Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Sometimes the Job You Love is a Non-Profit

Usually, my posts are advice to you on how to love a job that you currently don't. This post is a little different. It's an example of a man who took his skill from his job and his own personal life experience and turned it into a successful non-profit.

Glen was a licensed social worker, employed by my employer at the time: Wake County, NC. He came to my presentation skills class to get advice and feedback on a presentation that would launch and promote an idea he had to start a non-profit for wayward or absentee fathers. Being a single father of three, and working with men in our community who were struggling with this role (and those that were impacted by these men's choices: their former partners and children), Glen saw a way to actually SOLVE the problem of fatherlessness in our community, not just penalize it.

His idea? Was to bring these men in and TEACH them the skills needed to live and be fathers. He saw the generational trickling-down of decades of fatherlessness and knew theses men weren't going to change by just being judged or financially penalized (or sometimes imprisoned). He wanted to teach the life skills these men never saw--the skills they never witnessed first-hand growing up. And that's exactly what he did.




His presentation blew me away. Just like on my site, and in my training classes, I'm not interested in treating symptoms or learning how to "fake it." I'm interested in changing your mind and therefore your whole experience and reaction. His plan was the same. He created training classes on everything from anger management to financial planning. He provided these men with resources and fundamentals like interview clothing. I was so excited about this, I couldn't wait one more minute before I picked up the phone and contacted the director of child support enforcement. I didn't really think she would say "yes," but she did. And she was so blown away, she contacted a judge that worked most of the child support cases---and that judge loved it so much, she made Glen's program a regular "penalty" as part of the sentencing phase!

Today this non-profit is a success (see the new website and please consider a donation: http://www.afatherforever.com #healingempoweringandrestoringmen). Can you take this story and maybe even take it one step further: ask yourself what can YOU do to set up such a foundation? Maybe your ideal career isn't working for a big corporation or having a consulting business, but to put your time and heart into a non-profit?





Like them on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Fathers-Forever-235821653121/?fref=nf

See Stephanie's site Work Stress Solutions for more information like this.

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Difficult Co-Workers





"The course of conflict isn't determined by the person who initiates,
but by the person who responds."
~Unknown


Here's a little information that outta raise the hair on the back of your neck:

The effects of conflict in the workplace are widespread and costly. Its prevalence, as indicated by three serious studies, shows that 24-60% of management time and energy is spent dealing with anger. This leads to decreased productivity, increased stress among employees, hampered performance, high turnover rate, absenteeism and at its worst, violence and death.

~Business Know-How.Com


Good times. And you wanted a job.

First, let me direct you to the tools already available on my site for handling difficult co-workers and/or your own negativity in contributing to conflict:

Section: Difficult Co-Workers
Article "Dealing with Difficult People at Work"
Article "Being Right: What Price Do You Pay?"
E-Book (free) 101 Ways to Deal with a Pain in the Butt @ Work


Warning: Make sure this is YOUR business. Many times, we get involved in other people's workplace conflict because we believe it is the right and kind thing to do. And we make a mess of it. Or we end up in the middle of it. Here are some articles I've written for ensuring you are seeing things CORRECTLY before inserting yourself into the conflict:

Article. Stressing Out Over the Cold Shoulder
Article. Is it Your Business? Boundaries and Tea Cups
Article. The Disease to Please


See my site Work Stress Solutions for more information like this.

Saturday, August 6, 2016

Drink Water First Thing on an Empty Stomach

Drinking a glass of water in the morning can cure the following: Headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, epilepsy, excess fatness, bronchitis asthma, TB ***(verify from a consultant)***, meningitis, kidney and urine diseases, vomiting, gastritis, diarrhea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and menstrual disorders, ear nose and throat diseases.






METHOD OF TREATMENT As you wake up in the morning before brushing teeth, drink 4 x 160ml glasses of water Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minute After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal. After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink 4 glasses of water at the beginning may commence by taking little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day. The above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick and others can enjoy a healthy life. The following list gives the number of days of treatment required to cure/control/reduce main diseases: High Blood Pressure (30 days) Gastric (10 days) Diabetes (30 days) Constipation (10 days). Arthritis patients should follow the above treatment only for 3 days in the 1st week, and from 2nd week onward – daily. This treatment method has no side effects, however at the commencement of treatment you may have to urinate a few times. It is better if we continue this and make this procedure as a routine work in our life. Drink Water and Stay healthy and Active.

This makes sense .. The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals not cold water. Maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating!!! Nothing to lose, everything to gain… For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this ‘sludge’ reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal. ...

Read More: http://www.whydontyoutrythis.com/2014/05/drinking-water-on-empty-stomach.html



See Stephanie's site Work Stress Solutions for more information like this.

Saturday, July 30, 2016

Stress-Busting Services



As a stress management and communication skills expert, I can provide individual solutions to your work stress issues that are guaranteed and completely confidential. I don't intend to add to your stress by charging more than you can afford, so all of my services are on a sliding scale. You and I will determine together, what your fee will be for the following:

Telephone Coaching
Email Coaching
Resume Creation and Interview Coaching
Human Resources Advice/Guidance
Spiritual Reading and Guidance

See my site Work Stress Solutions for details.

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Beating Stress With Aromatherapy

Beating Stress With Aromatherapy
by guest blogger Shana Smith



If you find that dealing with stress is one of your biggest day-to-day challenges, you should be exploring all of the options available to you for coping with it. Aromatherapy is a simple and surprisingly effective way to relax and purge both mental and physical stress.

Why Aromatherapy Works

The essential oils used in aromatherapy are extremely concentrated distillates of some of the most beneficial plants known to man. When administered properly, they can have potent and measurable effects on your mind and body. When administered to the nose, essential oils stimulate your olfactory receptors, sense organs that are strongly tied to your brain's limbic system. Smell is the only sense so strongly linked to this part of the brain, and the limbic system is otherwise primarily concerned with emotions, behavior, and long-term memory.

