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By Ron Culberson. With a master’s degree in social work, Ron Culberson spent the first part of his career working in a large hospice organization as a clinical social worker, middle manager, and senior leader. As a speaker, humorist, and author of "Do it Well. Make it Fun.The Key to Success in Life, Death, and Almost Everything in Between", he has delivered more than 1,000 presentations to associations, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and corporations. His mission is to change the workplace culture so that organizations are more productive and staff are more content. He was also the 2012-2013 president of the National Speakers Association and is a recognized expert on the benefits of humor and laughter.
When I sent out my last email newsletter, I received more than 350 autoresponders. You know what autoresponders are, right? They’re those automatic return emails that say something like, “I’m out of the office having more fun than this and will respond to your email when I return.” Generally speaking, I receive about 30-40 autoresponders for any particular newsletter. Even though my distribution list is fairly large, I had never gotten anywhere near 350 autoresponders before. So, when the deluge started, I panicked. I was sure that something somewhere was, for some reason, somewhat broken. I don’t know about you, but I can conjure up a pretty good panic if I need to. I can imagine the worst case scenario and work myself into a tizzy—and I’m not even sure what a “tizzy” is. So, in the case of this seemingly endless stream of autoresponders, I imagined that my newsletter service provider had sent my emails to the wrong list. Or perhaps my computer had been hacked by a bored yet resourceful high school student who was now sending my emails to people I didn’t know. Or maybe the Russians had gained control over the entire internet infrastructure. Clearly, I’m pretty good at tizzies. Well, it turns out there were some logical reasons for the increase in autoresponders. First, my newsletter service provider had upgraded their system and as a result, fewer autoresponders were filtered out. And second, I had decreased the threshold of my spam filter because it was blocking legitimate emails. Due to these “adjustments,” I received more than ten times as many autoresponders. Ironically, though, they alerted me to the fact that many of my subscribers had retired or taken new jobs and thus, their email addresses were no longer valid. So, while the initial shock of a potential Russian takeover sent me into a tizzy, the reality of the situation was not nearly as bad as I had imagined. This is what we tend to do. We take our daily molehills and instead of sidestepping them, we turn them into unclimbable mountains. One of the most interesting ideas I’ve stumbled upon recently is the Buddhist concept of impermanence. Simply put, impermanence means that nothing on our planet lasts forever. Not the trees, not the buildings, not even the people. Now, I understand that one could make a valid argument that God lasts forever. Or love lasts forever. Or even our role as a parent lasts forever. But in a more tangible sense, everything eventually changes or ceases to exist. The other day, I was on a step ladder retrieving a sweater that I had stored away. As I reached for the sweater, I bumped my head against the edge of a ceiling light. As you older bald men know, the skin on our heads becomes thinner than tissue paper as we age. So, the edge of the light cut a small gash in my head. My immediate reaction was to get angry. You see, I bump my head all the time and there seems to always be a cut, scratch, or bruise on my scalp. All I could think was, “Dang it, not again.” But then, I became aware of the error in my thinking. I realized that the cut will eventually heal and then it will be gone. In other words, it too will pass. At that moment, I felt less stress and began to relax…and then I went to find the box of adhesive bandages that we now buy in bulk because of my repeated noggin knockin. The ceiling light incident was an example of a bad situation that actually got better. But many times we find ourselves in good situations that get worse. It’s in these times that the understanding of impermanence can help. When we cling to the way things are, we have difficulty accepting the way things may become. As our children age and leave home, we long for when they were younger. As our bodies get older, we long for the days when our knees didn’t creak and our backs didn’t ache. When a loved one dies, we long for being with them again. And yet, this is exactly how life unfolds—for all of us. Time moves on, things change, and we adapt. Truthfully, it’s impossible for things to stay the same. If we can grasp this idea of impermanence, we can spend less time resisting the reality of change and spend more time appreciating our moment to moment existence as we journey through life. Now, to be clear, this doesn’t mean we don’t try to solve problems or to improve our situations when we can. It just means that we don’t cling to the way things were as a way to avoid the way things might become. When I encountered the hundreds of autoresponders, I started pacing around the house worrying about all the possible problems this newfound dilemma might represent. That response created stress for me and for my wife who had to listen to my worrisome whining. If, on the other hand, I had remembered that the problem would eventually pass, I could have returned my focus to dealing with the realities of the issue rather than living in the tizzy-making possibilities that might never actually happen. Impermanence is a reality that makes life a bit easier when we understand it. Sometimes, dealing with impermanence is difficult such as when we lose a job or have to care for an aging pet. And sometimes impermanence is for the better such as when we eliminated carbon paper and gas-guzzling cars. Either way, accepting impermanence allows us to not get too locked in to the way things have been and to instead accept the way things have become. Oh, and by the way, the cut on my head is gone—just in time to bump into something else! Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success!
