Pluto Blog

Imagine this, a co-worker enters your office and says: "Cathy, could I talk with you for a minute? I'm having a real problem with...." You glance at your watch and think of the report that’s due in an hour. What do you do? What would happen if you were Cathy’s supervisor? Let’s continue. You're cooking dinner, starting to distress, the food preparation timing is coming together--for once--and your mother calls: "Could we talk? It’s important. I need someone to talk to?" What do you say? What we would like to say and what we end up doing is usually two different things. Good news, tactfully saying no is a learned skill. It requires know-how and practice. Let’s talk about ten how-tos and alternatives that can help you practice. Tip 1: There are three parts to meshing a "no, but not no" response. The first part acknowledges and empathizes. The second part gives a situation statement. In the third, and last, part is an action statement. An example of an empathy or acknowledgment statement: "Sam, I'm sure this problem is important." Next, add the second part, a situation statement. For instance: "I'm working on a report that I promised to have completed within the next hour." The third part, an action statement, needs to describe what you will do or offer as an alternative: "Let’s get together after I've completed my report. How about 2 PM this afternoon in your office?" Instead of saying no directly, you have said no without saying no.
Tip 2: What if it’s your supervisor interrupting you? What do you do? Here’s how to mesh the three parts into a no, without any further interruption, and into a win for both. Sandy, your supervisor enters, "Lisa, I hate to interrupt
you, but we have a real problem in the field, I need to talk
with you right away. Could I see you in my office?"
First, the acknowledgment statement: "Sandy, I'm sure this
is an important problem." Second, the situation segment:
"I'm working on that report you requested by noon." Third,
adding the action: "Would you like me to defer the report
until 3 PM [its imperative to offer an exact time] so we can
meet now? Or would you like me to complete this and then
come to your office?" This response allows your supervisor
to see your perspective and situation and to make a
decision.
Tip 3: Discouraging professional interrupters. These
professionals make a career out of interrupting. They start
talking and don't stop. They go on and on and when they
finally stop to catch a breath, and you get to say
something, they interrupt a few minutes later. How do you
handle these?
Movement is the key. If cornered behind your desk, stand
up, and move. If you are already standing up, begin walking
out. If sitting down, stand up. You can also change
momentum by dropping something or turning sideways. Reach
for something that has nothing to do with the conversation
or excuse yourself to the restroom.
Interrupt in the same manner they use with you. It’s okay,
they do it because it appears normal to them even if it
feels brash to you. Here are a few template statements:
"Where is this leading?" "What’s your point, I've gotten
lost in what I think is the trivia?" "You have jumped
around so much on topics, I don't know which one to
address."
It’s important to practice patience throughout this process.
Professional interrupters don't usually hear you the first
few times you ask your question. If need be, become a
broken record. Continue to ask again until they do hear
you. Identify what is it about their communication style or
interruption process that annoys you. Provide this feedback
and communicate your preferred style of being interrupted in
a positive manner.
Tip 4: What about the few that don't get your hints or
listen to what you are saying? Sometimes they even follow
you down the hall or talk "at" you instead of "with" you?
This is a rude interrupter. Be firm, direct, and abrupt.
If they appear to be bruised, don't let it bother you. They
will not take what you said personally even if they say so.
Their "taken-aback" expression is just for show. Actually,
it is a form of manipulation. Don't play and don't
apologize.
If they persist go ahead and give them an ultimatum: "You
rudely interrupt me. I've tolerated this in the past;
however, it has to stop NOW." When they finally realize you
are not playing their game, they will stop. They will either
totally avoid you in the future or return with respect.
Generally, they will return with a new awareness about
themselves. When they do, accept their apology. But don't
count on it. And if they don't return, you haven't lost
anything.
Tip 5: If you can, keep doing what you are doing. Look up,
smile, point to a notepad and pen, and then return to what
you were doing.
Tip 6: Sometimes the position of your furniture invites
interruptions. Especially if your office is beautifully
designed, or contains natural ingredients, like plants.
Others want to be around this energy. It’s attractive.
It’s renewing to them as much as it is to you. There’s only
one suggestion when this occurs. Suggest that they change
their office to reflect a similar energy. Afterwards, they
will not want to leave their office as easily.
Tip 7: If you frequently get trapped behind your desk.
Plan and practice various escape routes and methods. Again,
consider rearranging the furniture to allow for escape
routes.
