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If No Action, Why Is There a Meeting?!

February 22, 2016 by Wilma Jones

If No Action, Why Is There a Meeting?!

People always complain about meetings. Not customer meetings or sales meetings. Nope, it’s those internal meetings from hell that drive us crazy on a weekly basis.

In a discussion last week after work, I was with a few folks enjoying adult beverages while pondering the thought that somehow management at our respective companies would get a grip. It seems there are more obstacles to getting things accomplished in corporate America than ever before. No, it’s not just where you work.

There are more people who need to get involved. Decisions are being made committee. But not just a few people. Lots of folk have their hands in the mix. Just makes it seem more difficult than it needs to be to many of the people at the event.

The issue that piqued the most interest was the meeting that has no result. Just covering the same information you’ve heard before. An update on an update. I am of the opinion that if there is no action required as a result of a meeting agenda, then an email or telephone call will probably suffice.

I know that isn’t true for everything, but I think if people really thought through what they needed from each meeting, they may decide everything can be accomplished without pulling everyone together at once.

Now, I understand there are issues that aren’t appropriate for email. But for the most part, if people sent clear and concise emails with appropriate details and lists of options for feedback, we could cancel 10-15% of the meetings on our calendar.

Of course, that is with the understanding that everyone opens, reads and responds to their email. But that’s another blog post altogether!

Do you think there are too many meetings in your workweek? Let me know in the comments.

This article covers the mindfulness pillar of the Living Happier @Work program.

2 Fantastic Tools Used By the Best Bosses

February 1, 2016 by Wilma Jones

2 Fantastic Tools Used By the Best Bosses

I returned to book club yesterday after a two year hiatus. A new book lover joined the group since I left, and I ended up sitting next to her. We enjoyed a great meal at Hill Country Barbecue and spirited discussion about this month’s book selection. And of course, current events like our opinion of the latest Republican debate and #OscarsSoWhite.

As the discussion continued, the subject of work and bosses was raised and our newest member told a story about a recent experience in her workplace. She works at a state government agency and a number of temporary employees were being notified that their employment was ending just a few days before Christmas. The manager informing the employees of their fate was quite happy to be handling this duty, in the most Cruella De Vil kind of way.

Our book club friend explained that there is a group of managers at the job who have moved up the ranks in the organization. This particular manager is a part of that group. These supervisors feel that because the people who used to manage them were not very nice to them, that they have the same right to be mean to people below them on the org chart now that they are leaders.

I know these were temporary employees, but it is still important to treat people kindly. The most important relationship we have at work is with our boss. The employees who watched this behavior had been impacted by observing their management behave in this manner. No one wants to be managed by people who don’t care about other people’s feelings.

Really good bosses know there are two tools that should be relied upon when working with their team, whether they are permanent or temporary staff. The first is gratitude. Showing appreciation to your team, especially if you have to perform a tough task, is important.

The second tool is that of kindness. Managers often have to tackle an unpleasant duty when providing corrective action or termination of an employee. The tone and choice of words can make all the difference when you have to give someone really bad information. Appearing to relish the duty is just bad business.

Having been on the giving and receiving end of this unfortunate responsibility, I can tell you from personal experience that if someone finds firing a person easy, they probably aren’t the most caring boss on the planet. But sometimes in a business it’s inevitable. Using gratitude for the contribution that’s been made and kindness in the manner in which you handle the separation can make a big difference in how the employees left behind perceive you as a boss.

10 Easy Exercises to Do at Your Desk

January 25, 2016 by Wilma Jones

10 Easy Exercises to Do at Your Desk

The news about the dangers of being sedentary throughout the day are somewhat alarming. Sitting is the new smoking, they say. Even if you work out 30 minutes daily, it doesn’t reduce the risk of sitting in a chair at a desk for 8+ hours each day.

The only way to reduce your risk is to sit less and move more every day. Even if the movement is simply to stand a few more minutes every day. OK, that’s one suggestion. Now here are 10 more exercise ideas to help you get a little workout at the job.

1. Take the stairs up to the office whenever you can.
2. Take a walk around your floor every hour or so. (If you can’t walk the floor, how about the lobby? Or maybe you can grab your coat and walk once around the building for some fresh air.)
3. Wall sit. Stand with your back against the wall. Then lower yourself and push your knees out like you’re sitting in an imaginary chair. Hold for at least 30 seconds. (If that’s easy, bend one leg, ankle to knee and hold.)
4. Hold the yoga Prayer Pose while seated in your chair. Push your palms together and exercise your arms.
5. Stand at your desk. (Especially nice when you’re listening to a conference call.)
6. If that is too easy, do squats while standing at your desk.
7. Hamstring curls. Stand behind your desk chair. Use one hand to hold the chair. Lift one leg at a time and try to push your heel toward your bottom.
8. Do alternate leg raises while waiting for a document to print.
9. Glute squeezes while sitting in your chair. This one is easy – squeeze your butt. Hold for a least 15 seconds. Repeat.
10. Do the desk chair swivel and work your abs. Swivel your butt to the left and your chest to the right. Work those obliques. Now twist in the opposite direction.

