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MARCH 2019
JOY INWORK, FAMILY, ANDSPIRITUALITY
When you wake up on Monday morning ready to take on the day — rather than dreading it — that means you love what you do. You may still need a cup of coffee or two to get the day started, but you possess this feeling of positive energy. You want to go to work, see your co-workers, and get to it. When you can work diligently and passionately, your job is a source of joy. You feel as though you’re contributing to something that is worth your time and energy, and you know others will benefit from your efforts. This is what I feel while working at Mometrix, and a lot of that positive energy is due to my history with the company. One thing many people don’t recognize is that focusing on others is really important in order to gain that healthy perspective. Whether it’s through your work, your family, your friends, or complete strangers, much of your joy comes from dedicating time to others. To do this, you need to listen, be attentive, and validate them by performing selfless acts. Our 7-year-old daughter was in a performance of “The Nutcracker” last year. She’s a graceful dancer, and when she comes home from class, I say, “I heard you learned something new.” I ask her all about it, and she tells me and shows me. When I engage in what my daughter is passionate about, her energy and joy come back to me. It’s rewarding to validate her and what she loves. Our 12-year-old son is incredibly smart. He’s been learning Latin and getting into theater. Last year, he was the narrator in a performance of “Scrooge.” To top it off, he performed his narration duties with an English accent. I found myself blown away by his talent. After the performance, I asked him how he got so good. He was thrilled to talk about something that brought him joy, and we shared that enthusiasm together. It turns out he had been listening to “The Chronicles of Narnia” audiobooks, which feature a British narrator. Again, this comes back to validation. For many people, it’s rare when they receive validation for the things they do and are passionate about. Validation is important, and when you give it to someone, you get to be a part of the joy they experience.
Another source of my joy is God. So much in our modern lives is superficial, and leaves us feeling hollow. I look at God as an infinite source of true joy. Regardless of life’s circumstances, by following God, you fulfill a greater purpose in the larger story. I also find that when I don’t stay plugged in to scripture and prayer, it’s easier to get sidetracked with frivolous distractions. Frequently, I need to take a step back and relish those moments that really do matter. When it comes down to it, the key to experiencing joy is sacrificial love, pouring yourself into the lives of others. It’s about being selfless rather than self-absorbed. I always think back to something one of my managers from way back once said: “When you’re all wrapped up in yourself, you make a pretty small package.” My advice is to look for joy in whatever circumstances you’re in. Not everyone will find happiness in the work they perform, because everyone’s story is different. But when you make yourself available to it, keeping your eyes and heart open to appreciate others, joy will find you.
–Ja y Willi s
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CELEBRATINGEMPLOYEEAPPRECIATIONDAY
or give their workers part of the day off. Other ways to celebrate on that day or throughout the year include:
Employees are the backbone of any business, big or small. If you’re looking for a way to say thanks to your hardworking staff, there’s no better time than now. Employee Appreciation Day is a non-official holiday that takes place on the first Friday of March. But showing your employees that you appreciate them shouldn’t be confined to a single day, and it doesn’t need to be expensive. History In 1995, the idea came to Dr. Bob Nelson — also known as the “Guru of Thank You” — and he put it into action. Dr. Nelson is a founding Recognition Professionals International board member, head of Workman Publishing, and author of “1,001 Ways to Reward Employees.” His goal was to create and bolster the bond between employee and employer in all industries. Observing Employee Appreciation Day An employer can use many different methods to say thanks to their employees. To celebrate, employers across the country throw office parties, buy lunch for the whole office,
● Organizing an after-work gathering ● Buying surprise snacks for the entire office ● Practicing flexibility in the office ● Giving thank-you cards to your staff ● Creating an encouraging environment
● Praising team efforts and accomplishments ● Celebrating birthdays ● Giving rewards ● Recognizing team and individual achievements publicly
The Importance of Appreciation No matter where they work, employees want to be treated like human beings. When they’ve reached a personal or professional goal or they accomplish a feat for their team, they want to be recognized. And when that recognition is given, employees feel proud of their work and valued as individuals within the company. It doesn’t take much effort to give that praise, and when you do, it affects the whole company in a positive way. Taking the time to value people for the work they do will create a happier and more productive workplace. Let this year’s Employee Appreciation Day be the first day of many to celebrate the efforts of hardworking employees.
THE BESTWAY TODEVELOPAPOSITIVENEWHABIT
When it comes down to it, the number one way to establish a new habit is repetition. When you repeat the same action over and over again, it will eventually stick. Think about the goals you set at the start of the year. What progress have you made? Are you happy with the progress, or do you feel that there is more you can do? Have you even started working toward your goals?
Don’t worry if you haven’t! Many people are in the same boat. But there is a way to start down the right path, and it comes back to developing positive habits.
Forming a new habit is not a quick process. It takes time to get into the groove, but in the long run, it is worth it if you want to improve yourself and achieve your goals. Here are the three elements required to develop a new habit: time, consistency, and repetition. Let’s a closer look at each element. Time You need to commit to sticking to it for at least 30 days. It can take anywhere between two weeks and two months before a repeated behavior becomes a habit. When you commit to the 30-day minimum, you put yourself in the best possible position to develop a new habit. Consistency In order to develop a new habit, you must dedicate yourself to performing that task on a consistent basis. In other words, you can’t skip a day.