Tip 8: Discourage squatters. If your interruptions are due
to people consistently coming in and just sitting and
talking, remove any empty chairs. Place them outside your
office so they are available when needed but not too close
to the door that they can easily be dragged in when someone
enters.
Tip 9: Do people wait for you to get off a phone call?
Place a sign on the desk: "If I'm on a phone call, please
leave me a note. I'll check back with you as soon as I'm
off the phone."
An alternative: Train others in a silent hand code. Use
your fingers to indicate how long you are going to be. One
index finger explains that you will be off the phone in a
minute or two, please stay. Full hand with a wave says, "I
don't know how long and I'll get back to you." This silent
code allows you to continue your focus, acknowledges them,
and also allows them to make a decision on their time.
Tip 10: Many of these ways for handling interruptions at
work can also apply at home. Here is one that transfers well.
Name a "personal spot." An area you can call your own. It can be a den, sewing room, shed, or an extra bedroom. This means this spot makes you off limits to interruptions. If you have children, explain to them what interruption means,why you need some personal space, and give them the same opportunity and courtesy. Purchase a clock sign at the office supply store -- the same type retailer’s use on their front doors -- to indicate what time you will be available again. Or you could add a white board so they can write their note. Like college students use on their dorm room doors. A magnetic board would work well for younger or smaller children. Create magnets for each family member that they can move to a spot already written: "Bobby wants you." The Other Side Of The Coin The other side of this perspective is using interruptions to boost productivity. People sometimes use interruptions to push themselves into overdrive. This helps some people while it disrupts others. This habit gets them to move past their own procrastination habits to complete their tasks. This need can also be an addictive behavior sometimes
disguised as "workaholicism."

Many people, particularly students, would love to beable to soak up information quicker. But before retaininginformation, they have to go through the first stage oflearning, which is reading. For many individuals who are pressed for time, speedreading has become essential. However, it's not justthe reading part that is important. Equally essentialis for the reader to fully comprehend the words comingout from the book or paper.Here are some great tips to read and comprehend faster.1) Relax.If you're in the stressed mode, it would be much moredifficult to concentrate; hence, it would just be a lotharder for the information to sink in. 2) Know what you want.Focus on the areas that you really need to learn. Somepeople read all parts of a book, when all they need toknow is a specific chapter. Know your priority. If you need to find out about acertain subject, go to the Table of Contents and searchfor the heading that best suits your need. If you needto learn more, then adjust in view of that. The importantthing is to weed out the parts that you don'tcurrently need.3) Get rid of the structure words.Did you know that around 60% of the words we read arestructure words? Examples are the words "the, or, and."They are necessary in the formation of the sentences;but when you ignore them, they basically mean the samething. They only serve to beautify, yet you canunderstand what you are reading even without them. Trynot to focus too much attention on structure words.4) Practice, practice, practice.When I started exercising with weights, I can only liftthe lighter ones. As the time goes by, I slowly add moreand more weights as my body tends to adjust and becomemore comfortable carrying heavier ones.The same concept goes for speed reading. Set a goal.Figure out how quick you can read, then create a plan toincrease your capability.If you can read 200 words per minute, set a goal toread 250 words a minute. After accomplishing this feat,set a goal to read 300 words per minute.This takes time and practice, but the effort is allworth it. If this is your first time to set such agoal, read first those materials you are familiar with.Carry on with more difficult ones as you progress. Thisway, you're not overwhelming yourself with understandingdifferent new words and at the same time increasing yourspeed reading skills.

So you have a goal? Great! You have an idea? Great! Are you working on something new? Great! Can you explain it?
Do you have a bright idea which you only dream about with clarity, visualize with the mental picture of your eye, feel in every bone in your body, but yet you lack the words to clearly explain it to others?
Have you ever tried to explain something to someone and caught yourself wondering what on earth you were talking about? Have you been left trying to figure out why what you had just said did not make any sense?
Each time you try to explain your idea or goal, you can’t help but notice the looks of confusion on people’s faces, the blank stares, the raised eyebrows the widening eyes and the polite nods of those who don’t have a clue about what you are talking about!
This is not just about your “elevator speech,” which usually gives a synopsis of who you are and what you do. It is about taking the conversation one notch higher by expounding on the idea, the goal, the project, or the vision to interested parties.