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By Roger Crawford. This was originally published on Roger's blog.
Can you remember a time when you felt like giving up but chose to gut it out instead? Psychologist Angela Duckworth calls this grit and says grit is the inner strength needed to achieve your long-term goals. In fact, her research found that grit is more important than talent or intelligence in predicting success. All of us need grit to realize our potential. But how do we maximize it? The good news is that you can increase your grit. You can begin to do that the same way you improve as an athlete: through sheer determination and a never-quit mindset. Think of your grit as a muscle that needs exercise to grow and develop. When we consistently push ourselves to reach higher, our capacity to persevere increases. Dr. Duckworth calls this deliberate practice. That means sticking with it when you feel like it, and sticking with it when you don’t. It is easier to uncover and maintain your grit when you are pursuing something that you are passionate about. An emotional attachment is more important than an intellectual one. Setting goals for something to which you are only intellectually committed can be difficult to follow through on. Researchers have found, however, that when you identify your purpose in life, your commitment will be emotional rather than intellectual. It follows that when you are excited about doing something, your motivation is stronger, and you achieve better results. So, the next time you successfully navigate a challenging situation through your own grit, look at it from this perspective: You didn’t just bounce back from this experience; it gave you an opportunity to bounce forward. You are a grittier and different person now. You have gained mental toughness and hard-won wisdom. It’s time to recognize the awesome strength of your own grit. You didn’t give up because you have the grit it takes to succeed. You didn’t bounce back to where you were in the past. Instead, you bounced forward, closer to where you want to be in the future. You’re grittier today than you were yesterday, and that is the foundation for success tomorrow. When you run into your next roadblock, don’t quit! Remember, you have grit! Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By LeAnn Thieman. This was originally published on LeAnn's blog.
Why Am I Still a Nurse Anyway? Most nurses didn’t choose this career because of great hours and working conditions. As trite as it may sound, most of us entered the profession of caring to help people…in their toughest times. I often say that nursing is a calling. That’s why we sign on and stay on. Yet on the days when the workload is too great, on the occasions that we can’t take all the pain away, after the shift when we go home with achy feet and achy hearts, those are the days we need to be reminded of why we do what we do. We need to reignite our passion for nursing. One of the best ways to do that is by recalling and sharing our stories. I learned the crucial importance of this when I read over 2,000 stories to select the top 101 for Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul, then 2,000 more for the second edition, the Second Dose, and ANOTHER 2,000 for the third edition, Inspiration for Nurses. Clearly, when nurses share their stories, they remember why they entered this profession, and why they stay...
