Does Less Stress and Workload Volume Increase Creativity and Production?

I have a friend who recently changed jobs.  Her new job is less demanding in terms of work volume and the stress that overload over a long period of time causes.  Every time I see her, she has a new idea for something she is starting or doing outside of her job which has also stimulated her creativity and given her some new found freedom to try some things.  She is energized!  She thinks she is  doing three times more than what she did when she had the previous job but, the difference is that she is able to focus more of her passion on personal endeavors as a balance to her work endeavors.  This is one of the best stories I've heard in a long time!  What would you do if you made changes?  If it's the right change, you might have a similar story. 

Wonder Showing Off Today

I took the dogs out to the backyard and stood on the deck taking in what kind of day it was going to be.  The sun was shining on the trees and some of the ornamental trees had just a few large yellow leaves left on them silhouetted by the large shady oaks behind them.  Then a gust of wind blew, making me look up at one of the younger oaks that I always worried would fall on the house right on the master bedroom where I sleep.  The sunlit top of the tree swayed and the fluttering leaves made sounds as some of them blew off into the air and fluttered toward me.  I took several deep breathes of the cool air that you just never get in the summertime and can't wait for.  Chilly air makes you feel so alive and envigorated, ready to take on anything!

I know, it's something so ordinary and simple.  But, I honestly stopped and thought, did I know last year before my cancer, that I risked loosing this, that I might never have gotten to experience this again?  It doesn't matter because I know it now. Go ahead and show off the wonder of the world God!  Thanks for this wonderful gift!  I hope to have many more days of wonder.

A Divine Lazy Day

A do nothing day. There's nothing like it. It happens so rarely but, when it does, it's just divine!  Some people call it being lazy in a negative sense.  I call being lazy a positive experience! It helps you reset yourself.

You can even mail them some of your garbage!

I watched a National Geographic show on a company called Terracycle which is a really great company tapping into the bio-economics of reusing garbage.  It's run by a 30 something guy. In the episode I watched they made dog collars, leashes, pet beds, pull toys, doggie rain coats, and a cat tunnel from purina dog chow bags. And they had a crane use dog food bags wound together to make a cable to lift a car completely off the ground.  Those bags are strong garbage! They also had several creative sessions on reuse of other materials for some other things. They even had a retail store, with all items in the store made from things they recycled. I just loved that company and it made me rethink throwing away my own garbage - what can I repurpose?

I also watched a another show on a few people remaking a part of the Titanic.  This was fascinating as they were doing it the same way it would've been done in those times.  They had to bend steel for the hull, make an electric industrial oven, make a coal turbine machine, etc.  They had dishes made at the same company that made the china for the Titanic and this company took the pattern out of retirement.  They invited the desendents of the passengers of the Titanic to a meal that was from a menu served on the Titanic and it was cooked from all the appliances they made that were used on the Titanic and using the electricity from the coal turbine. It was a really interesting documentary and remake of time in history when electricity was just beginning to be used for different applications.

And I took a nice long luxurious bath.  There's nothing like soaking in a hot bubble bath!

I wasn't completely sedentary though, as I walked all five dogs too.  You can't forget the 4 paw family members in the house.

Matt was having a lazy day too(unusual for him!) and, Michelle was gone all day, so the energy in the house was perfect for laziness!

I woke up today early and totally refreshed from my lazy day yesterday.  My mind is bursting with all kinds of ideas because yesterday I let it have a break. My bodies ready for some exercise and activity and I'm excited to get my day today going! Are you?  If not, let me recommend a lazy day!

Tribute to my Dad Today

I always think of my Dad on Father's Day like many children do.  I miss him, his smile, his teasing.  My sister Barb wrote one of the daily updates that we emailed to each other when Dad was sick.  This is called, "A Very Rich Man,"  written on 9-7-00.

"What gift has providence bestowed on man that is so dear to him as his
children?"  (Cicero 106-43 B.C.)

I once asked Dad if he had any regrets in life, anything that he would have done differently. His answer will come as no surprise to you as Dad replied that he wished he would've had more time to spend with his kids when we were growing up. The tables now seem to be turned as I wish everyday that I could spend more time with Dad, even if it is to quietly sit by his side.

I talked with Mom earlier this evening and she is looking forward to #1 daughter Cindy coming home. She should arrive around 8:30 or 9:00 PM. (Cindy safely arrived about 10:00 PM) This stage of Dads illness brings with it a whole new array of challenges to overcome. Dad is not swallowing well anymore, so getting medication orally presents problems. It may be that we're moving toward IV medication. The hospice nurse today updated Dr. Caruso on Dad's condition and they decided to add another 25mcg. patch for a total of
125mcg Fentanyl to try and control the pain and possibly reduce the amount of oral medication Dad is taking. It is also very difficult to move Dad these days and thankfully my brothers have been able to stay with Mom and do a lot of the lifting required.