Whether you work in a corporation sitting at a desk or from home on at your own business, or something in between, the less time you spend sitting on your bottom everyday, the happier and healthier you will be. [LINK] Keeping your body moving is good for your body and your brain, so these things can also help you be more successful at the job.

Do you have other ideas for ways to add a little exercise while at the job?

For People Who Are Sick of Attending Boring, Unproductive Meetings

January 18, 2016 by Wilma Jones

For People Who Are Sick of Attending Boring, Unproductive Meetings

It’s difficult to be happy at work if you’re bored. And one of the most frequent complaints about boredom in office etiquette is the meeting. Whether in-person, on the phone or via the web most people think there are too many boring meetings. A large portion of those meetings are not very productive, as the results of this study and this one contest.

So what makes most meetings so unproductive? I think it’s because people forget that you only need to have a meeting for one reason: Some type of ACTION is required to solve a business problem or issue.

If there is no action needed then there shouldn’t be a meeting.

An agenda helps to create a more productive meeting, especially if it’s distributed prior to the meeting. Bonus points for including the agenda as a part of the meeting invitation.

Note taking is important to ensure things move forward after the meeting concludes. How many of us have been to a meeting where we simply re-hashed what was discussed at the previous meeting?!

Your notes should be simple. Action items listing the person responsible, what the action is and when it should be concluded – or if longer term, when the person will update the group. This list is incorporated into the agenda, if a follow up meeting is necessary.

The third and final tip for managing a successful meeting is to have a hard stop time. Wasting time at work is irritating to most people. If someone wants to waste time at the office, trust that it’s not at your meeting. So be respectful of people’s time. State the amount of time scheduled and alert all participants that you’re going to do your best to run the meeting on time.

A couple of hints for you to think about regarding meetings. The first is for one-on-one meetings. If it’s just two people consider having a ‘walking meeting.’ Print your agenda, grab a pen and especially if it’s a nice day, grab your coworker and take a walk outside to work through the items. Note the actions to each agenda item so you can follow up with notes after your walk. Research shows this type of meeting can spark creativity. Try it and see.

Final hint for those meetings with more than two people in a conference room or office. If the meeting is expected to be short, like 20 minutes or less, consider a standing meeting. That’s right, everyone stands up rather than sitting around a table. It’s healthier and the meeting will probably be shorter because people will engage in fewer sidebar conversations and thereby stay more focused.

Try these ideas for a meeting folks will look forward to attending. Or print this blog post and discreetly place it on the chair of the person in your office who most needs to implement these tools. All your colleagues will thank you.

4 Ways to Add More to Your Mindfulness Practice

January 13, 2016 by Iman

4 Ways to Add More to Your Mindfulness Practice

Source: 4 Ways To Improve Your Health At The Office

So you’ve added mindfulness to your workday, but you still feel like something is missing. The next time you’re feeling a little off at work try these four tips to improve your day.

Get creative – Studies have shown that creative people are healthier than other people. Think out of the box for your next project. Offer a new way to do a task; you may spark new ideas from your team that may not have come about if you did things the same way.
Make your cubicle yours – You spend more time at work during the day than you spend anywhere else. Bringing in items to spruce up your cubicle can make you feel more comfortable. You will find it easier to concentrate when you’ve made your space more like you.
Find a work friend – Having someone to relate to and experience things with is important in any situation, especially at work. This relationship allows you to have a built-in support system in a place that can be very stressful.
Make a gratitude post-it – Writing down things you are grateful for is an excellent way to put things into perspective in your work and home life. At the end of the day, write three things you’re grateful for on a post-it and stick it to your desk. Studies show this can make you happier.

Tell us how you used these suggestions, and let us know if you have any more.

This article covers the mindfulness pillar of the Living Happier @Work program.

If No Action, Why Is There a Meeting?!

If No Action, Why Is There a Meeting?!

2 Fantastic Tools Used By the Best Bosses

2 Fantastic Tools Used By the Best Bosses

10 Easy Exercises to Do at Your Desk

10 Easy Exercises to Do at Your Desk

For People Who Are Sick of Attending Boring, Unproductive Meetings

4 Ways to Add More to Your Mindfulness Practice

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