Many nurses have told me, in order to begin their shifts with inspiration and hope, they together read a story from Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul. That is a great idea (of course!). Another equally great idea is to share your own true stories at this time. One hospital I work with calls these “Heart Moments.” At other hospitals where I do retention events, I learned they created their own book of stories written by staff. What a great way to boost morale and retention. Still other hospitals have “Best Story” contests. What a wonderful way to engage employees as each department gathers and chooses the top stories from their unit. Sometimes I may be the final judge, then a prize is given to the individual or department with the “Best Story.” Some have different categories (funniest, most compassionate, etc) and multiple winners are awarded. While some people might say, “We don’t have time for this,” I submit that we must take time…make time…to enrich our spirits and soothe our souls and reignite our passion for nursing. We answered the calling for care. Our stories prove the privilege we have to literally touch and save lives. That is surely the highest calling of all. Looking for your Nurses Week or healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your next healthcare event a success! By Kristin Baird
It’s nearly Nurse’s Week, and I am loving all the inspiring and heart-warming articles and ads giving recognition to this most trusted profession. It’s great that once a year we put nurses in the limelight and celebrate their many contributions. But what would it look like if we all made a conscious effort to honor, support and celebrate nurses on a consistent basis? 5 Ways to Commemorate Nurses Week 1. When you see something, say something! Just like the TSA, when you see a nurse doing something that shows great technical skill, empathy or compassion – speak up and tell her or him that you are impressed. 2. Say thank you in real time. Make your gratitude prompt, personal and plentiful. 3. Talk them up. Tell their bosses that you are impressed and grateful. Give names and specific examples of the greatness you witness. Put it in writing. A quick note is all it takes. 4. Implement real and effective No Pass Zones where everyone answers call lights. Don’t just say you’re doing it – Make it happen with clear expectations and accountability. Most nurses are running their tails off during every moment of a shift. This is one small way that the organization can put some intentional support behind the nurses. There is so much emphasis on HCAHPS scores and much of the burden falls on nursing. This is one way the organization can prove the common sentiment that, “We’re all in this together.” 5. Make certain that staffing practices ensure regular breaks and lunches. Breaks, are pushed down the list of priorities on busy days. No one wants work tired and hungry with a full bladder. What I’ve listed here are seemingly small actions but have lasting benefits. We all want to feel appreciated and although the parties and celebrations are fun, let’s be sure we’re working on cultural norms that foster a supportive environment every day of the year. Happy Nurse’s Week to all my fellow nurses. I’m proud to be one of you! Looking for your Nurses Week healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By Laurie Guest
Does lack of consistency and low productivity impact your work environment? How? What tools have you tried to get back on track? During my days of managing others, there were three specific techniques I used to help people be more consistent and productive that are worthy of sharing. Weekly meetings with a notebook in hand Hallway management can get you in trouble fast. You’re walking down the hall, you see someone you manage, and you stop them with an instruction. They listen, nod, and then you both continue on your way. With no formal interaction, with no chance for the employee to document the new information, and with no paper trail to prove you even informed him or her of the information, it is likely the instruction is lost. Also, with this type of management, the only time employees get audience with you is when they knock first. Consider instead quick, formal, one-on-one meetings on a regular basis. The employee comes with a notebook or an electronic device for documentation. The bullet points of the meeting are written down, decisions made, dates and deadlines added, and then both people sign off on this document when the meeting is over. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s consistent. Figure out your MBAs Also known as your “making bank activities,” we all have tasks we do during the course of a day that make us feel productive but likely don’t lead to increased revenue or decreased expense, which are two things that lead to profit. One time, I made a list of all the things I’d already done during the day just so I could use my trusty highlighter to cross them off the list. What a waste of time that was! But it sure made me feel a sense of accomplishment. However, it wasn’t an activity that helped me make bank. Make a list of your daily activities that provide the best results to meet your goals. Put them in a priority order and then be consistent in attending to those things first. If you have support staff that will handle some of these things for you, you have time to concentrate on other things. Evaluate whether those other things that you’re doing are a good use of your time and whether they make you more productive. Adopt a one-pass system This concept comes from my medical office days. My doctor had a philosophy that directly impacted his level of success: using a one-pass system as much as possible. That means he would touch a file one time, complete everything that was necessary, and then pass it along to the next staff person who needed the file. He would not allow a stack of charts to sit in a pile, waiting on answers to questions. He felt that a lot of time was wasted shuffling papers around. I bought into the same philosophy in my office. When I’m self-disciplined enough to follow my own rules, it makes a huge difference. When the task comes in, take action on it immediately all the way to completion whenever possible. That means all the way to the cabinet and its proper resting folder. Touch it once. Finish, file, and put it to rest. If it needs further action, then properly document, set the ticket reminder and the system that works for you, and then store it where you can find it until the earliest possible time that you can resolve the task. It works like a dream even if you are not paper-based and everything is electronic. For more consistency and increased productivity in your workplace, initiate formal one-on-one meetings on a regular basis, concentrate on activities that lead to increased revenue and decreased expense, and adopt a one-pass system to complete tasks. Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By John O'Leary. This was originally posted on JohnOLearyInspires.com. When John O'Leary was 9 years old, he suffered burns over 100% of his body and was expected to die. He is now an inspirational speaker and bestselling author, teaching more than 50,000 people around the world each year how to live inspired. John's first book, ON FIRE: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life was published March 15, 2016. John is a contributing writer for Huff Post and Parade.com. John is a proud husband and father of four and resides in St. Louis, MO. Order John’s book today anywhere books are sold.
