IN YOUR BUSINESS Solving Workplace Worries

Sometimes It Feels Like Nobody's Watching Me

Earlier this year, to cut overhead in my department, my company terminated our on-site manager. Our group, consisting of twenty employees, is now supervised by three team leads. Everything seems to be going well for the most part as far as day-to-day functions, except that our previous on-site manager was responsible for our employee evaluations, which directly affect regular wage increases and yearly bonuses for all of us. I am concerned about how this process will be handled now, how to approach my company about this, since the team leads don't have the authority to do evaluations, and no one is here to do them?

Georgia B., Data Entry
Chicago, IL

Dear Georgia:

That is an interesting situation, but not nearly as complex as it may appear. It sounds like you just want to be sure you get the raise and bonus that you feel you deserve.

First of all, just ask. Contact your human resources department, or the next level of supervision, and ask professionally and politely, "Hey, you know I have been wondering since 'so-and-so' is no longer with us, how will the evaluations and bonuses be handled?" It's a simple and reasonable question to pose to them, and it's likely someone has been thinking about how it is going to be handled. However, if for some reason they have failed to, which is possible, then it's good that you stepped in with your question to give them a heads-up.

My other thought is, although there is no manager on site, that in no way means that your work ethics and efforts are going "unnoticed" by others in the company. You may not realize it, but somebody's keeping an "eye" on you guys, watching and evaluating, although from afar. If you keep doing your job well, you can make sure you are recognized for it. Without question YOUR work will speak so loudly that they have to see it and commend you. You will get what you deserve. Hopefully, that bonus!

S.R.F.

I'M JUST SAYIN'

BACK UP. BACK WAY- AAAAAY UP.

I'll make this short and sweet. I knew it was a smart thing to back up off of Brett Favre. As indecisive as he may have appeared, he sure doesn't seem to have that problem on the football field. I'm just sayin'...he is kickin' some...pigskin.

FAMILY MATTERS

WHAT'S UP WITH THAT? Sarah Palin's daughter's baby-daddy is suddenly in the celebrity spotlight?! I'm just sayin'...maybe it's just me, but are we really that hungry to see him in Playgirl, and if so, WHY? I can think of a few other true celebrity types I wouldn't mind getting a warm flush over, but most of them would probably never consider it.

PURR-RRRRRRRRRR.
REALLY loved Michelle Obama's Halloween outfit! I'm just sayin'...I guess you have to be a girl to understand that she was "represent'in" the feline in the best of us. Anyway, it was such a cute choice...especially when you're married to the "lion king." I'm just sayin'...that's what I call PURRRRR-FECT!




S.R.F.

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Where's My Key?

Are you trying to discover the key to well-being and happiness, wondering where to look, where is it hiding, and how do you get to it?

It is interesting when we take a long look at ourselves and analyze what we consider our faults and shortcomings. We will very often want to shift the blame to others if we are not feeling happy and satisfied. We can feel trapped in draining responsibilities, in poor relationships, in physical, mental and emotional demands. Depending on who you are, the list may vary or go on and on.

It can take a great effort on our part to take realistic stock of where we are, how we got there and what to do about it. No one may be to blame for the circumstances. Life happens, and here we are. Nonetheless, it is our responsibility to reconstruct our thinking and situations if we are not happy. If it's only one or two things, such as a career not working out for you, or an overload of activity, it's reasonably simple to begin looking at new career choices that could bring you greater personal satisfaction and success.

In other cases, however, when you may be overall displeased with the way things are, and possibly yourself, your processing of the status quo may involve lengthy contemplation, insight, careful planning and maneuvering. You may have to struggle through years of issues, problems and fears that have kept you where you are. Here are some considerations that may help:

1. Consider a complete change in lifestyle. That may mean something as wonderful as moving to another city, or something as challenging as eliminating all of the negative people and influences in your life PERMANENTLY.

2. Decide to think differently. Make a determined effort to see the glass half full, the silver lining, the brighter side of things.

3. Get some advice from people who are high on life. Ask them questions, watch them, follow their lead. They will encourage you, too.

4. Take the high road. Getting where you want to go isn't through back alleys and side streets. It's a waste of time trying to shortcut the process.

5. Make good decisions. Think things through. Deliberate. Question. Think futuristically. Think results.

6. Remember your purpose. Your intention is to thrive, not just survive. You'll serve yourself well to THINK BIG and believe it.

