(V)ictory Over the “What If’s”

Nothing stays the same.  Change happens every moment and we just hope it doesn’t happen every moment to us. What can we do to put ourselves in the forefront of change and manage it properly?  Ultimately, that’s up to us how we react and take action.  

 We can easily come down with a bad case of the “What If’s”.  What if it’s worse than they’re telling me?  What if I lose my job?  What if he/she won’t forgive me?  You get the picture because we’ve all been there done that and possibly as early as today. 

Here are some tips to get us through those time to the other side which is call “Knowledge and Action”. 

  • Know the theory of Self-Fulfilling Prophecy also known as You Get What You Expect.  Expect bad and negative and, bingo, it magically appears.  Expect positive and great things and slowly it will come to you.  The key is that you need to be watching for it.
  • Talk to yourself with more Positive Self talk vs. Negative Self Talk
  • Visualize the positive.  Stop dwelling on the “what if’s”.  Most won’t come true.
  • Attack the problem head on.  Without some movement towards a solution, the problem still exists for days, weeks, months at a time.
  • Be open minded.  Resist using past experience to judge the future.
  • Don’t dwell on the past.  That’s why it’s the past.  Learn from it and make leaps toward growing yourself out of the situation.
  • Don’t view life as an all or nothing proposition.  Failure stems from this thinking patten.  One thing may be wrong but not everything. 
  • Don’t’ take rejection personally.  It’s just not the right fit, right job, right moment, right person, etc… Your unique and the right fit will uniquely fit you.
  • Avoid mind reading.  Speak up and ask in a respectful manner.  We need facts not fiction to get through change. 

With the New Year right around the corner, we should make a decision to stop living in the house of “What If’’s” and move to the house of Possibility and Action.    Possibility and action lead to solutions, growth and strength in us and transcends to others around us.

 

 Sandra Larkin, CWPM
Certified Wellness Program Manager

www.sandralarkin.com

www.healthyprofitsbook.com

 

All rights reserved © 2009 Sandra Larkin Wellness Strategies, LLC

 

 

November 17th, 2009 - Posted in ABC's, attitude, change, communication, emotional, intellectual, productivity | | 0 Comments

(T)ime Management Tips To Live By

If your like me, you’ve got more than one think going on at any given moment.  Between family, friends, work, blogging, Twittering, authoring or just plain doing nothing, it takes alot of energy to accomplish the simple task and try to be “all you can be” in the process.  I’ve developed a list of Time Management Tips To Live By as a way to center myself and get things done.  Consistently applied they will help you get your mind in the right direction to work more effectively.  We all have days that these tips won’t work.  No worry.  Try your best and don’t beat yourself up.  Tomorrows another day!

  •  Limit your moments of exasperation over a task.
    • When we take on a new project be it at work or just cleaning the closet it may seem ‘SO BIGGGGG” that we quit before we start.  Realize that it took you awhile to get to this point so it will take the same amount of time to make it better.  Huffing, puffing and complaining won’t make the time any shorter.  Take a deep breath and dig in one small piece at a time.
  • Approach a task like you’re going on vacation.
    • Did you ever notice that when you’re going on vacation that you seem to get alot done, with more clarity, quicker?  This happens to me and I feel terrific when I walk out the door.  Try this tip and see how much more you can get done in less time while saying “no” to things that truly don’t matter.
  • 15 minutes then “I’m out of here” rule.
    • Set a timer (not kidding) for 15 minutes.  What can you get done within that time period?  What you should find is that #1 things don’t really take as long as I make them up in my mind  #2 I’ve achieved SUCCESS because I got done things that have been on my plate for sometime.  The timer rule can apply to 30 minutes or even an hour.   It centers our priority and sets a limit so we won’t get distracted.
  • Have one calendar or at least two side by side.
    • I can’t tell you how many times I overbooked myself only then to have to choose and disappoint someone.  Plus, I’ve lost alot of credibility by canceling.  Too many calendars leave too much room for error and results in alot of apologizes.  Not cool!  One calendar is best.  Two at the most.
  • Spend 15 minutes the night before ANYTHING to get it ready.
    • I wake up with good intentions and then the cat throws up (multiple times), my dogs won’t come back in the house or I hate what I’m wearing so I change clothes three or four times.  If I would have set myself up for success the night before by spending 15 minutes instead of watching TV, I would be less frustrated, not in a hurry and calmer walking out the door.  Murphy’s Law is always working.  It may be your door that Murphy visits next.  Be prepared.
  • Watch the distractions.
    • Believe it or not, we have control over distractions.  We can choose a different time of day to perform an activity or block out time on our personal or professional calendars.  If TV is a distraction, don’t be near the room where others are watching.  If the phone is a distraction, only answer necessary calls.  The more we control distractions, the more empowered we feel to take back our time and focus on our priorities.

Be healthy and fabulous!