“Read it again, Dad.” These are words James Williams heard every night for more than three months. And every night he heard them, his heart rejoiced. Those words filled him with delight because the request came from his little boy, James Jr. They moved him because after spending more than two decades of his life either in jail or doing things that would lead him back there, he was finally free to not only read, but to live. They stirred deep emotions because the story little James wanted read wasn’t a typical bedtime story, but a magazine article featuring the good work his daddy was doing. And this made James Williams Sr. emotional because this had not been the path he was on…and doing good work most certainly wasn’t what he’d been known for. New Ark Farms Provides a Second Chance James Williams was known as a “bad kid.” He was a defeated dropout, troublemaker, bum. He was a criminal, an inmate, unemployable, and on a path either back to jail or to an early death. He was, after all, a nobody. Then he heard about an opportunity. New Ark Farms was hiring. This business, started by an advertising executive and former attorney named Charles Rosen, had a large orchard about 90 minutes from James’ home in Newark, produced Ironbound Hard Cider, and provided transportation to and from work. This was a second chance. You see, more than just another microbrewery, New Ark Farms exists to treat people with dignity, repair the damage of the earth, and make a difference. Their very reason for existence is to create meaningful work, provide a living wage, and afford former criminals an opportunity at not just temporary employment, but transformative physical, emotional and financial healing. And the byproduct is delicious cider beer. James Williams Knows His Past Does Not Define Him More important than the delicious cider beer New Ark Farms produces is the impact it has on the workers it employs. Perhaps the real byproduct is a man returning home fulfilled after a long day at work. A man who embraces who he is. And knows who he was. Like the rings within a tree, James remembers being a bad kid, a defeated dropout, troublemaker, bum. James can recall his time as a criminal, an inmate, unemployable, and on a path either back to jail or to an early death. He was, after all, a nobody. But that’s no longer the fruit of James Williams’ life. Now he is a proud employee of New Ark Farms and is critical in their creation of Ironbound Hard Cider. Today he’s an expert tree grafter, he’s a crew chief, and he’s a farmer. He lives in the city, he works on a farm, he knows the joy of an honest day’s wage for an honest day’s work. He’s a dad. He’s a bedtime book reader. He’s a man who’s been defeated, and now feels redeemed. And James Williams Sr, without any doubt, is a somebody. Just ask his son. Today is your day. Live Inspired. Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By Donna Cardillo
National Nurses Week is the “official” time to shine a spotlight on nurses. But the truth is, we should be celebrating nurses and nursing every day throughout the year. So how can you get the ball rolling and start the party? Here are five ways: 1. Reflect on all that nursing has to offer. When you compare nursing to many other occupations, you’ll find that it offers good pay and benefits and a multitude of opportunities with a variety of work settings, specialties, and schedules. It even offers a growing number of opportunities for self-employment and advanced practice. I don’t know of any other profession that is more diverse. And the best part is that you have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others and contribute to the health and well-being of the planet. Where else can you use your heart and your head every day to have a positive impact? The grass sometimes looks greener in someone else’s yard, but the fact is that nursing is one of the hottest professions around. 2. Study nursing’s rich history and spread the word. Nurses have literally changed the face of healthcare for the better and continue to do so — some in very dramatic ways. If each of us were more aware of our history, we would feel so much more proud and empowered to be part of such an amazing group. Read books about nurses and nursing history such as “Nursing, The Finest Art: An Illustrated History” by Patricia Donohue. Visit the American Nurses Association Hall of Fame page and acquaint yourself with incredible nurses — past and present. Do an Internet search for ‘ANA Hall of Fame’ to find it. 3. Attend nursing awards ceremonies. These events, such as the annual Nursing Spectrum/NurseWeek Nursing Excellence Awards, are a celebration of all that is good and positive about nursing. These events serve to shine a light on nurses who exemplify what nursing is all about and what it is possible to achieve. When one nurse is honored, the entire profession is honored. These events may be held at your place of employment, through your professional associations, through media outlets, etc. And be sure to nominate someone you know for an award! 