In This Issue

News from Joan (right)

(below)Sleeping Your Way to Greater Productivity

Quotes for the Month


Job Seeking Tips: Top 10 Questions to Ask a Prospective Employer


Quick Links

News from Joan!

I have moved!
New address: 3307 Lake Ridge Bend
Spring, TX 77380
New phone number 832-458-0455 (this is not a toll free number so I am happy to call you. Email me a note with a number where I can reach you and BE SURE TO PUT COACHING IN THE SUBJECT LINE. Otherwise, if you are not already in my database, your email will go to my spam folder where you will be lost forever.

Attention Freelance writers: Here is a great resource for you, thanks to Susan Burnell http://deardrfreelance.com/

What trends will be important to your business this year? It's 2011. Are these 11 trends and 20 new business ideas on your radar? See http://www.trendwatching.com

Be an Organ Donor
It is as simple as asking for a donor sticker to put on your driver’s license, having your donor desire in your will and telling your family. If you should die in an accident, there a very short window of time that the good organs can be harvested and used to save another person’s life. What a wonderful legacy to leave behind!

What Clients Say About Joan

"Dear Joan,
I want to thank you for your insight this morning. It has made a huge difference for me. I am confident and now taking charge of my 'new' responsibilities. I needed to do an about face! Thank you so much for telling me the truth!"
- J.S., Director of Corporate Accounting

*******************
Olympic champions have coaches.
So do many successful executives.
How about you?
********************
Need a Breakout Speaker for Your Local, Regional, or National Professional Association or Business Networking Group?
As a professional speaker and former trainer, Joan will give your organization great ideas and practical tips they can implement immediately. View a list of topics and in-depth descriptions

************************
THANK YOU FOR YOUR REFERRALS. They are the greatest compliment you could give me. Schedule a FREE, no-obligation consultation TODAY! Call 832-458-0455 or email me: joan@bolmer.com
************************
A spam-free newsletter written and published by Joan Bolmer, Executive, Business, Career and Personal Coach. For more helpful ideas, visit my web site

*Notice: If you want to make sure I read your email please put “coaching request” in the subject line, so I will not accidentally discard it as spam. Thanks.

Schedule a FREE no-obligation consultation TODAY! Call 281 293-8864 or email me.

Click here to learn more about Joan’s services!

1. Sleeping Your Way to Greater Productivity

by Denise Landers

50 million Americans suffer from sleep problems that affect their daily work, personal relationships, and safety. (National Sleep Foundation*)

The Situation
Our work hours keep increasing, and we struggle to fit in all the demands for our time.

• 25% have a workday between 8 and 9 hours.
• 25% say they work between 9 and 10 hours.
• 33% say they work 10 hours or more.
• 23% did job-related work within an hour before going to bed.

Add to these numbers the additional tasks related to family and household, and it is easy to see what the problem is. With too many things to juggle, hours needed for sleep are often sacrificed.

The Results at Work

A busy day, combined with lack of sleep, definitely impacts workplace performance.

• 40% became impatient with others a few times per month
• 27% found it difficult to concentrate
• 20% produced less than they had anticipated being able to do
• 19% have injured themselves or had a job accident in the past year

In order to counter the results of sleepiness, it is common to turn to caffeinated drinks, snacks high in sugar and carbs, or stimulant medications. None of these is physically beneficial, and, in turn, can actually disrupt sleep, despite how tired you are. Thus the cycle continues.

Personal Solutions

1. Allow a minimum of two hours away from work issues before bedtime.
2. Cut off caffeine for at least eight hours prior to sleep.
3. Do not eat a heavy meal within three hours of sleep time.
4. Maintain a relaxing bedtime routine.

Business Solutions

1. Napping
o 34% say that their employers permit naps during breaks.
o 16% say employers provide a place for them to nap.
o 26% more said they would nap if the employer allowed it.

2. Monitoring Hours—Focus on results rather than hours spent. Those who come in early and stay late may actually not be the best producers. Discourage this routine or explore what could be done to counter the need.

Better sleep patterns produce higher productivity within the working day.
Sleep is as important to our safety, health, and productivity as is eating and drinking. If you are one of those who struggle to get enough sleep, review your daily schedule and your priorities.

Are you trying to do it all? Since that is not possible, be selective in how you spend your evenings. With enough sleep, you will actually accomplish more the next day!

*Statistics from surveys by the National Sleep Foundation

Denise Landers is the author of Destination: Organization, A Week by Week Journey http://www.keyorganization.com/destination-organization.php and the owner of Key Organization Systems, Inc. http://www.keyorganization.com. Based in Houston, she is a national speaker, trainer, and consultant providing conference sessions, corporate training, and individual assistance to improve daily work flow and time management skills.

Quotes for the Month

"To achieve the impossible dream, try going to sleep."
—Joan Klempner

"It is better to sleep on things beforehand than lie awake about them afterward."
—Baltasar Gracian

"I have never taken any exercise except sleeping and resting."
—Mark Twain, US humorist, novelist, short story author, & wit (1835 - 1910)

"[Sleep is] the golden chain that ties health and our bodies together.
—Thomas Dekker, English dramatist (1572 - 1632)

Job Seeking Tips: Top 10 Questions to Ask a Prospective Employer

In addition to job duties and general expectations, pay, and benefits, you want to find out if this is a job you want and one in which you can be successful. Below are 10 sample questions you can ask to gain greater insight. Adjust the questions for your specific situation. After the manager answers each question, you will probably want to ask additional questions to get a more detailed understanding.

1. Could you draw me an organization chart and tell me how this department/job serves and relates to other departments?
*Tells you who are clients and power centers.

2. What are the three top issues or accomplishments you want to see resolved or achieved this year in this department/job?
*Tells you what needs to be fixed or accomplished ASAP.

3. What resources (people, budget, equipment, etc.) are available to resolve or accomplish these goals?
*Tells you if the company or manager is serious and realistic about what it will take to fix the problems or accomplish the goals.

4. What authority will the person in this job have to make the changes required to accomplish the goals?
*Tells you if you will have the power necessary to accomplish the goals.

5. What departments or individuals might be resistant to necessary changes and why?
*Tells you whom you will have to sell on your ideas for improvement.

Read More… http://bolmer.com/Articles/Career/QuestsAskEmployer.html


If you want to power up your resume, job search, and interview skills, give me a call at 832-458-0455 or email me at joan@bolmer.com for a free consultation.

Quick Links

Quality Self Care


Avoid Frustration with Procedures


The Miracle of Five Minutes a Day
by Vince Panella


Favorite Resource Links

Check out Joan's paintings
and notecards.

Cosmic Kiss