Keep the Professional in Summer

We have been doing lots of things to have fun this summer, but in the world of work, don’t forget to keep the professionalism alive. Nothing says, “sitting back and goofing off,” like inappropriate dress, language, and work habits. Here are tips to keep the professionalism in your job:

• Read a good book, such as The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. It’s an oldie, but goody.
• Dive into a dreaded project as if it were a swimming pool. You can always set a timer for small increments of time (10-15 minutes) so the project does not look daunting. Breaking big projects into smaller parts keeps them from becoming overwhelming.
• Set a routine and do frequent tasks on a specific schedule. For instance, handle phone calls between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. or read the mail between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Another suggestion is to do certain tasks on specific days of the week.
• Look for new, creative ways to do your job in order to change your perspective. Rearrange or redecorate your office so it reflects summer’s sunny disposition.
• Smile and have fun!

DEVELOP A PLAN

This week’s blog continues with goals. If you haven’t yet written down your goals, think about the benefits of doing so and write at least one goal. If you do have goals written, pull them out and develop a solid plan of action to attain the goals.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What am I willing to do to attain this goal?
• What am I willing to give up to attain this goal? (i.e., time? money?)
• Do I have the ability and means to attain this goal?
• If I do not have the ability or means to attain this goal, can I obtain the ability or means?
• Is this goal a high priority for me?
• Are there steps today I can take toward accomplishing this goal?
• Do I take steps everyday to reach my goal?
• Is what I am doing now bringing me closer to my goal?
• What steps can I take to reach my goal?
• How will I organize the steps I need to take to reach my goal?

When you make goals your priority and focus on attaining them, you may be surprised how quickly they come to fruition. Why wait? Take action today.

Carol

RE-EVALUATE AS THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR BEGINS

July begins the second half of the year—a good time to re-evaluate goals if you were one of the people who set them at the beginning of the year. If you didn’t take time to set goals yet this year, now is a good time to do it. Goals set the target spot you want to hit.

Remember the basics of goal setting:

• Goals should be something only you can attain. If you need to involve other people to reach your goals, you may not be able to succeed.
• Goals should be measurable. Set a timeframe for accomplishing the goal.
• Goals should be clearly defined and written. Write down exactly what you would like to obtain accomplish. You cannot get something if you do not know what it is you want. Be specific.
• Work on the goals you set.

Look over previously written goals, and define your progress. Now is the time to decide if the goal is still important to you. If not, you may want to eliminate it or change it. Have you accomplished those goals you had intended to accomplish by now? Are you on target for reaching goals you are still pursuing?

Set those goals and see how far you can go,

Carol

Summer Continues

Looking for more ways to enjoy summer without breaking the bank? How about these ideas?

· Daydream—better yet, lie on a blanket under the sky and look for “cloud pictures” like you did when you were a kid
· Write in a journal
· Take a hike (or walk or jog)
· Borrow a library book and become a bird watcher
· Dance—kick up your heels or teach a child to dance
· Sing along with your favorite CD or make up a song
· Visit an elderly relative
· Ride a bicycle
· Go to a playground and swing
· Learn something new—borrow a library book or CD
· Walk barefoot in the grass (Watch out for bees!)
· Open all your windows and let fresh air in the house
· Make up a new game and teach it to someone
· Work on a puzzle
· Volunteer
· Write the “great American novel”
· Attend a free library program that interests you

Enjoy!

Carol

Summer Days

Summer is in full swing in PA. The past week has been super hot, climbing into the 90s. This weather, although beautiful, may bring on the stress. Hot cars, stores, and homes can make us irritable, especially when we have to stand in long lines or drive crowded roads. What can we do to keep “cool”? One thing that puts things into perspective for me is remembering the cold, icy drives to and from work. That makes me very glad to be in the midst of a heat wave. Other things you can do include these:

• Take breaks when you feel overstressed or overtired
• Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated
• Find joy in little things like flowers, sprinklers, and garden hoses
• Listen to children laughing while playing outside (better yet, join them)
• Attend a baseball or soccer game
• Find a shady spot and read a book
• Go to a lake or pool and stick your toes in the water (or your whole body)
• Sit on a porch with a neighbor or friend (Bring a fan if you need one.)
• Have a picnic or make dinner on the grill
• Go to an open-air concert, an amusement park, or a street fair

Most of all, enjoy this wonderful time of the year with family and friends.

Keep cool,

Carol

Pennwriters' Conference

I arrived home from the Pennwriters’ Conference late yesterday. It was a terrific conference, and I had a great time. I am happy to say I learned much from the pros who taught the workshops and from keynote Joyce Carol Oats. If you have never been to a conference in your field, you should put that on your list of things to do. The benefits are many—networking, learning, soaking up little “tricks of the trade,” and the incredible high from being around likeminded people. I always feel energized and ready to take on the world (or at least write more) when I come home from a conference. I’d better go now and write before that euphoria wears off.

Take care,

Carol

Never Stop Learning

As the saying goes, we should never stop learning. This weekend I will be attending the 26th Annual Pennwriters Conference in Lancaster, PA. Pennwriters is a group of 435 writers, mostly from Pennsylvania, but also from other parts of the country. The conference, held once a year, is an event to remember. Agents and editors from New York and speakers from several states will present 30 workshops and participate in critique sessions and panel discussions. I hope to get my creativity boosted and my enthusiasm for writing bolstered. I'll let you in on writing news when I return early next week.

In the meantime, keep learning.

Carol