Communication – Personal Development – Business

Headlines today: Job losses forecast to continue during ’09.  So here is the problem.

The number one New Years Resolution is to be more healthy and lose weight. Actually paying attention to your fitness and girth can help your business success. Here’s how. Did you know that some companies are penalizing people for being fat?  Outrageous you might say. The fact is companies are choosing this route in an effort to cut health care costs and reduce the number of people having to be laid off. It is a bottom line, business decision and has nothing to do with fat acceptance or non-acceptance. Does this resonate with you? Have you pledged to better self-awareness to manage your health?

Scenario: The manager has been told to lay off one person. There are two that have been identified as candidates and they both have the same skills and background.  One is fit and one is not. Which one would you RIF (Reduction in Force)?

If you are trying to deflabbify yourself, think about the TLC.
Take it: You know you need to drop a few pounds but right now you have so much on your mind that you choose not to tackle your over active fork.  You have a plan to tackle it in 30 days and mark it on your calendar. The decision is to tackle it from a life style change vs. going on another yo-yo diet.

Leave it: You decide not to take any action and to reject the idea of losing weight.  Dieting is such a drag and you are always hungry. Buying larger clothes isn’t so bad anyway.  Who is going to notice or care.  Look at Oprah.  She just continues to yo-yo and you don’t want to fall into that trap.

Change it: You pledge to yourself to make a life style change.  You want to replace your six-pack with a six-pack. Your thighs rubbing together and igniting on fire is no longer funny. You make a flexible action list that will be your guide to feeling better and being healthier.  It’s not about dieting, it is about taking personal responsibility for your choices.  You are in control of what goes in your mouth. Yes, you need to change some habits and that is a good thing.  Some of your affirmations can include:
•    I save money because eating more costs more.
•    When I eat fast food, which is be less often, I make better choices.
•    I feel better about myself and I know I look better.
•    My insurance premiums are reduced because I am not in a high-risk group.
•    I enjoy the children in my life and am a better role model.
•    I understand that being overweight is an unspoken issue in business. I am not overlooked for my next position because of my girth. Obesity doesn’t carry the same protections as race, gender, age, etc.
•    My productivity is improved because I will have more energy and better focus. I know this can chip away at my earning potential and efficiency, so I choose to control it!

According to a Stanford University study, obese people with health coverage may already be punished on the job. Those surveyed were paid an average of $1.20 less per hour than non-obese workers. Why? Employers may intentionally adjust overweight employees wages to account for health care costs. Bottom line: it costs them more so it will cost you more!

So the real info that can help you NOT get laid off, is to lay off the candies, goodies and junk food.  Any other ideas on this dilemma? I would love for you to post your comment or question!

Marsha Petrie Sue

Tags: bad habits, health, laid off, outsourced by Marsha
2 Comments »

St. Patrick’s Day reminded me of a subject that makes me crazy!! Seriously, I am just sick to death of people taking themselves too seriously (pun intended.)   Learning to laugh (again) is exactly that – learning.  Difficult people particularly walk around with a sour look and sometimes a stare that is pretty scary.  Do yourself a favor — order The Levity Effect by Adrian Gostick on Amazon to eliminate mental toxic behavior.

Here’s  why:
If you think work is no laughing matter, the joke’s on you. The Levity Effect uses serious science to reveal the remarkable power of fun and humor in building a productive, engaged, and loyal workforce…and a more successful you. If you doubt levity is good for business, consider this: lighthearted leaders earn more on average than their more dour peers; entertaining workplaces breed more loyal employees and happier customers; and employees who are considered humorous are vastly more likely to get promoted—especially to senior positions.

The benefits of the levity effect are built on extensive research and case studies from some of the world’s most successful organizations. Adrian Gostick is a best selling author and co-author Scott Christopher, humorist, provide powerful examples of leaders from Boeing, Nike, KPMG, Yamaha, Enterprise, Zappos, and dozens of others, all of which prove that lightening up leads to real business results. I think this is cool stuff.

The Levity Effect is for anyone who wants to build an engaging, productive work culture and a more successful career. With interviews, extensive research, and lighthearted insight, The Levity Effect turns traditional business thinking on its head to prove again and again that a fun and engaging workplace leads to better business, more focused employees, and satisfied customers.

I guess there is something to be said for laughing your way to the bank!  Let me know what you think.  Marsha

Tags: Behavior, bad habits, laugh, positive attitude, toxic workplace by Marsha
1 Comment »

I am tired of people telling me – “I really have tried work with my boss, or my colleague. They just don’t get it.” Actually, what I’ve learned is most people don’t get it. They are never going to have a chance at success unless self-awareness it the center focus of their personal development. Here is an old post but a good one: http://www.how2dealwithdifficultpeople.com/

1. Toxic and difficult people don’t like being around positive people, because they positive people have tools to manage their ugly behavior. Negative people don’t. Remember that a positive attitude won’t solve everything, but it will tick off enough people to make it worth the effort.

2. What gives you a bad attitude? Create an awareness of what the spikes are. I have previously suggested to keep a success journal to record positive events. Perhaps you should make notes of when you are pushed over the edge and see if there is a common trend. The real key? Pay attention! Is it politics? Or a particular candidate? Or the news? Only you can figure out the hot buttons and deal with the bad attitude head on.

3. Stop buying into negative people’s grief and complaining. That is their goal!! Start changing your focus today, and you will be amazed how your attitude will be adjusted. You then become the role model for everyone in your life. And keep it up. Don’t waiver because it is just what the people with bad attitudes want! Here is a tip: read Larry Winget’s best selling book Shut Up, Stop Whining and Get a Life.

What do you think? Would love to hear your comments on this.

Marsha

Tags: bad habits, positive attitude, self talk, success by Marsha
1 Comment »

I was getting a news “quick fix” this morning and was stunned to read about the shootings in Kirkwood, Missouri. Several years ago I spoke to a government agency in Kirkwood and am still in contact with some of the people that were in the session because of my monthly newsletter.

The gunman, identified as Charles Lee “Cookie” Thornton, critically injured the city’s mayor and wounded a reporter Thursday night before law enforcers fatally shot him.

This is just so upsetting to listen to the mother – and yes I know her son was shot – say that the police kept giving him tickets for minor offenses. Laws are not suggestions and they have been established to protect bad choices and toxic behavior! Break the law, get a ticket.

The lesson here is stop making excuses, make better choices, don’t make the same mistake, and work on breaking the habit that pushes poor outcomes. I believe personal responsibility needs to be review.

When people don’t get their way because of their established bad habits, excuses abound. Interestingly the brother found a suicide note validating the intention of the shooter.  It said “The truth will come out in the end.“  It usually does.  I would love to hear your take on this!

Marsha

Tags: Behavior, awareness, bad habits by Marsha
1 Comment »