Monday, 2 January 2017

A Positive Attitude at Work: 10 Tips for Success


Having a positive attitude at work can help you get a promotion, succeed on projects, meet goals, and just generally enjoy your job more. However, many people struggle with this, especially those who don’t love their jobs. How can you keep a positive attitude, even if you don’t enjoy the work you’re doing? In this article, we’ll go over 10 tips to staying positive at work.

Tip #1: Report problems quickly and professionally.


No one likes a chronic complainer, but if there are clear reasons you find it hard to stay positive at work, report these problems to your boss or the owner of the company. My mother has a saying: the squeaky wheel gets the grease. It means that if you don’t speak up when there’s a problem, no one is going to fix the issue. When reporting problems, however, always be professional. Avoid “tattling” on your co-workers or passive-aggressive behavior, and remember that changes don’t happen overnight. Try to go to your boss not just with complaints, but with proposed solutions that will work well for everyone.

Tip #2: Treat your coworkers with respect.


It’s always easier to stay positive at your job if you like the work environment, including your coworkers. It’s easy to get started on the wrong foot. However, if you treat your coworkers with respect and do your best to see issues from their point of view, the working relationships will be much less stressful. You don’t have to like everyone you work with to keep a positive attitude at work.

Tip #3: Get enough sleep.


Who among us doesn’t feel a little grumpy when they’re tired. Chances are, if you aren’t getting enough sleep at work, it will be extremely hard to maintain a good attitude. Do you find it hard to get going in the morning? Or are you in need of a nap by the time 2 PM rolls around? These are both indications that you aren’t getting enough sleep. Some people only need 4-5 hours of sleep per night. Others need 9 or 10 to feel rested. Don’t rely on “catching up” on the weekends. Go to bed earlier so you get the sleep you need to feel positive.
Changing your sleep patterns only seems hard. With a little coaching and some discipline, it is actually easy to get the levels of sleep you need to function at your best.

Tip #4: Identify negative thoughts.


You might not even realize that you have a negative attitude at work. Start to be more aware of your thoughts, words, and actions. Identify times when you say no without good reason, believe you can’t do something, doubt your abilities, or feel angry about a task given to you. Think about what would happen if you forced yourself to look at the situation in the opposite way – saying yes, believing you can do something, feeling confident in your abilities, or feeling happy to do a task. Even if you can’t change every single negative emotion you have, at least start to be aware of these emotions and think about whether or not they are actually justified.
Do the number of negative thoughts in your head each day surprise you once you start actively assessing your negativity levels. You aren’t alone!

Tip #5: Work on your overall stress level.


Often, our attitudes at work are simply carried over from our experiences at home. If you’re stressed about your marriage or relationship, your kids, your finances, or other problems, it’s really hard to maintain a positive attitude at work. The opposite is true as well – if work puts you in a bad mood, it is easy to carry that stress home and snap at your family. Look at your overall stress level and identify the things in your life that make it hard to have a positive attitude. A more holistic approach to understanding your stress can help you start to enjoy your job more.

Tip #6: Work toward a new job.


If you truly hate your job, why are you still doing it? Most people answer, “money,” but the truth is that no matter what your situation, you can start working toward a job you enjoy more right now. If it’s the company you don’t like, spruce up your resume and start applying for other positions. If it’s the job, start putting in the extra hours so you are noticed for a promotion and raise. Hate the entire industry? Go back to school, even if it is slowly during nights and weekends, to work toward a degree in a field that you enjoy more.

Tip #7: Set goals.


Nothing can be more soul-crushing that feeling like you’re on a spinning hamster wheel. One of the best ways to overcome these feelings of negativity and the idea that you’d not doing anything important is to sit down with your manager and make some realistic (yet challenging) goals. What do you hope to achieve weekly? Where do you hope to be in three months? Six months from now, what successes do you want to have under your belt? Don’t just think about the goals on a small scale either. Talk to your boss about what achieving these goals means for the company as a whole so that you really understand how your contributions are making a difference. Review your goals every 6 to 12 months to stay on track and set new benchmarks for success. As an added benefit, doing this can give you grounds for asking for a raise!

Tip #8: Alter your responsibilities.


