Workplace Resolutions for the New Year

I have no idea what the statistics are, but many people make "resolutions" for the New Year.  

Personally, I stopped making resolutions years ago.  I would find myself so sad when I broke them.

So, now, I am just grateful for seeing another year and am aware of trying to do things a little differently.  

Not a resolution - but a "work in progress."

Some of the common workplace resolutions are:

1.  Find a new job

2.  Get to work on time

3.  Stop gossiping at work 

4.  Learn a new skill

5.  Dress better for work

6.  Be more time productive

7.  Get a promotion

8.  Network more


For me, I am praying to continue to be gainfully employed in 2013 and maintain a positive attitude, even when people around me are not necessarily positive. 

The first thing I'm planning to do is go out today and get new calendars for work and home.

I never buy calendars in advance because - well, because I'm just a wee bit superstitious.  So, now you know.

What about your resolutions for the New Year?  What's on your agenda?  I'd love to hear from you.

Here's to a wonderful, healthy, happy and successful 2013!

"Secret Santa" - Thank You? No, Thank You?

It's the most wonderful time of the year.  Or not.

I'm not a Scrooge. Really, I'm not.  But sometimes I could just do without all the office parties and "Secret Santa gift exchanges."  

And whoever thought "re-gifting" was appropriate?  And what about that stupid game where someone gets to "steal" the gift from the other person who just got the reindeer cork screw?

Honestly, it's enough to make me overdose on egg nog.

There are still some gift ideas that are "politically correct," and not such a piece of junk that they're downright insulting.  

Here are my top five ideas (in no particular order) for gifts under $10.

1.  Coffee gift card

2.  Panera gift card

3.  Desk Calendar (preferably not one with dirty jokes)

4.  Ink Pen

5. Mug (a decent mug - not the 99 cent store variety)

Here are my top five ideas (in no particular order) for gifts under $25

1.  Coffee gift card

2.  Movie tix (2)

3.  Bookstore Gift Card

4.  Nice stationery

5.  Collectible ornament

What are some of the favorite/least favorite gifts you've received at the office over the years?

I'd love to know.  

Fa-la-la-la-la!

Have a Seat. How About a New Chair for Christmas?

While sitting in my comfortable SOMA Ergo chair the other day at work, I started thinking about whether I would want a holiday bonus or a new chair, if given the choice.

While sitting in my office chair at home this morning, which is so NOT a SOMA Ergo chair, I was prompted to write this post.

We spend a lot of time in our chairs at work.  Especially if your boss is like mine who prefers his secretary be close-by at all times.  It's not an unreasonable request.  He's a busy guy and doesn't have time to field calls from salespeople who pretend they're close friends.  Not to mention the fact that I'm on company time.

That said, I realized just how much more comfortable I am at work now than when I had just a "standard-issue" secretary's chair.

I'm not so sure that companies give enough thought to the importance of a good chair.  The wrong chair can lead to serious consequences, including back and neck pain, which can result in less productivity and loss of time at work.

Now, here is a shameless plug for SOMA Ergo.  

Not only does SOMA offer a variety of chairs, including the "court reporter" chair, which I actually use, every chair is customized to suit your needs (height, weight, etc.).

This year, you might want to casually "hint" to the office manager that you'd love a new chair for the New Year.  In fact, it wouldn't hurt to casually send your boss the link below and while she's at it, she might want to get one for herself.

Life is short - we need to be comfortable in the chair we're in.

www.somaergo.com

(oh and the answer to the question - a bonus or a new chair?  I think if I had to pick one, I'd say the chair - it's the gift that keeps on giving)

BOOK REVIEW: "Creole Belle" by James Lee Burke

"Creole Belle," is Dave Robicheaux and his side-kick Clete Purcell at their brave best.

It's also James Lee Burke doing what James Lee Burke does best as he takes you on a Louisiana adventure like no one else can.  

Burke's descriptive narrative in "Creole Belle" plops the reader right smack down in the middle of the Louisiana Coast.  

His mission is to find Tee Jolie, a barroom singer who has mysteriously disappeared and whose cryptic phone messages to Robicheaux leave Dave's family thinking that he has finally lost it.  This time for good.

What develops is a story of secrets, sex, lies and videotape.   A trip into Louisiana's history that will find you both intrigued and appalled.

It took me longer than it should have to read this book because I found myself "living an adventure" that I wanted to escape and yet didn't want to end.

As I thought out loud, "this couldn't be happening, could it?" I remembered, it was, after all, Dave Robicheaux.

Another great read.

"Languishing in a recovery unit on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans, Dave Robicheaux is fighting an enemy more insidious than the one who put a bullet in his back a month earlier in a shootout on Bayou Teche. The morphine meant to dull his pain is steadily gnawing away at his resolve, playing tricks on his mind, and luring him back into the addict mentality that once threatened to destroy his life and family."

www.jamesleeburke.com

Holiday Bonuses – Will They or Won’t They?

 

 

Well, it’s not 2008 anymore.  And while there are still many people out of work, the market is a lot better than it was four years ago this time.

That said, how many firms are giving holiday bonuses this year?  Most of us have long since stopped anticipating how we’re going to spend our holiday bonus, because most of us haven’t seen one in a few years.

However, this year, while “listening carefully” to colleagues chatter about what people at various firms are getting, I’m starting to think that maybe the Grinch did not steal Christmas this year.

You can’t help but look around and compare the work you’ve done all year to the work of others.  Are holiday bonuses typically based on your contributions for the year (the people who always offer to help or stay late or come in early) or simply across the board and standard for all.

I’m not encouraging anyone to get their hopes up, but with the election behind us, it might be a good time to run down and get a cup of Starbucks for your boss.

It can’t hurt and you might get something this year besides a fruitcake.

DAVIDSON STAFFING PRESENTS: "INTRODUCTION TO LEGAL CALENDARING"

Introduction to Legal Calendaring - $99.00 1.0 MCLE Credit Offered

Wednesday, November 28, 2012 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. - This seminar explores the structure, details and management of the litigation calendar. Topics include CCP and FRCP references, calculating due dates, dealing with conflicts and managing the master calendar.

http://www.davidsonstaffing.com/webinars/

The Moment That You Jolts You Back to Reality

We're always so hurried and harried in law firms.  Especially in litigation.

But once in a while that moment happens that makes you put everything in perspective.

If I'm rambling, it's because I've just experienced such a moment.

I sent a panicked email to my favorite legal service's owner because I have a filing on Monday.  I've trusted him with my work for years, and while I do use other vendors, from time to time, Mike has never failed me and has saved my you know what on more than one occassion.

When I recieved his "out of office," message, I picked up the phone and frantically dialed the company's number.  I blurted out how I had a filing next week and I needed to have this and that happen only to find out that Mike isn't coming back.

Unfortunately, he passed away yesterday. 

And, suddenly what seemed so important actually isn't important at all.

Rest in Peace, Mike.  I'll say a special prayer for you and for your colleagues.

They say the good die young.