From on the job stress to personal success, this site is dedicated to workplace problems, career advice and tips on working from home. A simple job blog for employees looking to enhance their skills at the workplace or seek a career change. Check out employment articles, videos and other job related postings. Seek professional advice for serious issues.
Thursday
Wednesday
What To Do When You Feel You Have Burned A Bridge With Someone
It happened one day, you said too much. You wanted to take back everything you just said, but it was too late. Everyone looked at you with a strange look of surprise, anger, and some even smirked. You heard someone mumble, “He really did it this time!” It’s what most of us fear, saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. How do you rebuild a broken relationship with a boss or co-worker?
Time may heal all wounds for many people, but you don’t have much time in the workplace. The threat of being written up, suspended or dismissed, looms on the horizon. You need to start mending fences now. If you realize at that very moment what you did was wrong and apologized that was half the battle. Just as everyone was there for the negative statements, they were also there for the sincere apology. However, there is still more work to do. The following suggestions will, at the very least, put you on the right path to mend fences; however, the ultimate decision to let you back into the heart of the offended rests with him or her.
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1. Make the time to personally apologize if you haven’t already. If it happened publicly, you may want to offer a public apology as well, but ask them first. They may not want to be embarrassed a second time. (If they live out of town either call or write regarding your apology.)
2. Explain to them what you meant without looking as if you are justifying the statement or covering yourself.
3. Tell them that they have every right to be angry.
4. Offer to do something for them. You may know this person well enough to invite them to dinner, participate in a chore, do them a favor, etc.
5. Follow up with them on a later date with flowers, candy or some other charming gift. (Don’t do this on a daily or weekly basis it loses its impact and you may be considered a nuisance.)
6. Make a personal phone call just to see how they are doing. Don’t mention the negative event if they don’t. Make the conversation short and simple.
7. Talk about something from the past that affected both you and the offended positively. This helps with opening the lines of communication back up again.
8. Remember he or she during the holidays or their children’s birthdays. If you have acknowledged these dates in the past don’t stop, and if you haven’t ever don’t begin. You don’t want any false assumptions made in either instance.
9. Don’t go around asking their co-workers, friends, family members, etc. about what they said about you. It may be something that will anger you and as we all know “two wrongs don’t make it right.”
10. Allow he or she some space. If you don’t typically talk to this person very often, don’t start. If you don’t see him or her often, don’t make a point to keep showing up at their doorstep, workplace or somewhere else. Allow time to heal.
Although the statement was offensive, you may not have felt there was anything wrong with what was said, avoid being insensitive around him or her and witnesses. Some people will make the mistake of apologizing then tell a mutual friend how they really feel. If your true feelings leak out to others, then the person you offended will know you were being insincere.
Use the negative event to help you see where you went wrong. If many people tell you that you need to stop making offensive comments, then you know you have a problem. However, if everyone knows you are a great guy or gal and you didn’t mean anything negative about what you said, then just make a note to yourself that the offended person is someone you may have to watch what you say around. Be careful spending time with he or she at social events, you don’t want to be misunderstood again and will have to repeat this process on rebuilding your relationship with him or her.
Nicholl McGuire is the author What Else Can I Do on the Internet?
Friday
How To Start A Conversation With Celebrity Fans - Relationship Building to Get What You Want
Your boss or someone you are trying to impress shares with you that they are “the biggest XYZ fan!” You should be thinking at that moment, “When opportunity knocks, take it!” They begin to tell you about favorite movies they have watched with the celebrity in them. They add they personally met him or her somewhere and they are “so nice!” Meanwhile, you don’t know much about the celebrity, but you may want to know more, since this big fan of XYZ’s is important to you and may be able to help you in the future.
The following tips are great conversation starters and ideas on how you can get on the excited fan’s good side. When performed gradually and not daily or every week, you will build a positive relationship with that important person and will not appear to look like the teacher’s pet or a stalker.
1. If the celebrity is an actor, pick a few specific scenes from movies that he or she has performed (other than the nudity shots) that will start a conversation. Know the names of some of their early movies. If the celebrity is a singer, comedian or dancer, know about a few places they have entertained audiences throw some years in so that you look like you know what you are talking about. For athletes, politicians, speakers, ministers, etc. mention books they have written, most exciting moments on television, opportunities you may have got to meet them, etc.
