KEYS FOR SUCCESS

A Free Monthly Newsletter, highlighting strategies from our popular programs,

to Expand Your Personal and Professional Growth and Happiness by

Presentations & Consulting Group

www.kinza.net* (800) 575-6817 * (262) 567-6317 / Kinza@kinza.net

Christmas is found in our hearts, not under the tree

December 2009

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CONTENTS

-- Giving the Gift of You

-- Christmas Gift Suggestions

-- Holiday Party-Image Counts

-- Can Silly be Taken Seriously?

-- Adding Workplace Fun

-- FYI Corner

-- Leadership 101

-- Today�s Chuckle

3 Stages of Man

1. He believes in Santa

2. He doesn�t believe in
 Santa

3. He is Santa.        

Giving the Gift of You

Are you struggling with a wellness challenge �high cholesterol, diabetes, cancer or heart attacks? In essence, most of us are committing suicide through our failure to get a grip on our stress, exposure to toxins, poor eating habits, addiction to cigarettes and other unhealthy life styles we lead.

A great Christmas gift idea:

Give your loved one a hand-written love letter committing yourself to giving up that old habit and replacing it with a healthier choice that will increase your chances for being around for a longer life.

                        The best gifts aren�t always bought at a store

CHRISTMAS GIFT SUGGESTIONS

To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.

Oren Arnold

HOLIDAY PARTY � IMAGE COUNTS

According to the John Tesh�s radio show, 618,000 employees are fired annually as a result of messing up at the company holiday party. Yikes, that is a scary number!  

As you are getting ready for your office event, remember that you are the billboard for the person you want to be. Your choices will either work for you or against you. While office party settings and expectations may vary, always take the conservative road. This holiday don�t sabotage yourself. Use this party as an opportunity to get to know others better and to give coworkers and management the opportunity to get to know you and your strengths better. 

Tips:

--  Wear appropriate attire.

--  Guys: polish those shoes; and press those shirts.

--  Gals: cover the cleavage and remember a dash of chic goes along way.  Let �classic� predominate.

--  Review the names of the people who will be attendance and find out a little bit about them, ex., What was his wife�s name? Where did they move from?

--   Pull out 1 or 2 favorite jokes or a few great one liners, and practice them as you are getting dressed. Be sure they are tasteful and non-offensive.  If not comfortable with jokes, think of some interesting topics of conversation or recall some favorite stories.

--  Use self-Control.  Probably one of the biggest pitfalls people experience is drinking too much.  Set Your limit and stick to it.  This might be the best time to choose a soda.  Remember that this night is more about your future than it is anything else.

--   Never ignore anyone.

--   Focus on making others feel comfortable.  Be quick to introduce yourself to others and then introduce them to your friends.

--  Give a toast.  When or if the appropriate time presents itself, offer a toast.  It doesn�t have to be complex; keep it simple.  Ask all to raises their glasses and toast the holiday season �Here�s to a jolly holiday and a happy new year. May we continue to hold our pay checks so dear. There are several other toasts listed below under Leadership 101. The key to creating a great toast � find a toast you like and replace words with words that fit your group. Non-drinkers? Use your water glasses.

-- Always shake hands and say thank you to the host(s) before you leave.

Your future depends upon your choices; make good ones.

CAN SILLY BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY?

We received a letter from one of our readers saying she had been written up for a disciplinary action at work for being silly.  She is a supervisor who always exceeds her sales quotas and has good team rapport.  She was baffled by this action.

So what should she do? 

We know that health-wise being silly is a good thing and it can be a lot of fun. In fact, we encourage it as stress relief from life�s serious side.  (Add a dose to your Christmas season!)  However, as in most things, when overdone it can create problems especially when you need to be taken seriously.  Most people have the ability to be silly at times when it�s appropriate, and then serious when the situation calls for it. Each takes a whole different set of verbal and body language skills.  The tough part comes when being silly comes so natural, especially when faced with a superior who�s behavior style is one of being results oriented and sees humor as being non-productive.    