The following 3 tips will help you verbalize that which you can only see with the mental picture of your eye.
1.Make it simple.
Your idea or goal does not have to be complicated to be valid. Break it down, break it down, break it down. Avoid the use of technical jargon as much as possible. One easy way to make your explanation simple is to answer questions touching on issues of what you are doing ,where you are doing it, for whom you are doing it, how you are doing it and when you began or completed the task.
2.Own your words.
Let your explanation resonate with your essence. Your personality or your being should not conflict with what you are saying otherwise the internal tug of war will prevent you from believing what you are saying and hinder the flow of information. The more you believe what you are saying, the more confident you will be in explaining you idea or goal.
3.Make it natural.
Let your explanation be natural, in your own words and in your own style. Avoid copying other people’s style and imagining that their language and expression is better than yours.
No one can explain your idea or goal better than you; therefore, be natural. Choose your audience carefully, but no matter who your audience is, articulating your idea in a natural way is always inspiring and authentic.

The work environment has changed. Change has become the norm. Also the truth level of employees has decreased. This can lead to increased dissatisfaction and decreased productivity.
Here are ten techniques for motivating your employees to succeed during chaos:
1. Take Care of the Little Things
Doing the little things well will show that your respect your employees. Making sure you are on time for meetings, saying “good morning” and “thank-you,” and returning phone calls and e-mails in a timely manner goes a long way to showing your employees that you care during chaotic times.
2. Be an Active Listener
Recent research stated that the average supervisor or manager only invests two hours per year applying “pure listening” skills. Pure listening is when you are listening to your employee you are not:
* Multitasking
* Ordering your lunch
* Watching people walk by your office.
* Answering telephone calls
* Setting up appointments
To be a pure listener you must be an active listener. Good managers do more than pay attention. They genuinely care about people and never talk down to them. They ask their employees about their goals and dreams, their past achievement, their concerns and challenges during this chaotic time. They listen with their hearts and minds. They respect the employee’s thoughts and opinions. They realize that the employees sometimes have the best answer for achieving more through chaos.
3. Walk your Talk
If you expect your employees to arrive early, then you arrive early. If you expect your employees to keep their promises, you keep your promises. If you want your employees to keep to high standards, you keep to high standards.
Your employees are watching you even when you don’t think they are watching you. So set the tone. Once you walk through the doors of your organization make sure you are positive and upbeat if you expect your employees to be positive and upbeat.
4. Let People Know They Make a Difference
At the top of many lists of what motivates employees, more than money, is knowing that they make a difference at work. One of the most powerful methods of letting your employees know they make is difference is…praise (Go to article Appreciate to Motivate to learn how). The praise should relate to how the employee helps achieve the overall mission of the organization.
5. Communicate Clearly
Communicate so that others understand what you want to achieve. Adapt your communication to the audience you are speaking. Constantly communicate your vision and goals so that there are no misunderstandings. The clearer the vision, the clearer the communication, the clearer the opportunity for success.
6. Help Employees Succeed
People go to work to succeed, not fail. It is your job to understand your employee’s strengths and weaknesses so that you can put them in the best position to succeed. If, for example, you find out that an employee is lacking in a certain skill set to succeed during a change then provide the coaching and training to make them and your organization successful. The best managers minimize or eliminate their employees weaknesses and while building on their strengths. Remove any and all barriers to success.

7. Focus Your Team on the Goal.
Focus your employees on the end result, the overall team goal. Once you successful communicate this your team will band together to defeat any obstacles that get in the way.
8. Create High Standards
High-performance organizations set high standards for their people. Employees want to know what is expected of them, how their performance is measured, and what rewards they can expect when they exceed the standard. Make sure the standards are consistently applied to each employee. Make sure each employee understands how the standards are measured so that they know how to reach it. As each plateau is reached, set new goals.
9. Help Your Employees Compete and Win
Develop goals that help all your employees excel. Make your goals inclusive not exclusive. This means that everybody is working together and wins together. Have your employees complete against the goal, not each other.
10. Reward Outstanding Achievement
Find ways to recognize your achievers in a public way. The more you reward employees for excellent achievement, the more you receive more of the same behavior. Make sure you are consistent with the way you contribute rewards to your employees. Very important, make use you communicate exactly why the employee is being rewarded. And last, reward as soon as possible to the action.
