique way in which they work with their ideas.

Everybody has ideas. But innovators have a process for working with their ideas that they can articulate.

Start the process of retooling your own idea factory by asking yourself how well it has been manufacturing ideas lately. Then use these eight guidelines to gear up your idea factory again.

1. Give yourself periods of dream space. With ever-increasing demands at work, most of us have considerably less time for reflection and thinking. Decisions are made hastily, without considering alternatives. Innovators avoid this by giving themselves dream space.

Doug Greene, chairman and CEO of New Hope Communications, a publisher of trade magazines in Colorado, has a standing appointment each month to be alone. During what he calls "Doug day," he plans a change-of-pace activity to allow him to think through priorities, challenges, and the relationships in his life.

2. Enhance your environment for maximum creativity. Wayne Silby is cofounder of the Bethesda, Maryland-based Calvert Group, a financial services company that created the first social investment fund. Silby favors floating in his isolation tank as a creative environment and says many of his best ideas occur when he gets up at 4 a.m. and begins work while listening to classical music.

3. Seek out idea-oriented people. Innovators get a lot of their ideas from being around other idea-oriented people such as friends, colleagues, co-workers, and neighbors who are using ideas to fuel their own lives and whose excitement inspires their own creativity.

Take a moment to consider the people you know who stimulate your creativity. Plan to spend more time with these people. If you're looking to meet more idea-oriented people, join clubs and organizations in your field and community.

4. Audit your information intake. What publications do you read? Is your information diet broad enough? Lack of broad-based reading can hurt you. An effective personal future-scan system must include broad-based reading of high-quality material. Subscribe to a variety of publications, even if you aren't able to read them all immediately. When you're on a flight or have a block of unscheduled free time, whittle away at the stack. Even if you only skim them, you'll pick up a wealth of information, and you'll notice connections and start seeing patterns of change emerge.

5. Focus on the source of ideas. At a recent conference of architects, "Sources of Inspiration," attendees listed seeing other designs in magazines, serving the complex needs of clients and users of the structure, enjoying the process of creating the structure, and simply wanting to create. Not too earth shattering, is it?

That leads to another misconception about innovators: their ideas are completely original. In fact, innovators get ideas the same way that everyone else does: Some they dream up, and others they borrow. They take a little concept from here and combine it with one they've found somewhere else. That is not to suggest that you rip off someone else's idea and represent them to the world as your own. Instead, the innovator's talent is that he or she knows which ideas to borrow from other fields.

6. Look for ideas by studying problems. The late Bill Gore is perhaps best known for inventing Goretex, the "breathable" but waterproof fabric. Gore used to say his ideas came from studying problems. "I walk through the plant and see a piece of equipment that's being built in the shop," Gore said. "I inquire about how it is designed. And I scratch my head and say, 'You know, it would be so much better if it could be done this way instead of that way.'"

Gore wouldn't have created a new invention if he hadn't walked through the shop and saw the machine under construction. Look around for parts of ideas you have yet to put together and take advantage of ones that already exist. Ask yourself: how could they be combined in new ways? What need could be met? Where is the market, and who would use your idea?

You can learn the general skills by reading about how others have solved problems in different situations and in other fields. If you're a businessperson, read about problem solving in genetic research. If you're an architect, read about problem solving in fashion design. There are certain logical leaps, steps, and processes that can apply to your ideas.

7. Devise a system to capture ideas. "Ideas are like babies," Peter Drucker once wrote. They're born small, immature, and shapeless. They are promise rather than fulfillment. Particularly in their initial stages, they are fragile. They have to be carefully fed, nurtured, and protected." Innovators have perfected a process of internal market research - trying their ideas out on people. It helps the innovator discriminate between those ideas that are "doable" and those that aren't. At some point you have to be willing to put your idea out there to find its strengths and weaknesses. In the initial stages, it is important to protect the germ of an idea until you've really examined it in your own thinking processes. Then test it on some of your closest friends.

8. Invite skeptics to review your larger ideas. While positive thinkers and possibility thinkers are prone to like your idea no matter how far fetched, they can actually lead you astray. They'll tell you that it's a great idea regardless of the flaws. But when you seek out skeptical thinkers, you're bound to get another perspective on your idea.

Robert B. Tucker is president of The Innovation Resource, a consulting firm specializing in strategic innovation. He also is the author of Driving Growth Through Innovation: How Leading Firms Are Transforming Their Futures (Berrett-Koehler Publishing) and a frequent keynote speaker. He can be reached at (805) 682-1012.

Turn your stress to success

I received this article from Jobsdb through my email. I believe that these power breaks really can help us recharge our drive and energy. They can also help rest your eyes from staring at the computer as well!

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Power naps. Browsing books during lunch break. A walk around the block during coffee time.

More and more employees are resorting to ‘quality break times’ to recharge themselves for a few minutes (or at most an hour) before they charge into the arena again.

Quality break times are not an escape that makes the employee forget his or her duties or zone out into fantasy land. Rather, they let his energies slow down a bit, tap into a resource that will refuel their creativity and brain power, and then infuse them with a fresh burst of adrenaline that takes them through the day.

