KEYS FOR SUCCESS

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

to Expand Your Personal and Professional Growth and Happiness by

KINZA

Presentations & Consulting Group

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

                                             Check out our blog at:  www.kinza.net/blog/index.html

Change your thoughts and you will change your world.

N. Vincent Peale

June, 2009  Welcome to our new subscribers!

CONTENTS

--  But I Don’t Feel Like Laughing!                          

--  Showing Appreciation       

--  Dah! Sometimes It’s So Simple

-- Adding Workplace Fun

--  FYI Corner  - Free EQ Inventory

--  Today’s Chuckle

BUT I DON’T’ FEEL LIKE LAUGHING!

Whether life is dealing you more than your share of burnt toast or you just having a woe-is-me kind of day, there are times when laughing just isn’t on your list. There is no question that there are days when it seems like the world has dumped on you – whether you lost your job, dealing with illness, worried about a family member, spilled milk, or a multitude of other things. Why should you laugh? And, what exactly can do you do to knock yourself out of the doldrums and put the twinkle back in your eye? 

We know that laughing makes a multitude of good things happen physiologically to the human body. We also know it makes us feel better and that humor makes people feel more comfortable and at ease. It can help make tough times a little easier. Interestingly, over ¾ of terminally ill patients said they wished their family members and caregivers used more humor. Here’s some tips to help spark up and hone your funny bone.

-          Change your focus; find a project, interest or new goal to strive toward 

-          List three things that you are grateful for.

-          Take your biggest aggravation (whether a thing, situation or person) and give it a funny name.

-          Call the most positive person you know and talk with them.

-          Be silly — think absurd; stretch your thoughts; how would you redefine a situation comically.

-          Make a top five list (ways to get thin; reasons to go to work, ways to please your mother-in-law,. etc.)

-          Start your collection of funny things — favorite jokes, a clown nose, bubbles to blow, a crazy tie or accessory. What always lifts you up?

-          Find some favorite one-liners — “Don’t fry bacon in the nude”.” I used to be Snow White but I drifted”   (Samples from our Chuckle Bags--  a 60-day supply of the best!)

Laughter – a tool given to help us on our life journey.

SHOWING APPRECIATION

Take a tip from Land’s End. They  made a wonderful little WOW forms as a way that an employees can express their appreciation to another colleagues.  What a great idea!   Set it  up similar to a memo. It include a “To:” and “From:” line.   Then choose a Subject Title such as:  I Think You’re great”  “Kudos to You” or another appropriate heading of your choice. Then begin the body portion with, “You, really made a difference for me because.....(leave open space for the sender to hand write their note of appreciation.)

Whether at home or at work – how many times have you expressed appreciation today?

   When people feel appreciated, they are motivated, when they are motivated, they achieve.

DAH! SOMETIMES IT’S SO SIMPLE!

Have you ever had a Dah! moment? This is when something simple comes so crystal clear to you that you wonder why you never thought of it before.

A big city fast-food chain was loosing its booming white-collar clientele due to an increasing number of undesirables at their restaurant. Their solution — they started piping in classical music. Dah! — both simple, seemingly obvious solutions.

We can all learn from these simple solutions. They used common sense thinking to solve their dilemmas. Our society has been so programmed with educational analogies, complex theories and methodology mania. Dah! — we overlook our own common sense.

My mother-in-law always insisted on making the cakes for our birthdays — always a white cake with cool whip frosting. For my daughter’s birthday parties, I really wanted a beautifully decorated store bought one. For years I reluctantly accepted my mother-in-law’s cake, rather than get her mad or hurt her feelings. Then one day I just decided I was going to get the cake I really wanted. There was no reason we couldn’t have two cakes!!!! (DAH!) It sounds silly but over the years it had caused me a lot of useless consternation.

The next time you are faced with a challenge that seems insurmountable, step back and  check your bank of common sense. You will be amazed at how wealthy you are.

We are living in a time when common sense isn’t very common.

ADDING THE FUN - WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?

-          Learning to laugh at our frustrations:   It seems some dog “do do” had been left on lawn not far from the sidewalk to a company entrance. Everyone had a good chuckle upon returning to work after the lunch hour as they noticed someone had placed little brightly colored paper drink umbrellas strategically towering over each dropping.

-          Next time you are on the elevator, look in your bag and say “Are you getting enough air?”

-          4^th of July - Have your own 4^th of July parade at work Take a supply of candy & little flags-& put on

Everyone’s desk with a  “Have a Happy 4^th of July” or other creative note.    

We want to hear from you! What have you done to create fun in the day?

Email me how your brighten your work day. We’ll share them with our readers

THE "FYI" CORNER

ATTENTION ALL  “ BURNT TOAST & JAM” READERS- POST A REVIEW:   We need your HELP. We’ve been told that we need to have reader reviews on Amazon.com from our readers. Now is your opportunity to tell others what you liked about  “Burnt Toast & Jam”.   If you enjoyed our book,  if you felt applied to your own life, or sharing  what you liked about  it’s messages, (did any of it hit home? Was it uplifting? ) here’s your chance to tell others! We would be so-o-o appreciative if you would take a few seconds, go to www.Amazon.com, Search for Burnt Toast & Jam, click on the title and submit a review.  It’s so easy! 

A Thank You  BONUS- Once posted, if you zip us your email at kinza@kinza.net,  we will forward to you a free copy of our article on “10 Tips for Filing Your Reservoirs With Jam”  !

ENTER YOUR COMPANY IN THE BBB "TORCH AWARD" CONTEST.  If your company prides itself on ethical business practices, integrity and customer service you might want to apply for one of the prestigious awards offered by the Better Business Bureau.  You can find out more about the Torch Award at:  http://www.wisconsin.bbb.org/torchawards/torch.html.  The contest has five categories in all, including one for charities. You don't have to be a member of the BBB to apply. During the next few months, in communities all over the U.S. and Canada, the BBB will host workshops designed to show you how to apply. In Wisconsin, the deadline for applications is Friday, August 15. Winners will be announced at a huge awards banquet in November.  What a great way to stand out from the competition!

PARENTS:  “MOS” or “PIR”:  If you know what these cyberspace acronyms stand for (Mom over Shoulder & Parent in room) on your youth’s emails or texting, Kudos to you!  A few more to be aware of:  RU/18? (Are you over 18?); TDTM (Talk dirty to me) WYCM (Will you call me).   These are just reminders that our generations are speaking different languages.   Interestingly it doesn’t end there. If you want insights understanding the different generations, check out our Special Reports at www.kinza.net/shop/index..html.#reports

Share this newsletter with friends! 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.

TOASTS – Leadership 101

Graduation

-    To all who have just graduated. May you now go on to become educated.

-    To our fine educations, may they go to our heads!

-    A toast to the graduate — in a class by herself.

Wedding:

--You will truly know you are married when the bills start to come and you have to share the same toothpaste.

-- May you always share love and laughter.

--To the happy couple. May all your troubles be little ones..

KINZA – The Performance Pro & Motivational Humorist

Spotlight Keynotes * Event Speaking * Training * DISC Assessments

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

Website: www.kinza.net   Email: kinza@kinza.net

Now is the time to invest in your biggest asset:  Your people
   Make your best ever better:
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         -- Better Productivity
            -- Better Profits

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