Is there a task you just hate? It’s not always possible to get it off your plate, but in some cases, it is rather easy, especially when you have lots of coworkers who take on many of the same tasks as you. For example, let’s say that you are a waitress and you hate working on weekends, but don’t mind working early mornings. Maybe there’s another server on the staff who feels the opposite, so you can talk to your supervisor about making sure you get her breakfast shifts and she gets your weekend shifts. Or maybe you work in retail and you love greeting customers but hate restocking the shelves. If you have a coworker who feels the other way, trade tasks to make both of your work experiences better! In addition, even if trading tasks with a coworker isn’t possible, let your boss know about the tasks you love and the tasks you hate. If you’re a good employee, he or she might consider hiring an assistant to help you with the tasks you hate. It never hurts to ask, as long as you do so professionally (see tip number 1).

Tip #9: Smile!


Did you know that simply smiling, even when you don’t feel happy, can automatically put you in a better mood? It may seem “fake” at first, and I don’t recommend being disingenuous, but if you feel negative often at work, try to remember to smile. Smile at a passing coworker in the hall. Smile as you answer a customer’s question. Smile even while you are by yourself. Yes, this can really help you have a more positive attitude at work! This also can help other people think of you as a positive and friendly person, and when those around you are in a good mood and like being around you, it is easier to get rid of any of your own negative feelings.

Tip #10: Remember that a job is just a job.


At the end of the day, your job just not define you. Even if you absolutely hate your job, your coworkers, and the company you work for, you get to go home to loved ones or hobbies when the workday is over. Yes, you should work toward a job you like more, but in the meantime, you don’t have to feel negatively about your situation. Most people have had at least one or two jobs they hated before finding a job that’s a good fit! Whenever you start to feel negative while at work, look at the clock and remember that in just a few hours, you’ll be able to punch that time clock and do something you enjoy more, whether that is spending time with loved ones, participating in a hobby, or even just relaxing in front of the television. Your job is just part of your life, so stay positive, collect that paycheck, and remember that you’ll be heading home soon!
No matter how positive you stay at work, you may still be experiencing job-related stress, which can actually lead to long-term illness and other problems in your life.

10 Hacks For Maintaining A Healthy, Balanced Diet


There are some things us blokes just don’t enjoy doing. It’s fair to say that shopping for, preparing and cooking food rate highly on the list for most. And unlike arguing over furniture layouts with the in-laws, it doesn’t have to always be this way.
Truth be told, it can be really simple to maintain a healthy, balanced diet by making a few savvy choices when it comes to food. Some require a little planning; others just require a little willpower. So here are 10 quick, easy and effective hacks to ensure you stay on track with your eating habits.

1. Do Some Reading


Make it a habit to glance at food labels when you are buying goods. Unsure of what some of the ingredients are? There’s a good chance it’s not great for you. Ingredients are listed in order by amount or weight, so if you see things like sugar, high fructose corn syrup, vegetable oils and preservatives high up on the list, leave it on the shelf.

2. Go Slow And Go Low


Too busy to cook? This is where the slow cooker can become your new best mate. Chuck the ingredients in before you head to work, and they cook all day in time for dinner. A good pick for the slow cooker is a lean Lamb leg steak or a trimmed half leg of lamb – packed with protein and essential nutrients like iron and zinc. Add in three different types of chopped veggies, a splash of stock, red wine and some herbs and spices and you’re done. Another benefit of the slow cooker is that you will have more than enough left over for lunches during the week. Try starting a “slow cook Sunday” tradition with Lamb as the key ingredient for a healthy meal option.

3. Add Some Spice To Your Life


Make an initial investment of US$40-50 into a huge range of herbs and spices, and with a cupboard packed with pink sea salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, cayenne, turmeric, oregano, garlic powder, thyme and basil, you can easily transform any meal into a totally different, flavourful dish.
Real men cook with beef (legit scientific fact) – it’s a very versatile protein and comes in a wide variety of cuts to suit your taste and budget. It’s also chock full of amino acids for muscle building, as well as zinc, iron and omega-3. Add seasonings like cayenne, paprika and cumin to give it a punchy, spicy Middle Eastern flavour.

4. Bulk Up


Buying in bulk will save time, money and a headache. Meats can be portioned off and frozen so you will always have some on hand when you get stuck for time and have to whip up something fast. Buy nuts and seeds by the bag for healthy toppings for salads and yoghurt. Also, keep a wide variety of fresh, seasonal, fruit and veg on hand, and consider long life bags so they maintain freshness for longer.

