Wellness Tip: Mindfulness & Meditation

How many times a day do you feel yourself getting side-tracked when trying to complete a task.
Perhaps, you are about to make a phone call, but an email pops up and you feel a need to respond.  Or you are driving home from work, and your mind is running as fast as a hyper hamster on a wheel; you keep thinking of things that need to be taken care of at work or at home.

Whether you are a student, a business professional, a stay-at-home mom or dad or a small business owner, the following tips can help you relax and focus.

I know from first-hand experience.  Working full-time for both my Real Estate career and for a nonprofit charity my family started, (The Salgi Esopahgeal Cancer Research Foundation), I find it hard to manage work, friends, family and the ever elusive: time for myself.

There are only 24 hours in each day, and some days it feels as if one moment it is morning and I am opening my eyes and shutting off my alarm.  Then I blink and suddenly, it is night-time and I am getting ready to set my alarm, close my eyes and go to sleep.

Do you ever wonder: Where does all of my time go?

Are you stressed?  Do you feel overwhelmed? Finding it hard to focus?

Then 'Mindfulness Meditation' may help you as it helps me.

Often, our lives are so stressed and there are so many "things" overflowing our plates that we feel as if time is slipping by.  When we are stressed and overwhelmed, work productivity decreases, our heath is at risk and not to mention our personal lives suffer.

To reduce stress and increase focus, try this easy exercise:

First close your eyes, then take a deep breath and exhale.  Make sure you are not driving, or doing any other physical activity which requires your eyes to be open :)

Don't let your mind wander and become preoccupied with other tasks.

Just focus on your breathing, in and out, in and out...

Then ask yourself a few simple questions:
     Where are you?
     What sounds can you hear?
     Do you feel cold or warm?

Take a few minutes each day to breathe, relax, meditate and focus on the "now."
Allowing yourself a few moments, of deep breathing and relaxation can help reduce stress, increase productivity and promote health.

While vacationing in St. Thomas earlier this year with my family, I took a short video of the beautiful ocean.  When life gets too stressful, I take a moment to watch this short video and listen to the calming sounds of the waves crashing onto the shoreline. You'd be surprised what a :30 second video can do to relieve stress.

You're hired! Marketing tips for job-seekers

Finding a job can a difficult and stressful task, to say the least.  

Sometimes sending resumes and applying for jobs is not enough to land your dream job.  “Marketing” yourself and your qualifications to potential employers is sometimes easier said than done. Here are a few tips for job-seekers to consider:

Networking:   

Find networking events in your area that are associated with the field in which you are seeking employment.  If you are uneasy about attending these events alone, ask a friend to attend with you.  If you are unable to have someone go with you, keep in mind people who attend networking events are in the same boat as you.  Walk up to someone, introduce yourself and chances are they will be thankful that you did.  Besides a potential employer, you may even make new connections that know of other connections to land you an interview.

Nervous that someone will ask you where you work and you will have to tell them you’re unemployed?  Instead of answering the question directly, play the politician game and tell them the field you specialize in and talk about a project you worked on.  For instance, “I’m a digital marketer.  You may have heard of one of our projects! At [former company name] I helped to produce this video game which helps to teach elementary students the benefits of green energy.” 

Another way to divert the attention away from your “unemployment-ness” is to quickly answer their question and then follow-up with a question of your own.  For instance, “I’m in digital marketing with a focus on video game production.  How about yourself? What do you do?”  Most people love to talk about themselves and feel good when others want to hear more about what they have to say.  Ask them questions and keep the conversation light.  If you feel this person may be a benefit to your job search, then you may want to mention that you are currently looking for some new opportunities.  

Business cards are to networking events what menus are to restaurants.  Worried that you won’t have a business card ready to hand out? Make some! There are many online resources that you can create and order a set of business cards to use at networking events.  You don’t have to include a company name that you work for, just put your name, phone, email and area of expertise.  Consider adding a head shot of yourself.  

