Transform Those Negative Thoughts

By Suzy Kridner
Career Specialist
All of us have negative thoughts at times.
On the tennis court, I think “I could run faster if I lose weight.” While that is true, I don’t think about the good shots I make, only the ones I missed.
Even the most positive person occasionally has negative thoughts.
Rule No. 1 in 10 Steps for Transforming Negative Thoughts into Positive Beliefs is “Don’t should on yourself.”
When you think I should be a better parent, a better wife, a better tennis player, you’re thinking your current status is not good enough.
A friend on Facebook posted this column from the web site, The Bridge Maker. It says should statements put our thoughts and attitudes in a box and constrain us from seeing other solutions. Remember, it’s a matter of balance.
Read other steps for transforming negative thoughts here.

Stress Relief

Posted by: Darlene Duncan, CWDP, JSS
Training Coordinator

Everyone of us deals with stress everyday. Some people handle it better than others. We all know someone that never seems to be bothered by stress. You know the ones, they handle crisis after crisis and never seem to be stressed by anything. The reality is that those people either have some method for coping with the stresses of life or they are suppressing that stress. Suppressing stress, living with stress and not reducing it can lead to a variety of health problems.

To check out this article on how to reduce your stress level click here.

Time for spring cleaning…does that include Facebook?

By: Lori Stone, APR, Director of Business Operations & Communications

Center for Business Excellence

It’s that time of year. Time to clean out the clutter at home or your office. Spring symbolizes a fresh start in every way. Does that include your Facebook page?

Let’s face it. Facebook has many intriguing qualities…and a few annoying ones. I personally don’t like receiving multiple invitations to your kazoo concert. And I definitely don’t want a question answered about me, a pillow thrown at me or a teddy bear! However, this doesn’t necessarily mean I should be quick to hit “Delete.”

Let’s face it. Our community, or the world for that matter, is getting more accessible through technology. We may barely know each other now, but I may be working closely with you on a project in a couple of years.

And what about the office environment? What do you do then? If you delete someone you work with, is that considered a virtual, “in your face?” In pondering all of this, I found this excellent article on Facebook etiquette:

http://peggyparks.wordpress.com/2010/04/12/facebook-etiquette-deleting-friends/

3 Tips for A Successful Memorial Day Job Search

Written by: Christopher McDonough


If you're anything like me, you woke up this past Monday to realize that this work week is ending with a three day weekend to celebrate Memorial Day. Thoughts of hot dogs & hamburgers (or their veggie alternatives, if that's your thing), swimming pools and beaches and cookouts went dancing through your head even before you clocked in to start the week! But, just because you're getting ready for the party, doesn't mean you should throw your job search on the backburner, next to the grilled zucchini that almost never gets eaten. Memorial Day cookouts and parties are perfect opportunities to do some good ol' fashioned networking and person-to-person job searching!

Not sure what I mean? Here's some tips to help make your Memorial Day fun and fruitful.

Carry along copies of your resume to cookouts and parties.
Especially if these cookouts are being thrown by your friends or they're neighborhood mixers, you're likely to run into people who may be able to tell you about jobs in their particular companies. Having your resume on-hand is a great way to get the word out about who you are to these companies without ever stepping foot into their office! Pack it into your picnic basket next to a cool fruit salad, or brownies, and you're not even going out of your way to make sure you're stlil on the job search even on a holiday!

Network, network, network.
I'm not telling you to be all-business on a holiday; in fact, you should be sure to take time out from your job search on your three-day weekend. But if you're there, and they're there, you may as well throw your name into the mix, right? Meet new people at every party you go to. Make sure to remind a few friends that you're looking for a job. Chances are they'll be able to point you out to at least one person at the cookout who is a great contact for you to add to your list!

Have fun!
Memorial Day Weekend is a great time to recharge and get your summer started. It's also a great time to get your creative juices flowing to dive back into the job search. Be sure to pack plenty of sun screen, keep hydrated and most of all - have fun! When you're happy, you're more likely to be productive. You're not a robot, so take time to relax, breathe and let good things come to you!

Life It Is a Changin' -- Always

By Suzy Kridner
CBE Administrative Assistant
We are all in transition.
It may be our family life (new spouse) or our work life (lost a job).
It can be a transition, and a crisis, because we are feeling out of control.
Small Business Expert Susan L. Reid says it’s a crisis when you feel unstable and a transition when you move from one thing to the next.
Reid says transitions are tough on everyone: yourself, your family, your friends.
But she has 10 things you can do to ease the transition. One of my favorites is No. 10: Avoid jumping into anything new too soon.
Go slowly, Reid says. When your life is disrupted by a transition – even one you initiate – it takes time to adjust to the new reality. Use that time to reflect and think about what is really best for you.
Read more in this article.

How to Handle Those Last Days

Posted by: Darlene Duncan, CWDP, JSS
Training Coordinator

There are still people out there being downsized, laid off, or whatever euphemism is being used this week to describe letting someone go because the company can’t financially afford to keep them any longer.

Should you find yourself in that position, here is something you might want to keep in mind.

Your current employer will very likely be called by potential future employers. So how you behave at work during those last weeks or days prior to your departure will have a huge impact on your future job search. You need to make sure you maintain a good attitude combined with continuing to do your job.

I’m not saying it’s easy. I am saying it’s important that you continue to do quality work and have a good attitude.

You might ask, “Isn’t it enough that I’m doing my job? I mean, after all they’re getting rid of me. Rejecting me.”

The answer is “NO!”

Let’s look at a possible scenario.

Jane Doe gets a notice of lay off. She will have a job for three more weeks. Jane gets angry. She starts coming in late and doing the bare minimum of work. For the next three weeks Jane does only what is required of her. She sulks and pouts like a spoiled child. Before the three weeks is over, the company gets a new contract and now has sufficient funds that they don’t have to eliminate Jane from the payroll.

Hmmmm. What do you think is going to happen? Will they keep Jane? Or will they still let her go? What would you do if you were the one in the position to decide?

Let’s revisit Jane.

Jane Doe gets a notice of lay off. She will have a job for three more weeks. Jane continues to do her job. She does her best to always have a good attitude and is eager to help her co-workers. Before the three weeks is over, the company gets a new contract and now has sufficient funds that they don’t have to eliminate Jane from the payroll.

Hmmmm. What do you think is going to happen? Will they keep Jane? Or will they still let her go? What would you do if you were the one in the position to decide?

There is very little in life we have control over, our attitude is the one thing we always have control over. You choose how you react to life’s obstacles. Quite often how we react will determine whether life’s everyday obstacles become mountains or remain speed bumps.

You take…you take my self control -- why making changes can wear us out

By: Lori Stone, APR, Director of Business Operations & Communications

Center for Business Excellence

Several of us on the CBE team are reading the book, “Switch…How to Change Things When Change is Hard,” by Chip Heath and Dan Heath.

Early in the book, the authors talk about how self-control is an exhaustible resource. Self control can make or break effective change. This is a very interesting concept to me and seems to make sense.

Sorry, I couldn’t resist the nod to Laura Branigan in this blog’s title! Check out this article I found on the subject:

http://sourcesofinsight.com/2010/04/22/change-is-hard-because-self-control-wears-you-out/