How to Balance Work and Family

Posted on August 18, 2011 by admin

We only have 24 hours a day to go to work as well as spend time with the family. Many people struggle to keep that balance between work and family. People want to work hard to support their family. Those same people tend to spend little time with their kids, because they are too busy. Are you one of the people that struggle to find that balance between work and family? If you answered yes, here are 9 steps that you should follow:

1. Work and Family Balance is a Conscious Decision.
You need to realize that having balance does not come easily. You need to consciously make changes to make sure that you achieved the balance between work and family.

2. Write Down Family Goals.
You need to sit down with the family and write down all their goals. Instead of all separately trying to achieve those goals, try to do them as a family. Assign dates to complete all the goals to make sure that they will get achieved.

3. Stick to Your Values.
Knowing your values is very important. What is more important to you, to advance in your job or to make sure you go to your child’s sports game? By knowing where your values are the decision to this question will be much easier.

4. Recognize that Imbalance is Sometimes Inevitable.
You need to understand that sometimes a job might be a bigger priority. You can’t always be everywhere your family is. You need to think of the responsibilities you have, which include providing for your family.

5. Revisit Your Schedule.
Your schedule at work might change. You should see that as an opportunity to do something with your family when you are not working.

6. Recognize the Benefits of Balance.
You need to understand how important it is to balance work and family. The balance will lead to your spouse and kids to be happy instead of feeling neglected. You will also enjoy life more. If you work hard, you should be able yo play hard.

7. Manage Distractions and Procrastination.
Many people work longer hours because they tend to get distracted and procrastinate in the workplace.  If you work hard the entire time you are at work, it will create more time that you can spend with your family.

8. Discuss Expectations and Responsibilities.
It is unfair if one person does everything at home. Make sure that you divide the responsibilities at home. If everyone contributes to the work that needs to be done at home, then you will have more time to have fun.

9. Organize Your Work Better.
If you are a boss at work and have a lot to do, learn how to delegate projects. If not, work on your time-management skills.

See original article at:
http://www.eap.partners.org/WorkLife/HealthyLiving/Balancing_Work_and_Family

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rock & Roll Marathon Chicago

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Joe Taylor

Congratulations to all who ran the R&R Marathon in Chicago yesterday especially Anne Kulinski from Sprinkled Media. Anne is a business partner of Sterlite’s and has helped us with all of our media needs. Way to go..Anne.

Posted in Company News, Marketing, Miscellaneous | 1 Comment

How to Ast for a Raise

Posted on August 10, 2011 by admin

There is a point when every person believes that he/she deserves a raise. Unfortunately often times if you don’t ask for a raise you wont be likely to get one. Here are 7 steps that will help you have that awkward talk with your boss:

1. Find Out How Much Others Working in Your Field are Earning
Before asking for a pay raise you need to find out how much others earn in your field.

2. Figure Out How Much You Can Earn
After finding out the range of what the salary is in your field, you should figure out how much you should earn. Consider how long you worked in your company and your field.

3. Evaluate the Financial Health of Your Employer
Before asking for a raise, you should find out if your employer is in the good financial situation. If your company is struggling you will not be likely to get that raise.

4. Prepare Your Argument
Before going to talk to your boss you need to sure you know what you are going to say. Have a list of your accomplishments since you have been working in that position.  Make sure you sell yourself the same way you would at the interview.

5. Decide What You Will Do if You Get Turned Down or Don’t Get the Raise You Want
Before talking to your boss you should know what you are going to do if he/she says no. Will you quit or will you keep working there and ask for a raise later.  If you have decided that you are going to quit, you should have another job lined up.

6. Set Up an Appointment to Talk to Your Boss
When asking for a raise, it is important to speak face to face with your boss, that will show that you are seriously concerned. Also that will help you modify what your going to say by how your boss reacts to your question.

7. Present Your Case
It is possible that your boss will agree that you deserve a raise, but that’s not always the case. If your boss is not easily convinced you should show him the typical salary for your position as well as what you have accomplished for the company.

 

See original article at:
http://careerplanning.about.com/od/negotiatingoffers/a/raise.htm

Posted in Marketing, Recruiting, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

How to Dress for an Interview

Posted on July 28, 2011 by admin

When preparing for an interview, people understate how important the wardrobe is. When going to the interview the rule is: you have to wear something that is equivalent or better to what other employees that work there wear. A safe choice would be to wear a suit to every interview, even if the dress code is business casual in the office.

