How to Help this Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving, remember what it means to help.

H is for Humor
E is for Esteem
L is for Listen
P is for Praise

Embrace Change

In 2015, I wrote, “What is Change?" Since then, I can’t even begin to tell you how much change I have experienced! Some of it has been physical; some of it has been with my staff. Some of it has even been political. Some of it has been set in motion by me, and I’ve been a receiver of a lot of changes around me that impacted and changed me.

Yet, I still see change as a process of flow. It is the flow. It is the essence of life. It’s not about boredom or redundancy and it’s never a good thing to idle through change. Don’t shut off the heart when going through change! Trust in the ebb and flow. Transition -- how we handle it and what it teaches us -- is the greatest joy of being human.

So often we look at change as negative.  Yes, change is not always a choice; it may be a loss, or something we had not anticipated to take place in our lives.  How much my life has changed in these last several months! And though some of the changes seemed to be ever so difficult, many of the changes have really helped me to grow, learn and stretch myself in new directions.

The more I welcome and embrace change as a gift of opportunity, I find I actually think differently. Change simply means not getting “stuck” in the routine.

Every six months, I like to do a self-assessment to make sure that I am tuned into the changes that are happening around me so that I am still reaching and growing. It’s a lot like pruning and cleaning a garden to keep it fresh and healthy through the seasons. During a process of change, take a moment to be quiet and listen.  You’ll start to enjoy the new precisely because it is different! 

As we begin to welcome in the cooler air and rich colors of the autumn season, I encourage all of us to embrace the many changes ahead as a positive experience of “newness”—a refresh and refill for one’s soul. 

Walking and Talking Opens the Doors to New Ideas

In a recent conversation with a colleague about some current challenges at work and changes taking place in our personal lives, I found myself getting up from my desk and starting to pace. As I walked around my office my head began to clear my head and new ideas and solutions unfolded that helped to navigate discussion points more clearly.

By walking away from my desk, the computer, the cellphone (all the distractions and noise), I was able to think more clearly and be present and supportive.

A few days later, I went on a walk to enjoy the fresh spring weather. Before too long, I found my head swirling with new ideas and thoughts for a new project. When I arrived in my office, I transcribed my scribbled notes—which turned out to be the source of a brilliant solution for the project.

Lately, I find myself saying to my colleagues, “Why don’t we take a break for a moment and get some fresh air?”  For some of my scheduled calls, I even encourage the person on the other end of the phone to join me for a walk and talk!

During seasons of comfortable weather it’s nice to get outside, walk around the block. If there is a park close by, take a few minutes and walk through nature and take in the scenery. During the colder inclement seasons, walk around office corridors or lobby areas.

I remember someone once giving a group of colleagues some simple yet great advice: Sitting in front of one’s computer does not grow creative thoughts or solve problems. The best thing you can do is walk around and share in conversation with colleagues and friends.

Talk, yes, talk about things! Talk through your thoughts, challenges and ideas. It is so refreshing to walk, talk and share thoughts. I have solved so many problems and created so many new ideas when walking and talking. Try it and see how you feel!

Think Break

At the start of the New Year, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and

fall into the trap of quick responses and, ultimately, negative communications.  This year, I’m going to ask you to take a “THINK BREAK.”

Turn everything off. 15 minutes. 2 x day. 

Take a walk down the hall, or better yet, go outside.

BREATHE.

Clear the noise from all directions.

NOW you are ready to respond.

A Think Break is really about communication.

Conversation, dialogue and interaction are BIG commodities.

Take time to think about your day-to-day.

Take time to think about the bigger picture.

Be conscious.

Slow down and really think about the impact of everything you are saying, writing and doing.