Giving Thanks

As we draw closer to Thanksgiving, we should be more aware of all those things for which we should offer thanks, and we should be writing them in our gratitude journal. If you do not have a journal, a mental thank you would be appropriate.

Don’t forget to think about all areas of life when giving thanks—spiritual, physical, mental, social. Include family, friends, pets, health and well-being, talents, peace of mind, etc. You get the picture. Take some time within the next couple of weeks, get centered, and open yourself to all of God’s blessings.

Increase Your Efficiency on the Job

Always be on the lookout for better ways to complete your tasks. Is there is a more efficient, less costly, faster way to do your job. Ask yourself these questions:

1. Will better organization help me do this task more efficiently?
2. Do I have the skills and ability to complete this task?
3. Is it possible to complete this task by the required deadline?
4. Can I make better use of company time?
5. Is the usual way of performing this task the best way to complete it?
6. Is there a better way of doing this task?
7. How can I work smarter?

Combating 10.2 Percent Unemployment

Unemployment has finally topped 10 percent—not a good statistic. With so many people losing jobs, employees need to concentrate their efforts on providing value to their employers. Here are some ideas to add value to your company:

• Raise your productivity level by completing tasks proficiently, correctly, and quickly. Compare your productivity to that of your coworkers. Do you measure up to their standards or surpass them?
• Look for additional responsibilities to take on that are within your capabilities. Volunteer to take on tasks no one else wants.
• If coworkers are laid off, assume additional work without complaint.
• Be grateful if you have a job. Be positive if you are searching for a job.

Halloween

Halloween is coming, but don’t get spooked by the fledging economy or the rising employment. Recession-proof your job by making yourself valuable to your employer. How? There are a number of ways, including doing more than you are asked.

Some people look at additional tasks as “more work piled on” instead of thinking of the new responsibilities as challenges. Learning new tasks is a great way to add value to your skills and to the company. In fact, ask for additional work responsibilities. Volunteer to do the jobs no one else wants to do. Prove that you are willing to earn the paycheck you receive.

Follow Your Passion to a Rewarding Career

What are you passionate about that you could make money doing? Is there a market for what you love to do? If so, that is the career path you should follow. Doing what you love turns work into pleasure, boredom into excitement. Focus on your passion—devote time to it—make it work for you.

Following your passion will not automatically guarantee you a carefree life and workplace, but it will make you care about your life and work.

Take Action

Take action. Take action today on something that will enhance your life and the lives of those you love. It doesn’t have to be a time-consuming action, but it can be. It can be a quick action, such as a hug or a prolonged action such as preparing a full-course meal. The action can be writing a one-page resume or doing an all-out job search. It can be simply dusting the family room or putting up new drywall.

The action you take only needs to be something that will enhance your life—a little or a lot.

Nurture Yourself

As mentioned in my last post, fall is a great time to “fall” back on old routines. School is well under way, pools and amusement parks are closed, and nature takes on a new look with the changing leaves. It’s a time for nourishing both our bodies and our souls. Take advantage of cooler weather by hiking, doing yard work, reading, preparing favorite oven meals, and roasting hotdogs and marshmallows over outdoor bonfires.

Place your attention on the important blessings in life.
Find enough “me time” to mediate and relax.
Nurture yourself and your loved ones.
Let go of the frivolous, unimportant things that devour your time.
Start a gratitude journal if you do not already have one. If you do have a gratitude journal, write at least three things in it everyday. Being grateful has a way of nourishing one’s soul.

Enjoy the fall colors, sights, and smells.