You have to commit yourself to staying true every day of that 30-day period. On top of that, you need to perform the new habit in the same way each day. Any inconsistency and you may find yourself less than happy with the results. Repetition Focus on your habit and commit to performing the action over and over — and over. Live every day while being dedicated to the same task. Whether it’s a 20-minute jog around the neighborhood, saying “Good Morning” to all your coworkers, or writing in a journal, when you repeat it on a consistent basis daily, you’ll find it becomes second nature sooner than you think.
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HOWSECUREARE YOURDEVICES? PROTECTING YOURSELF WHEN USING PUBLICWI-FI
Free public Wi-Fi hotspots are everywhere. You may have hopped on a public Wi-Fi network at an airport, a hotel, a school, a restaurant, or a café. These networks are incredibly convenient when you need to check your email, browse the latest headlines, or do a little out-of-office work without using your data. They’re especially useful when you’re out of range or traveling abroad. The question is this: Do you know how secure your devices are? In some cases, these free and accessible networks allow other people to see what is on your device. In other cases, there are people who set up fraudulent hotspots near legitimate ones in order to snoop and steal data. Just about anyone with the proper know-how can quickly identify what type of device you are using, whether it be an iPhone, a MacBook, or a PC, and what the device is named, like “Alex’s iPad.” If a snooper wants further information, it doesn’t take much effort. If you have any publicly accessible files, like shared documents, music, or photos, all of this can be easily found and viewed. If the snooper wants even more information, they need a special program or app for stealing data — which they likely have. Snoopers may use software to gather information on the websites you are visiting, your email, instant messages you send and receive, and your usernames and passwords. It’s not as simple as screen-sharing. Snoopers will only see packets of code and other similar information, but software can help piece this information together to decipher what you are looking at. They can also grab data quickly and splice it together at a later date.
Here’s how you to protect yourself.
First, only connect to networks you trust. Avoid connecting to publicly accessible Wi-Fi, if possible. If you need to, make sure the Wi-Fi is secured in some way, ensuring it requires a password, which you can get from the provider of the Wi-Fi hotspot. Second, if you notice two similar networks when you try to connect, alert the owner of the legitimate network, such as an employee of the coffee shop providing the Wi-Fi, and confirm the network’s legitimacy before you connect. If you can’t verify a network, it’s best to play it safe and simply not connect.
SUDOKU
Inspired by Food & Wine magazine EVERYTHINGPOPCORN
Everything is the best bagel flavor. This is not a matter of debate. Sprinkle the seasoning on popcorn for a delicious snack that will have people asking, “What does this remind me of?”
INGREDIENTS
• • •
3/4 cup popcorn kernels 2 tablespoons flaky sea salt
• • • •
2 teaspoons granulated garlic 2 teaspoons granulated onion
1 teaspoon black sesame seeds 2 teaspoons white sesame seeds
1/3 cup canola oil
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
•
DIRECTIONS
1. In a small skillet over medium heat, toast sesame seeds. Shake skillet often and cook until white seeds are golden and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and add garlic, onion, and salt. 2. In a large saucepan, combine popcorn kernels and oil. Cook over medium- high heat, covered, until popcorn kernels start to pop. Once popping, continue cooking and shaking the pan intermittently until popping ceases, about 3–5 minutes. 3. Transfer popcorn to a large mixing bowl. Pour in butter and toss to coat. Finally, add seasoning, toss again, and serve.
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INSIDE 1 2
Finding Joy in All Things
Employee Appreciation Day!
What You Need to Develop a Healthy NewHabit
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Do You Use Public Wi-Fi?
Everything Popcorn
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Family Activities for St. Patrick’s Day
CELEBRATINGST. PATRICK’SDAY FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t have to mean heading to the local Irish bar and drinking a large green beverage. If you’re not interested in going out this year and would prefer to do something at home with the family, here are a few ways everyone can celebrate. IRISH-THEMED FOOD What better way to get festive than by making some St. Patrick’s Day-themed dishes? You can make rainbow cupcakes, green cookies, St. Patrick’s Day popcorn, or, for a more traditional dish, Irish soda bread. You can also cook up an array of greens for dinner on March 17, which could include Brussels sprouts, spinach, cucumbers, green beans, peas, or asparagus. A MISCHIEVOUS LEPRECHAUN To treat your kids to a fun game, leave green footprints around the house and participate in impish tricks! Empty a tissue box, hide the remote, swap out regular light bulbs with green ones, or draw rainbows on the windows. You’re only limited by your imagination. EXPLORING IRISH CULTURE Another way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your family is to sit down and read about Irish culture with your kids. Learn where the legend of the leprechaun came from or read other stories from Irish folklore. You can also watch videos of Irish dance performances and encourage the kids to make their own. There’s also the fascinating history of St. Patrick and how he got his own holiday that your family members can research together. If you have Irish roots, tell your kids about your heritage.
WATCH IRISH MOVIES For a relaxing activity, settle down in front of the TV for a movie night filled with films related to Irish culture. Try “The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns,” “Song of the Sea,” “The Luck of the Irish,” or “The Secret of Kells.” MAKE AN IMPACT Teach your kids how to be “greener” this month by doing more for the environment. Discuss ways to save energy and water in the home, and talk about the importance of taking a break from electronics and enjoying the outdoors. This list is not exhaustive by any means, but it’s a good start to get your family to create new ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. You might even create family traditions that will last for years to come.
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