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| Changing Lifestyles |
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Changing Lifestyles
by Catherine Pulsifer
We stood in the kitchen talking. I was discussing my upcoming change in lifestyle - a simplier lifestyle. I was excited yet hesitant as I talked about it. We set a goal many years ago to change our lifestyle from one of the hectic city life, working to pay the bills….. to one of a slower country pace, working on our "wanna do's", a simplier way of life. Yet as I talked to my friend about this, there was hesitation in my voice. Leaving a company where I had worked for over 26 years, leaving friends who have become like family to me, leaving a province where I had lived, raised my children and worked for the last 16 years. I expressed my concerns of leaving a steady paycheck for a much, much lower income. As I talked, that little voice in my head was saying, "what are you doing, will you be able to make it?"
My friend left the room and came back carrying a bag. "This is for you," she said smiling.
I opened the bag and in it was a plaque with the following poem:
Believe In Yourself
And in your dream
though impossible
things may seem,
Someday, somehow you'll get through to
the goal you have in view.
Mountains fall and
seas divide before
the one who in his stride
Takes a hard road
day by day
sweeping obstacles away.
Believe in yourself
and in your plan.
Say not - I cannot but, I can.
The prizes of life we
fail to win, Because we doubt the
power within.
As I read the poem, my hesitation disappeared, my confidence restored, I knew it would be all right. I did have a dream, and although, at times it appeared impossible, I set my goal and never lost sight of that end goal. Yes, many times as I worked towards that goal I had setbacks, obstacles. However, I never lost focus. I believed I could do it. And, as I reflected on the poem I knew, tomorrow will work out. I have come this far and faced many obstacles, but I overcame them.
I am writing this story on Sunday, and tomorrow, on Monday, June 23rd, 2003, the moving truck will arrive. I am leaving Mississauga, ON and moving to the country in New Brunswick. My goal now a reality!
What are your dreams?
Do they seem impossible?
Set your goal, don't give up when you face obstacles, and stay focused, as the power within is truly amazing!!
About the Author:
Catherine Pulsifer is one of the authors of Stress Less Country - a lifestyle change! A journey to a simplified lifestyle - visit the site for a collection of articles, thoughts, quotes, and stories on: simplicity, stress, gardening, recycle & reuse, country crafts, saving money tips, and Atlantic Canada. http://www.stresslesscountry.com
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Note to Webmasters or Ezine Publishers:
Feel free to use this article on your website or in your newsletter. We do ask that the article remains as written and that you show the resource box at the end of each article with a clickable link to http://www.stresslesscountry.com. Thanks
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| Counteroffers: Should I Stay of Should I Go? |
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| Topic |
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Business and Economy >
Employment |
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Counteroffers: Should I Stay of Should I Go?
If “resignation” is the word that strikes fear into all employers, then “counteroffer” is the one that strikes fear into an employee’s heart. “What should I do? They’ve matched my offer?”
It’s Friday afternoon. You walk into your boss’ office and ask the question that has sent scared many a managers —“Do you have a minute,” you ask. At that moment, he knows you’re resigning and if he/she wants you, they will have to fight to keep you.
“Why? We love you. Please stay! Don’t go! What do we have to do to keep you?”
Recently, two people who accepted an offer from a client of mine called me to tell me that they accepted a counteroffer to remain with their current firm. The one who had been with his current firm for twelve years seemed to make a decision that made sense; the other, however, had pleaded to get a fulltime job and leave consulting. His assignment was ending and he said he wanted the stability of a fulltime job. Earning $45 per hour without benefits, he accepted a small increase in his hourly rate, rather than a fulltime salary of $93000 plus bonus and great benefits from an employer that he kept begging me to get him to see for a job that he said he loved. Why? He told me, “They need me. (as though my client didn’t.; as though the loss of revenue for his consulting firm and the difficulty they would have replacing him quickly at the client didn’t bother them a wee bit). ”
Between the moment you quit and your departure date, your employer may try to persuade you to stay. Your mentor in the firm calls to talk with you. Your colleagues ask you to lunch and want to know why you’re going, where and for how much. Your boss’ boss asks to meet you. You are now the most important person at your company. You’re asked, “What will it take to keep you?” And this goes on for two weeks.
The pressure to accept a counteroffer can be enormous. The monetary offer can be tempting to stay. The promises to rectify everything that ticks you can be enormous. Yet, let’s look at what is going on from an employer’s perspective.
