John Ploetz Bloggin

Recently some articles have come out that suggest that negative people might just be wired differently, that they have a predisposition towards negativity ( http://www.earthtimes.org/health/optimistic-people-wired-differently/1497/ ). Whether or not we have a predisposition to a positive or negative outlook, I like to think that we can all vary where we want to be on the continuum of positive vs negative. On any given day depending on what events we face or how we feel we move along the negative/positive line and find a spot to sit for that day. We make a choice whether we choose to interact with that day negatively or positively. Here are some tips on how to set a positive direction for the day.

1. Prepare for the next day the night before. If there are any loose odds and ends you can get out of the way the night before do them. Charge your cell phone, decide what you’re going to wear the next day, put your handbag or brief case by the door, and write down notes to yourself on any tasks or errands you need to get done by the end of the day. This reduces distractions in the morning.

2. You set the tone for the day. Look in the mirror in the morning and say out loud “Today is going to be a great day!”.

3. Understand what can create negative situations for you. Decide in advance how you will handle those situations. Be prepared for angry customers, difficult family member discussions, and negative people you might come in contact with during the day. Then, mentally note how you will work through those situations in a positive manner in advance. The positive attitude you present can help craft a more positive outcome in any situation.

4. Set a morning routine. Maybe it includes reading the paper, having a cup of coffee, doing a cross word puzzle, or exercise. A regular routine, grounds you for the day and relaxes your mind putting it in the right frame to start the day.

5. Don’t let events negatively impact your overall mental attitude. You can’t determine what events you might encounter during the day, but you can decide how you will respond. Look at every event as a learning experience and do your best to handle it in the best positive way possible. An interesting article to think about is at http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/24/your-money/why-people-remember-negative-events-more-than-positive-ones.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

6. Set something to do at the end of the day to unwind and let your brain relax. Meditate, exercise, unwind in low key conversation, make a casual dinner. You need “you” time to relax and recharge.

7. Eat right and get regular sleep. This gives your mind and body the basis for maintaining a positive outlook.

Stay positive, enjoy the week and remember staying positive is all about you.

Want some additional ideas on how to stay positive, go to the following articles:

1. http://blog.bufferapp.com/how-to-rewire-your-brains-for-positivity-and-happiness

2. http://successify.net/2012/10/31/22-things-happy-people-do-differently/

Next up – Work Ethic

John Ploetz

13 Oct, 2013

John Ploetz Bloggin

Maintaining business focus and direction are one of a manager’s main challenges. At any given time a manager should have a feel for the pulse of the company and a sense of how employees are doing. It’s about understanding and being in tune with what’s going on around you. The best managers have a sixth sense when it comes to handling staff and motivating them to get the job done. In order to direct and motivate staff, at any given moment a manager should be able to write down or verbalize concise answers to these three questions:

What have we done lately? Understanding what has been accomplished in the last year helps staff realize a sense of pride and accomplishment. Always write down and outline tasks and projects that have been completed. Challenges that have been overcome are quickly forgotten if not notated. Knowing how far the company has come allows staff to understand what can be accomplished and what hurdles can be overcome. It also provides a roadmap to show how the company is moving forward.
Where are we now? This may be the most difficult to assess. Usually the present is like being in the middle of the forest, but it’s still important to see the trees. A manager needs to assess what the company is trying to provide to customers on a daily basis –
- What are the services or products that the company is able to provide?
- Is the company actually meeting customers’ demands?
- Are current company resources being properly utilized?
At the same time the manager is always trying to balance internal and external challenges at any given moment. Basically, a manager needs to review the changing importance of each tree in relationship to the forest. An interesting analysis of how to focus on the important issues can be reviewed at http://www.midastouch.uk.com/blog/1952/the-fried-egg-process-maintaining-focus-on-the-issues-that-drive-your-business
Where are we going? A manager should have a set of goals both short term and long term. Make sure to have them prioritized in writing. Also, be aware of where the company is in the process of implementing those various goals. Staff should know what the goals are, to the extent they affect them, so they can understand the direction the company is headed and can participate in the implementation as needed.

Finally, never forget that you can’t maintain the company’s focus if you can’t maintain your individual focus. An interesting article on improving your individual focus can be found at https://www.openforum.com/articles/6-ways-to-improve-your-focus-at-work-a-small-business-guide/

Staying consistently aware of how the past, present and future interact helps a manager maintain business focus.

Next up – Staying Positive

John Ploetz

7 Oct, 2013

John Ploetz Bloggin

Giving Credit (kudos in the workplace) for a job well done at work is all about acknowledging the accomplishments of your staff and co-workers in the proper way. It can almost be as important as giving a raise. Some thoughts on avoiding pitfalls:

You’re the boss you don’t need to take the credit, you need to give credit. Whenever possible share the credit for a job well done.
Make the kudos sincere or don’t make them at all. People can see through insincerity. Make it count by being sincere.
Make sure to give kudos to everyone who worked on a successful project or came up with a great idea. Make sure to give recognition to all employees, both big and small contributors, involved on a project. Leaving out a deserving employee can create ill will.
Give credit in a way each employee wishes to receive it. This can be difficult to determine sometimes. Great options on how to acknowledge an employee include:
- Gift cards;
- Verbal praise;
- a personal note;
- monthly employee awards;
- recognition in front of the rest of the staff; or
- a special staff lunch.

Usually a combination of a personal one on one recognition and a group recognition is the best.

5. Don’t give out credit to those who don’t deserve it. This may seem harsh. But you don’t want to spread your kudos lightly. Giving praise when it isn’t warranted can cause you to lose credibility with the rest of the staff.

As a leader the eyes are on you as to how you will handle any situation. It is important for you to take the high road. This includes making sure proper acknowledgement of accomplishments is given. If a tree falls in the woods and no one is around does it still make noise? In this instance no. You need to make others aware of the employee’s accomplishment. But, make sure you give the praise to the right person in the right manner.

Next up – Maintaining Focus