By Rachel Zupek
It's happened to everyone before. The constant flow of words
that just keep coming, long after you've made your point (if
there ever was one) and even longer after people stopped
caring. The kind of gibberish that just won't stop unless
someone else starts talking. The type of chatter that
inevitably ends with you wishing you'd put your foot in your
mouth.
Yes, verbal diarrhea is never a good thing - but it can be
worse in some places more than others. Like the workplace.
There are certain things co-workers need not know about each
other - your baby-making plans and stomach issues, for
example - but some folks just can't seem to keep their
mouths shut. Some people talk to hear the sound of their own
voice; others share because they don't really have a life
and, by revealing details you'd rather not know, they create
the illusion of one. Then there is the person who believes
gossip, even about them, creates instant emotional intimacy.
It doesn't.
Because people spend more time at the office with co-workers
than anywhere (or anyone) else, some workers have trouble
drawing the line between business and friendship. It's a
social environment as well as a work environment. However,
you must remember while you can be friendly and develop a
good rapport, business is business and friendship is
friendship.
Most workers don't realize that what they say has as much
impact on their professional images as what they wear.
People who say too much, about themselves or others, can be
seen as incompetent, unproductive and unworthy of
professional development.
To avoid your next case of verbal diarrhea, here are 13
things to never share or discuss with your co-workers.
1. Salary information
What you earn is between you and Human Resources. Disclosure
indicates you aren't capable of keeping a confidence.
2. Medical history
Nobody really cares about your aches and pains, your latest
operation, your infertility woes or the contents of your
medicine cabinet. To your employer, your constant medical
issues make you seem like an expensive, high-risk employee.
3. Gossip
Whomever you're gossiping with will undoubtedly tell others
what you said. Plus, if a co-worker is gossiping with you,
most likely he or she will gossip about you.
4. Work complaints
Constant complaints about your workload, stress
levels or the company will quickly make you the kind of
person who never gets invited to lunch. If you don't agree
with company policies and procedures, address it through
official channels or move on.
5. Cost of purchases
The spirit of keeping up with the Joneses is alive
and well in the workplace, but you don't want others
speculating on the lifestyle you're living -or if you're
living beyond your salary bracket.
6. Intimate details
Don't share intimate details about your personal
life. Co-workers can and will use the information against
you.
7. Politics or religion
People have strong, passionate views on both
topics. You may alienate a co-worker or be viewed negatively
in a way that could impact your career.
8. Lifestyle changes
Breakups, divorces and baby-making plans should be
shared only if there is a need to know. Otherwise, others
will speak for your capabilities, desires and limitations on
availability, whether there is any truth to their
assumptions or not.
9. Blogs or social networking profile
What you say in a social networking community or in
your personal blog may be even more damaging than what you
say in person. Comments online can be seen by multiple eyes.
An outburst of anger when you are having a bad day ...can
blow up in your face.
10. Negative views of colleagues
If you don't agree with a co-worker's lifestyle,
wardrobe or professional abilities confront that person
privately or keep it to yourself. The workplace is not the
venue for controversy.
11. Hangovers and wild weekends
It's perfectly fine to have fun during the weekend,
but don't talk about your wild adventures on Monday. That
information can make you look unprofessional and unreliable.
12. Personal problems and relationships - in and out
of the office
Failed marriages and volatile romances spell instability to
an employer. Office romances lead to gossip and broken
hearts, so it's best to steer clear. The safest way to play
is to follow the rule, 'never get your honey where you get
your money.'
13. Off-color or racially-charged comments
You can assume your co-worker wouldn't be offended or would
think something is funny, but you might be wrong. Never take
that risk. Furthermore, even if you know for certain your
colleague wouldn't mind your comment, don't talk about it at
work. Others can easily overhear.
FOR THE WIFE WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT, BECAUSE SHE
IS HOME WITH ME, AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.
FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.
FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.
FOR THE TAXES I PAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED.
FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.
FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.
FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT
IN THE SUNSHINE.
FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.
FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE
IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING
LOT BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND I HAVE BEEN
BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.
FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.
FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE
IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.
FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
CLOTHES TO WEAR.
FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.
FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.
AND I AM THANKFUL FOR THE CRAZY PEOPLE I WORK WITH BECAUSE
THEY MAKE WORK INTERESTING AND FUN!
AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME
By Michael O’Shea
1. BUY A SCALE To change your body, you
need to know where you stand. A recent study by Brown
University Medical School showed that daily weigh-ins are
key. Place your scale on a flat, uncarpeted surface and
weigh yourself at the same time every day. First thing in
the morning is best. Use the number as a way to track your
progress. A realistic goal is a weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds
a week.
2. CLEAN OUT YOUR CUPBOARDS Toss al those
naughty little goodies that might prove too tempting when
you’re tired or hungry. Or put them at the back of the
cupboard or refrigerator so you won’t be faced with them
every time you open the door. And divide large bags of
snacks into single portion baggies or buy prepackaged
100-calorie options.
3. KEEP A JOURNAL Write down your weight
each day, plus everything you eat. You’re the only one who
has to see this – so be honest. Estimate the calories of
each entry as your write it down. (Buy a book of calories
counts or use an online tool.)
4. TELL EVERYONE Sit your family down and
tell them your goals. Be clear that losing weight is
important to you and that you would appreciate their
support. A weight-loss buddy also can improve your chances
of success. If you don’t know anyone who fits the bill,
consider joining an online support group.
5. EAT SEVERAL SMALL MEALS A DAY It’s
natural to be a little hungry during the first few days of
any diet. Remind yourself that it is just a physical
sensation, and you can handle it. Still, any diet that
leaves you hungry all the time will lead to overeating. Many
people find that having five or six small meals a day works
best for them.
6. GIVE YOURSELF TREATS If you deprive
yourself endlessly, you’ll end up going on a world-class
binge at some point. Consider adding a treat to your daily
or weekly plan, but pay attention to portion size and
calorie count. A ½ cup of low-fat ice cream or three pieces
of chocolate can work as long as you limit yourself to that.
7. START AN EXERCISE PLAN Besides burning
calories, exercise also builds muscle and boosts your
metabolism as you progress. One of the best things you can
do is walk. Invest in a pedometer and aim for a goal of
10,000 steps or more a day. It’s the only number you want to
see go up, up, up!
By Mike Hammer
Saving may seem like an unattainable goal in this economy,
but here are stategies that you can turn into money in the
bank.
Put away before you pay.
Ask your employer to make a direct deposit from your
paycheck into a brokerage account. If $200 a month in a
Standard & Poor’s fund performs as it has over the past 20
years, you’ll have $170,000 in savings in two decades.
Invest in a piggy bank.
Spend only paper currency. By saving all your change every
day, you’ll accumulate $20 to $50 each month without even
trying.
Avoid impulse buys.
Eliminate purchases that might cause financial duress. If
you want to buy something that will stretch your budget,
first take a week to think it over. Don’t carry credit cards
at all. You can always come back next week.
Start a "house money" fund.
Take any tax refund, overtime pay, or rebate you receive and
immediately put it in a high-yield savings account or an IRA
that you won’t touch. This is “found money” that can work
for you.
Asking for a pay increase or promotion
can be a tricky thing. Timing has to be right and your
justification needs to be solid. Just saying “I need a
raise” or “I’m due for a raise” doesn’t mean a thing.
You have to say “I’m worth a raise - and here are the
reasons why”.
Before you walk into your boss’ office looking for a bigger
paycheck, ask yourself a couple of questions:
What have I done lately to help the company generate more
revenue?
What have I done lately to help the company reduce expenses?
After you come up with the list (and hopefully it’s a long
one), see if you can put a dollar figure to each item.
See where I’m going with this? If you can help your
company increase their profits, then you can justify your
raise. If you want the company to just give you money
without working harder for it…sorry, not sure that’s going
to happen.
To understand why, keep in mind the rules of employee pay.
Your compensation is directly tied to three things:
1. The company’s ability to find employees
in your salary range
2. The company’s ability to keep employees
in your salary range
The company’s ability to pay your salary
So right now in this economy, chances are good that if you
left tomorrow afternoon, the company could find someone to
replace you (translation: reason #1 to give you a raise is
out). And, since people are concerned about jobs right
now…chances are good that people are staying put until the
economy gets better (so #2 is out). That means your
ticket to a bigger paycheck is helping your company improve
their ability to pay - or increase their bottom line.
Helpful Hints
- Did you know that drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately-- without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional 'pain relievers.'
- Did you know that Colgate toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns.
- Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They'll clear up your stuffed nose.
- Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 Tablespoon of horseradish in 1 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a massage oil, for instant relief for aching muscles.
- Sore throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.
- Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer. Just dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly-- even though the product was never been advertised for this use.
- Honey remedy for skin blemishes ... Cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.