4. Share nursing’s stories. We all have those touching, funny, heartbreaking, and unforgettable moments that each of us has experienced over the years. Get together with nursing friends and colleagues and ask everyone to share a story or relate a pivotal moment. We don’t often talk about the work we do but we all have stories to tell. There is power, validation, and energy in sharing experiences. Read and share “Tenderly Lift Me” by Jeanne Bryner – a unique combination of poetry, stories, and photos that honor and celebrate everyday nurses. 5. Spread the word about nursing. Participate in career days at high schools, colleges, middle schools, and scouting events. When you meet a great nurses aide or tech or someone considering a career change, ask them if they’ve considered nursing. Sometimes in talking about nursing, you realize how special the work you do is and how much others admire the profession. Refer interested parties to the Johnson & Johnson www.discovernursing.com Web site for information and inspiration. You can get free promotional materials there, too, to help get the word out. Browse the profiles yourself as another way to celebrate nursing. Don’t wait for National Nurses Week each year to celebrate nursing. Get the “party” going now and keep it going all year long. Looking for your Nurses Week speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By Courtney Clark
Most of us don’t really like change, but some people are especially nervous when things are in transition. If one of your coworkers is change-resistant, but changes are imminent, you need to act fast to get everyone on board with change. Why Is This Happening? Here’s Why Have you ever had a rough day and found yourself wanting to shout at the universe “why is this happening to me?!?!” As humans, if we must be challenged, we want that challenge to at least have a purpose. I tell a story in one of my books, The Successful Struggle, about a woman who moves across the country after a divorce, to be closer to her family for help raising her child. The move is difficult, finding a new job is challenging, and getting everything settled in a new life is exhausting. The fuel that keeps her going is knowing all the difficulty has a reason, to have a better life for her daughter, and once she makes it through the transition things will ultimately be better. The #1 thing we can do to help our coworkers get on board with change is to help them understand the purpose of change. Why is this happening? What is the benefit to them? Are there more opportunities for a promotion as the company grows? When they understand what the ultimate payoff might be, they’re naturally more willing to navigate through change. Lean On Me Another thing you can do to help your colleagues navigate change is to facilitate connections among the staff. Studies show that employees who feel stronger connections to one another report being happier about change in the workplace. This strategy can be an easy option no matter where you fall on the workplace hierarchy, because building strong workplace relationships doesn’t need approval from a boss. Even actions as simple as eating lunch together, or talking about non-work activities in the breakroom, can foster feelings of connection. If you do have some decision-making power, activities like community volunteering can really solidify the sense of team connections. Remember: you don’t have to go off-site to volunteer – taking an extra-long lunch break one day and making cards for kids in the hospital works, too. The Pied Piper You can’t force your colleagues to get on board with change, but you can lay the groundwork to make change a lot easier to handle. If you have a colleague you know will struggle with change, make sure they understand the purpose behind then change. Then do whatever you can to build that person’s workplace bonds. Understanding “why” and having strong workplace connections make a measurable difference when it comes to navigating change with a good attitude. Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! |
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