Leadership coach Jim Loehr touched on this in his book, Stress for Success. He recommends that employees take a few minutes every day to take a breather from their work load and channel into a hobby that they like or at least a short exercise that removes part of the stress. It’s a way to recharge. Loehr likens it to athletes in the middle of a competition who uses the precious break times called by referees to do breathing or stretching exercises. It’s a way of slowing down for a brief time while still staying in the game.

Here’s how to do it (and remember, they take only 15-30 minutes during your official break):

1. Artistic/creative hobbies: writing a blog; learning computer design; reading a non-work-related book; drawing and design.


2. Physical: 10-15 minute power naps; a short walk around the office; clenching down on those stress balls; hitting a punching bag or doing jump-rope (if you have a mini-gym in the office)


3. Communal (or activities that you do with other people): swapping stories during lunch break or merienda that can evolve into brainstorming; non-gambling card games or chess; etc.

The next time you feel stress ganging up on you, slow down a little, smell the flowers by taking that quality break, recharge – and then get back to the race.

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Big Handbags Could Mean Big Medical Woes

A friend of mine brought up this article, which he found through a blog entry. After some searching on the net, I found that this Marie Claire article came out in 2008. Nevertheless, the same concerns brought up in the article are now more prominent today - with gadgets becoming more and more portable with every version released.

Recently I have been trying to de-clutter my life, largely being unsuccessful. I am still on a quest to be able to bring everything with me, without the accompanying weight. I encourage everyone to go on the same quest, especially given the new reflected in this review:

Today's woman is often "super-woman" -- mom, partner, business person, host, friend, and more. She isn't leading the life of yester-year. Her life, like her purse, is over-crowded and full. And she "needs" and "wants" a large purse.

Designers conscious of this have turned out some amazing oversized bags and have turned them into the "it" bag.

In general, what makes these bags weigh a lot is the thickness of the leather, the hardware, and even the interior pockets' lining. These are things to watch out for when purchasing a bag. One of the drawbacks about the designer bags is that many of the more expensive ones have more ornate detailing or thicker leather, and so are considerably heavier.

Celebrities have grabbed hold of the trend. Take Nicole Richie, for instance: Half the time, you're not sure who's bigger or weighs more -- her or her bag!

Since large handbags are fashionable, with bargain brands and expensive labels alike offering the bulky bags, and since they're roomy, they can tempt women to carry along those extra sneakers to walk on a lunch break, an umbrella in case of a sudden shower, or even a stock of snacks or a bottle of water.

But, says Coles, just because the space is there doesn't mean women really need to use all of it.

Trouble is -- a cool accessory is turning into muscle mayhem.

Many women are complaining of neck, shoulder and back pain. Physical therapists claim an aggravated neck or shoulder can lead to upper-back problems, from which pain can be felt long after the purse is back on the coat rack. The pain can be felt, they explain, while playing sports, exercising, or even working at the computer.

Other symptoms that your bag is too heavy and creating problems could include tingling fingers and headaches.

Experts suggest avoiding bags that weigh more than three pounds, and say the ideal bag should weigh two pounds, total -- yes -- total! That doesn't seem possible, partially because most of the new, fashionable bags weigh more than three pounds empty!

The absolute maximum should be no more than 10 percent of your body weight, experts emphasize which would mean, for instance, a maximum of 13 pounds if you weigh 130 pounds.

If you have to follow the trend, Coles say, try to buy a big bag, made from light material. Also, experts say to try exercising and stretching your neck throughout the day. Try to avoid overloading your bag. You don't need your entire kitchen sink with you! And try to change the shoulder on which you carry your big bag every ten-to-15 minutes if you're walking around.

Guidelines for Living

I received this from one of the members of the Ang Kapatiran party, and have decided that it is worth sharing. These are just simple guidelines, and most of them make common sense, but oftentimes we forget them in our rush to achieve our goals.

Guidelines for Living
“Para Sa Diyos at Pagbabago”

Volume 2, Issue 02, Series 2010 For a Better Philippines

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Mat. 22:39 NAB

HONEST PINOY BASICS

Introduction:  Today, the Filipinos face mounting difficulties due to actual and perceived corruption in all areas of society.  Most experts and media attribute the ills of the Filipino society to a culture of corruption from the barangay to the highest offices (president, supreme court, departments, and legislature).

