For the manager of a solid company whose staff insists the sky is falling

Talk to them individually to get confirmation on what they each think is happening or will happen to the company. This will also provide an opportunity to find out if there's one particular person stirring the negativity pot, or if something non-work related is affecting their mood at the office.

Try to help with the non-work related issues privately.

Then bring the group together and have the luncheon where you list, in a very caring tone, the concerns they've brought up. Ask if there's anything else, and then address each point. You should include anecdotes for times you've dealt with similar issues, openly talk about the financial situation (if relevant), and set your direction for the future (including what role they'll each be playing in that direction).

Then go bowling afterwards - who doesn't love bowling?

What Bernie Madoff Couldn’t Steal From My Friend

Everyone's been affected by the recession. My friend, Matt, just happened to be affected by the now most famous of frauds, Bernie Madoff. There's a few interesting things about Matt though - he's got a great attitude, is resourceful, and is a very talented speaker who can share his story like no other.

Below is a video of a speech he gave recently. It touches on the themes of things I strongly believe in - stress is a reaction, you can choose your own reactions, leverage your community to bring yourself greater happiness, Antarctica is a cool place (pardon the pun).

A quick intro by Matt:

"I want to preface this by saying that if this is the first you are hearing that Geneen and I were long-time investors with Bernie Madoff and got financially whacked when he turned out to be a fraud--- I want you to know that we’re doing okay. More than okay, actually--- we’ve both been in a fabulously creative period this past few months since the Madoff debacle. Enjoy the video (no, really, it has some good laughs in it!) and please pass the link on to anyone you know who might find it valuable.
Much love,
Matt"

(in case you can't see the video - see it directly on YouTube)

Free Intro to Stress Reduction workshop on Saturday, 2/21

Wish you had more control over stress?

Come to the FREE Intro to Stress Release workshop I'm running for the community this Saturday, 2/21 @ 3pm.

In only 90 minutes you'll have tools to understand, control, and release your biggest, most overwhelming stress.

Some guarantees*:

• You'll gain new insights to your life
• You'll relax
• You'll laugh

I only do these freebies once a year, so take advantage.

The JCC in Manhattan
334 Amsterdam Ave. @ 76th St

Subway: 1/2/3 to 72nd St.

More info about JCC's R&R can be found here:
http://www.jccmanhattan.org/category.aspx?progid=18902&catid=1469

*or your money back!

What should you do with your life?

Tired of wondering what you should do with your life?
Start with the question, "What do I want to be good at?" (grammar be damned)

See where your thoughts flow from there.
What directions come up? What possibilities? What stories? What experiences? What friends? What heroes?

Pick one or two things. It doesn't have to be irrefutably "right" and lead to a perfect life. It just has to be worth the next step - a book, lecture, class, internship, job, trip, whatever.

Chances are you'll enjoy that journey and people you meet along the way more than if you had done nothing (again).

Want to be happy? Talk to your neighbor

A Harvard Medical School study is about to be published in BMJ (a British journal) that adds weight to SSO's definition of stress: Stress is a reaction that commonly occurs when your current situation doesn't match your ideal version of that situation.

The operative word is commonly.

According to the NY Times article the study shows a positive impact of people around you being happy - particularly those who see and are physically close to.

"A next-door neighbor’s joy increased one’s chance of being happy by 34 percent, but a neighbor down the block had no effect. A friend living half a mile away was good for a 42 percent bounce, but the effect was almost half that for a friend two miles away. A friend in a different community altogether can win an Oscar without making you feel better. “You have to see them and be in physical and temporal proximity,” Dr. Christakis said."

This study also confirms the efficacy of the 6th R of Stress Release - Remind. The more reminders you have about your progress and desired state, the easier it will be to maintain.

So go out there and hang out with happy people!

Caffeine vs Napping

I've always found the siesta to be a great idea. Working from home most days has facilitated this greatly.

For those of you who may not be able to justify to themselves why it really is okay to do so, whose boss may still not see the benefit, or who insist that an afternoon coffee is still the way to be productive in the afternoon - I give you a link to further proof that the siesta is the way to go...

The NY Times just ran an article illustrating how a nap from 1-3 is more effective than a caffeine pill (or a placebo) at 3pm.

Send it around, then claim the spot for your afternoon nap. I recommend finding a place where you can go horizontal rather than just slumped in your chair.

A free wellness assessment

Whether you're a teen, in college, and adult, or an older adult, the National Wellness Institute has a free assessment that will tell you how you score in these areas:

• Physical
• Sexuality
• Nutrition
• Emotional
• Self Care
• Intellectual
• Safety
• Occupational
• Environment
• Spirituality