Sandra Larkin, CWPM
Certified Wellness Program Manager

www.sandralarkin.com
www.healthyprofitsbook.com

All rights reserved.  Content © 2009 Sandra Larkin Wellness Strategies, LLC

September 14th, 2009 - Posted in ABC's, habits, intellectual, productivity, time management | | 0 Comments

(N)ever Giving Up

Seasons of the year. Some we love, some we wish away and some we embrace with a “get through it” attitude. The seasons of life can be compared to the changing seasons of the year. We enter into birth (spring) with growth and pushing through the challenges. Then onto being a child (summer) with fun and exploration. Next, is adulthood (fall), with the changing colors of careers, perspectives’ and continual daily activity. Finally, winter (retirement), where we settle down but not necessarily settle in and embrace and participate in the new seasons of those around us.

What about the seasons of our daily lives? From job loss to finding another job that’s a better fit for our talent, losing a coveted project to gaining a promotion, losing weight to gaining strength and flexibility and losing a battle in the workplace to gain respect and credibility in how we handled it.

No matter where we are, embracing the season is key to finding opportunity and leaving your mark on the past. Understand that what appears to be negative can really be a defining moment to change into the next season with positive expectation and exploration. Watching nature change through the seasons gives us a plan on how to adjust to our own. Nature gently embraces it’s future letting go of the past. For example, fall leaves turn from green to an extraordinary display of color as it gently moves into colder weather. We too can gently embrace our daily change with a color of positive expectation and exploration. Make this your season of doing the unexpected and embrace the season with a attitude of growth and opportunity.

August 6th, 2009 - Posted in ABC's, attitude, emotional, intellectual, productivity | | 0 Comments

(M)otivation: Cure or Curse

All of us have either set a goal or seen a speaker that has inspired us to change behavior or reach new levels.  We begin the new journey with positive thoughts and actions along with a vision of what it will look like on the other end. Some of us get stimulated to work through the challenges.  While others defuse or deflate when life places a boulder in our road to success. 

Motivation can be a cure if we are willing to layout a plan and commit to win regardless of what it takes to reap the rewards.  For example, a marathon runner doesn’t show up on race day and begin the 26.2 mile run.  They prepare for at least six months with a consistent plan of action.  During that time, there are challenges in the form of weather, potential injury, tiredness, and time constraints.  By placing their foot on the track at race day, they’ve already reached the finish line due to their motivation to stick it out and see it through.

On the other hand, motivation can be a curse if we have set high expectations with an inappropriate time frame.  For example, we start training for the marathon two months prior to race day.  We also risk lowering our self esteem and the “stick to it” glue to reach lofty goals and self transformation.

Use motivation as a tool to help stay the course realizing there is no magic pill for success.  Motivation is ultimately INTERNAL, meaning we are the drivers for success.  Motivation that’s EXTERNAL, as in other peoples needs and wishes, has a high probability for failure.  Choose your correct motivation and reach for the stars.

August 3rd, 2009 - Posted in ABC's, attitude, emotional, habits, intellectual, performance, productivity | | 0 Comments

(J)ustifying Our Measuring Stick

Where you ever in a conversation where you didn’t totally agree with someone.  Your kinda looking at them sideways trying to understand their point of view but are not quite getting it.  This happen to me recently.  Jim was telling me how he “coached” a co-worker into looking at their own personal measuring stick to measure results. 

Jim was approached by a co-worker, Kevin, and given a great compliment.  Basically, that the job he was doing was “great” and that Kevin could never measure up to the work ethic or results of Jim on this particular project.  Jim commented that we have our own personal measuring sticks on how we measure results.  Kevin should use his own measuring stick to find his own “job well done”.

I agreed with Jim on using his own personal measuring stick.  The first person we need to please is ourselves.  That’s what produces our self confidence for the future.  In contrast, our measuring stick is made up of many inches.

  • Inch one -past personal and professional experiences
  • Inch two -family upbringing
  • Inch three -work ethic
  • Inch four - failures in life and business
  • Inch five - successes
  • and … so on

But ….. what if …. our personal measuring stick is too low and we use this as a way to quit, avoid and not strive for success. 

Joining my own thoughts to Jim’s would look like this. 

We have our own personal measuring sticks on how we measure results.  We should visualize a measuring stick that is much longer.  Those inches should reflect a variety of expectations

  • what is required to complete the job
  • how my management team will measure me on a “job well done”
  • how does this fit into my personal and professional development plan
  • the areas of growth I need to be successful
  • s-t-r-e-a-t-c-h-i-n-g   and   g-r-o-w-i-n-g  even though it’s uncomfortable

When we stop striving we settle.  Right now in history, we have tremendous opportunities.  Regardless of the economy or our financial status, we can continue to stretch ourselves to prepare for a greater future.  Our measuring stick should be growing by yards as our experiences and development increase.  We are forging the inches on this stick to be even better for future opportunities. 

Keep adding inches to your personal measuring stick.  To stop striving is settling.  Status quo may not always be the way to go.

Be healthy and fabulous!