We believe that one of the necessary solutions is moral transformation through re-education of all Filipino citizens on the basics of a just and orderly society. These are the Honest Pinoy Basics:

1.                  Respect the property of others – Do not use the property of others without the owner’s permission.
2.                  Be responsible for your actions – Do not blame others for your mistakes; do not lie
3.                  Teach our children to save regularly – Any amount saved regularly and consistently will grow and become useful for their future
4.                  Develop habits of hard work and discipline – Follow the rules, even if it is inconvenient; follow all laws no matter how basic they are; do not bribe; do not accept bribes.
5.                  Teach our children early about helping one another – Inculcate in the minds of children the attitude of service to others
6.                  Filipinos of all ages should develop the habit of studying and reading.
7.                  Teach our children the importance of community involvement – Join village and barangay associations to help your small community
8.                  Respect government authority and report all violations; vote according to your conscience.
9.                  If you have the courage, integrity, and competence, volunteer yourself for an elective position to ensure good governance.
10.             Organize cooperatives in your community.
11.             Volunteer to help the poor in your community or barangay.


www.angkapatiranparty.org

Just Another Manyak Monday

The following is an article from Spot.Ph by Beam Mariano whose topic I found extremely relevant females commuters be warned!

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I have been a commuter since college and I don’t think anyone has been pestered by manyaks as much as I have. Jeeps and buses are rife with these maniacal dregs of society. At least women riding LRTs and MRTs, with “his ‘n’ hers” cars are now spared. Molesters strike whenever they please with different techniques and different degrees of persistence.

One particular Monday morning, I was half-asleep in the bus on my way to work when a tall, dark man in his forties sat comfortably beside me. He crossed one arm over the other and dozed off. After a while, I felt the weight of his elbows on my breasts. I shifted my position, hoping to wake this seemingly deep sleeper. He was awake alright—his fingers started crawling over my arms to my breasts! I reached inside my bag, searching for a sharp object. Luckily, I found a nail cutter in my kikay kit, twisted the nail file out, and flashed it right before his face. He started acting as if he had done nothing wrong, but the pale color on his face couldn’t deny the fact that he was guilty. He left his seat and got off the bus, his eyes on me the whole time.

So, who are these people who try to harass people taking public transportation? Here are different profiles I’ve dug up from my vault of unforgettable manyak experiences:

1.    The big, brooding D.O.M. Fat or thin, tall or short, this old geezer will take advantage of his size to grope the female body part nearest him.

2.    The man with a bag. This horny man uses a prop to hide his sinister deed, resting his bag on his lap to conceal his creeping hands.

3.    The deep “sleeper” will bend his neck at obtuse angles to get a better view of your breasts.

4.    The horny teenager. They’re the most creative, and also the weirdest kind. They will put one of their legs in between yours while you sleep. Also, they will sit in the oddest position just to rub against your legs with their backsides.

5.    The tabloid “reader.” Get off that seat when the man beside you reads Tiktik. He will start reading the sex section, angle the paper hoping you’ll ead and enjoy it too, and revoltingly feel himself in front of you.

6.    The inconspicuous corporate man in a barong. This type is rare and when he does strike and gets caught, he fearfully retreats.

7.    The man who constantly looks out the window. He’s not looking for a landmark, he’s actually looking at whatever glory the holes in your button-down shirt may reveal.

8.    The obvious bad guys. If their eyes are bloodshot and their breath stinks like fermented chico, you should transfer to another seat immediately.

9.    The creepy nerds. We love our nerds but some of them are probably desperate for pleasure so they take their chances with strangers on the bus.

10.  The man who sits erect. Sorry for using that word, but the man who sits stiffly is most likely nervously waiting for a chance to satisfy his carnal needs through quick contact with your flesh.

Author stops manyak-ing in progress by shooting molester’s mug with her phone.

My friends say it’s because I look sweet and meek, that I’m perceived as a docile child who wouldn’t dare confront these chancingero creeps. The first time it happened I was too stunned to react, but things changed very quickly after that. I’m still a manyak target, but am no longer helpless. Here, some anti-manyak techniques I’ve resorted to in the course of my commuting life.

1.    Take his picture. Set your camera phone on loud, activate the flash, and point it directly at his face. The unquestionable image of his face (and if you’re good, his groping hand!) will be your evidence against him.

2.    Be creative with your artillery. There’s no need to pack a bolo, you can in fact find a lot of weapon-worthy objects in your bag! Get the fork from your baon or threaten to stab him with a pen. If that fails, use your bag to beat his head!

3.    Call for help. You can count on the other passengers for help the moment you scream. You will be surprised at the amount of violence they can unleash upon seeing a manyak.

4.    Drench him. If you’re carrying a drink with you, pretend that you’re sleeping and slowly tip the drink over the manyak’s legs. He’ll be so pissed, he’ll be the one moving to another seat!

5.    Use your bag for defense. Hugging your bag is a good way to cover any gaps or holes in your shirt and essentially guard your bosom.

6.    Give him an angry look.

7.    Elbow him.

8.    Pack a can of pepper spray. Pepper sprays, which range from P200 to P700, can be purchased in gun and hardware stores.

9.    Be polite. Some manyaks will stop once you give them a sign that you know what they are doing and you don’t want it done to you. Perhaps a simple “Itigil niyo na po ‘yan” will prevent his dastardly deed.

10.    Be un-polite. Some manyaks, on the other hand, need some nagging. Give them a nice, long sermon! Remember that you have to be ballsy in these situations. You have to face manyaks with a daring approach and let them know that you are not the type they can easily mess around with.