5. Make Better Takeaway Choices


We are never perfect, but we can all make better choices. Nobody is forcing that Big Mac and fries down your throat, son. It’s time to take control again and make better decisions. It can be as simple as avoiding heavy, fatty foods like pizza and chips that will drain your energy and make you fat, and opting instead for salads, or a steak and veg at the pub. Ask for extra meat and veggies at a Thai restaurant for example, and avoid eating the huge portion of rice that comes on the side. Make the right choice more often than not, and that decision-making part of the brain gets trained just like a muscle, saving you from bad choices down the track.

6. Become A “One-Pan Meal” Master


This is something you should already be familiar with, from when you first left home and had to cook for yourself for the first time. Adopt the same mentality you had back then: if it can’t be cooked in one pan or pot, it doesn’t get cooked! Do this and you’ll keep coming back to one key ingredient: Beef mince. The possibilities are endless. Make chilli con carne, burgers, tacos, healthy stir fries and meat balls all a standard part of your one pan rotation. Choose lean Beef mince – this will keep you well fed, energetic and smiling all day long. Bachelor cooking never goes out of style.

7. Send The Snacks Packing


If you are getting the right amounts of protein and healthy fats in all of your main meals, you will remain satisfied and resist the urge to snack (because let’s face it, when was the last time you chose a healthy snack option?) If you are looking for a foundation food for your eating plan, choose Lamb. Aussie Lamb, like Beef, provides a healthy wallop of protein, is lean (when trimmed of fat!) and provides twice the iron of chicken or pork. Aim for 3-4 palm-sized portions of red meat like Beef and Lamb each week, prepared in a variety of ways – slow cooked, on the barbie, minced in burgers – to keep things interesting.

8. Stay Hydrated


This one seems obvious, but it’s actually one of the most underrated hacks out there. Being dehydrated affects everything from physical performance to concentration and energy, and also has a key effect on hunger levels. Make sure you’re guzzling 2-3L of water each day to reduce food cravings. Craving particular junk foods throughout the day? You may just be dehydrated. Smash 500ml of water, wait 20 minutes and you’ll find most of those cravings will disappear.

9. Don’t Drink Your Calories


Hear us out on this one. Food is so enjoyable, so nutritious and so delicious that why would you waste your daily caloric intake by drinking empty, nutrient-devoid drinks? Things like soft drinks, flavoured water, sports drinks, fruit juices and flavoured milks (sorry to all the kids at heart out there) are all way too high in sugar and should be avoided. Limit beverage consumption to water, tea, coffee and the occasional alcoholic beverage (save room for the good stuff!)

10. Be Accountable


This last one is more of a mindset than a hack. If you are really going to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle, you need to put yourself on the hook for it. Tell your wife/girlfriend/significant other the changes and rules you are putting in place and get them to hold you accountable. Tell the boys at the pub you will be going at your own pace (and to hold the sugary mixed drinks). Having people around you to keep you in line is the most effective way to make these consistent changes.

Thursday, 1 December 2016

Mission of Circle of Hands



Chair massage is an eco-friendly and savvy way to generate more leads, market your business, impress those VIP's, and increase productivity in the workplace with employee appreciation. You are guaranteed results.

Our Mission is to make sure your event thrives using chair massage! Whether you want a very successful convention that generates more leads than ever before, impressing your VIP customers, or making your party the hit of the year, we are here to help your goal succeed! No matter what event you have, know that you can relax in our hands!

Circle of Hands provides nationwide chair massage for events, such as, trade shows, health fairs, marketing events, VIP and employee appreciation, wellness programs, and all kinds of parties. We hire only the best, licensed and insured, professional massage therapists in the nation and excellent customer service is our 1st priority. No matter what event you have, know that you can relax in our hands!

The most professional and experienced, licensed and insurance massage therapists nationwide, we also offer electric foot massagers for your attendees while they wait for their chair massage and our Marketing Message Service - A customized audio marketing message and peaceful music through headset's (for additional fees).

Please call us toll free at 1-888-777-9280 or visit www.massage4events.com to request a quote!

Details about Circle of Hands Chair Massage



Specialties

Circle of Hands provides chair massage for any event nationwide. We represent your company, product, or service at trade shows, corporate events, marketing events, VIP and employee appreciation, health fairs, wellness programs, and all kinds of parties. We hire only the best, licensed and insured, professional massage therapists in the nation and excellent customer service is our 1st priority. Our goal is for your event to thrive!  No matter what event you have, know that you can relax in our hands.