Your resignation is coming at an untimely moment; they are not prepared to replace you with someone who can step up and do your job. The cost of replacing you in dollars and effort (how many resumes will need to be read and people interviewed before they hire someone who they will need to train—AND they may have to pay a higher salary than what you were earning plus a fee to the search firm for a person who doesn’t know what you know. Can you see it’s not about you, personally) is large.
At the time you decide to change jobs, write down the reasons why you want to leave—I’m bored. I want to make more money. My boss is a micromanager. I want to learn something new. I want to work closer to home—write down the reasons and put them in a place where you can find them at the time you give notice.
Then, before giving notice, find the list and review it. Do not be seduced by the emotional response you may receive. Remember, the money they offer may only be your next raise pushed up a few months. Listen carefully to the promises that are made and remember that nothing is being put into writing; it is just the desperate effort to keep someone who was taken for granted for so long who they are now forced to remember they have underpaid, treated poorly and need to accomplish their objectives.
Few counteroffers should be considered, let alone accepted. I fully expect to see the consultant’s resume online again in a few months because the core issues that caused him to look for a job were not resolved.
Jeff Altman
Concepts in Staffing
jeffaltman@cisny.com
© 2005 all rights reserved.
For other articles by Jeff Altman, go to www.newyorkmetrotechnologyjobs.com; for help with hiring staff, email Jeff and let him know how to best reach you.
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| I Just Want a Simple Life! |
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Note to Webmasters or Ezine Publishers:
Feel free to use this article on your website or in your newsletter. We do ask that the article remains as written and that you show the resource box at the end of each article with a clickable link to http://www.stresslesscountry.com. Thanks
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I Just Want a Simple Life!
by Catherine Pulsifer
It was one of those days when you felt like winter was almost over. The sun was shining, there was no wind, and it actually felt a bit like spring! It was not a day to stay in the house. So, we went for a drive to a friend's house. While there, our friend's mother came over.
As she came into the kitchen, she sighed. She looked tired. It was a beautiful day, yet she truly looked like we were in the middle of a winter storm. "What's wrong?" I asked.
"Two things." she said. "First of all, here it is a beautiful day and I am at the office working all morning. The sun was shining in the windows; I could see people out walking, yet there I was working. And, secondly, today is Sunday. I worked all week, and now I am working on Sunday." She proceeded to explain, "I packed up my briefcase and decided to go for a drive. I will finish the rest of my work tonight."
Listening to her talk brought back memories of my previous lifestyle. You work all week, then you also work the weekend; you work in the evening, but, you never seem to get caught up.
As I was remembering, she sighed and said, "I just want a simple life! I am tired of working all the time!"
My mind was racing with thoughts. A simple life, oh how I was so thankful for mine! I reflected on how complicated our life was previously. We needed to work to pay off the bills, to just survive. Or, at least we thought we did!
It took us over 10 years to implement what she was referring to as a simple life. No longer do we have to work day and night, and on weekends.
The quote from Confucius comes to my mind when I think of the work we now do: "If you enjoy what you do, you'll never work another day in your life." Our simple life meant we have left jobs that paid for our previous lifestyle. What we "work" at now, no longer feels like "work" as we love what we do.
A simple life may mean giving up some of the things you once thought you needed. But, from our experience what we gave up does not compare to any of the things that we have gained.
A simple life is all about choices. Choices like:
- living in the country rather than the city
- dining in rather than dining out
- renting a movie rather than going to a theater
- finding your passion rather than working at a job
- living within your means rather than spending as a means to escape reality
- questioning your 'needs' rather than just buying your 'wants'
- buying used articles or products rather than buying new
- making your gifts rather than buying gifts
- enjoying the simple things in life rather than taking them for granted!
About the Author:
Catherine Pulsifer is one of the authors of Stress Less Country. A journey to simplicity and a frugal lifestyle http://www.stresslesscountry.com
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| Job Search Lessons from The Super Bowl |
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Business and Economy >
Employment |
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The Super Bowl is a game but, like sports in general, it offers useful life lessons that we can take with us . . . if we only look below the surface. As I watched the game, I saw a number of things. How many did you see?
1. Winning is a team effort. The teams that make it to the game don’t get there by accident. There are teams of planners and leaders who are constantly evaluating player performance and performing competitive analysis of the team and its capabilities with others. Scouts are looking to improve it. A GM looks at the draft and player cost to see where he can improve. Trainers and doctors are reviewing medicals. And then the coaches start getting involved.
