The Messenger

School is back in full swing at my house. We've had classes for three weeks now, so we're starting to adjust to the routine. My kids have had to learn that while we give them time to relax after school, there's still homework to be completed, practices to go to, and chores to be done. Essentially, my husband and I are trying to teach them time management. My oldest and youngest are doing pretty well at this. My middle child, however, has had to learn the hard way a few times that he can't wait until the last minute. Benjamin has just started middle school. He is loving having different teachers, switching classes, and learning to play the baritone. He's also learning that he must take more responsibility upon himself. He's already had two assignments that were late because he forgot to do the homework. Every day, I ask him if he has homework. Most of the time, he quickly answers "no" without stopping to think through each class. Yesterday, though, he finished an assignment that …

[Read more...] about September 2017 Messenger: Take Control of Your Time

When talking about speaking in public, we've all heard the tip of picturing the audience in their underwear. Does that tip actually help anyone or do most people, myself included, think that it's really creepy? In doing research for this month's Messenger, I came across an article written by Dr. Michelle Mazur. Dr. Mazur is a public speaking coach from Seattle who gives five pieces of horrible public speaking advice that she has heard. In addition to the tips on how to prepare for a presentation given in our August Messenger, I also wanted to share Dr. Mazur's five pieces of bad advice. Picture your audience naked Practice in front of a mirror Start with a joke Tell the audience that you're nervous, drunk, hung over, etc. Don't look them in the eye - the forehead will do …

[Read more...] about August 2017 Messenger: Public Speaking Do’s and Don’ts

Think back throughout your career to all the jobs you've had. Go all the way back to that first summer job as a teenager. Now think about the manager at each of those jobs. What comes to mind when they pop into your head? Good thoughts? Or do you quickly go to the next person on the list? Hopefully, most of you have had encouraging people cross your path that have helped you grow. I'm sure some of you have had a manager that yells (maybe with a few choice words thrown in) and is demeaning, making you dread going into work each day. Managers occasionally show a lack of confidence in their employees. While this is often unintentional, employees need to feel the support of management. In this month's Messenger, Management Support, we will look at a few ways managers inadvertently show a lack of support. …

[Read more...] about June 2017 Messenger: Management Support is Important to Employees