If you are involved in any volunteer or charity work, you may even want to ask the organization if you can include them on your card.  Not only is it free publicity for their cause, but this will show potential employers and connections that you care about your community.  As a nonprofit founder and leader, I warn you to ONLY include any organizations name if you are truly involved with them and after you have obtained permission from the organization.

Keep a handful of business cards on you even when you are not attending networking events.  You never know when you will meet someone!

Internships:

The wonderful world of internships are not only limited to college students and grads.  If you have not had any success in finding a job in your field, considering an internship may be your meal ticket to a job.  Browse the internet for internships which are available in your area within your field.  Some internships are unpaid but some are paid. 

If you are not having any luck finding available internships, research companies that you would like to work for and create a list of company name, address, phone number, contact person and any email address you can find.  Then spruce up your resume and send it over!  The next crucial step that you should also take even when applying for positions which are advertised is to follow up in a few days to a week with a phone call.  Ask to speak with the HR director or whoever takes care of hiring new employees.  Introduce yourself and see if they have a position available, whether it be an internship or an actual full-time position. 

This tactic may seem a bit forward but you never know what opportunities are out there unless you ask.  My opinion is that this tactic shows a potential employer that you are not only pro-active and interested in their company, but that you feel confident enough in your abilities to reach out to them even if they didn't advertise a position.

Many think of internships as a company’s way of getting “free work” when, in reality, most companies hire from within.  The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) conducted a survey in 2012 which showed internships have been leading to more and more jobs.  Working for a company as an intern, whether paid or un-paid, gives you a better chance of getting hired by that company than just sitting at the coffee shop, waiting for a job offer. 

If a job doesn't come to fruition after an internship, you will most certainly have gained experience, another piece to add to your resume and perhaps even a letter of recommendation.

Social media: 

Whether you are looking for a job or are currently employed, I can’t express how important it is to be careful of what you post on social media.  Even if you think your profiles are private, social media platforms change daily and your once “hidden” information may be visible to the world.

For instance, if you are not careful when posting a status update on Facebook, it may just automatically post to “Public.” If you would like to keep your post private, click on the down arrow next to the word Public and select one of the following: Friends, Only Me or Custom (to create a-- you guessed it-- custom list of friends.)

Inappropriate photos, drug or alcohol references, negative comments regarding current or previous employers and swearing are some of the obvious “what not to post” on social media. However less obvious posts such as bad grammar and punctuation, anti-political postings and even some “funny” photos can be viewed negatively.  When in doubt, don’t post!

Police officials have also warned social media users to take caution when posting their whereabouts online, as criminals are monitoring social media sites and can see when their victims are away from their home, what new electronic device they bought, where and when they are going on vacation, what cars they bought and even what schools their children attend. 

Post content and share information, news, links and tips which are related to your field.  Connect with others that share the same interests as you and engage with these users.  Share and “re-post” the information that you find useful with your followers.  Remember to thank those that connect with you and share your information.  The key to social media is to engage with your followers.

…and on that note! Remember to engage with me on Social Media!



As always, thank you for reading!

#FollowFriday: @TobaccoFreeProv

Happy #FollowFriday friends! 

Today, I would like to give a #FollowFriday shout-out to one of my favorite "tweeps" Tobacco Free Providence Campaign, better known to their Twitter friends as @TobaccoFreeProv. 

I was initially introduced to this friendly tweep through my nonprofit charity, +The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, known to our Twitter friends as @SalgiFoundation.

The Tobacco Free Providence campaign encourages others to be Tobacco Free and generates awareness for the benefits of avoiding Tobacco products and the disadvantages of using Tobacco.  Check out their website to learn more: Tobaccofreeprovidence.org

Check out her Twitter page @TobaccoFreeProv and be sure to click the “Follow” button!

