In This Issue

News from Joan (right)

Vacation Deprivation (below)

Quotes for the Month


Job Seeking Tips: Networking Secrets


Quick Links

News from Joan!

While I am not going anywhere for vacation, I am cutting back my schedule so I can enjoy playing with my new home and yard. I just love sitting on my swing on the patio in the late evening, listening to the bugs and ducks talk, and looking at the night sky, trees and water. Thus, the reason for this consolidated summer newsletter. I hope each of you will take some time off to rest your brain and nervous systems by turning off the Blackberry and having some fun with family and friends.

SAVE THREE LIVES THE MONTH
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What Clients Say About Joan

"Joan, you were a bigger help in the transition than I think you realize. You have a true knack for assessing people and situations, giving perspective, and sharing the right advice at the right time. Your nudges kept me on track and helped me see the gifts in the people around me."
--Gretchen Wendtland, Automation and Optimization Team Lead, Conoco Phillips

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A spam-free newsletter written and published by Joan Bolmer, Executive, Business, Career and Personal Coach. For more helpful ideas, visit my website

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1. Vacation Deprivation

by Denise Landers

Consequences of the Workaholic Mindset

• 48% of Americans do not use all of their earned vacation time.
• Americans have fewer vacation days than most countries.
• Americans leave an average of 3 days per year unused.

In my appearance on a recent NBC Nightly News segment as their productivity expert, they dealt with the topic of vacation deprivation in the United States. Many times there is a lack of office organizing http://www.keyorganization.com/office-organizing.php skills that underscore the problem.

The following expands on the issue to look at the causes, consequences, solutions, and results.

CAUSES

1. Accelerated Lifestyle: Everything comes in so rapidly that we often feel overwhelmed. You are already behind in your work, and if you take time off, you will never catch up.
2. Money Factors: Some complain about the lack of work/life balance, but given the chance to work on a holiday for extra money, many choose the money; or they prefer a payout at the end of the year for unused days.
3. Addiction to Multitasking: Our accelerated lifestyle leads to non-stop multitasking, and we pump adrenaline all day long. We can become hooked on this speed and are also addicted to email and cell phone connections. There is actually a feeling of withdrawal when these are taken away.
4. "Nobody Can Do My Job": You are too busy to stop and show others how to do something, yet if you took the time to instruct a subordinate or colleague, it could lessen your workload.
5. "I Might Be Replaced": This lack of confidence makes you think that if the company finds out someone else can do your job, then they would not need you.
6. Corporate Culture: You feel as if the manager or boss frowns on taking time off and that using all available time would show you were not committed to your job, leading to negative reviews.

CONSEQUENCES

1. Higher Stress Levels: Feeling overworked leads to increased levels of stress, which can then cause chronic depression, disrupted sleep, and poor health. Stress accounts for 60-90 percent of all illnesses.
2. Less Productivity: You are speeding through each day, multi-tasking nonstop, yet getting less and less done. Being busy does not equate with being efficient.
3. Captive Companies: A business can be considered held captive when there is only one employee who knows how to handle certain work. In an emergency, there is no alternative available and no procedural manual in place to help get through the gap.
4. Mismanagement: If someone refuses to take time off, that can be a danger sign, especially in a financial area. Make sure all work is reviewed periodically by another set of eyes.
5. Mini-Vacations: It can take two or three days to unwind, so if you only use 3-day weekends and take half-days here and there, you may never get to completely relax.

SOLUTIONS

1. Create systems: Have a process for all of your work areas. It will give you a feeling of control and a procedure that you can easily explain to someone else who may have to cover for you. If you spend just half a day on setting up organized processes, you will have those organizing hours recovered in less than a week and will be working ahead the rest of the year.
2. Be aware of stress: As a boss or manager, recognize warning signs and require that earned time be taken.
3. Have written procedures: For every position, there should be an outline of needed steps so that the company does not suffer long-term from the absence of a key employee during emergencies.
See "How to Write a Desktop Procedure and Training Manual":

RESULTS

1. Lower stress levels
2. New perspectives
3. Renewed energy
4. Increased productivity

Taking time off should be treated as a necessity in each year rather than as an inconvenience with good office organization. In addition to positive benefits for employees, it allows management to see where changes need to be made and improved processes put in place. You can count that as a "win-win" situation for all.

Denise Landers is the author of Destination: Organization, A Week by Week Journey and the owner of Key Organization Systems, Inc. Based in Houston, she is a national speaker, trainer, and consultant providing conference sessions, corporate training, and individual assistance to improve daily workflow and time management skills.

Quotes for the Month

"No matter how much pressure you feel at work, if you could find ways to relax for at least five minutes every hour, you'd be more productive."
-Dr. Joyce Brothers, US psychologist & television personality (1928 - )

"To sit in the shade on a fine day, and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment. "
-Jane Austen, English novelist (1775 - 1817)

"During [these] periods of relaxation after concentrated intellectual activity, the intuitive mind seems to take over and can produce the sudden clarifying insights which give so much joy and delight."
-Fritjof Capra, physicist

"Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is a nobler art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of nonessentials."
-Lin Yutang

"Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop."
-Ovid, Roman poet (43 BC - 17 AD)

Job Seeking Tips: Networking Secrets

Nine out of ten jobs are found through networking, not on job boards or newspapers. Everyone has a personal network of about 250 people. Even friends in other states may know a person in a company where you are interested in finding a connection. Their contact may be able to put you in touch with an appropriate person in your area. Consider joining and using Linked-Inhttp://www.linkedin.com to expand your network and reconnect with people you know.

The exact words you use in asking for a referral will make a huge difference in the results you get. For example, if you ask, “Do you know anyone who is looking for XXX?” The answer will most likely be no. But if you ask, “Who do you know who works in the medical field or any of the large hospitals?” The chances are that the person will know someone. That person may not be in the department or specialty you are looking for, but they will probably know someone who is. If they are willing to give you a connection, ask if you may use their name as the referrer. This then becomes a warm, insider call to someone who you do not personally know.

Informational interviews are often more valuable than just sending your resume to a friend or to the HR department. When asking for an informational interview, state what you are specifically looking for, such as information about the company, the industry, or the requirements for a specific type of job. Request a specific amount of time for your interview, such as 30 minutes, and make sure you stay on topic and within the time requested.
NEVER PUT THE PERSON ON THE SPOT BY ASKING FOR A JOB! Read more…

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

How to Write a Desktop Procedure and Training Manual

Balance vs. Juggling

26 Tips for a Successful Interview

Quality of Life Self Assessment pdf

Favorite Resource Links

Check out Joan's paintings
and notecards.

Renew Yourself

Summer Surf