Keep the Stress out of Thanksgiving--Be Grateful

Thanksgiving will be here in a couple of weeks. It's a good time to remember to take care of ourselves and keep stress to a minimum. Here are some stress-reducing tips:

• Be grateful for what you have. At the beginning of each day, reflect on your blessings and the people who complete your life.
• Don't let little aggravations overshadow the important ones.
• Count the things that are going right in your life, not those going wrong.
• Take a break when you feel yourself getting stressed. Don't wait until you are overwhelmed.
• Keep close to family and friends during this and other holidays.
• Burn a candle with one of the wonderful stress-reducing fragrances like lavender or vanilla.
• Take a mini vacation in your mind.
• Enjoy yourself.

Remember Thanksgiving is about being thankful. What are you giving thanks for 

FALL INTO GOOD HABITS

Fall brings many changes—from weather to leaf color. It seems a fine time to make changes in our lives as well. Here are a few positive changes that may make this fall a special season:

• Embrace change, rather than resist it. Oftentimes what we perceive as a negative change turns out to be the best thing that happened to us.
• Concentrate on what is important in your life. Establish priorities and stick with them.
• Write a personal mission statement for your life.
• Tell a loved one how special he or she is to you.
• Write in a daily gratitude journal.
• Help others.
• Let go of anger and resentment.
• De-junk and de-clutter the areas of your life that need it.
• Make time for exercise and eat healthy.
• Balance your checkbook and your budget.
• Listen to others—truly listen.
• Have fun on a regular basis

What positive changes will you make?

Find a Mentor to Ensure Career Success

Finding the right person to be your mentor can significantly increase your chances of career success. If possible, find a mentor who is willing to teach you what you need to know to reach your goal(s). This mentor should be someone who has the character traits you admire and who is in a position you aspire to attain or who is doing what you hope to do. He or she should give you straightforward information and honest, positive critiques. You don’t want someone who says, “Yes, you are wonderful,” without providing proper guidance and criticism that will mold you into the person you hope to be.

How do you find a mentor?

·        Network, network, network. You have to put yourself out there and ask for help. Most people are willing to support others.

·        Join relevant groups and seek out the successful members.

·        Observe people in the workplace. Who would be the best person from which to learn?

·        Take a class, get a tutor, or hire a coach.

Your mentor should be an expert in the area in which you want to learn. In addition, he/she should be able to teach; that is, get information across in an easy-to-understand way. Some people are experts in their fields, but they cannot convey information to others clearly.

Modeling successful people who have achieved what you want provides a readymade road map to reach your goals.

Who will you choose for your mentor?

Motivate Yourself for the Job Search

People searching for employment must keep themselves motivated throughout the job search. It's sometimes hard to get or remain motivated in the face of rejections.

Here are a few motivational tips to help:

• Determine what you want. What type of job? What industry? What location? What tasks? Be specific rather than saying, "I'll take anything."
• Visualize being in your dream job. See yourself going to work, sitting at your work space, performing tasks you love.
• Prepare yourself for employment. Update your skills if necessary. Take an inexpensive or free class at a reputable school or agency if necessary.
• Prepare a modern resume. Get help if necessary.
• Practice interviewing with a friend, all the while visualizing that you are interviewing with the company of your dreams.
• Get up everyday and do something to move yourself closer to getting a job. Inertia causes boredom and depression.
• Find a mentor to help in your job search.
• If you still have a hard time motivating yourself, find a cheerleader who will cheer you on and keep you motivated.

Take action every day even if it is a small step. It’s by taking those daily steps that you can reach your goal of getting a job.

What action will you take today?

Happy Fall, All

The last week of summer is winding down. Autumn begins Monday, bringing with it Fall Fix-Up season. It’s also a great time to fix-up things in our lives such as these:

• Personal relationships
• Workplace relationships
• Time management issues
• Home and office organization issues
• Careers
• Eating and exercise habits
• Social habits
• Online presence

You can find tips for time management, organization, workplace relationships, and career help in my former blog posts and on my website www.carolsilvis.com.

Where will you begin?

Where Does the Time Go?

With fall coming, it's a good time to take stock of where our time goes and how we can make the most of it. Soon we will be facing another holiday season and all the time crunches that come with it.

Take stock of your activities to be sure you are spending sufficient time in all the important areas of your life--work, family, spiritual, and extracurricular activities

• Establish priorities and eliminate things that do not add value to your life
• Meditate
• Exercise
• Devote time to your hobby or favorite activity
• Start a gratitude journal and write in it every day
• Read a few good books
• Listen to uplifting music
• Take it one day at a time

Do yourself a favor and take time to enjoy life.

Where do you spend your precious time?