Some of the ways you can show recognition are:
* Idea board
* Initiative Board
* Star Spotlight
* Certificates
* Gift cards
* Say thank-you
* Lunch
Apply these techniques and you will achieve your goals during the most challenging of times.

Since Dr Peter Koeppel, one of the leading experts on immunology and biochemistry at a leading Swiss pharmaceutical company released a paper on the use of nucleotides and RNA for human health applications. Much information has been sought regarding these valuable building blocks.
In part one of this series we will explain what a nucleotide is and how it links in very closely with our DNA. The beneficial implications of supplementing the daily diet with these naturally derived conditionally essential dietary building blocks, that are know as nucleotides will be explained in part 2
Where do nucleotides come from?
As any good nutriontist will tell you, any thing that the human body needs can be obtained from food. Foods that are naturally high in nucleotides are listed below.
• Liver
• Tripe
• Lean Meat
• Fish
• Mushrooms
• Fungi
• Yeast extract
However to boost your immune system from nucleotides we must take them in a more concentrated form, this will be covered in more depth in the next article.
Part 1. Understanding Nucleotides and DNA
Dr Koeppel states that nucleotides are the building blocks that are necessary for making new DNA and RNA.To help us understand this better; we need to think back to high school when we learned about the double-helix of DNA. Remember the spiral-appearing ladder with the different colored rungs? That is a model of the DNA that makes up the genes and chromosomes found in us all. DNA is a very large molecule, and the rungs of the DNA ladder are made of a combination of two different nucleotides. The nucleotides are molecules, called guanosine and cytosine, that pair up together, or adenosine and thymidine, which also pair up together. Adenosine and guanosine are called purines. Cytosine, thymidine and uradine are called pyrimidines. RNA is similar to DNA, except that the molecule uradine replaces thymine in that pair, and RNA is an intermediary between DNA and protein. A gene is a discrete sequence of DNA nucleotides, and genes are what make up our chromosomes. So, it makes sense that genes are made of DNA.
While all of this sounds very technical, what you need to understand is that nucleotides are molecules that are essential to the creation of new DNA and RNA molecules which are then used by new cells of all kinds. This is important because nucleotides, either by themselves, or in combination with other molecules, are involved in almost all activities of the cell (and therefore, the body).
What is DNA in layman’s terms?
Deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA, which makes up the genetic material in cells, is comprised of units called nucleotides.
Conclusion
Nucleotides can be simply described as the nutritional building blocks of new cells. There are 5 key nucleotides, which form the crucial building blocks of DNA and RNA, and are therefore essential for ongoing new cell production and system repair.

Are you having trouble with maintaining your skin care during the the harsh winter season? Welcome to the club! But do not fret since there are still very practical ways for a perfect skin care even during winter.
The activities of your mind and body are governed by three psycho-physiological energies known as Vata, Pitta and Kapha, as per the philosophies of ayurveda. Having perfet balance of this three energies is important for your good health. Once even one of these energies became imbalanced, your health may suffer.
Further, these three energies are associated with a season. Vata, which qualities are dry, rough and cool, rides higher than usual in most people’s physiologies during winter. Once mid-October to mid-February comes, Vata begin to show signs into people’s physiologies. This is the time when we feel that our skin is dry and flaky. We feel the experience of having disappointingly chapped lips and dry, brittle hair. So, once these manifestations begin to annoy you, you will soon experience more aggravating conditions. Your skin may be the worse hit.
This is the time when you should be “armed” with the knowledge of important ways to keep Vata dosha in balance. These ways will prevent Vata-associated skin problems that may occur during the winter season. So take not of the following and be well-guided:
1.Do not expose your skin to freezing temperatures and drying cold winds that are usually the elements brought about by the harsh winter. You can prevent exposure by dressing warmly in layers and wearing a hat, scarf and gloves whenever you have to go out during cold weathers. Natural lip balm should be used to protect your lips from drying. If you have none available, a light layer of ghee or clarified better will do.
2.Using a rich, natural moisturizer will protect your facial skin from cold winds and dry air of heaters. You can apply this at least twice a day. Remember to apply it after cleansing though.
3.If you have a naturally dry facial and body skin, give it additional lipid support by doing oil replenishment about three or four times a week. A nourishing base oil like almond can be a good option.
