Having enjoyed reading your
biographical, They
can't take that away from me... I
would love to post your article (for my) course for
seniors entitled Autobiography and Journaling ... and
let them read your article as a good example of what
I call the reader's writer, clearly expressed and easy
to read. (Howell)
The French language has
always appealed to me ... so I enjoyed Lavinia's
experiences en
France! (Di Sullivan, Perth, Australia)
I am an American and an
expat here since 1990. I have been a subscriber to Writing
Tip for a few years now and look forward to the Friday
editions. I archive by creating topics of the tips
relevant to me and often refer. (Mary, Lagos, Nigeria)
WRITERS!
Write
Your Own Best Seller!
This
year, don't just read a best-seller ... Write
your own using the software program that works
in the same way J K Rowling writes her Harry
Potter novels!
Who said Aussies would
bet on two flies crawling up a wall? Now I know
better! (Bill Denham, Chicago, USA)
I enjoy reading your page
every week, Jennifer, it's never boring and there's always
something to bring a smile to my face! (Kenny Dima,
Tenerife, Spain)
Great newsletter -
originally found this site after searching for
clarification on a contentious
point amongst work colleagues. Just had to look at old
issues and now look forward to Fridays (Juliet Wallace,
Manchester, ENGLAND)
As the end of the year rockets
towards us, we usually spend a bit of time considering what we've achieved and
what we want to achieve "next year." Gary Lockwood's article will help
you do just this.
I can remember reading an article
many years ago, about a doctor who was retiring after over fifty years of
working primarily with older patients. He was asked what he'd learnt from his
long career and he replied that what stood out in his mind were the times he'd
sat with patients who were dying.
"Not one of them," he said, "ever regretted not spending more
time at work - but so many of them regretted the time they'd spent away from
their families."
It's definitely the time of year
that turns thoughts to what's important in life - take a few minutes to look at
your life and review your priorities - your family will be glad you did :)
Kind regards,
Jennifer
Save time next year by using these
Sales Letter templates for your business. Just choose the letter to suit your
needs, add your company details and then spend some time with your family!
My two sons, Dan and Doug, were five and six years old.
On their fist day of school, we started a new game. At dinner that
evening, I asked, "Boys, what was the fun-est thing you did today"?
Watching their response, I could tell what they were thinking.
"Oh-Oh; Daddy's on a new kick again". Regardless, Doug and
Dan each told of something fun and interesting they did that day.
I contributed by relating to them something weird and funny that
had happened at my office that day (something weird was happening
at my office almost every day, it seems).
We laughed at each other's stories and went on to enjoy a delightful
dinner together.
The next evening, I again asked them, "Boys, what was the fun-est
thing you did today"? This time, they each had one ready to tell.
And I once again told them about something weird and funny that
had happened at my office that day. As the first evening, we
laughed and had a good time with this.
Each evening at dinner, I asked the same question. By the end of
the first week, the boys could see that this was going to be a regular
thing. They came to the dinner table already knowing what their
evening's story would be.
In the weeks to follow, Doug and Dan each had at least one fun thing
to tell and sometimes two or three. They even competed to see who
had the fun-est story. Dan would say, "I want to go first. My story
is better than Doug's".
After a while, it almost seemed that these boys were making fun things
happen during the day, just so they could tell about it at dinner. We
laughed a lot and enjoyed each story.
Where was their focus? That's right; on the positive things that were
going on with them. During this time of their lives, do you suppose
that Dan and Doug had any unpleasant things happening to them or
around them? Of course they did! We all have negative events and
negative people in our lives.
I just didn't want the negatives to be their primary focus. I wanted
my sons to see past the unpleasantness around them and experience
the positive.
How many times do you end your day stewing about?
The heavy traffic
The report that didn't get finished
People who haven't returned your calls
Deals that are dragging on
The computer's not working correctly
And on, and on, and on.
I am not suggesting that you ignore the challenges in your life.
I AM suggesting that you just not dwell there.
Successful entrepreneurs develop their positive attitudes because
they feed on progress.