To see the best attire for men and women to wear in the interview visit:
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewsnetworking/a/dressforsuccess.htm

Posted in Recruiting | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How to Achieve your Goals in 10 Easy Steps

Posted on July 22, 2011 by admin

Many people set goals for themselves that they cannot achieve. By not working hard on achieving their goals, the people set themselves up for disappointment. Here are 10 easy steps to make sure that you achieve your goals:

1. Start Off Small
Before you can reach a huge goal, you need to start of with the smaller goals that will eventually lead to the bigger goal.

2. Keep It Simple
Make sure that you do not set goals that are out of your reach. Sometimes you need to finish something else before you can complete the complex goal.

3. Be Realistic
To achieve your goals, you need to have realistic goals. You cannot expect to reach a goals that are not within your reach.

4. Be Sure of What You Want
Make sure that the goals you are setting for yourself is something you want, not what others think you should want.

5. Set Goals Based on “I” and “Me”
Do not set goals expecting that other people will change.  You can only rely on yourself to achieve your goals.

6. Remind Yourself Regularly
To achieve your goal, you need to constantly remind yourself what you are working toward.

7. Keep a Running List
Keep track of the steps you take toward your goal, that will help you feel more motivated.

8. Make Priorities
To achieve your goals you need to prioritize. You need to decide if reaching your goal in the future is more important than having fun in the present. 

9. Accept Help When Offered
If someone wants to help you achieve your goal let them, you don’t have to do everything by yourself. Also you can to ask for help from family and friends.

Be Willing to Change
Don’t worry if later down the line you realize that you no longer want to achieve a specific goal you were working towards. What you should do is figure out what you really want and work towards that goal.

See original article at:
http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/contemporaryissues/a/GoalSetting.htm

Posted in Miscellaneous, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

What Not to Say to your Boss

Posted on July 19, 2011 by admin

Knowing how to act around the boss might be a difference in having a future in the company and heading straight to the door. It is important to know what you can and cannot say to the boss. Here are 15 things that an employee should never say:

1.It’s not my problem. Even if the problem in the company does not directly affect you, it is a good idea to put in your input of how to fix it. That shows that you really care about the company.

2.Silence. You should always say something. Your boss expects you to give information and new ideas.

3.It can’t be done or It’s always been done this way. You should never say that something cannot be done. If you cannot do it, the boss will find a replacement of somebody that will be able to. Also never argue with your boss if he wants you to do something differently even if you done it multiple times a different way.

4.Want to know what my boss just did…? You should never tell other employers anything that you would not say to the boss about him/her. Unnecessary comments can create drama in the office.

5.I’m happy where I am or I’m comfortable. If you make it seem like you are happy where you are and not strive to advance, you will not be likely to get that promotion.

6.I’m too busy. If a boss need for you to do something urgent, you need to always find time for that project. You need to be able to balance out your regular job with urgent assignments.

7.I need a bigger title. You should not tell your boss that the job your doing deserves a bigger title. Show your hard work and it will eventually be rewarded.

8.I don’t do overtime. In a professional world, you should not count how many hours you work. Look at it as an investment in your future. The harder you work, the bigger reward you will get later.

9.I only know the people in my department. To have a future in the company, you need to be able to get along with everyone in the company. It is essential to know all the leaders even if they are not directly related to you.

10.It’s my turn for a promotion. Just because you have been there the longest, you should not expect the promotion. The promotion goes to people that work hard and contribute something unique to the team. So instead of feeling entitled, work harder and your boss will notice.

11.Ask someone else. If your boss comes to you with a problem, you should do no matter what it takes to be a part of the solution. If you pass off the problem to someone else, the promotions will be passed off to someone else as well.

12.I booked my vacation. When booking a vacation, you need to take into an account the works calendar. Do not leave the times that the company needs you the most, because they will learn how to operate without you.

13.I’ve got nothing new to report. Not verbalizing what you are working on to your boss, might imply that you are not working to your fullest. You need to come up with new idea’s how to do things, to save time and money for your company.

14.Yes, but I was having a bad day. You should never make excuses for making a mistake. After making a mistake own up to it and reassure your boss that it will not happen again.

15.Technology is not my thing. If your boss wants you to do something on the computer that you usually do on the computer, it is important to be willing to learn how to do it. Being flexible and a quick learner will take you a long way.

See original article at:
http://www.readersdigest.ca/home-garden/money/15-things-not-say-your-boss

Posted in Miscellaneous, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Top 5 Family Vacation Spots for Summer, 2011

Posted on July 14, 2011 by admin

After working hard, everyone deserves a vacation with the family. The top 5  family vacation spots for summer,2011 are:

Orlando, Florida
Orlando is the home to Disney land. If you have little kids, it is the number one place to take them.