Today my 2 year old Kieran picked up the phone and said "I talk to Pop Pop." She often pretends to talk to various members of the family on the phone, and in fact lately has taken to answering the phone herself. I thought how nice that she feels so attached to her Grammie and Pop Pop and then almost as quickly I felt a deep pang of sadness knowing that Kieran will grow up without her Pop Pop, and that she may not even remember time spent with him. ....And so the emotions seem to go these days. I feel so fortunate to have
had Mom and Dad in my life for as long as I have and then I feel so saddened that my kids and especially little Brayden won't experience first hand all the many gifts of their Pop Pop. I worry whether or not I will be able to relate to Shelby, Kieran and Brayden how wonderful and loving Dad is, how much he has influenced my life, and how much I adore him?  Perhaps more importantly I wonder if I will be able to positively influence their lives as much as Dad has mine.

   "One hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of house I lived in, what kind of car I drove, how much I had in my bank account, nor what my clothes looked like.   But the world may be a little better because I was important in the life of a child........."

Dad you are the richest man I know, there is no doubt that I'm a better person, that my brothers and sisters are better people, and that the world is a better place thanks to you.

Signing off with love and prayers,
Barb #8 of 10
And then my next favorite email article written by my brother Dan:

 "Sit Long, Talk Much"...

It's on a hand carved wooden sign in the kitchen, a gift from Pam to celebrate the kitchen as the social center of our family home at 283 North Saint Marys Street. We often tease Dad and Mom that "Sit Long" and "Talk Much" are also their Native American Indian names based on some of thier notable social habits! 

While "Sit Long" was in for his nap the other day Itook the opportunity to spend a few moments in the chair that has holds him in it's arms for so many hours each day.  I looked around the room and imagined how things must look from Dads perspective throughout the course of each day.  It's a comfortable chair in a strategic location- near the doorways to the kitchen and parlor which leads to the master bedroom.  It offers an amazing view of 19 grandchildren and six golden grads, and of angels perched on bookshelves, and fireplace mantel.  It's a box seat ticket to the Masters, Pittsburgh Pirate baseball, to Penn State and Steeler
football. Sunshine can be seen peeking through the windows in the front room or the living room depending on time of day.  The chair is only a few feet from the computer where daily updates are created and daily well wishes are downloaded to the printer.  It's a good spot to greet guests- and be greeted.

It's a front row pew at communion time or during times of prayer or reflection.  It's also a great spot to keep an eye and ear out for "Talk Much" - and she for him!  I know it's hard for Dad to spend so much time in
this chair everyday, especially when he's not feeling well. But I also know that he chooses to think of his new "world headquarters" in the most positive light, another shining example of how he inspires us all to look
for the good in every situation.

Stay tuned for more about "Talk Much" on my next turn at update!  I need to
get this off the my editor in St. Marys before the midnight deadline.  Until
then,  I am...

Sincerely yours,
# 6 Dan (oldest of the younger siblings & Mom's favorite!)

Moving Forward

You get the most out of life by keeping your momentum moving forward.  Something doesn't work?  Think of what to do differently.  Moving forward helps you grow and learn.  Sometimes it's hardwork and there are lots of obstacles.  These can make you look at things differently, come up with different ideas, etc. 

Respond In Real Time - Old concept that works!

I loved Seth Godin's blog today because it was a very human way to prioritze your work and determine when interactions are best done in person or with a phone call.  In business we often get pulled into the high production trap and become focused on getting things done through email.  This often makes you feel removed and can affect the heart you put into things as heart comes from the energy and syncronization of others heart and ideas.  I'm copying Seth's blog below so I don't lose it and so that I can go back and read it occasionally.

Synchronicity, intimacy and productivity  - Seth Godin

A shortcut to customer and co-worker intimacy is to respond in real time. A phone call is more human than an email, a personal meeting has more impact than a letter.
On the other hand, when you do your work on someone else's schedule, your productivity plummets, because you are responding to the urgent, not the important, and your rhythm is shot.
The shortcut analysis, it seems to me, is to sort by how important it is that your interactions be intimate. If it's not vitally important that you increase the energy and realism of the relationship, then insert a buffer. Build blocks of time to do serious work, work that's not interrupted by people who need to hear from you in real time, right now.
On the other hand, for interactions when only a hug or a smile will do, allocate the time and the schedule to be present.
Confusing the two is getting easier than ever, and it's killing your ability to do great work.