2. If you remember the celebrity, on a talk show, mention the conversation he or she had with the host. Comment on what was said and how he or she looked. If you can’t remember, visit a website that you can search for past television shows in the celebrity’s name.
3. Find a collectible, whimsical gift, book, magazine or product the celebrity may have created. The fan will appreciate your thoughtfulness. However, when buying books, don’t buy unofficial autobiographies. They are not celebrity endorsed. Also, don’t burn copies of DVDs and music it is illegal and most of all tacky.
4. Know some general facts about the celebrity. Birthdays, where they were born, how they got their name to fame, personal likes and dislikes, marriages, divorces, etc. Also, look for little known facts, like the nickname their mom gave them or a funny event that happened to them in grade school.
5. Find current news about the celebrity. Is she pregnant? Is she getting married? Does she have a new film? When will his new album be released? Where will the band perform?
6. Rumors are interesting, but be careful how you deliver them and which ones to select when conversing with the fan. If you should mention one, ask rather than tell. “I heard that XYZ was seen doing…..do you think that is true?”
7. Invite them to see a movie or a concert with the beloved celebrity performing.
8. If the excited fan says at any time, “Oh, I didn’t know you were a XYZ fan…” Nonchalantly say, “I like to read about celebrities from time to time.” You don’t want your intentions to lead to false hopes for the fan such as, “We can start a fan club?” or “Let’s hang outside her home or visit her on the set!” Nor, do you want future conversations to become nothing more than about a celebrity. Find a way to ease your intentions into each conversation. This is just a start in trying to build a positive relationship with this person.
9. Surprise the fan by taking them to a place the celebrity may have visited, auditioned, a past movie set, a place she grew up or a business they have established.
10. Share information with the fan about your favorite celebrity. Who knows, maybe one day you might receive a really nice gift.
Since so many people adore celebrities, you might as well use what you know to get on someone's good side! Utilize the tips and hopefully one day you will reap the benefits of creating a positive connection with someone (who might be a bit difficult to work with).
The following tips are great conversation starters and ideas on how you can get on the excited fan’s good side. When performed gradually and not daily or every week, you will build a positive relationship with that important person and will not appear to look like the teacher’s pet or a stalker.
1. If the celebrity is an actor, pick a few specific scenes from movies that he or she has performed (other than the nudity shots) that will start a conversation. Know the names of some of their early movies. If the celebrity is a singer, comedian or dancer, know about a few places they have entertained audiences throw some years in so that you look like you know what you are talking about. For athletes, politicians, speakers, ministers, etc. mention books they have written, most exciting moments on television, opportunities you may have got to meet them, etc.
2. If you remember the celebrity, on a talk show, mention the conversation he or she had with the host. Comment on what was said and how he or she looked. If you can’t remember, visit a website that you can search for past television shows in the celebrity’s name.
3. Find a collectible, whimsical gift, book, magazine or product the celebrity may have created. The fan will appreciate your thoughtfulness. However, when buying books, don’t buy unofficial autobiographies. They are not celebrity endorsed. Also, don’t burn copies of DVDs and music it is illegal and most of all tacky.
4. Know some general facts about the celebrity. Birthdays, where they were born, how they got their name to fame, personal likes and dislikes, marriages, divorces, etc. Also, look for little known facts, like the nickname their mom gave them or a funny event that happened to them in grade school.
5. Find current news about the celebrity. Is she pregnant? Is she getting married? Does she have a new film? When will his new album be released? Where will the band perform?
6. Rumors are interesting, but be careful how you deliver them and which ones to select when conversing with the fan. If you should mention one, ask rather than tell. “I heard that XYZ was seen doing…..do you think that is true?”