4.During winter, do a routine pre-bath warm oil self-massage to keep your skin silky smooth and tones the muscles. It will also help to calm nerves and aid in circulation. Almond or sesame oil are very much recommended for use in this kind of massage.
5.To prevent the dryness and cracking of your feet’s skin, which tends to occur more during winter, give your feet a relaxing soak at night about three times a week. You can use a large, wide-mouthed bowl with warm water for a quick foot bath. Then, rub herbal lotion, some shea butter or almond oil on your feet after the soak.
6.if your skin is very dry, it is not recommended to bathe more than once a day. Warm water is ideal temperature for a bathe or shower and it is gentler for the skin. Do not use very hot water.
Aside from these skin care tactics, eating the right foods that would help in nourishing the skin and drinking lots of water are among the best and original ways of facial and body skin care. By doing a holistic approach in caring for your skin, you will surely get the best results. -30-

I still consider myself to be a blog writing novice but as I’ve got a few entries under my belt I can tell you about an unexpected bonus of this journaling process. A lot of people think that blog writers are just people who are tooting their own horns blabbering on self-righteously about what they believe to be true in life. On the contrary, for me writing a blog has helped me to reflect on my experiences that I may have otherwise have forgotten if I hadn’t written them down. It has become a process of self-actualization, whether others have read my thoughts has become less of a priority for me.
When I read over my past entries I am surprised to hear about thoughts, ideas, and wisdom that is quite relevant to my present experiences. It’s like I already knew some of the solutions to my problems in the present, but I still had to go through the experiences to actually have this knowledge become truly learnt. I also find it rewarding in both the respects that I get to ‘relive’ certain moments in my life, and I get to analyze my previous thoughts. This analysis often leads me to new ideas that I couldn’t see clearly when I was in the original moment.
‘Reliving’ past experiences by reading old journal entries can be a powerful experience indeed. You can be transported to the moment in time you were writing about, as well as the moment and feelings you had when writing the blog entry. Experiencing these events and feelings again can be a really enlightening process, especially if the emotions you had were strong ones.
An example of this from my blog www.thepowerofeverythingthatis.com is a recent upheaval of emotions I wrote about when a young lady I’d been dating and really started to like a lot told me she didn’t want to kiss me anymore. Now when I read this entry I can feel those same painful feelings, but in a new light as the time has passed and I’ve moved on. It gives me hope in understanding that all feelings pass, and also in the knowledge that all things happen for a reason. This knowledge I couldn’t see at the time as I was totally enveloped by my agony.
These insights into past feelings and thoughts have been an eye opener for my self-introspection process. I think the blog can give you the chance to get to know yourself better, something all humans could find beneficial. All of us are on quests to find out who we are and why we are here on Earth. The blogging process might just be another avenue for people to find out who they truly are. Keep on writing my friends!

Quote: "It is a spiritual law that the desire to do necessarily implies the ability to do."
You have all read of "Aladdin's Lamp," which accomplished such wonderful things. This, of course, is only a fairy tale, but it illustrates the fact that man has within him The Power, if he is Able to use it, to gratify his every wish.
If you are unable to satisfy your deepest longings it is time you learned how to use your God-given powers. You will soon be conscious that you have latent powers within capable when once developed of revealing to you priceless knowledge and unlimited possibilities of success.
Man should have plenty of everything and not merely substance to live on as so many have. All natural desires can be realized. It would be wrong for the Infinite to create wants that could not be supplied. Man's very soul is in his power to think, and it, therefore, is the essence of all created things. Every instinct of man leads to thought, and in every thought there is great possibility because true thought development, when allied to those mysterious powers which perhaps transcend it, has been the cause of all the world's true progress.
In the silence we become conscious of "that something" which transcends thought and which uses thought as a medium for expression. Many have glimpses of "that something," but few ever reach the state where the mind is steady enough to fathom these depths. Silent, concentrated thought is more potent than spoken words, for speech distracts from the focusing power of the mind by drawing more and more attention to the without.
Man must learn more and more to depend on himself; to seek more for the Infinite within. It is from this source alone that he ever gains the power to solve his practical difficulties. No one should give up when there is always the resources of Infinity. The cause of failure is that men search in the wrong direction for success, because they are not conscious of their real powers that when used are capable of guiding them.
