Keep That Job During the Recession

Today I am giving more job retention hints as the economy continues to lose jobs at an alarming rate.

• Take personal responsibility for all you do at work (and elsewhere).
• Be extra customer-friendly.
• Follow directions carefully and produce error-free work.
• Maintain a sense of humor.
• Be extra kind to everyone--we all need it these days.
• Pull your own weight.
• Manage stress.
• Learn something new each week.
• Be a good listener.
• Be a good communicator.
• Take on extra responsibilities cheerfully.
• Remain in control of your emotions.

Keep That Job

Continuing in last week’s vein, here are some more tips for keeping that job:

• Give a good day’s work every day
• Anticipate your supervisor’s needs and pitch in to help
• Follow the company policies and procedures
• Don’t waste company time on the phone and Internet
• Keep personal business out of the office
• Produce error-free work
• Manage your stress
• Learn something new each week that will help you grow professionally
• Keep up on the latest industry information
• Develop a sense of humor
• Be kind

Job Value

As February moves in and the job market is eroding, here are some ways to make yourself more valuable in your current job.

• Do more than is required; volunteer to take on extra responsibilities.
• Be flexible.
• Update your skills and/or certifications.
• Offer to assist your supervisor and/or coworkers.
• Show up for work every day and be punctual.
• Avoid gossip and the rumor mill.
• Get along with everyone
• Be quality conscious.
• Provide excellent customer service.
• Look for ways to cut costs and balance budgets.
• Contribute in meetings.
• Take personal responsibility for your behavior and decisions.
  

Winding Down in January

With January winding down, it is a good time to put our goal action plan into place and work toward achieving our goals.

Keep your action plan within sight every day so it is not forgotten. Work toward goals by taking steps day by day to bring you closer to them. Put the steps you have recorded in your action plan on your daily to-do list, and see how many you can complete in a week.

As you make strides in your action plan, congratulate yourself and remind yourself why you are working toward the goal. For instance, if you want to save money, write down why you want to save. Is it for security? a vacation? a new car? a major purchase?

Once you reach a goal, celebrate your victory in a meaningful way.

Happy New Year

Here we are at the start of a new year. What a great time to look back and celebrate the past year’s successes and see where we could use some improvement. It’s also the best time to set and/or revise goals for 2009.

Goal Setting Tips

• Goals should be attainable but challenging enough to excite you.
• Goals should be as specific as possible.
• Goals should be measurable so you will know when you have reached them.
• Set goals for multiple areas of your life—personal, professional, and spiritual.
• Set a deadline for your goals.
• Put together a workable plan to reach your goals.
• Create both short- and long-term goals.
• Use your strengths when considering goals and developing your plan of action.

Happy goal setting!

Merry Christmas

Hope all of you have a safe, happy holiday season and a Merry Christmas. Make sure to take time to enjoy the beauty of this season by spending quality time with family and friends.

Holidays

The holiday season is upon us once again. It seems it comes around faster and faster each year. That should be a clue that our lives are perhaps too busy. Remember to take some time to be with family and friends and just enjoy their companionship. Listen to carols and enjoy the festive decorations. Instead of thinking of all you have to do to prepare for the holidays as a chore, enjoy the beauty of the season and the fun that the corresponding activities are meant to bring.

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!