December 31, 2014 Lessons from the Airport
I’ve been traveling quite a bit lately–standing in long lines at security, enduring cramped flights and noisy neighbors, hoping my bags make it to my destination unruffled. It is easy to adopt a negative attitude while flying, but I’ve come to realize it’s not worth it and it only brings other people down. When it comes to air travel, we’re all in this together.
Sounds kind of like office life, right?
A few bad apples can hamper an entire team or set a negative tone in the office. I encourage you to take the lessons learned from the airport and apply them to your daily office life. It’s amazing what being in close quarters with several hundred strangers can teach us!
1. Be patient
The airplane will arrive when it does, the maintenance crew will change that broken light bulb when it can, and you’ll get to your destination as soon as possible. It doesn’t help to gripe or be pushy. Wait your turn, make pleasant small talk with your neighbors, and focus on the amazing fact that you can fly from point A to point B in a matter of hours. Flying is still a luxury for many people and (as you shuffle off to business meetings or on little trips), it’s easy to lose sight of that.
2. Work together
Instead of bee-lining it to your seat, shoving your bag into the overhead compartment, and turning on your music as you ignore others, offer to help. Maybe someone needs an extra hand with their luggage or maybe a mother needs help situating her child. If we all work together (instead of focusing just on ourselves and our immediate needs), things will go much smoother and we can all enjoy the ride.
3. Be courteous
For some reason, air travel can turn some of us into monsters. We might shove others aside as we jostle for a place in line or we might fight for that last place for our bag in the overhead compartment. Or, we might do something even more common: completely ignore our neighbors for the duration of the flight. I know I’m guilty of it. It’s easy to just wrap ourselves in our personal cocoons and not exchange any pleasantries with our neighbors, but think of everything you might be missing! What if the person sitting next to you is your next big account? Or someone who can help you design that website you’ve always been meaning to build. Make an effort to initiate some small talk and see where things lead.
Wishing you a happy, safe, and prosperous New Year,
Tags: airport lessons, be patient, how an airport is like an office, lessons from the airport, life learning, Margaret Smith, travel lessons, UXL
December 24, 2014 5 Easy Ways to Show Gratitude
Last month’s newsletter was on the importance of gratitude, but I wanted to give you five quick ways you can show it. During the holiday season, it is easy to feel overwhelmed with a long list of things to do—buy presents, prepare food, clean the house, shovel the driveway, etc.—and it’s easy to forget our manners in the shuffle.
Think about the wonderful people around you and remember why we celebrate this time of year. Be grateful for those people and show them your appreciation when they open their home, share their food with you, or buy you a present. Here are five easy ways you can show your gratitude:
1. Say (and write) thank you.
Even if you act grateful (enjoying your meal, praising the gift someone gave you, etc.), it’s still nice to hear the words Thank You. They are worth a lot, especially when said with meaning. And don’t forget the power of a handwritten thank you note. It’s a gesture that shows that you cared enough about the other person that you took time out of your busy day to write something thoughtful.
2. Listen
Too often, we are so busy with all the thoughts in our own heads that we miss what others are saying. Show the person across the table from you that you are grateful for their presence. Sincerely listen to what they have to say before jumping in with your own story or opinion.
3. Extend an invitation and follow through
If there is someone at the office (or perhaps an old friend or relative) with whom you’d like to connect, reach out to them! Too often, we become comfortable in our own cozy bubbles and forget the people at the peripheries of our lives. It’s as simple as asking someone to lunch or a quick cup of coffee.
4. Lend a hand
Whether it’s cleaning up the dishes after a friend’s holiday party or offering to help your secretary prepare for the next office get together, it’s always nice to give others support by helping out.
5. Acknowledge others’ successes
It could be a co-worker, it could be your son or daughter—practice showing gratitude to others by acknowledging their good work. You could do this publicly (i.e. in a company meeting or when you’re gathered together at lunch) or privately. Share a specific example of what that person did or accomplished and let them know you appreciate their excellent work.
It is not difficult to show gratitude, but sometimes it does take conscious effort. Practice being mindful this holiday season and focus on the positive aspects of your life, rather than the negative ones. This way, gratitude will be at the top of your mind and saying things like “thank you” or “I appreciate you because…” will come naturally.
Happy holidays! I appreciate you taking the time to read my blog.
Tags: 5 ways to show gratitude, be thankful, Margaret Smith, say thank you, showing gratitude, UXL
December 17, 2014 Top 20 Stress-Busting Tips
It’s the holiday season and things can get hectic. Take a bite out of stress! Here are some quick practices to help you relax and revitalize:
- Breathe deeply
The steady rhythm of your breath has a calming effect on the mind, much like any repetitive, soothing sound or motion.
- Eat a healthy lunch
According to Dr. Pat Bass, a healthy diet is an essential element to combating stress.
- Exercise
Find something that works for YOU and practice it regularly!
- Mind relaxers
Do a crossword puzzle, squeeze a stress ball, paint a picture, doodle in your notebook.
- Yoga/mindfulness
Yoga helps you focus on the ebb and flow of your breath, as well as releasing the tension in your muscles
- Schedule “you time”
Write it on the calendar! Set aside some time to do exactly what you want to do.
- Schedule family time
According to the Mental Health Foundation, “A key way to protect your mental health against the potential detrimental effects of work related stress is to ensure you have a healthy work-life balance.”
- Walk outside
Vitamin D is essential for your skin and just being in the outdoors has a revitalizing, rejuvenating effect
- Laugh
Laughter reduces stress, according to the Mayo Clinic. Watch a funny movie, read the comics, or go to a comedy show.
- Be present
Focus on the here and now instead of getting stressed about the future or regretting something in the past. My book, The Ten-Minute Leadership Challenge, devotes an entire chapter to this concept.
- Network/reconnect with friends/find your support group
We all need a support group. If you have close friends in the area, make an effort to reach out to them from time to time. If not, find a supportive community through meet-up groups, your local community center, etc. My last newsletter on Building Community discusses this topic in-depth.
- Indulge in your interests
Do you like to knit? Paint? Practice Tae Kwon Do? Work your interests into your schedule
- Massage
Everyone loves a professional massage, but if you’re short on time or don’t want to spend the money, give yourself a hand massage or shoulder rub.
- Listen to music
“Music calms the savage beast” and it can also reduce tension. Pick your favorite genre and let Pandora find the perfect music mix for you.
- Practice gratitude
As I mentioned in my November newsletter, a grateful person is generally a happier, more optimistic person.
- Count/recite a mantra
The rhythm of counting or reciting a mantra can help calm your mind. Additionally, a positive mantra (i.e. “I can do anything,” “I am smart and strong,” or “Nothing can get in my way”) can give you an added confidence boost.
- Close your eyes
Sometimes closing your eyes is a good way to distance yourself from your troubles. It also helps you focus on your thoughts without letting visual distractions get in the way.
- Get organized
A neat and tidy desk or house can help focus your thoughts. Too much clutter can lead to feelings of anxiety and stress.
- Free write
Get your thoughts down on paper. Write whatever comes to mind if you’re feeling overwhelmed and want to sort through a complex issue.
- Plan a vacation
Even if you don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon, it’s fun to plan a future vacation. It also gives you something to work towards—a long term reward.
Tags: 20 stress busters, beat stress, beat stress and anxiety, holidays and stress, overcome work stress, reduce stress, stress at work
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