You need to look at your own career in the same way in advance of when you need to make a job change. What is the market like for what you do? Do you excel, are you ordinary or below average? What can I do to upgrade my skills before management starts looking for lower cost alternatives? What is my real value (and understand that is a changing figure both up AND down)?
2. It is important to network to develop close and effective relationships with other professionals in your field. When management starts looking to hire new players, they are working with player agents who they often know from other negotiations. Doesn’t that make the process smoother for everyone?
3. Attack your search like your life depends on it. Teams often come out attacking their opponent on both offense and defense. You need to attack your search with ferocity and not casually.
4. If your plan isn’t working, make adjustments. Both teams enter the locker room with concrete feedback about their plan and how it’s working or not working. If your plan isn’t working as well as you like, change it using the feedback you’re getting, just like the pros do. Analyze what is working and what isn’t and adapt.
5. Keep a level head about you. It’s one thing to play with a lot of emotion on the field, but it’s hard to sustain for 60 minutes. Both the Eagles and Patriots came out with aggressive blitzes early in the game and attacking offenses before settling into a rhythm. In job searching, you may start off the search with a lot of fervor, but you need to remember that a search can take a long while. You need to manage your emotions for a 60 minute game and not just the first quarter.
6. Try not to be predictable. A football team that runs the same plays in the same sequence or under the same circumstances becomes predictable and other teams learn what they will do and will out perform them
7. Big mistakes can be critical. It’s one thing to be defeated on a play or a series. It’s another to make a bad call and be left exposed to a big play at a critical time like the Patriots did letting the Eagles back in the game with a 30 yard touchdown late in the game. When you get to the end of the search, it is best to have an agent negotiate for you, rather than leave you exposed to your own emotional whipsawing; if you aren't being represented by one, try to get input from trusted advisors with real knowledge (not your uncle who knows nothing about your industry but has good intentions).
8. Planning starts as soon as the game is over. As soon as the teams walked off the field, I can assure you that both will be planning for change for the next season and will take steps to rectify perceived weaknesses. What that means for you is that you continue your career development, training and networking even when you’ve just started a job. After all, the time when you have the most leverage in a negotiation is when you don’t need a new job.
If you have other suggestions, email them to me at nymtj@optonline.net and we’ll forward them to him.
Jeff Altman
Concepts in Staffing
jeffaltman@cisny.com
© 2005 all rights reserved.
For other articles by Jeff Altman, go to www.newyorkmetrotechnologyjobs.com; for help with hiring staff, email Jeff and let him know how to best reach you.
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| Natural Prescription for Eczema |
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| Topic |
Home >
Health >
Beauty |
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-Identify food allergies and eliminate the offending foods from you diet. Eggs, milk, cheese, chocolate, peanuts, soy, potatoes, and the glutens in wheat are common allergenic foods. It will take four to six weeks for the results of an allergen-free diet to be observed, so be patient.
-Investigate the possibility of the food additive tartrazine contributing to the eczema and, if it does, eliminate it from the diet.
-Eat fatty fish like salmon, herring, and mackerel at least twice a week.
Some steps to relieve symptoms:
-Do not use hot water for bathing and showering: Use warm water.
-Use bath oil to soften skin. Use a nondrying soap substitute instead of soap
-Do not use over-the-counter ointments that contain benzocaine or antibiotics.
-Avoid lanolin in skin lotions, cosmetics, cleansers, and the like.
-Try to avoid temperature extremes and any activity that will involve excessive sweating.
-Aerobic exercise is beneficial to eczema and other skin ailments. Just be sure to take a warm shower after exercise to wash away sweat.
-Avoid any oily or greasy ointment that prevents skin from breathing.
-Try to wear cotton and other natural fibers next to your skin with the exception of wool, which you should avoid.
-As stress can exacerbate eczema, practice stress reduction techniques.
This article is brought to you by IH Distribution, LLC.
Bringing you health, anti-aging and skin care products from around the world.
Shop online: www.ihdistribution.com & www.ihd.myarbonne.com or contact us: sales@ihdistribution.com
Please share the content of these articles with your friends, family and colleagues. Reprint rights granted. All reprints, must include a link to www.ihdistribution.com. Content may not be altered and articles must be used as distributed by IH Distribution, LLC
Copyright © IH Distribution LLC 2004 |
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