Enjoy the Holiday Season

The holiday season is once again upon us. It seems to come around more quickly each year. Perhaps that is a clue our lives are too busy. This holiday season, take time to enjoy the companionship of family and friends. Children grow up and move away, parents and other loved ones pass on. Don't chance looking back one day with regret for not having enjoyed the precious moments life offers.

Take time to enjoy the holiday season. Merry Christmas and other seasons greetings to all.

DEVELOP A PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT

A personal mission statement serves as a guide to keep your life on track. A personal mission statement provides an opportunity for you to align your goals with your core beliefs and values and focus on what you want to accomplish. The best mission statements are a brief three or four sentences long. 

Develop a personal mission statement through self-assessment and planning. Answer the following questions to determine your core beliefs, values, and goals:

·        Who do you want to become?

·        What do you wish to accomplish in life and why? (Consider all areas of your life such as family, work, spirituality, community, hobbies, etc.).

·        What have you accomplished so far? Consider all areas of your life.

·        What do you stand for; what values are important to you?

·        What character traits do you consider important?

·        What do you treasure most in life?

·        How do you want to be remembered?

·        How can you make your life and the lives of others better?

·        What actions can you take that will have the most positive affect on your life?

Example personal mission statement: To live each day to the fullest and appreciate and enjoy the blessings I have been given. To use my talents and skills to better my life and that of my family. To treat others with respect. To never stop learning.

What will your personal mission statement say about you?

ELIMINATE PROCRASTINATION

The only way to stop procrastination is to take action. Begin by figuring out why you procrastinate. Some common reasons people procrastinate and ways to remedy the situations are listed below:

·         No clear idea of what to do. If you are not sure what to do, ask yourself how you can find out what action you should take. For instance, has someone else performed the task? Can you ask that person for guidance? Are there directions for performing the task that you can access? Can you research an answer? Can you brainstorm with others or have someone train you?

·         The size of the task is overwhelming. Break tasks into manageable pieces and take small bits of action. Work on one part of the task at a time. Whenever you have a spare few minutes, do something that brings you closer to your goal of completing the task. If possible, delegate portions of the task or else have someone work with you.

·         No clear priorities. Decide what you want to accomplish. Write down your goals. Create a to-do list and prioritize it. Create a plan of action complete with the steps you can take to perform each task. Ask for guidance when needed.

·         Too much to do. Get organized and learn to manage your time well. Forget about pleasing everyone; learn to say no. Align your to-do-list tasks with your priorities. Concentrate on the most important work first. Combine like tasks. Eliminate unnecessary tasks. Attempt less. Avoid perfectionism. Know when you are in over your head, and ask for help when you need it.

·         Distractions. Eliminate as many distractions as you can by closing your door, turning off the radio or television, regulating the temperature, getting comfortable, and the like. Temporarily turn off the phone, email alerts, and social media sites. Avoid situations where you will be tempted to socialize whenever you do not have the time to spare. When people drop by to talk, tactfully tell them you have to complete your tasks and will talk with them during break. Discourage socializing by continuing to work and not making eye contact or engaging in the conversation. Stand up when someone comes into your office, or else meet visitors outside your office. Be unavailable.

·         Indecision. Do your research; get the facts. Brainstorm ideas. Consult others if necessary. Weigh the risks and consequences of possible decisions. Implement the decision. Learn from any negative consequences of your decision. Re-evaluate the decision and change what needs to be changed.

Spring Forward in Your Career

Winter is ending. I can honestly say I am happy to see spring coming. Many people get the urge at this time of year to do spring cleaning and clear out the old clutter. Now might be a good time to do some professional spring cleaning, too, and get your career in shape for spring. It seems a good time to reflect on ways we can grow and spring forward in the workplace.

Consider the following tips:

• Sit down with your supervisor and discuss ways you can become more of an asset to your company.
• Ask for feedback on your performance; do not take criticism personally, but rather use it to grow professionally.
• Think about ways you can positively set yourself apart from coworkers by performing your tasks more efficiently and offering positive solutions to problems.
• Be professional at all times.
• Update your skills; develop a professional development plan.
• Look for ways you can add value to your company by saving money or time or by increasing profits or productivity.
• Keep up with industry news and developments in your field.
• Take a class or attend a seminar.
• Find ways to get along with everyone in the office, including those hard-to-deal-with coworkers.
• Strive for perfect attendance and punctuality.
• Display a positive attitude.

Spring is a great time to refresh your career.

It's Goal Setting Time Again

Yesterday started a new year, which means many people will be looking to make a fresh start. If you plan to set 2016 goals for yourself, there are a few steps you can take to ensure success. Start by making sure your goals are attainable, measurable, and specific to you. 

·         Create your goals. What are your hopes and dreams for the new year? Goals must be something you really want and are able to attain or you are setting yourself up for defeat. State the goals in specific terms. Write down the goals. People who write goals are more likely to achieve them.

·         Break the goals down into specific steps. Large, time-consuming tasks are daunting. It’s easier to work on goals when you can take them a step at a time.

·         Create an action plan so you know where you must focus your energy to attain the goals. Take the steps you’ve listed for attaining your goals and develop an action plan for completing each of them. What is the first thing you will do? What comes next? Take your personal strengths and preferences into consideration.

·         Create a timetable for reaching the goals. By creating a timeline and setting a deadline, you will be able to determine if you are on target to reach the goals.

·         Create a daily to-do-list and copy the steps from your action plan onto it. Prioritize and work your way through the list.

·         Determine how you will hold yourself accountable for reaching the goals. Who will you tell about the goals? How will you motivate yourself? What will you do if you fall short? Don’t let setbacks keep you from achieving your goals.

·         Be positive and flexible.

·         Assess how you are doing periodically regarding the achievement of the goals.

·         Change what is not working. 

It’s a fact that people who set goals achieve more. Why not give yourself all the breaks you can get in 2016? With set goals and enough of the right action, you can achieve your dreams.