Cancun, Mexico
Cancun is a beautiful destination with plenty of beaches. If you like to play in the water, it is a perfect destination for you.

Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is a wonderful place for a vacation for family. It also helps that there are so many direct flights to this city.

Maui, Hawaii
Maui is a great place for active families. There are plenty of great beaches from white to black to red.

Kauai, Hawaii
Kauai is a perfect place for nature lovers.  It includes glorious coastlines, secluded beaches and breathtaking waterfalls.

See original article at:
http://shine.yahoo.com/event/summertravel/the-top-5-family-vacation-spots-for-summer-2011-2487715

Posted in Miscellaneous, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

How to Deal with Stress at Work

Posted on July 12, 2011 by admin

Since the recession the workplace became even more competitive and stressful. Stress at work can interfere with the employers productivity at work and later can lead to being fired. The following 6 tips help an employee deal with stress:

Tip 1: Recognize warning signs of excessive stress at work

Before doing anything else, you need to be aware that you are stressed out. You cannot deal with a problem if you cannot identify it.  The causes of being stressed at work can be anything from pressure to work at your best all the time to being afraid of being  laid off. Some of the signs of being stressed out are trouble sleeping, social withdrawal and feeling depressed.

Tip 2: Reduce job stress by taking care of yourself

You need to be happy with your personal life before you can be happy with your work life. Do little things to make yourself happy and healthy. Some things that you can to  are making sure you are active, make good food choices,  don’t drink or smoke too much and get enough sleep to feel energized the next day.

Tip 3: Reduce job stress by prioritizing and organizing

To be less stress out at work you need to make sure you don’t commit to more than you can handle. You also need to know how to time manage and task manage. Some time management tips include making sure you come in time to work without rushing and creating a balanced schedule. The task management include prioritizing tasks and be willing to compromise.

Tip 4: Reduce job stress by improving emotional intelligence

Being emotionally intelligent can remove stress at work. You need to be self aware of you emotional impact as well as socially aware of other employee’s feelings. When making mistakes you need to be able to laugh at yourself, but make sure you don’t laugh at others.

Tip 5: Reduce job stress by breaking bad habits

Once you learn to deal with you own stress and have good relationship with your colleague you will be able to break the bad habits at work.  Do not set unrealistic goals for yourself, because if you are not able to achieve the goal, it will add to unnecessary stress. Also think positively and celebrate the little successes.

Tip 6: Learn how managers or employers can reduce job stress

If you are a manager you need to make sure that you are a positive role model for your employer, by remaining calm in difficult situations.  As a manager, you need make sure you communicate clearly and efficiently with your employers, give your employers opportunities to better their careers, as well as  make your rule fair and consistent.

 

See the original article at http://www.helpguide.org/mental/work_stress_management.htm for more explanation.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

10 Mistakes People Make During Interviews

Posted on July 5, 2011 by admin

We all make mistakes while interviewing for a job. These are the 10 most common mistakes people make.

1. Not take the job interview seriously. Just because you got an interview, you can not assume that the job is yours.

2. Dressing down. It important to make a good first impression, which includes looking neat and professional at the interview. The best clothing to wear to the interview is a bussiness suit.

3. Not showing why you’re the best choice. Make it clear to the employer why they should choose you before other candidates. Make sure you know everything about the job position and what is expected of you.

4. Being too modest. Make sure to talk about your accomplishment at the interview.

5. Talking too much. Make sure you give an interviewer a chance to talk. It is important to be a good listener and answer the questions thoughtfully.

6. Focusing on the funds. Do not bring up the salary question too soon. You should let the interviewer to bring up the issue.

7. Trash talking. Do not talk bad about you previous employer. If laid off, do not blame the employer, rather find a positive spin on it.

8. Failing to ask questions. Make sure that you have at least 3 to 4 question to ask the interviewer. That shows that you are interested in the company and prepared for the interview.

9. Lack of enthusiasm. Make sure that you show that you happy to be at the interview. Don’t forget to thank the interviewer at the end of the interview.

10. Forgetting the follow-up. Make sure to write an email or a handwritten note to the interviewer to thank for his or her time and consideration. Also, it is acceptable to call the interviewer in about a week later to find out the status of the interview.

See the original article at:

http://www.thesedonagroupaustin.com/?p=243

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment