Getting It Together

We all know the drill, Halloween candy disappears and the Thanksgiving and Christmas stuff coming rolling out down the aisles. Are you ready? Have you started shopping? Heck, have you made a list of the people or things you’re shopping for?!?!?!

I don’t know about you, but it drives me crazy to do the last minute “this will do” shopping on the 22^nd of December and hope that everything turns out okay. To avoid this, I plan. I check o’l faithful (pintrest), make a list, get suggestions and put that shit on my iPhone!

 There’s nothing better than coming home and crossing (hitting the button) and knowing that DONE DONE DONE is something I can claim mid November. This year, I’ve got more in the oven (Baby K) that expected, so shopping early is a MUST.

I mean, could you just see this preggos trying to maneuver her way through a crowded mall and being knocked over or jabbed in the belly with other shoppers’ purchases? Yeah, no, someone would wind up in jail. Early shopping it is.

Proudly, EVERY single person on my Christmas list has been purchased for (or is in the mail to me. Thank you, my handsome UPS man). And, the Christmas Menu has been roughly diagnosed. Getting smarter this year, I added a column to my handy dandy excel spreadsheet of goodies.

 What? You don’t use excel for menus? Really?

This time, I wrote WHAT plate (tray, platter, buffet warmer, bowl) things went on, because the disaster of last year’s “where the heck is that bowl” was NOT to be repeated this year. Plus, I wrote out my menu according the prepping/cooking times. Some things, you need to get right to be a mini Martha Stewart, aka “The Homemaking Goddess”. 

What are some things YOU do to prepare for the holiday madness? PLEASE let me know, as my OCD kicks into high gear around this time of year and all the help I can get is appreciated!!!

Happy Hunting!

The Talk

Every so often, we reach a point in our professional career where we want to have a “Sex & The City” moment and go ballistic. Come on now, you know you’ve been there too.

Lately, I’ve been feeling that I’m going to reach that point with my fearless leader at work. He’s one of those “you can do it” (while he mutters into the phone and types out an email). A great numbers man, his ultimate talents are truly lacking in the interpersonal department. Our staff finds it extremely difficult to relate with him and get our point or worries across to him.

So, how do we avoid jumping off the cliffs (or pushing him) and get back to a productive work environment? 

                                                  You have…the “TALK”.    

Yes, no one likes to have it, but it’s imperative that you find the courage (and the facts) to face your fears and figure out a solution. Deep breath, you can do this.
                                        

Here are a few tips to ensure that your point comes across in a professional manner and that you don’t seal your fate after the conversation!

1)   Write out you concerns/needs and why they trouble you

2)   Leave your emotions at the door (this is a business after all)

3)   Be assertive and straightforward

4)   Find the right time to approach your superior

5)   Keep positive and a team player. Avoid pointing fingers

6)   Let the door swing both ways and listen to feedback they may have

7)   Avoid aggressive words and use suggestive phrases

8)   Stick to the facts, not embellished feelings

9)   Have a resolve plan, where you suggest how to fix current issues

10) Leave the past in the past and smile towards the future!

These aren’t sure fire ways to make the talk go smoother but putting some of these to practice will help the transition of being frustrated at work to being heard on some level. Keep in mind that your boss mostly likely has a lot on their plate as well. Give them some slack and put in a little more elbow grease to make your day-to-day environment a healthy and productive one! Put your heart into it, and you won’t regret it.