History

Established in 2002.
The founder of Circle of Hands has been a licensed massage therapist for over 15 years. She came up with the name in 2002 with the hopes of one day having massage therapists all over the nation and now that has come to fruition. Her passion is helping businesses understand how chair massage can benefit their company in every aspect and to provide more jobs to wonderful, hardworking massage therapists. Our goal is for your event to thrive and feel great while it does!

Sunday, 25 September 2016

Event Planners



Event Planners ~ Trade Show Managers ~ Meeting Planners ~ Marketing Organizers ~ Public Relations

Trade Show Organizers~ The rising cost of exhibiting is one of the primary concern of companies. The most common question is “what is the return on investment (ROI)?” ROI at conventions is impacted by traffic density and time spent in the exhibit.
Chair Massage at conventions and trade shows creates a memorable experience, gives exhibitors quality time spent with attendees, and it’s very affordable!
Attendees come back for more year after year. Promoting chair massage as a perk at conventions or trade shows tells the attendees that you care enough to invest in their health, mental, and physical wellbeing.
Chair massage in exhibits benefits the exhibitors as well as the attendees from long, exhausting days!
Circle of Hands coordinates event set-up and break down, management, staffing, scheduling, compensation, and paperwork of the licensed massage therapists. This helps event planners, show managers, and companies to focus on the other details and planning of the event. Please request a quote to get started.

Forward Head Posture



Forward Head Posture (FHP) can be recognized by the positioning of the ear being forward of the shoulder, rather than sitting directly over it. Poor neck posture leads to a Forward Head Position which is one of the most common causes of neck, head and shoulder tension and pain. This can be a result of the long term habits of “slumping” at the computer or while driving, sitting poorly on the couch, or poor sleeping posture. These habits can be worsened if strains and sprains of the neck have occurred in the past which has weakened the neck muscles.
Imagine how uncomfortable it would be to hang a bowling ball around your neck. Well this is exactly what your body might be experiencing every day if you suffer Forward Head Posture.
For every inch your head posture sits forward, the head gains 10 pounds in weight. This forces the muscles in your upper back and neck to work much harder to keep the head (chin) from dropping forwards onto your chest. With your muscles in constant contraction to achieve this, pressure is added to the nerves at the base of the skull, which can cause headaches.
Forward Head Posture is a very common postural issue, and it is estimated to occur in between 66% and 90% of the population.
An increased forward head posture has been strongly associated with decreased respiratory muscle strength in patients, which can affect the ability to breath and reduce lung capacity by as much as 30%. Forward head posture has also been linked to tension-type headaches, with the degree of forward head posture having a direct correlation with duration and frequency of headaches, as well as increased blood pressure. Long term forward head posture leads to muscle strain, disc herniations, arthritis, pinched nerves and instability. Abnormal neck posture has also been associated with headaches, abnormal functions of the eyes and the ears, and psychological and mental disorders.
Awareness of the correct neck and shoulder posture is the first step toward correction.
Referenced from: CAA

CUSTOMER SERVICE WEEK



THEY REPRESENT YOUR COMPANY & MAKE YOU LOOK GOOD…

NOW IT’S TIME TO THANK THEM!

This October 3rd – 7th is Customer Service Week – a time period dedicated to showing appreciation to customer service employees. These employees deal with mental and physical stress daily with the mission of adding a personal touch to your company. Without them, you would be lacking one of the most important aspects of a thriving business: social connection with your customers.
So, this October, reward your customer service employees with a Chair Massage!

WE HAVE THE FACTS!
Did you know there are a growing number of companies, big and small, that utilize the proven benefits of massage therapy at work? These companies provide access to short chair massages, finding that employees report lower stress levels and improvements in productivity. Plus, Chair Massage shows your hard-working customer service employees that you care about their health and well-being. A quick 15 minute massage can help employees perform significantly better on complicated tasks, improve creative thinking, and relieve fatigue.
YOUR EMPLOYEES WILL LOVE YOU FOR IT!
Chair Massage is the perfect way to reward employees during Customer Service Week. When employees are rewarded, they feel appreciated. When they feel appreciated, they are more likely to ensure a faster turn-around time for projects and tasks, thus effectively creating a healthier and happier workplace environment overall. Get your FREE quote today and start your journey toward the best Customer Service Week ever!