Friday, December 31, 2010

Putting a New Year in Perspective

I am ending the year with some tips for keeping your life in balance.

  • Take stock of your activities to be sure you are spending sufficient time in all important areas of your life--work, family, spiritual, and extracurricular activities
  • Renew relationships with relatives and friends you have not been in touch with for a while
  • Purge excess belongs and donate them to charity
  • Meditate
  • Exercise
  • Create a workable budget
  • Volunteer
  • Devote time to your hobby or favorite activity
  • Start a gratitude journal and write in it daily
  • Read a few good books
  • Listen to uplifting music
  • Be flexible
  • Let go of worries and stress
  • Keep a sense of humor
  • Share with others
  • Establish priorities and eliminate things that do not add value to your life
  • Strike negative words from your vocabulary
  • Forgive
  • Take it one day at a time

Happy New Year!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Career Resolutions

Christmas with all its hustle and bustle is over. This weekend we will celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another. What a great time to make those resolutions! This blog will be devoted to career resolutions. If you are looking to start a new career, implement some of the following strategies in to your job search to increase your chances of success:

  • Develop a positive attitude
  • Assess your personal characteristics and your skills
  • Let your enthusiasm show during every interview
  • Make a good impression with your resume, cover letter, and interviewing skills
  • Learn about the company you are applying to and be ready to discuss that knowledge during the interview
  • Dress for success during the interview
  • Choose references carefully
  • Keep up with the latest technology
  • Utilize online employment sites by posting your resume
  • Joined LinkedIn and create a professional profile
  • Join online job boards and participate
  • Network with everyone you know and everyone you meet
  • Join a professional association and attend meetings regularly

Treat your job search like a job. Put the necessary time into your search.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Enjoy the Season

The holiday season is upon us again. It seems to come around faster and faster each year. That should be a clue that perhaps our lives are too busy. Do yourself and your loved ones a favor by taking some time to take time.

  • Remember to take time to be with family and friends and enjoy their companionship.
  • Listen to carols and enjoy the decorations.
  • Instead of thinking of all you have to do for the holidays as a chore, enjoy the beauty of the season and the fun holiday activities are meant to bring.
  • Visit a shut-in or someone who is lonely.
  • Bake some cookies or make fudge.
  • Entertain dressed in your best attire.
  • Attend to your spiritual side.
  • Spread love and cheer wherever you go.

Balancing work, play, spirituality, and physical well-being is the best way to enjoy the holiday season and life in general.

Tis the season. Slow down and enjoy.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

December--Take Care

December descended cold and snowy in PA, which calls for extra caution when driving and working and playing outdoors. It can actually be a reminder to show a little extra caution in the workplace, too.

Take care to use safety in the workplace, especially with the evenings becoming darker earlier and with holiday decorations being displayed (all those extra cords and items in the way).

Take care to use extra patience since people are under more pressure and stress at this time of the year. Kind words often work wonders in volatile situations.

Take care to not take on too much, especially with all the extra time extended to holiday preparations.

Take care of old negative business--mend relationships, forgive grudges, forget about unattained goals, and forgive yourself for personal failings.

December is a great time to wrap up loose ends from the year and get ready to begin anew when January comes.