Stress Prevention in a Word - "No" Written by Robert Cooper
We teach our pets meaning of word. We quickly learned its meaning as toddlers when we reached for mommy or daddy's car keys. Even an anti-drug campaign was built around word. Yet, now that we're older, wiser and more responsible, word struggles to break free from our own lips when we need to use it most. That word? "No". Just saying "no" is essential in dealing with, managing, and even preventing stress. Knowing your limitations can prevent you from digging yourself into holes when you realize you can't live up to commitment you took on. It's funny, when we were children, no diplomacy was required. Little Joey would decide that our favorite toy was to become communal property, without our prior notification. When he grabbed for our precious play-thing, "no" just seemed to flow from our lips, and if that didn't do it, we added about 5 more no's . How easy it was back then. Of course, just saying "no" (and nothing else) to your boss is not wise when they drop one more project on your desk -- adding to 5 they've already given you. Just saying "no" can be mistaken as subordination. More diplomacy is required! But, there's a point when we can only take on so much. In order to prevent stress, we have to know our limitations. What if my performance on job, reputation amongst co-workers and friends is unfairly based on one instance of "just saying no"? ============================ If you are known for being a responsible and reliable person, people tend to take you more seriously when you just can't do something for them. Your reputation of integrity and reliability won't disappear in a "poof" of smoke if you say no to one request. One thing I never hesitate to do is let people know exact reasons why I have to turn down a request -- essential when refusing a request from people over you in authority. Doesn't pile of work in my in-box say I can't take another assignment? ============================ Having a desk with piles of work doesn't say you're busy - it just says you're unorganized or possibly inefficient - and that you need time management and organization help! Think of yourself as a manufacturing plant ============================ Treat your schedule as importantly as job schedule in a manufacturing plant. A plant production manager always knows what needs to get done, what's been accomplished and would never increase production if workers can't keep up with workflow. It would look bad on their ability to manage workers, employees would get disgruntled and inability to fulfill orders would erode company's integrity and reputation.
| | THE SPICE OF LIFE Written by Arleen M. Kaptur
The world is made up of all kinds of people. There are sad models, happy ones, and then there are those that are a little bit of both. Some people go with flow and others fight it tooth and nail. Individuals have been known to talk themselves out of dreaded diseases and there are some that cannot “talk their way out of a paper bag.” If everyone is so diverse in nature and personality, how can we even conceive of getting along, let alone work together? But that’s wisdom behind human beings. We are different for a reason, and this reason is so that we can work together, build, and reach far beyond stars and moon. When you shop for a car, how would you make an educated decision if each model was same, year after year? There would be no choices and certainly it would take fun out of buying that new vehicle. The array of available cars is breathtaking. There are colors that can match every outfit you own and features are endless. You can have seats that are soft and cushioned, and some even vibrate. Some are heated, and probably some keep you cool as a cucumber in summer heat. If this feature doesn’t exist, then GMC its my idea so send me those residual checks when you install this feature. People are a lot like models of automobiles that fill dealerships across world. We are all of different backgrounds, nationalities, and personalities. Some of us can see sunshine in a day while others keep an eye out for that inevitable thunderstorm. The input of each kind of personality gives us products we have available for our use and endless inventions and innovations that fill stories, factories, and life. There is not a right or a wrong personality. There are just people - unique, special, and very interesting people. Of course, we will not be in sync with each person that crosses our path throughout life. But these individuals that vary with us on values, ideas, and outlooks give us a lot of food for thought. You certainly have encountered someone that you have strongly disagreed with, but then you did find yourself examining what they said, even if it was just to reiterate how wrong they were. The surprise was that they were probably doing very same thing.
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