Sandra

September 16th, 2008 - Posted in ABC's, Uncategorized, attitude, change, intellectual, occupational, performance, productivity | | 1 Comments

(B)usy Is Not Always Productive

Do you work with people who are completely exasberated.  They are so busy they didn’t have time to take a lunch.  When approached, their desk looks like Fort Knox with piles of paper and books, their face glowing red as they talk on the phone, instant message and write frantically on tablet paper.   At the end of the day, where did the time go since what they accomplished was not productive.  They retire to sleep for the next day only to find that their mind is swimming with the to do list that was never accomplished.  Then awake to a headache and a body that feels like they had a date with a Mac truck.

Sound familiar.  We’ve all been there and done that.  The physical results are headache, migraines, increased blood pressure and stress hormones as well as insomnia wrapped up in a to do list a mile long.  Is this busyness healthy?  Is it productive in the long term?

Some organizations breed this type of busyness into their culture.  “That’s just the way we do it around here”.  On the flip side, we are responsible for bringing it onto ourselves. At the workplace, time is of the essence.  As we are ask to do more and more each day to achieve personal and professional goals, we don’t have time to waste. 

Below is a partial list of what we can be doing to improve our mental and physical workplace wellness state.  The list also includes the famous WIIF (what’s in it for me).  Read on.

  • I set specific “next day goals” at the end of each day (phone calls, meetings, followup, desk-time, etc.)
    • Setting goals for the next day clears our mind of all that happened today, allows us to move forward daily to monthly/quarterly/yearly goals and sets us up for a running start when we return the next morning.
  • I have an easy filing system so that I don’t waste time looking for things.
    • Easy is the key.  Folders that indicate the content and its use all within easy reach.
  • I have a level of calmness when approaching a task, meeting or person.
    • Productive people tend to approach an event with calmness as if it was the only thing they were doing.   This helps them keep their focus and organization skills at a high level without a rushed or angry feeling.
  • I use effective time management techniques to block out time or batch similar tasks.
    • Developing time management skills keeps our focus and limits the distractions we are willing to allow into our day.
  • I evaluate non-managerial request for my time in the form of formal, desk and conference call meetings as well as additional job responsibilities.  If they do not fit into my overall goal for my position, department and company, I kindly decline.
    • Some of our co-workers have a habit of wanting our time in workplace events that have little or nothing to do with our job accomplishments.  Set boundaries you are willing to stick to.  Then list your job responsibilities and know what is important to get the job done.  Afterall, that’s the job we are being paid for.  Everything else needs to be evaluated against this list for productivity and time constraints.
  • I have a “perfectionist percentage” I am willing to be satisfied with.  Instead of 100% this level allows me still to feel accomplished and productive.
    • Alot of us have a perfectionist streak when it comes to our job responsiblitiles.  If it can’t be done at 100%, then we feel that we have failed in someway.  Productive people want to strive for 100% but have an alternate percentage so their focus and professional selfworth are still positive.

We hear the term “busy as a bee”.  Bee’s are busy and productive at the same time.  They have one driving goal.  To seek out nectar and bring it back to the hive so honey can be made.  They are driven with a sense of gentle urgency. 

Be the bee!  Develop a gentle sense of urgency in your workplace.  Take control of your busyness and turn it into productive professional time.

 Be healthy and fabulous!

Sandra

January 12th, 2008 - Posted in ABC's, emotional, occupational, productivity | | 0 Comments

Change Is In The Air

Everyday we work in a transitional state towards a new direction or from a current challenge. This can be transitioning from being ill to well, career change, stress on the job, marital status such as divorce or business growth and development. The way in which we approach these transitions is through flexibility. 

Flexibility determines successful results for the long term and produces attraction for more positive ones in the future.  When we are flexible in attitude, we set ourselves up for a long term positive impact on our working relationships as well as promotional goals.  No one wants to work with a person who digs their heels in and refuses to work out project or people difficulities.

I have been through a number of transitions over the past two years. I resigned a long term position and gave up a 20 year corporate career, created a successful business, right-sized my health by participating in a physical fitness boot camp and worked through the rough spots on discovering who I am and where I want to be. This process has taught me that I needed to stop making decisions based on what my preset boundaries where at the time. I learned to physically stop, plant my feet firmly, look at the opportunity, evaluate it with a new set of eyes and sometimes take a chance by risking the outcome.

If you watch a willow tree in a storm or when high winds blow, you will see that it remains flexible to move through its current chaotic state. When the wind blows, it moves in the same direction of the wind ultimately standing up right when the storm passes. Nature has its way of teaching us to move through these transitional periods of our life. Technically, they come and go with little negative impact we somehow seem to manifest in our own minds.

The next time a storm moves in where you live, take a look outside and watch nature move through the transition from sun to dark and back to sun again. You will see that nature remains consistent with its ability to weather the storm.

As we move through the many phases of our life, look to nature to teach you that you can make good and sound decisions by remaining flexible, moving beyond your comfort zone and sometimes just taking a chance. You have everything it takes to make the wrong right and the positive even better consistently.

Be healthy and fabulous!

Sandra

January 5th, 2008 - Posted in Professional Education, change, emotional, occupational, productivity | | 1 Comments