There are many keys to happiness and well-being, not just one. There are many doors that can open up and offer us so many satisfying possibilities. As far as your mind can stretch, the plethora of things that can bring you joy abound. You can cut and carve your key according to your best imaginings. What's that I hear? Opportunity, success and happiness knocking? Can YOU hear it? O.K., unlock the door!

S.R.F.

YOUR SELF-ESTEEM

Breaking Up and Breaking?

Depending on the circumstances, breaking up can be so very devastating. It can leave you hurt, lonely, confused. You had imagined there was certainly a future in the relationship. You had thought for sure that he or she was THE ONE, the one and only one. Now you have discovered that you were wrong, and you find your self-esteem is shattered in a million pieces, along with the difficult task of finding ways to put those pieces of your life and heart back together again.

If you played the leading role in the break-up, chances are you still feel pretty "together." Hurt, maybe, but you realize that break-ups do happen, and sometimes MUST happen, and so for you, life goes on. However, if you are the one who got dumped, you may be feeling rejected, disrespected, disregarded, degraded and depressed. In other words, all the wonderful things you felt about yourself when you knew that you were wanted and needed have been broken apart, too.

Listen, fret for a while if you must, but you will do yourself a major injustice if you allow wallowing in self-pity and sorrow for too long. Your pride in yourself does not rest in the fact that you thought someone else "esteemed" you. Your pride should be built upon the strengths and abilities you possess, and how much and how well you are able to esteem YOURSELF.

If he or she was your only reason for living, your only reason for feeling good about yourself and your only reason for feeling good about life, then you have a self-esteem building project on your hands. You will have to begin all over again, from the bottom up, laying a brand new foundation for yourself; a foundation built on pride, dignity, self-respect, and all the wonderful abilities that are unique to you. Look within for the "tools and bricks," not on the "outside." AFFIRM, AFFIRM, AFFIRM that you are an absolutely wonderful, awesome creation who is worthy of being loved, and I might add, by YOURSELF first!

For most people, rushing to try to replace a lost love with someone else to fill the void is the wrong quick fix. We do it because we think that will prove that we are desirable and worthy again. Stop right there. Wrong foundation. You CAN stand on your OWN foundation. You CAN develop confidence in YOURSELF again. Then, when you are ready and able to love again, you can do that in your new found strengths and not out of weakness or inabilities to feel good about yourself on your own. The best relationships are those that are built on mutual love, mutual admiration and mutual respect. To get it, you gotta bring it.

So, if you are currently the sufferer of a breakup, remember that you are not Humpty-Dumpty. Right now it might be a little bit difficult to see how everything will fit, but you can and will put all the pieces back together again.

S.R.F.

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FOXOLOGY: GO FOR THE TKO

A Plight To The Finish: The School of Hard Knocks

Chances are you've heard of The School of Hard Knocks. It's that place of education that you're thrown into against your will, and allowed to graduate from regardless of your grade point average.

The "SOHK" University, the school where you learn about life the hard way. It's that place where mistakes offer Master's degrees, and difficulties will earn you a Doctorate.

Yes, dealing with life can be down right exasperating at times, intense, a real battle. Seems like the harder you try, the harder it gets? Seems like each time you start trucking down your path to success, you get completely lost? Seems like you try to do good, but bad things always happen? You keep getting tripped up, ripped up, turned around, flattened out? You feel like that last difficulty was the final blow? Yeah? You're in The School of Hard Knocks.

Before you go to the after school pity party, take caution. That's the wrong sorority to join. You can start to feel sorry for the person you look at in the mirror each day, or start to take really good notes about yourself. You can sing sad songs and harmonize with the difficulties of life, or analyze where the problems strike a chord and learn from it. You can feel kicked and knocked around, or teach yourself to administer healing and remedies to your wounds, and your situations.The SOHK University is continuously giving you the opportunity to learn and grow, pass or fail.

Study is crucial, so study hard. Learn from your mistakes. Listen to your "instructors". Every situation teaches us something. Pay attention. Don't miss the obvious information that is right in front of you guiding you and giving you insight.

Don't be discouraged. Actually, you're in school with the most elite. The SOHK University's enrollment is full, and the cost is high. We pay a premium price for the wisdom we get at this school. Most often it's from our bank of blood, sweat and tears. However, if you can still get up and walk across the stage of life, then you made it. Stand, and hold your head up high.You may have to wait in line a very long time, but life is handing out degrees in TKO's and there's one with your name on it.

S.R.F.

I'M JUST SAYING...