The Infinite within is foreign to those persons who go through life without developing their spiritual powers. But the Infinite helps only he who helps himself. There is no such thing as a Special "Providence." Man will not receive help from the Infinite except to the extent that he believes and hopes and prays for help from this great source.
Concentrate on What You Want and Get It. The weakling is controlled by conditions. The strong man controls conditions. You can be either the conqueror or the conquered. By the law of Reiki - Concentration you can achieve your heart's desire. This law is so powerful that that which at first seems impossible becomes attainable.
By this law what you at first see as a dream becomes a reality.
Remember that the first step in Reiki - Concentration is to form a Mental Image of what you wish to accomplish. This image becomes a thought-seed that attracts thoughts of a similar nature. Around this thought, when it is once planted in the imagination or creative region of the mind, you group or build associated thoughts which continue to grow as long as your desire is keen enough to compel close Reiki – Concentration.
Form the habit of thinking of something you wish to accomplish for five minutes each day. Shut every other thought out of consciousness. Be confident that you will succeed; make up your mind that all obstacles that are in your way will be overcome and you can rise above any environment.
You do this by utilizing the natural laws of the thought world which are all powerful.
A great aid in the development of Reiki - Concentration is to write out your thoughts on that which lies nearest your heart and to continue, little by little, to add to it until you have as nearly as possible exhausted the subject.
You will find that each day as you focus your forces on this thought at the center of the stream of consciousness, new plans, ideas and methods will flash into your mind. There is a law of attraction that will help you accomplish your purpose. An advertiser, for instance, gets to thinking along a certain line. He has formed his own ideas, but he wants to know what others think. He starts out to seek ideas and he soon finds plenty of books, plans, designs, etc., on the subject, although when he started he was not aware of their existence.
The same thing is true in all lines. We can attract those things that will help us. Very often we seem to receive help in a miraculous way. It may be slow in coming, but once the silent unseen forces are put into operation, they will bring results so long as we do our part. They are ever present and ready to aid those who care to use them. By forming a strong mental image of your desire, you plant the thought-seed which begins working in your interest and, in time, that desire, if in harmony with your higher nature, will materialize.
It may seem that it would be unnecessary to caution you to concentrate only upon achievement that will be good for you and work no harm to another, but there are many who forget others and their rights, in their anxiety to achieve success. All good things are possible for you to have, but only as you bring your forces into harmony with that law that requires that we mete out justice to fellow travelers as we journey along life's road. So first think over the thing wanted and if it would be good for you to have; say, "I want to do this; I am going to work to secure it. The way will be open for me."
If you fully grasp mentally the thought of success and hold it in mind each day, you gradually make a pattern or mold which in time will materialize. But by all means keep free from doubt and fear, the destructive forces. Never allow these to become associated with your thoughts.
At last you will create the desired conditions and receive help in many unlooked-for ways that will lift you out of the undesired environment. Life will then seem very different to you, for you will have found happiness through awakening within yourself the power to become the master of circumstances instead of their slave.
To the beginner in this line of thought some of the things stated in this book may sound strange, even absurd, but, instead of condemning them, give them a trial. You will find they will work out.
The inventor has to work out his idea mentally before he produces it materially. The architect first sees the mental picture of the house he is to plan and from this works out the one we see. Every object, every enterprise, must first be mentally created.
I know a man that started in business with thirteen cents and not a dollar's worth of credit. In ten years he has built up a large and profitable business. He attributes his success to two things--belief that he would succeed and hard work. There were times when it did not look like he could weather the storm. He was being pressed by his creditors who considered him bankrupt. They would have taken fifty cents on the dollar for his notes and considered themselves lucky. But by keeping up a bold front he got an extension of time when needed. When absolutely necessary for him to raise a certain sum at a certain time he always did it. When he had heavy bills to meet he would make up his mind that certain people that owed him would pay by a certain date and they always did. Sometimes he would not receive their check until the last mail of the day of the extension, and I have known him to send out a check with the prospect of receiving a check from one of his customers the following day. He would have no reason other than his belief in the power of affecting the mind of another by Reiki - Concentration of thought for expecting that check, but rarely has he been disappointed.
Just put forth the necessary concentrated effort and you will be wonderfully helped from sources unknown to you.
Remember the mystical words of Jesus, the Master: "Whatsoever thing ye desire when ye pray, pray as if ye had already received and ye shall have."

