Hi All:
I thought it would be fun to have a weekly theme for the blog. We will always allow for other issues to pop in here as well. I have been thinking a lot about happiness in general as I have been working on my happiness website. We seem, especially in the USA, to put so many hours each day into work, allowing for us to be accessible thru phone, email, etc for off hours as well. It's interesting how personal growth and life balance aren't as valued yet when we get those things, research shows we are more productive at work. A catch 22 as they say. Our theme for next week: life balance and how it relates to work and career. Have a fabulous weekend!

How to be more productive on a calm day

Sometimes it's really easy to just lay back when and if you ever get a reasonably calm day at work. But boy does it feel great when you actually work on things you have been putting off. Here are some suggestions to do on this day...again, if you ever get it.:)
Go form some needed relationships in your work area- maybe you need to check in with a boss, another department, an assistant- forming good relationships gets things done.
Call some clients and check in and ask if there is anything they need from you
Take a few quick breaks to deep breath, drink more water
Clean up that mess you've been putting off!
Organize- even if it's a small thing-you'll feel so much better

Cherish these days as they may not come along often and as always, continue to hone in on the perfect job...especially since today could be that perfect day!

Keeping job happiness when you are over-worked

Here we are...middle of work week for some. I find myself really busy and trying to remember that I need to stop for a minute and take a breathe. I've read that it helps to stop periodically so you can get yourself together and be more productive. Then people will say: if I stop for even a minute, then I have to stay later to get things done. I recommend a few things there. Talk to your boss about priorities and talk about a reasonable work day. Also, plan for those times you can work later. It shows great work ethic and helps the people in your life know that sometimes you do have to work late. Don't allow people to think you respond to emails at very late hours. If you are working  way past your time, put the email together and  send it the next day. People will begin to expect you to be working late and responding late and that should not be the norm. Remember, to keep your balance means your are much more productive when you are at work. Don't let your workplace eat you alive!
Some quick things you can do:
eat lunch
drink lots of water
take 60 seconds to stop and breath severla times a day
smile a lot
have fun at work
be really nice to people
Do your toughest tasks when you are most alert
Have any more, please add!

Job Happiness on a Monday?

Well I talked a little bit about how good Fridays can be, or whatever day nears the end of your work week. Now we are at Monday, or think about whatever day begins your work week. I found myself very lathargic and my energy ran low at times throughout the day today. I struggled through a meeting and was exhausted after I got home. Now it's interesting that as soon as I changed my clothes and got comfy, I could work again, if needed. If you ever feel like your first day back to a work week is, um, challenging, what are some ways to help you get through that?
Here are some thoughts:
Can you work frohome?
Wear the most comfortable outfit possible, depending upon work policy, and most important, the most comfortable shoes. When your feet hurt, the rest of you hurts!
Plan to go to lunch out with someone
Try and buld in some time to get things done and not all meetings.
Eat healthy during the day and drink tons of water
Plan something fun for the evenings- something to look forward to
Be friendy and compliment a couple people- it makes them and you feel better

Do you have any more helpful tips? Please add!

Friday is good for happiness!

If you work a regulat M-F job, Friday is most likely one of your favorite, if not your favorite day. It really shouldn't be that way, should it. If we are living our dream job, then Monday is great too! I find myself getting a little more excited when Thursday comes because I know I'm close to the weekend. That is my hint to do 2 things. Try and make M-W just as good AND keep pursuing my dream job/career until I feel that way. As we all walk through our career journeys, let's just enjoy every good thing that happens to use in our workday, whatever day that is. No harm in loving Friday and why not at least Thursday too! I hope all of you are having a great day!

Wow! What a day of meeting optimistic people!

As I continue to walk through this job happiness journey, I can't believe how much it means to really focus on this topic and find that so much is right in front of me! I talked with 3 very passionate people today. They were passionate about their their work! They smiled and just lit up when they spoke about it. I am part way there in my job but I am a little more general in my interest to be more involved in positive psychology and happiness in general. I find the whole area fascinating! I move towards this endeavor every day and find that writing this blog moves me closer! These women reminded me that once again, people are out there who love what they do. They talked a lot about very talented people having fear stop them from realizing their dream. If you are one of those people, check this out. I hope it helps! www.mindtools.com. Tell us a story of how you overcame a fear related to your career!

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wednesday- laid off- a day in the life

Good Wednesday morning At this moment I sit with about 25 people who have just lost their jobs. My job at times interacts with this group and it can be heart wrenching and inspirational! As our laid off friends move through the grieving process of losing their former job, there is so much hope. Whenever this happens I always think, I just want them to have enough money to live. Do they have time to either find a better job or get into a training program. Watching their journeys over the years has made me think about ways to plan my life, get thru trauma, make it work and muffled thru frustration and see the growth. I have seen so many succeed in getting new and better jobs and do things they never thought they could. As I walk thru my journey I am continuously reminded of how lucky I am. I also remember that we all should pursue our dream job...its out there...others do it, why not us! Please let us hear from you if you have a dream job or an inspirational story about your pursuit of a better job.