Tech Thursdays: iGeek 2.0 Large Capacity Portable Charger

If you are like me and are consistently at war with your smartphone's battery life, then this is a gadget that you certainly do not want to miss.  The iGeek 2.0 Large Capacity Portable Charger is like caffeine for your tech devices.  

With a lithium ion battery, the iGeek can keep your devices running for over a week (depending on a users usage) and is compatible with the iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Samsung, tablets and even some gaming devices such as Nintendo DS and Sony PSP. 

Don't let your obnoxious low battery cause you to miss any more emails, phone calls, tweets or fantastic Instagram opportunities.  

To learn more about the "iGeek 2.0 Large Capacity Portable Charger," check out ThinkGeek's article by clicking HERE.

"I Have a Dream..."~ Martin Luther King Jr.

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his infamous "I Have a Dream" speech during the march on Washington in support of the passage of the civil rights bill which was passed in 1964. 

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 provided equal voting and education standards for ALL citizens of the United States of America, outlawed racial discrimination in the workplace or within unions and prohibited racial discrimination in public areas. 

For over 50 years, King's words have continued to motivate, inspire and encourage positive change in our nation. 

"When the architects of our Republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that. all men-yes, black men as well as white men-- would he guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."¹  

Martin Luther King Jr. proved that dreams can turn into reality.

To read King's speech in its entirety via the U.S. National Archives by clicking here.

Photo: Washington Committee

¹' I HAVE A DREAM ..." (Copyright 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr.)  

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One small step...

It has been one year and two days since the passing of Neil Armstrong, the famous astronaut who first stepped foot on the moon on July 20, 1969.  Many remember him by his quote: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind"¹, a statement he uttered moments upon putting his foot to the moon's surface.  In the literal sense and for those fortunate enough to walk, taking a step is something routine; when we get out of bed, exit a car, enter a building. 

However, figuratively, small steps lead to great things.  For instance, writing a letter, perhaps to a friend, literally can seem to be "no big deal." But what if the recipient was an influential politician in our nations capital who took the time to read your letter, consider your viewpoint and make beneficial changes to new laws and policies.  Small steps lead to "giant leap[s]" and can bear revolutionary changes.  Take each task and think not of its difficulty but of its opportunity.   One's work shouldn't be measured by quantity but of quality and purpose. 

When Neil Armstrong first embarked on the mission to the moon, it was not guaranteed that he would even make it to the moon surface, never mind the voyage back to Earth.  Our focus should not ONLY be of landing on the moon, but more importantly, the journey.  With every step, action and task, we can inspire, change, motivate and make our Earth a better place.  One step at a time.

NASA
Neil Armstrong, as photographed by Buzz Aldrin, working near the Eagle lunar module after the landing on July 20, 1969.
Source:  New York Times "Neil Armstrong, First Man on Moon, Dies at 82" By JOHN NOBLE WILFORD August 25, 2012 

To view the front page of The New York Times from July 21, 1969, click here.

¹Source: Wikipedia, "Neil Armstrong" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Armstrong

#FollowFriday: @medtopicwriter aka Samantha Gluck

Happy #FollowFriday friends!

For those of you who are not familiar with the ever popular #FollowFriday (#FF) hashtag here is my definition: every Friday, twitter users recommend their favorite people on twitter to their "followers". 

When someone #FF's someone else, it can not only boost that person’s follower count, but it also gives that user the "thumbs up" for the mini-messages that they are posting on Twitter.   #FF can be compared to an executive at a conference giving shout-outs to some of the top people in the company.

 

Today, I would like to give a #FollowFriday shout-out to one of my favorite "tweeps" Samantha Gluck, better known to her Twitter friends as @medtopicwriter. 

Ms. Gluck is a “Health care journalist and copywriter writing [about] a variety of topics with subspecialties in medicine, small business, & health and fitness.”

I very much enjoy reading and “tweeting” with Ms. Gluck and I think you will too. 

Check out her Twitter page @medtopicwriter and be sure to click the “Follow” button!