Mr. President, Keep Your Eyes On The Prize

My heart is so saddened by all the recent controversy in regard to President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize. My personal opinion is that with all that the President HAS accomplished, should we be so surprised and critical? I wonder why we question the intelligence and impressions of the committee that chose to honor him? Just a few men who lack good judgement and common sense? I think not.

President Obama managed to rally millions to support him. We were of various races, ages, beliefs, ethnicities, cultures and backgrounds. Who else has done that so powerfully and efficiently recently? A few million of us gathered to see him sworn into office, joyfully, PEACEFULLY, pridefilled, and without incident, I might add. Many leaders around the world respect him, and are poised to consider his advances toward resolving world conflicts. Have we forgotten what his history-making, landmark achievement represents? I pray not.

He has said that he even thinks he is undeserving of the Nobel Peace Prize. I find his humility to be another asset to his character, however, I believe in the confidence of the committee and their desire to esteem him with such a prestigious recognition, and I am happy that I won't be one of the naysayers. I think Martin Luther King would be shaking his head at us in dismay right now. I can't say for sure, but I believe that he would respect the accomplishments and efforts of President Obama, and see them as a definite contribution to world peace. Will we falter right now in what we believe is to come by the time his tenure in office is done? I will not.

My message to President Obama would be to keep his eyes on the prize, that being accomplishing the vision you had in mind for this country and the people in it. The people who realize that your work is very difficult, and must be purposed, calculated and strategized, are still standing with you. Yes, I am also weary over the problems we have ongoing in our nation, but I did not lose faith in the government even before you came into office. We are still a very strong nation and I know you will help us to recover from many of our current dilemas.

I'm just sayin'...so many of us still believe in you, and feel you are so deserving of the honored Nobel Peace Prize. We see where you're going. Congratulations to you. We're so proud!

S.R.F.

Size 16 is the new size 10, or something like that.

I'm guilty. I want to stay at a flattering weight and size, like most women in the world. Sometimes I obsess about it. It seems that whether we are a size 2 or 22, weight is always a struggle, and we struggle to be comfortable with ourselves overall as a result. I'm just sayin'...maybe it's about time stop the madness and weigh-in on what's really important. Maybe we should work more on making sure our self-esteem busting out at the seams.

Hair...care?

O.K. So, now we know that Tyra Banks and Oprah Winfrey have nice heads of hair, all their own: BIG NEWS? I'm just sayin'...do we care? Didn't they know we loved them even when we didn't know this?

Ooooouch!

One of my new favorite shows is SHARK TANK. I'm just sayin'...these guys shoot straight from the hip. If you have a business idea that you are brave enough to convince them to believe in, you will walk away with incredible financial backing and support, or realize you've been wasting a lot of your time and your money on your efforts. They will give you the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. If you can't take the shark "bites"...don't jump in. You'll be eaten alive. On the other hand, if they like your idea, and you can get them hooked....I'm just sayin'... you'll be swimming with the best. Love that show!

S.R.F.

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UNCOMFORTABLE IN YOUR SKIN?

At this time of year when the weather is getting dry and cold, our skin tends to be rougher, dryer and flaky. Skin may feel "papery" and tight from lack of moisture, the most obvious signs seen on our hands, elbows and feet. However, your entire body may be craving some deeper moisturizing, too!

By nature the skin thickens in the wintertime to help protect you from the cold, and roughness and dryness follow as a matter of course. The perfect solution is a luxurious bath to aid in softening, smoothing and soothing that irritated skin. Taking the time to soak away the problem of dryness with a prepared bath loosens, relaxes and restores elasticity and moisture.

For the preparation, you will need a bath water product that is specifically developed for moisturizing, (rather than ordinary bubble bath, which is usually just liquid soap). Milk bath solutions are excellent, products that contain lanolin, mineral oils, emollients, aloe vera and such, offer deep body skin conditioning. The results: a smooth, silky feel to your body.

For extraordinary benefits, use a body scrub two or three times a week. Or, using a loofa sponge can give you fast, amazing results after only one use. Natural loofa products, those from the ocean plant, are very effective for removing dry surface skin. Soak in your favorite bath preparation for about ten minutes, then use your loofa sponge, gently massaging dry areas, such as feet knees, elbows and hands. Be sure to allow the sponge to soak prior to use as well to prevent any abrasions to the skin. Your skin will be soft and glowing!

Follow your luxury bath time with body cream or oil in your favorite scent. You need not be itchy or irritable from dry skin when relief is only a comforting bath away. Candles and company are optional.

S.R.F.