7. Invite them to see a movie or a concert with the beloved celebrity performing.
8. If the excited fan says at any time, “Oh, I didn’t know you were a XYZ fan…” Nonchalantly say, “I like to read about celebrities from time to time.” You don’t want your intentions to lead to false hopes for the fan such as, “We can start a fan club?” or “Let’s hang outside her home or visit her on the set!” Nor, do you want future conversations to become nothing more than about a celebrity. Find a way to ease your intentions into each conversation. This is just a start in trying to build a positive relationship with this person.
9. Surprise the fan by taking them to a place the celebrity may have visited, auditioned, a past movie set, a place she grew up or a business they have established.
10. Share information with the fan about your favorite celebrity. Who knows, maybe one day you might receive a really nice gift.
Since so many people adore celebrities, you might as well use what you know to get on someone's good side! Utilize the tips and hopefully one day you will reap the benefits of creating a positive connection with someone (who might be a bit difficult to work with).
Nicholl McGuire is the author of What Else Can I Do on the Internet?
Thursday
6 Tips to Fight Paycheck Blues - Sudden Expenses, Bank Fees
Are bank fees eating up your paycheck? If so, there are some things you can do to discipline yourself so that you are not faced with unnecessary problems robbing you of your hard-earned money. The key is to be assertive with yourself and others and keep an eye on that calendar too!
1) What is due next? Do you have reminders set? There are apps and online calendars that you can set to recur daily, weekly, and monthly to stay on track with your bill payment dates.
2) Have your partner or close friend hold you accountable. With a friendly or strict reminder from a loved one, you will most likely do what you are supposed to so that you won't end up arguing a useless defense one day. "Okay, I confess, I mess up my money...that's why I need your help!"
3) Put money aside based on your needs (utilities, rent, emergency savings...) not wants (Paris trip, designer shoes, luxury vehicle...) List your needs. This way you know you are going to spend about the same amount of money each paycheck. If you have money left over, then use it to gain more money to finance your dream like start seeking ways to invest it. Always anticipate sudden expenses, you never know what might happen right around the corner. Here is a system worth trying-- a financial budget.
4) Pay your bills online. This helps with keeping track of where your money is going. Filter your deposits, now take a look at your credits. Notice the changes you can make with your spending. Do take a moment to note any adjustments you can make to save money. You might need to cut off some things for awhile, change companies, or sit down and converse with someone about the current cost of things.
5) Search for banks with high interest checking and/or savings account. Place money with banks that don't charge monthly and overdraft fees.
6) Lastly, if you simply can't stand your bank any longer, switch banks. Here is one worth noting and I personally recommend. Easy to manage, set up checking and savings account online with no need to sit down and talk to someone. Take a look at site.
Take the time to learn more about managing your money. In time, you will be so glad you did when you see all the money you have saved and invested.
Nicholl McGuire
1) What is due next? Do you have reminders set? There are apps and online calendars that you can set to recur daily, weekly, and monthly to stay on track with your bill payment dates.
2) Have your partner or close friend hold you accountable. With a friendly or strict reminder from a loved one, you will most likely do what you are supposed to so that you won't end up arguing a useless defense one day. "Okay, I confess, I mess up my money...that's why I need your help!"
3) Put money aside based on your needs (utilities, rent, emergency savings...) not wants (Paris trip, designer shoes, luxury vehicle...) List your needs. This way you know you are going to spend about the same amount of money each paycheck. If you have money left over, then use it to gain more money to finance your dream like start seeking ways to invest it. Always anticipate sudden expenses, you never know what might happen right around the corner. Here is a system worth trying-- a financial budget.
4) Pay your bills online. This helps with keeping track of where your money is going. Filter your deposits, now take a look at your credits. Notice the changes you can make with your spending. Do take a moment to note any adjustments you can make to save money. You might need to cut off some things for awhile, change companies, or sit down and converse with someone about the current cost of things.
5) Search for banks with high interest checking and/or savings account. Place money with banks that don't charge monthly and overdraft fees.
6) Lastly, if you simply can't stand your bank any longer, switch banks. Here is one worth noting and I personally recommend. Easy to manage, set up checking and savings account online with no need to sit down and talk to someone. Take a look at site.
Take the time to learn more about managing your money. In time, you will be so glad you did when you see all the money you have saved and invested.
Nicholl McGuire
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