Salsa with Roasted Vegetables

4 beef eater tomatoes
1 large sweet onion
1 green pepper
1 jalapeno pepper cored/seedless
4 cloves garlic, peeled whole
sea salt
lime juice
cilantro, shopped

put tomatoes, onion, green pepper, jalapeno, and garlic cloves on a cookie sheet and broil them in the oven until the vegetables are roasted and blackened.  In a food processor or blender, place the garlic and sea salt and blend till smooth, add the remaining ingredients and do a rough blend with them.  Add in a tablespoon of lime juice and a Tablespoon of chopped cilantro.

For a green version use 8- 10 tomatios instead of red tomatoes.

Honestly Honesty!

Weiner showed us how to create a bad situation and how not to handle it well.

When you work in public relations/marketing the first rule you recommend to others as part of crisis management is to address the situation honestly, make a statement and sometimes what you plan to do differently to avoid the mistake again.  Honesty is first step.

It's disappointing to see our public service governmental representatives fall short of honesty.

Crane Update

173 oragami cranes folded 827 more to go!   They actually are relaxing to do when you're just watching tv and you want something to do with your hands.   It's a new stress reliever activity!

If you remember, I'm folding 1,000 of them for an art project.  The inspiration is a japanese legend that says if you fold a 1,000 cranes you can make a wish and the crane will grant you it. 

Pam

What's Your Environment?

You've heard the saying, "we are products of our environment." I stopped to think about this today.

How long before you lose your leadership skills if you don't work in an environment that has strong leaders, supports leadership growth, provides leadership mentoring and teaches leadership?

If where you work doesn't invest in your learning and skill set improvement, how long before you either make it your personal goal to do it anyway for yourself, or you just quit thinking about it and wonder why you aren't growing?

What happens to people who work for companies like this? On the extreme end, the company could fail and everyone loses their job and are less marketable because they lost touch with what they once were passionate about. A more middle of the road scenario could be that the company exists but is not a remarkable company and it's people become less remarkable because they too just exist or leave. At the other extreme end, the company, could become clearer on how to engage everyone, develop their skills, and the company is clearer about what it's priorities are so it becomes a remarkable company.

Learning

A colleague shared this link with me in which the speaker sessions are available to view until June 10th. · http://www.chick-fil-aleadercast.com/firstsession

There are some really great leaders speaking at this Chick-Fil-A Leadercast. I took good notes from the John Maxwell session on leadership, Dave Ramsey on what makes you a successful leader and Frans Johannson with his inspirational way on how to get the best creative ideas through diversification of input! I'm excited to be able to watch some of the other presenters tomorrow night! I wish I didn't have to go to bed as I'd just watch as many more as I could tonight!

Self-improvement and learning are really important to do in life! Every moment counts!

Techie Learning

I've decided to learn all I can about Social Media so I've immersed myself into it. I'm reading books, articles, trying out things, tracking things, etc. There is sooooo much out there! I'm loving learning it. Sometimes when you embark on something like this it can either feel like a drag or feel invigorating...this feels energizing and fun! No matter what age you are you need to keep learning and improving yourself. It's easier if you pick things that match who you are! It's hard to get motivated at times and get out of your comfort zone but when you do...the payoffs can be huge.

Oh and while I'm at it, I finally bought an iPhone! That's kept me busy as well! So cool!

What Is Talent?

I taught adult education advanced watercolor classes at one time. We would meet twice a week in a middle school science lab room. My students were three times plus older than Iwas. I was such a wet behind the ears teacher to them I'm sure. As it goes, I learned more from them than they from me. What was cool was that they'd sign up semester after semester and most of my core group stayed in tack unless there was a family emergency or trip or something.

We all got to know each other quite well. There was Joe who was such a good painter that he could teach the class. And his friend, Bill who painted and drew little postcard sketches each day that were just lovely studies and very precise because he was an engineer and payed attention to everything! There was Annette who had a son that now lived with her because he had brain damage from falling off a roof while working on a house. She came to class for stress relief. There was a few Moms with children in elementary and middle school that were great friends and my class was their night out from the family.

I taught them how to paint skies and trees and oceans and brooks. They taught me patience and trying. I taught them the color wheel, and as I listened to their chatting as they painted i learned that life is all the colors of the wheel and more!