Aromatherapy is often combined with massage in order to give you a two-pronged stress-busting tool. In the same way that relaxing aromas are carried directly to the emotional core of your brain, essential oils massaged into your skin and muscles have an immediate relaxing effect.

A Sampling Of Essential Oils


While you can easily find hundreds or even thousands of different essential oils, it's a good idea to stick with a few tried-and-true favorites when you start using aromatherapy to deal with stress. Great starter oils include:

* Lavender

This earthy, floral oil is used for so many different purposes that it's often called the "universal" oil. It's a potent tool for encouraging mental and physical relaxation, making it ideal for stress relief.

* Vanilla

The scent of vanilla evokes feelings of comfort, safety, and homeliness for a lot of people. Professional aromatherapists theorize that this is because the scent of vanilla is extremely close to that of mothers' milk. Vanilla aromatherapy promotes tranquility and mental clarity.

* Chamomile

Used for a wide range of herbal treatments, chamomile also makes an excellent oil for aromatherapy. When you're using chamomile to combat stress, make sure you get oil made from Roman chamomile. This variety has very strong anxiety-relieving powers.

* Frankincense

The exotic smell of frankincense is often recommended for treating stress. Frankincense is also very good for your skin, making it ideal for massage-based aromatherapy.

* Rose

Rose oil is often quite expensive as it takes a vast number of flowers to extract usable amounts of oil. Rose oil's ability to alleviate depression makes it well worth the cost for many aromatherapy devotees.

Using Oils Correctly

When you buy essential oils for aromatherapy, make sure you purchase pure, all-natural oils that contain only the herbal ingredients you're looking for. Impure or adulterated oils will not be nearly as effective for helping you get rid of stress.

Essential oils can be used in a variety of different ways. You can add their scents to the air around you with a diffuser or burner, take gentle sniffs directly from the bottles or add them to your favorite massage oils. Make sure you review all of the instructions provided with your oils and any equipment (e.g. burners and diffusers) before using them.

Note that essential oils are STRONG. Direct application to the skin can be harmful. Pure essential oils need to be diluted in a "carrier" oil (jojoba, almond, coconut, and olive are all popular) before use, especially when you're relieving stress with a massage. Whenever you use a new oil, check it by applying a small amount (after blending) to a clear patch of skin. Check for any reactions before using your oil on a larger area.

If you're still searching for a great technique for relieving stress, give aromatherapy a try! It's simple, flexible, and effective for a lot of people. You don't have anything to lose and you stand to gain a more peaceful and balanced outlook on life.

Shana Smith is a natural health enthusiast and successful business owner. She owns a site, AromaTherapy4Mom.com, which is dedicated to natural health remedies and aromatherapy.

See Stephanie's site Work Stress Solutions for more information like this.

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Leave Workplace Stress at the Office

Leave Workplace Stress at the Office: How to Shut Down at the End of the Day
By Laura Newcomer

For the full article, please go to Quill.com


Click to Enlarge Image

Workplace stress


Infographic by Quill



See Stephanie's site Work Stress Solutions for more information like this.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Laughter: Work Stress Will Melt Away


"My only commandment is laughter!.... And everything else will follow. If you can love and if you can laugh, totally, wholeheartedly, your life will become such a bliss and a benediction, not only to yourself but to everyone else."<br>
~OSHO





I remember distinctly at about age 16, I decided: I'm going to be funny. I liked it when people made me laugh, and I wanted to make others laugh. And dammit---I did it. I've heard that "funny" is like having a musical ear, you either have it or you don't. And maybe that's true. I've definitely met people who wanted to be funny or tried to be funny and it was a really painful thing to watch.

I am really glad that I can make people laugh. I think there is something magical in laughter. There are programs out there like "FISH!" that play on this concept in the workplace. And having a funny quote or picture in the office definitely puts things in perspective. I recommend that you try to cultivate this quality, however. See if you can start to play with your wit and have a little more fun (and laughter) at work.


See Stephanie's site Work Stress Solutions for more information like this.

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Don't Make Me Your Distraction of Choice


Some of my best moments have been in front of a screen. Whether that's a TV or a movie or a computer doesn't matter. And to properly level this premise: some of the worst times I have had in my life were face to face.





This post is calling out those people who proclaim that watching TV or typing on Facebook or texting your mother is inferior to "the real thing." Because that can't be quantified. And it's an argument that feels like bullying. Introverts prefer a little space, a little distance; while all the extroverts I know report that the last thing they want is for their thoughts and feelings well-up and meet them. They'd do anything to avoid that.

So, I'm on a campaign to stop this harassment. Because that's what it is: a call to make people interact with you now and here and often or else be shamed because you don't want to hear your own thoughts and insist that I be your chosen "screen" of distraction.

Well, I am not your distraction-du'jour. If you can't sit with yourself for ten minutes and see the mess that you are and answer that call, I can't help you. You are CHEATING. And you should work at sitting in your swirly-world of unrest until it settles. Because that's just sane.


See Stephanie's site Work Stress Solutions for more information like this.

Monday, February 15, 2016

The Most Rapid and Direct Means to Ending Stress (By Ending Stressful Thinking)

If you are REALLY up for the answer to ending your stress...then you've just found it (and it's free).





You do NOT have to create a DropBox account to read this book (see small type that says, "No Thanks" below registration).

Link to DropBox Book


See Stephanie's site Work Stress Solutions for more information like this.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Stress and The Brain (Video)

If you like Ted Talks, you'll really like Ted-Ed. They have a Facebook page, so you can see regular entries like this one:









See Stephanie's site Work Stress Solutions for more information like this.