Okay guys, it's time for part three of our plan. Are you ready? Have you made the commitment to re-energizing your staff? Have you followed the action steps and started to create your "dream department."Well, just in case there is a small handful of you who aren't quite up to speed yet, let's do a short review...We started this whole thing with a discussion of how very important your own motivation level is to the success of your department. Unless you are personally upbeat and positive, you cannot expect your staff to be. Your "action steps for success" suggested that you look at working through any issues that are keeping you from being super-motivated. Then it was time for you to make an official commitment to yourself that you were willing to do whatever it takes to get moving on your re-energization plan.Next we looked at the first three components to the plan:1. Communicating your plans to your employees2. Be involved, be visible and be aroundand 3. Clarifying expectations.Did you complete the action steps directed towards achievement of these steps? I hope so 'cause it's time for steps 4 - 6.Component 4Show 'em you care!!Does this sound like a greeting card company slogan? Probably, but that's okay - I'm really not talking about showing 'em you care in a warm, fuzzy kind of way. There are ways you can do this without making them think you are losing your mind. Like listening to them. Think about it - doesn't it carry a ton of weight with you when your boss listens to you without doing fifteen other things at the same time? And what about when he listens and actually uses some of your ideas. Pretty cool, huh? Well, it's the same way for your employees. They want to be heard and understood. And it's up to you to find a way to make the time for this to happen.Another way you can show 'em you care is to be around to help them out when they need it. As we discussed last time, you'll now be spending lots of time in your department which is where you need to be if you are going to be helpful to your employees. Now I'm not saying that you should put on the baby-sitting hat but do offer to pitch in and help when your employees need it. After they recover from the shock, they'll really think it's great.The next way to show them you care is to show them that you are working just as hard, if not harder, than they are. Your employees cannot stand figure-heads, and neither can we, right? So make it obvious to them that you are busting your butt to make things happen. But please try not to be too annoying about it. There is a fine line between letting employees know that you are working really hard and complaining/bragging. You don't want to sound like some kind of whiner,right? So watch it.Component 5Foster a team atmosphereMan, this is a hard one. Employees these days just don't seem to want to join in on the old "team spirit" bandwagon. But if there is some way, any way, that you can enlist your troops, do it. You can start by talking about this concept. In your department meetings tell them that you really want everyone to come together and create a team. Tell them that you expect them to work together and help each other. They'll secretly snicker at first, but after a while they'll start to think about it.And what's the alternative for them? They get on the bandwagon or they get left behind. When you talk about creating an awesome work environment you can tell them how much you want your department to be the best one to work for in the company. Refer to your "team" often.Be sincere and let them know that you mean it and that you're not just blowing smoke. This will give them a bit of a team feeling right there. Then, as you start to implement all of the components, a bit more of a team spirit will start to emerge. For example using some of their ideas will make them feel part of the solution and part of the team. It shows them that you do listen and are capable of being "big" enough to use something that you didn't think of.And try to create some kind of way for them to recognize each other for their good work. For example, you could create some kind of program where they can fill out pre-printed cards to give to each other as recognition for a job well done. The cards would have info such as:Employee Name:Description of Accomplishment:Date:Submitted by:Then, as they fill these out and start giving to them to each other, more of a team spirit will start to emerge. Everyone likes to be told "Good Job." Even when it comes from a co-worker. Have all employees submit their received cards to you and then do a drawing once a month for a day off or a nice prize. This is a cool program and people LOVE it.And certainly give credit where credit is due. Share credit for the accomplishments made by your department. In a big way - in a really vocal way. Let there be no question that you directly attribute the success of your department to them!!Component 6Make it a constant process!This is a must. Yes, this type of employee motivation plan does take lots of time and energy. And it will continue to. But you must commit that this is a way of life for you as a manager. Once you do implement the components and start to utilize them on a consistent basis, they really will become second nature to you. It just takes a while.As you implement your tools, pay attention to what is working and what needs tweaking. Ask your employees for feedback. Remember, you should be doing a LOT of listening from now on. Ask them if they like the employee recognition program in your department. Ask them for ways to make it better and more meaningful. Do they feel that the team spirit is building? Why? What things can you be doing to make it better? Many brains are better than one, so make sure to enlist them in the process!!Never lose sight of your goals for having a super-motivated, productive, happy staff - the envy of the company. Your boss will thank you because of the increased productivity and contribution to the bottom line. And if that weren't enough, your spouse and kids will thank you because running a department like this does wonders to your stress level and quality of your personal life!!!Now go out there and be a STAR!!