There was one particular lady who tried so hard to get the watercolor technique down but she was just always tight and her watercolors didn't flow. She would get frustrated but she came back each week and each semester. One night I came in and I walked around the classroom and her watercolor was perfect. I remember saying, "Geraldine, your technique is great tonight! How did you do this?" And she replied, "I just went to be a few nights ago and got up the next day and it all just clicked in my brain and I could do it."

The students would sometimes say, I'm never going to learn to do this and I'd always encourage them to keep on trying as sometimes you have to practice. In the back of my head, I wondered though if some people just had talent and others would never have talent. What I learned from Geraldine was that if you have the passion to want something and you keep trying at it, then eventually you will get there.

Busy is as Busy Does

Somehow I've gotten myself busy and having fun doing it.

Sometimes people complain about being too busy. My goal is to create a good work life balance this year. I'm doing it but I've gotten busy! You see just because I'm not working all the time didn't mean I could go home and sit on my can. I just keep being busy but have transferred it to other things...fun things!

So, the crane project is going - fold 3 cranes a day to achieve the project in 333 days! Then I still have my breast cast to finish painting - it's been hanging around the kitchen for a few weeks! Somehow sewing grabbed hold of me as my furniture cushions in the screened room needed replaced! And I enjoyed planting my flowers and little vegetable seeds (except for the poison ivy.) I'm waiting for them to pop through the dirt! Exciting! Then planting them in the garden and babying them to grow more!

I have several books I'm reading and several waiting for me to read. I've been self-learning about social media so that I can apply it to work eventually. I go to the gym several times a week!

And then there's just the daily stuff. Being busy is fun to me....so long as there is work life balance I advise everyone to do it!

And when I find my list of all the blog topics I want to write about, which was getting quite long, then I'll try to fit in more Blogging too!

1,000 Cranes

I love oragimi. There is something fun about folding paper into shapes and I love the colorful paper used in this art form. I ran across an article about it a few weeks ago when reading about unique social media efforts being used to raise money for the Japan tsunami victims. There is a Japanese legend where anyone that folds 1,000 origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane such as recovery from an illness. A Japanese social media site began selling electronic cranes to raise money. Very appropriate marketing for a good cause! I was wondering if I folded 1,000 cranes would anyone pay $1 each to raise money for cancer. My wish for the crane to grant is a cure for cancer. What do you think? It takes a little practice to fold a crane. http://www.savingcranes.org/origami-cranes.html I've been mulling this idea around for a few weeks now. This morning, driving to work, I looked up in the sky because I caught site of a large flock of white birds flying overhead in front of me. There they were, wings glittering away in the sky forming ever changing shapes before breaking into multiple classic v formations to carry on thier journey. I think it was a sign to do it! Want to help?

Walking With Survivors

Last night I walked with a courageous group of people...cancer survivors. I was happy to see so many purple shirts but, I it also made me realize how many people battle this awful disease.

As we got ready to walk, I was in the front line holding the banner beside, ten year cancer survivor, and co-worker, Joan Billheimer. I took a few minutes to turn around and look behind me at the old, young and children survivors. It's that moment that tugged at my heart because we were all still there, happy to be alive, celebrating, and creating awareness for this cause.

My other moment was seeing 75 year old Joan, carrying the torch and doing the rememberance lap at the beginning of the luminary ceremony. She has such strength and passion for this cause. She BELIEVES, in supporting her cause and it's such a passion of hers that eminates from her core. Most of you that followed my own experience may remember how supportive Joan was when I was sick. She is truly an amazing woman. Joan knows everyone and how to navigate around a room or an event like the most famous person there ever was.

We were all cold, and didn't she know about a tent, with walls and even a heater in it. So we all followed her over to this secret place and warmed up! We joked with her that she could make more money for cancer by letting people pay $5 to take turns coming into that tent to warm up a little!

I talked to a young black women beside me on the survivor walk. That's something I've found people do more of if they are survivors. They take time to talk and learn about each other. That is a side-effect of the focus you get as to what is important now in life when you have cancer or after surviving it. She was from Jacksonville, FL but was in Florence visiting family here. She had breast cancer and was on her second round of chemo and radiation. I told her I was a 6 month cancer survivor and she quickly said but why do you still have your hair? I explained my cancer was contained and hadn't spread so I hadn't needed chemotherapy. She was surprised only because we mostly know only our own experiences with cancer. She didn't know some breast cancer didn't require it. We all learn from each other. I wished her well but today am wishing I would've given her a hug as she has a hard road.

My husband, Matt and daughter Michelle and her boyfriend Beckham were all there to support the cause with me as they were my fabulous caregiver team! Michelle and I made luminaries for our loved ones to remember them by or to honor them as they continue their battle. My co-worker Reuben was there to support the cause because he saw his mom go through cancer twice and he was there to support me and our boss who is recovering from her cancer.

