{"id":4581,"date":"2017-12-18T13:21:43","date_gmt":"2017-12-18T18:21:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theexecutivehappinesscoach.com\/?p=4581"},"modified":"2018-10-02T17:00:39","modified_gmt":"2018-10-02T21:00:39","slug":"stuff-your-stocking-with-year-end-gifts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theexecutivehappinesscoach.com\/2017\/12\/stuff-your-stocking-with-year-end-gifts\/","title":{"rendered":"STUFF YOUR STOCKING WITH YEAR-END GIFTS!"},"content":{"rendered":"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/a> ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ STOCKING STUFFERS Like the little gifts stuffed into Christmas stockings or given to children for Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, this month offers a wide assortment of challenges and sweets ANNUAL RE-RECRUITMENT Special year-end reminder to leaders and managers: don\u2019t forget that employee engagement is driven by conversation that helps people feel connected to their … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5789,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13,34,11],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n
\nLike the little gifts stuffed into Christmas stockings or given to children for Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, this month offers a wide assortment of challenges and sweets<\/em>
\n
\nANNUAL RE-RECRUITMENT<\/strong>
\nSpecial year-end reminder to leaders and managers: <\/strong>don\u2019t forget that employee engagement is driven by conversation that helps people feel connected to their work and to the organization. So while you spend much of your year addressing \u201cproblem\u201d employees or recruiting new ones, make sure you use the next few weeks to give some love to the great folks you want to keep!
\nSit down individually for a re-recruitment conversation. <\/strong>Let them know you\u2019re happy to have them on the team. Tell them something you value about their contribution. And don\u2019t be afraid to say, \u201cI hope you\u2019ll be with us next year!\u201d
\nRemember: Leadership is not about a title. Anyone can be a leader who makes personal connections and helps others feel valued.<\/strong>
\n\u00a0<\/strong>
\nREDEFINING IMPOSSIBLE<\/strong>
\nI\u2019m an avid reader. <\/strong>I read every edition of Time, Fortune, This Old House, and The New Yorker magazines, as well as my newsfeed and multiple business and cooking blogs (because Chocolate!). All that other reading usually left me little time for books, except on holiday.
\nFor years, I\u2019ve read only a dozen books annually — till now.<\/strong> In early 2017 I was inspired by two blog posts: How To Read A Book A Week<\/a>, by Peter Bregman (author of 18 Minutes<\/em> and Four Seconds<\/em>, great books on productivity), and 8 Ways To Read A Lot More Books This Year<\/a>, by Neil Pasricha (The Book of Awesome<\/em> and The Happiness Equation<\/em>)
\nArmed with my Amazon account, library card, Kindle reader, and Audible app <\/strong>on my phone, I began to read anywhere and everywhere. While driving or doing yard work, I listened to fiction. I skimmed business books in hard copy, took my Kindle to the gym, and always had something to read in my backpack.
\nI\u2019ve read 54 books this year, <\/strong>with two weeks to go!
\nMy learning: Never say it\u2019s not possible until you try.<\/strong>
\n
\nDO YOU SKIMM?<\/strong>
\nWritten by two Millennials with style, The Skimm\u2019s<\/a> quirky news summary is one of my daily MUST READs. <\/strong>It\u2019s a quick, easy, and entertaining way to know what’s going on in the world. Highly recommend.
\n
\nJEDI WISDOM<\/strong>
\nTwo great quotes from Star Wars Episode VIII:
\n\u201cThis is how we win. Not by fighting what we hate, but by saving what we love.\u201d<\/em><\/strong> ~Rose Tico, after sacrificing herself to save Finn
\n\u201cThe greatest teacher, failure is.\u201d<\/em><\/strong> ~Master Yoda, to Luke Skywalker
\n
\nTHE TIME FOR GIVING\u2026 IS ALL THE TIME!<\/strong>
\nEach year I receive many notes from individuals and businesses saying, \u201chey, no gifts this year because we gave all our money to these charities.\u201d The rush of holiday\/year end giving is lovely, AND the needs are constant. I contribute monthly (thank you, automated payments!) to the following causes. I share not to brag, but to encourage you to become a sustaining member of the organizations you believe in. They need you year round. <\/strong>
\nOxfam.org<\/strong><\/a>:<\/strong> I began donating in the wake of the 2004 Christmas tsunami and have increased my monthly donation regularly. They are one of the most respected global NGOs, operating on low overhead. While they respond to crises like war and hurricanes, they spend most of their resources working with vulnerable communities to build resilience and sustainability (think clean water and education) so that when crisis hits, the bounce back is faster.
\nPatreon.com<\/strong><\/a>: I support the work of artists and writers who strive to make a positive difference in the world thru their work.
\nKiva.org<\/strong><\/a>: I funded a micro-loan years ago, and whenever the loan is paid off, I reinvest in another female entrepreneur, usually a mom who is building a business to sustain her family. I\u2019ve helped purchase cows, goats, seed stock, and equipment for sewing and cheese making. Women entrepreneurs in developing countries build stronger communities around them. In 10 years I\u2019ve never experienced a default.
\nPublic radio<\/strong><\/a>. I\u2019m a member of my local station, WCPN\/90.3 FM, and through them I sustain the work of National Public Radio (which actually receives less than 2% of funding from government sources). I believe in the future of objective journalism that presents both sides of issues and nurtures our critical thinking muscles.
\nAmerican Red Cross Blood Services<\/strong>.<\/a> I don\u2019t contribute cash to this organization; I roll up my sleeves and give life. I gave my 93rd<\/sup> pint this year. According to the ARC\u2019s literature, my 11 1\/2 gallons of donation have impacted as many as 368 lives directly and 736 indirectly. It\u2019s something you can do that costs you nothing but an hour of your time.
\n
\nLOOK BACK, LOOK AHEAD<\/strong>
\nThree questions to reflect on 2017: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n
\nThree questions to consider for 2018:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
\nA MOMENT OF HUMOROUS REFLECTION<\/strong>
\nI have been battling intestinal issues for a few years, playing on and off with medications, dietary changes, and whining about the impact of aging.<\/strong> \ud83d\ude42 I finally decided to take action. I made an appointment with a gastroenterologist.
\nFor 36 hours before my colonoscopy procedure, I could consume nothing but clear liquids. My family chose that day to bake Christmas cookies. <\/strong>It was agony, mixing without tasting, smelling without being able to sample.
\nIt turns out my willpower still works. Who knew? <\/strong>
\n
\nBE MERRY AND HAPPY!<\/strong>
\nTo all of my readers, clients, alumni, and tribe members: however you spend the rest of this year, enjoy the peculiar rituals of ending and beginning that accompany the turning of the calendar. May you carry forward only the best memories, and let Optimism color your expectations for the New Year!<\/strong>
\n~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"