The key for success on this one is to be intuitive to the situation.  When you need to be in your serious, business mode, lower your voice, slow your pace, stand erect, and generate profound concern. This is also where the image of you can play a role.  What you wear plays a large part in how others perceive you. A crazy, trendy purse or other attire choices may be sending silly signals.   For business, keep your look conservative with straight classic lines.   

Because you want to show a sincere concern for doing the best job possible, requesting an appointment to learn what prompted the action would be appropriate.  Once you know exactly what the issues are, it will be easier for you to address them and will send the message that you do take your work seriously.

We all want to be taken for the person we want to be.

WORKPLACE FUN / SPREADING THE SPIRIT

FEATURE OF THE MONTH

Coping & Stress Profiles

Help people manage personal and work stress.  This unique learning instrument (workbook) provides people with valuable feedback on stress and coping with the four interconnected areas of life � Personal, Work, Couple and Family.  The four key relationship coping resources are: Problem Solving, Communication, Closeness and Flexibility.

This is a great tool to help people in organizations to:

• Identify areas where coping skills need to be improved,
• Minimize common daily stressors,
• Improve problem-solving, and
• Build mutually supportive relationships.

Also ideal for personal use / coaching / retreats. 

($22.50 each.  Facilitators Kit available) To learn more call our office at:  (800) 575-6817.

NO STRESS - CHRISTMAS SHOPPING MADE EASY:  Order copies of Burnt Toast & Jam for clients, employees, and all the women on your gift list!  ORDER 5 & GET THE 6^TH ONE FREE! (December special)  A great little book for busy people � Stories to fill the heart and lift the spirit. How to deal with the burnt toast in life with humor and a positive attitude.  They�ll love it!  As one reader said, This book is a breath of fresh air.  Order from Amazon or your favorite bookstore or

For THE SPECIAL CHRISTMAS BULK PRICING, email us at kinza@kinza.net.  Individual signed copies available at www.kinza.net. Order today!

KIDS IN COLLEGE?  Help them prepare for their future. Fill their stocking with 193 Survival Skills for a Professional Image. It�s been acclaimed as a must read for anyone wanting to succeed in business.  A perfect little handbook that includes how to position oneself for success and master the interview. It can also be used as a ready reference!

RECOMMENDED FOR DAD. Big Slick Daddy: Poker Strategies for Parenting Success, authored by Mark Borowski, gives parenting skills like they�ve never been taught before.  Using poker terminology and strategies, this book is one he won�t be able to put down. Read it and reap!  Available at: www.bigslickdaddy.com

FAMILY GIVING. Want to make a difference in this world? Consider going to www.heifer.com where you can actually give a water buffalo, flock of chickens, goat or heifer to someone in an underdeveloped country.

ADD SPARK TO YOUR NEXT MEETING. Start your next meeting with Bingo-Jingle!  This is a Christmas sing-a-ling game that will energize any gathering.  Email us for the directions at: kinza@kinza.net.

DID YOU KNOW?

-- Rudolph was created by Montgomery Ward in the late 1930�s for a holiday promotion.

-- Using Xmas isn�t sac-religious. The Greek letter X means Christ.  That is where Xmas came from. It wasn�t someone taking �Christ� out of Christmas.

Make a Christmas Connection. Send this newsletter to your friends, customers and colleagues! It�s a great way for you to connect and give them some helpful information at the same time. You may also use any part of KEYS FOR SUCCESS in your organizational newsletters with proper credit given to: D. Kinza Christenson, Kinza Presentations & Consulting Group, Keynotes & Training, (800) 575-6817.

LEADERSHIP 101 � TOASTS

CHRISTMAS:

-         Here�s to the holly with its bright red berry.

       Here�s to Christmas, let�s make it merry.

NEW YEARS:

-         Stir the hot eggnog, lift the toddy;

      Happy New Year everybody!

KINZA � The Performance Pro & Motivational Therapeutic Humorist

Spotlight Keynotes * Event Speaking * Training * DISC Assessments

(800) 575-6817 * (262) 567-6317 *

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