At the end of each day, instead of recounting all the difficulties and
all that remains undone, write your accomplishments. Write the
three most positive, interesting things that happened to you this
day (the fun-est things). You can literally end each day on a
positive note by jotting down the three best things that happened
this day.
These may be things that happened to you, people around you,
events that just felt good to you, or just a sunny day. Some of the
most rewarding things to capture are your own actions. Often, there
is no one around to acknowledge your achievements, especially
those little ones that happen in the course of the day. By focusing
a few minutes on your accomplishments, you give yourself a little
pat on the back and recognize progress, even when small.
Having a positive attitude toward your business and toward life in
general may be one of the most important characteristics of success-
ful people. In my years of experience as a Business Coach, I have
observed many successful entrepreneurs. With very few exceptions,
those who are successful and happy have developed and maintained
a positive outlook.
A positive attitude is not accidental. Successful entrepreneurs know
how to create a positive attitude for themselves. They don't just
wait for it to happen.
Start today. Write down or tell someone about the three best things
that happened today. This recognition of the positive things in your
life will restore your confidence and your sense of well-being.
You will likely gain a new perspective, a higher energy level and
increased creativity.
Start now. "What was the fun-est thing *you* did today"?
This week, a few tips for anyone
foolish enough to have volunteered to organise the office Christmas party:
Subject: The Office Party
FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: Everyone
RE: Christmas Party
DATE: December 1
I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place on
December 23, starting at noon in the banquet room at Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue.
No-host bar, but plenty of eggnog! We'll have a small band playing traditional
carols...feel free to sing along. And don't Be surprised if our CEO shows up
dressed as Santa Claus!
FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 2
RE: Christmas Party
In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees. We
recognize that Hanukkah is an important holiday which often coincides with
Christmas, though unfortunately not this year. However, from now on we're
calling it our "Holiday Party." The same policy applies to employees
who are celebrating Kwanzaa at this time.
Happy now?
FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 3
RE: Holiday Party
Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a
non-drinking table ... you didn't sign your name. I'm happy to accommodate this
request, but if I put a sign on a table that reads "AA Only" you
wouldn't be anonymous anymore. How am I supposed to handle this? Somebody?
FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 7
RE: Holiday Party
What a diverse company we are! I had no idea that December 2 begins the Muslim
holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating, drinking and sex during daylight
hours. There goes the party! Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon this
time of year does not accommodate our Muslim employees' beliefs. Perhaps Luigi's
can hold off on serving your meal until the end of the party - the days are so
short this time of year - or else package everything for take-home in little
foil swans. Will that work?
Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Overeaters Anonymous to sit farthest
from the dessert buffet and pregnant women will get the table closest to the
restrooms. Did I miss anything?
FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 8
RE: Holiday Party
So December 22 marks the Winter Solstice...what do you expect me to do, a
tap-dance on your heads? Fire regulations at Luigi's prohibit the burning of
sage by our "earth-based Goddess-worshipping" employees, but we'll try
to accommodate your shamanic drumming circle during the band's breaks. Okay???
FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
Date: December 9
RE: Holiday Party
People, people, nothing sinister was intended by having our CEO dress up like
Santa Claus! Even if the anagram of "Santa" does happen to be
"Satan," there is no evil connotation to our own "little man in a
red suit." It's a tradition, folks, like sugar shock at Halloween or family
feuds over the Thanksgiving turkey or broken hearts on Valentine's Day. Could we
lighten up?
FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 10
RE: Holiday Party
Vegetarians!?!?!? I've had it with you people!!! We're going to keep this party
at Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly
at the table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so quaintly
put it, and you'll get your freaking salad bar, including hydroponic tomatoes.
But you know, they have feelings too. Tomatoes scream when you slice them. I've
heard them scream. I'm hearing them scream right now!
FROM: Teri Bishops, Acting Human Resources Director
DATE: December 14
RE: Pat Lewis and Holiday Party
I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Pat Lewis a speedy recovery from her
stress-related illness and I'll continue to forward your cards to her at the
sanatorium.
In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and give
everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off with full pay.