It's Tuesday

Today we had a meeting about the business plan for our area. We were told we would have to do even more with less, even though everyone is over-worked now. We had to think of creative ways to be more efficient. Although that doesn't sound like the most fun meeting, I was able to start the conversation regarding the old "we can do everything." We talked about what is within our scope and what wasn't and prioritizing. Some are really getting it. If you try and be all things to all people, you probably don't become your best at anything. Our leadership wants everything done...so now where does the extra work fall? Who knows? I'm thinking lots of people are in my situation, especially with more work, less people mentality. I'm actually trying to look at my work in different ways. I have realized I may have to prioitize the things that my employer says are most important and makes the most money. I may have to convince them to drop some things, maybe even things I like to do. We can't do it all. If you struggle with this, think of ways you could let the small stuff go and if there is no small stuff, decide if you can have that heart to heart with you boss. Make sure to come with potential solutions like re assigning work, taking on an intern, stick with what's most needed by your customers, focus! Hope your day is wonderful! Remember, the happier you are at your current work situation, the more open you are to letting your dream job in!

OPPORTUNITIES...OPPORTUNITIES!

Good Monday morning:
I was reminded this weekend of how opportunities for job and career change can happen any time, any place. This weekend, my friend, who would really like a major job/career change met someone in a neighbor's drive way who is in the same line of work. They started talking and now there is a connection made. Will this work out? Who knows yet it always gives me hope and reminds me that these types of opportunities happen every day, every where and often in the most unexpected of places! Lesson- it reminds us to keep our eyes open. You really don't even have to try, just be aware and when something comes along, move on it. At worst you'll make a good contact. At best, you find a new job or dream career.
Q: Have you ever had a time where this has happened to you?  I'll start- I met the President of a company at a swimming pool at a Convention. He gave me great advice and tips about finding what I want in a career and I got to tell him about me. I was very young but if I was more aware, I would have kept in touch with him.

AHHH it's Friday!  I have been back from vacation for 1 week. As I moved through the week, it got better and better! I appreciated and looked for every good moment and thing at work I could find and things kept getting better...interesting how it works that way! I had an experience this week I'd like to share. I had the opportunity to meet a person who is famous through sports and is now working in my field. I began to think about the importance of networking. All the books will tell you it's how most people find a job. I made a connection with this person. He knows a lot of people and has a lot of influence, especially in the region where I live. My passion is helping others find their happiness. Imagine if this person could connect me to so many others and this could help my passion turn into a thriving business. Also I find when I share this passion of helping others find happiness, people are so receptive to it and they almost always  provide me helpful information about how to move forward.  Remember it doesn't have to be hard.  If you have a dream job or a dream and want to figure out how to make money at what you love, tell everyone you know who is positive. Watch what happens. If you would like to share this info here, please feel free to add a comment about your dream!

Good morning Friends...
Just thinking about how having a support network is so important! When you work several hours several days a week, having at least 1 person you can really count one is so important. At home with friends and family, hopefully you have someone that you can chat with about your career dreams and even vent every once in a while. I caution you, watch complaining too much as it just keeps you in negative head space which is detrimental physically and mentally! So ,what about a confidont at work? HMMM, that can be tricky. This is where your gut gets a workout. Do they appear to have your best interest at heart? I am lucky because I have worked at the same place for several years and have 2 people I can trust to discuss work related issues! Is having that person at work right for you? If so, make a friend, ask questions, learn about them, see how they react. Maybe you'll just find the confidont you need to support your professional growth and be a sounding board to help you have more fun at work. Remember, the more you enjoy your current work siutaion, the more you stay positive and the more opportunities you allow into your life... all factes of your life! Have a great Thursday!

A good sunny morning. Last night I told my 2 friends I would blog about them this morning. To say they are negative about their jobs is the world's biggest understatement.:) I asked them to think of what they like about their job and in their usual joking fashion, I got answers like: driving home, lunch, turning the computer off... That got me thinking... what can you be grateful for when it seems like there is nothing.
It pays your bills, perhaps it's close to your home, maybe there is at least 1 person you really like at work or a client that you enjoy? Think of that one thing and focus on that to get through the day. If that doesn't work, think of all the good things in your life.

There are times that it is time to look elsewhere for employment and that is just fine. In the meantime, keep smiling at work, don't sweat the small stuff, think before you speak and who cares about everyone else's egos. Just do your thing, smile and do the work that most matters to your employer.

UPDATE: If you are trying to comment, you may now do so even without a registered ID. Just click anonymous when it asks for your profile. Thank you

Day 2- A good day- be grateful

Day 2 back to work- already so much better. I have found that getting a really good night's sleep helps put things in perpective and gets you to a better attitude. I'm a big believer that if I am grateful for what I have, it only gets better. Make no mistake- saying what I love about my job doesn't mean that I don't  move on, it just means that I appreciate what I have and opens my mind up to let even better things in.

Job gratitiude: good hours, get to change locations, a boss with a big heart, a few really good friends at work, an assistant who is cool and a great worker, some decent stability, good vaca time, longevity

Q- if you feel like answering- what are the things you are grateful for regarding your job situation- doesn't matter if you have a job or not.

First day back to work

Well- this was my first day back to my paying job after 2 weeks being away. I must say...it was a challenge. What kept me excited was thinking about doing this blog. I believe if you say something, share with others and keep the great attitude, you will move closer to what you want in life. If you read "About Me", you know that I want to move into my dream job and hope to interact with others who are interested in this topic. So, the day started with me sobbing! I made a phone call to someone I love and he helped make it all better...and I almost hit a deer on the highway...YIKES! I am very energetic normally yet had a really hard time staying awake this morning, and I wasn't sleep deprieved! Thank goodness for diet coke. Things got better as I went through my 600 emails or so. Then there was the afternoon meeting...only 8 more things to do when it's actually our downtime! On the way home, almost hit another deer, NOT KIDDING! What the heck does that mean!?
Q: if you feel like answering- how do you gain a better attitude when you're at work and having a rough day?