So...are you guys all revved up and ready to go? Are you committed to doing whatever it takes to motivate your staff and create a super-charged, mega-energized department??As we discussed last time, your attitude and motivation level is absolutely critical to the success of your department re-energization plan. This plan just cannot work if you are anything less that 100% committed and motivated to make it happen. It's up to you to model your work ethic and attitude to your staff.Now I'm not saying all of this to put undue pressure on you. I doubt you need any more of that. I'm just trying to over-emphasize it so that you will never lose sight of the importance you play in all of this. On those days that you find yourself discouraged or un-motivated, remind yourself that YOU are the key to your department's success!!!Okay, enough of that, let's get onto the fun stuff. Uh, let me re-phrase that...Let's get onto the stuff. Or should I re-phrase it yet again, perhaps a bit more formally this time...Let us proceed with the discussion of employee motivation techniques which, when implemented consistently over a period of time, will significantly enhance the attitude, motivation levels and therefore productivity of one's staff.Nah, I like let's get onto the stuff better. But what is this stuff? Well, there are six parts to this stuff. So today we'll focus on parts 1 -3, and next issue we'll wrap it up.Stuff 1: Let them know your plans.As you may have heard me say before, communication is KEY. Especially when you are dealing with a situation like our current one. In our situation we are presuming that employees are de-moralized and de-motivated because Senior Management has been less than truthful orcommunicative. It's up to you to assure your staff that you DO believe in telling them the truth and that you plan to keep them in the loop as much as you can.So tell them you are sorry that things have been especially tough and tell them that you are committed to turning things around so that your department can be a functional AND fun place to work.Announce that you are launching a plan to make your department the BEST and ask for their input. Ask them for ideas as to how you can work together to accomplish your goal of creating the "super-department."Make sure to impress upon them that you are totally committed to the effort and that it is NOT just some B.S. cheerleading meeting.Stuff 2 Be involved, be visible and be around.Now more than ever before it's really beneficial for you to be in your department. This shows your staff that you are involved in the daily departmental issues - you're not just a figure-head sitting in your office reading the WSJ.So get out there. Help your employees out. Walk around and ask them how things are going. Be available for questions or consultation. Show them that you are part of the team and are there to help them be successful.And while you're out there, spread good vibes. Don't seem to be walking around just looking for problems (although you do want to keep an eye out for those). Be an upbeat, positive role-model for your employees. They need it!!Stuff 3 Clarify your expectations.To get this ship running smoothly, you'll need to let your crew know exactly what they need to be doing. Now I'm not talking about micro-managing here. You don't need to hover and hand-hold to make sure that things are getting done to your liking. What I do mean is clarifying expectations in a more general manner.Pull out those job descriptions and review them. Are they current? Are your employees performing functions that aren't really even necessary? Since you are spending more time in your department now, it should be easy for you to get a handle on who's spending their time doing what. Again, ask for their input. Ask them about how they see their role in the department and what they feel their most important responsibilities are.Action Steps for SuccessNow that the first three steps, or should I say "stuffs" have been outlined, it's time to make them work for you.In order to let the team in on your department re-energization plans, schedule a really fun meeting. Put on your best "rah, rah team" hat and write up an outline of the things you are going to discuss and the kinds of questions you are going to ask to get people involved. To set the tone, have food and drinks available. But try to do something unusual. Pizza and donuts are so overdone, don't you think? Onto the be involved, be visible and be around piece...it's pretty simple in theory, but when it comes to actually making it happen, it will be harder than you think. To get yourself in the groove, schedule lots of time on your calendar for this. Make yourself do it. It is really important!!Last, but certainly not least and certainly not the most fun, clarifying your expectations of your team. Pretty straightforward this one, but again the kind of a thing you have to force yourself to do. Who wants to review job descriptions, right? Yuck!! But it's got to be done, so just get it over with. You'll be glad when it's over and it's well worth the effort!!Now don't be overwhelmed. Yes, it's a lot of work, but it is sooooooooooo worth it. Your department will start to run more smoothly, productivity will increase, your employees will be happier and YOUR stress level will radically decrease. So whenever you're discouraged about the plan, remember the outcomes.Now go out there and be a STAR!!