The night was cold but it was the warmest place to be! Celebrate! Remember! Fightback! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNPC2nEz3QY

Good day to PAINT!

Today, I'm starting to painting the bust I made before I had cancer. The magnolia over the cancer tumor will be black and white and the other ones full color as the painting progresses. The idea is to depict the feeling of CHANGE.

What Is Your Personal Brand Essence?

When you develop a brand for a company you have a step where you develop your brand essence. This is the core proposition of everything you do and say. It's the one word that describes what's at the heart of who you are. I have been known to create family get together discussions around this. Everyone in the discussion ends up trying to figure out their one word that is their personal brand essence word.

Sometimes people ask me what I think theirs is.

Adrienne (team member) I know your brand word now finally! SPIRIT
Both the in the Christian based sense and the human essence which is what I say I always miss when you’re not here! I don’t know why it took me so long to figure it out!

I also figured out my daughter Michelle’s core proposition. Hers is HEART
She always puts her heart into most everything she believes in. Sometimes she loses heart but overall it’s the one word that describes who she is best.

And while I was on a role thinking of this driving into work today I thought about my husband’s which has also been hard for me to figure out. His is Truth but I keep wanting to make it SIMPLE-TRUTH as that is closer to what he represents.

My Mom’s is STRONG as in she’s a strong woman but not physically, in the sense of bettering herself, being tough when you have to be; overcoming challenges.

I have moments of clarity when things aren’t cluttering my brain when I can see these things well. What pops in your head when you have those moments? Do you know your one word?

Cards Early and Late

I drive my Mom crazy because I always send her occasion cards late. I buy them on time but I forget about them or I sign them and have them ready to send off only to find out that I don't have a stamp which involves a trip the post office. I try to work the trip in on my lunch but keep forgetting about it or I decide to work through lunch to keep up with my work. So she gets her cards late! I'm not the only one though she tells me...most of my brothers and sisters are the same way. Poor Mom! Really.

Over the weekend I bought some cards for different people for different purposes and I included in my purchases an Easter Card for my Mom. It even was and Easter Card for Mom specific!. This morning I filled it out, addressed the envelope, slapped the stamp on it and sent it on it's way! Won't she be surprised to get her card EARLY!

I think cards are really nice ways to let people know you're thinking of them. I always liked doing it and need to do it more often. I asked Adrienne, my co-worker, if her generation liked cards too? She's just one Gen Y gal but she was enthusiastic about them and thinks they're important too.

Interesting that with all the new communications methods we still like an old fashioned card! Everything changes eventually. I wonder what will be the equal replacement of a card with the use of technology? Where will the card stores go? Maybe we'll send holograms of ourselves with a personal message in the future.

What can we learn from Houdini?

Since Google Doodle today was Harry Houdini I took time tonight to read more about Houdini! I knew he was a famous and amazing magician because I saw some movies about him. What I didn't know was that his family came from Austria Hungry and his last name was Weisz for which they changed to Weiss (German) when they came to American. Maybe they're related to my niece Audry Weis? You never know how the family trees look way back!

Anyway, my take on his life is that he became famous by focusing on one thing that people would find amazing ....escapology. He also wrote about seven books on magic. He was passionate about exposing the frauds in his field. And he was in several films... all this before he was 52!

He's a good example of being passionate about what you do, pushing the envelope, being the best, staying focused and the outcomes of all those things.

Happy Birthday Harry Houdini. Thanks for the inspiration!

A Vase of Flowers In the Parking Lot

I was walking back from one building on our campus and tend to look down instead of up when I walk. It's because I live with five dogs and when you take them outside...you don't want to be looking up because you know you'll step in doo doo for sure! So now it's a habit. But I see the world differently.

Today I was passing "Arts" parking spot and his car wasn't there but I noticed there was a spot where he dumped his coffee or something. The yellow pollen's been at an all time high for dusting everything good and it really stuck to the coffee splashes. As I got closer I stopped to really pause because there it was a perfect vase with flowers coming out of it. What a cool image with the yellow silhouette on the rough macadam parking surface!

I walked inside and dragged my co-worker Adrienne out with her camera. I told her why on the way and she half believed me but went along with her crazy co-worker (probably because she's been told to be nice to old people!) So we get to Arts spot and she says, "Sure enough look at that!" She goes to take the photo, however the battery in the camera was dead...so I have no proof of this wonder of the day but it's true cause who else would write about this!

Don't you wonder what YOU'RE missing by always looking up?