Monday, December 29, 2008

2009 - The New Year

New Year's Traditions

Where did they come from?

The image of the old year is represented by Father Time, known in Greek mythology as the god Chronus, and depicted as an elderly, bearded man, dressed in a robe, carrying an hourglass representing time's constant movement. He also carried a scythe, linking time's passage with the inevitability of death.

The symbol of the New Year is often depicted as a baby, and this custom has it's own interesting history. The ancient Greeks paraded a baby in a basket, representing the annual rebirth of Dionysus, the God of wine, as the spirit of fertility.

The custom of sharing a kiss at midnight comes from ancient masked balls. The mask symbolized the evil spirits of the old year, and the kiss the purification into the new year.

The song we sing comes from a poem written in the 1700s by a Scottish poet Robert Burns. "Auld Lang Syne" literally means "old long ago."

Well I declare! Now you know.

May your 2009 be the best ever.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Survival of the Fittest

Managing your career in an unstable economy requires most of the same strategies you need during a strong economy. The working smarter strategy will go a long way in helping insure you will keep your job during these troubled economic times. Here is a list of important ways to work smarter shared by “Mind Tools”.

1. Connect your work with the bottom line.
2. Be flexible with your priorities.
3. Stand out from your co-workers.
4. Be visible.
5. Promote yourself.
6. Build interpersonal skills.
7. Keep track of what you do.
8. Maintain a clean work area.
9. Control costs.
10. Keep working positively.

Survival action.

Copy this list. Then begin the next 30 days by reviewing the list and selecting at least one item each day to work on. Keep a journal of your actions.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Why is fire engine red??

Interesting factoid...
My dad was a Chief in the Newport News Fire Department. He spent 30 years as a professional fire fighter. He never told me why the Fire Engine was red, but if he were alive, I am sure he'd chuckle at the reason stated below.


The fire engine has a ladder...
Ladder has steps.
Steps are a foot and is measured by a ruler.
A ruler can be a King or queen.
Elizabeth was a queen of England.
Elizabeth was also name of the ship.
Ship floats on water.
Water has fish.Fishes have fins.
Fins are people of Finland.
The national flag of Finland is red,
so fire engine is red.

Ho Ho Ho. Happy Holidays.
Peggy and I are looking forward to Santa's visit and welcoming in 2009.
Our best wishes to you.
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve."
Napoleon Hill

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Getting ready for 2009.

Don't whine in 2009 and you will shine.

Are you preparing for the New Year?

Some thoughts:

1. As usual you will have to deal with a lot nonsense. Check out some advice from my good friend James McIntosh at - www.nonsenseatwork.com.


2. Goals for 2009 are important. Need some help in writing goals that are SMART. Go to http://www.goal-setting-guide.com/smart-goals.htm

"Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination."Fitzhugh Dodson


3. Give yourself a Christmas Gift.

You won't regret it. "Getting Things Done" - David Allen

http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Productivity/dp/0142000280/ref=sr_1_1 ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229276128&sr=1-1

4. Bribe Santa with candy...


Go for it!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Improve your ROE - top 10

Improve your Personal ROE? (Return On Energy)

I posted this list on October 11, 2008.
In subsequent postings I gave some details on each item.
Now, review the list and select one you want to improve.
Write a goal and just do it!
After 30 days pick another item.
Keep it up until you have completed the list.

Here are my top 10 little things you can do.

____10. Every day do something nice for somebody.
____9. Think positive thoughts about yourself.
____8. Accept that life isn’t always fair.
____7. Stop blaming other people.
____6. Work smarter not harder.
____5. Listen more talk less.
____4. Don’t make excuses.
____3. Say thank you.
____2. Be on time.
____1. Smile.

The best way to predict 2009 is to plan it!!!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Improve your ROE - Smile

Number 1 on my list.


1. SMILE!

Smile
It will make you feel good.

I said smile darn it!

An exercise to use while you fake it til you make it.
Say out loud EASY CHEESE and hold it for the count of 10.
Are you ready? Here we go ---

SAY - EASY CHEESE

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

That was great. Now do this at least 3 times a day for the next week until you get the feel of what a big smile is all about.

Research indicates that when you smile it increases your Sertonin. That's the stuff in your brain that make you feel good. By just smiling some people have actually been able to stop taken their daily dose of Prozac.

Here's are 10 reasons to Smile by Dr. Mark Stibich, Ph.D., About.com.
1. Smiling makes us attractive.We are drawn to people who smile. There is an attraction factor. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away -- but a smile draws them in.
2. Smiling Changes Our Mood. Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There's a good chance you mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.
3. Smiling is Contagious. When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others, and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.
4. Smiling Relieves Stress. Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you'll be better able to take action.
5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System. Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. Prevent the flu and colds by smiling.
6. Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure. When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Give it a try if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes, take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?
7. Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin. Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. Together these three make us feel good. Smiling is a natural drug.
8. Smiling Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger. The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger. Don't go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day -- you'll look younger and feel better.
9. Smiling Makes You Seem Successful. Smiling people appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and more likely to be approached. Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.
10. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive. Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It's hard. When we smile our body is sending the rest of us a message that "Life is Good!"

Just do it!