The Change Agent Blog:

Holiday Stress Tips

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In light of the next two weeks of holidays, I have some suggestions on how to lessen the stress that often comes with the holidays.

Financial Strains

A recent survey found that finances are the most common cause of holiday stress. Buying gifts and paying for travel expenses can create a significant financial burden. Here’s a quick tip that my extended family (my parents, siblings and spouses, nieces and nephews) are doing this Christmas. We are bringing a $10 gift for each member of our family. None of us really “need” anything. This inexpensive alternative doesn’t put strain on those families without a lot of money but it still offers the fun of opening gifts. My Dutch (meaning really thrifty) family will certainly pride themselves on who got the most expensive gift for $10.

Free Yourself from Taking Offense

Consider cutting people slack by not taking offense at what they say (or don’t say). It is so easy to be easily offended by family members because of our history with them. For example, when they make a sarcastic remark, choose to ignore it and not allow it to “tear flesh.” Then, immediately forgive them. Years ago, my husband and I would spend our 6 hour drive home from my parents psychoanalyzing all the comments and what they “really” meant. It was a lot of wasted emotional energy. Keep in mind that when we don’t forgive others we become bitter…and bitterness is a lot like a match in that it only burns the person holding on to it.

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Tips for Developing Customer Loyalty

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I was thinking I should share tips on change this month since we are in the midst of numerous changes; however, it is time for the customer loyalty tips instead. Before I do that, let me quickly catch you up on our changes – professionally, we have a totally redesigned website (check it out at: www.thechangeagent.com) and a new blog. My blog will replace this e-mail newsletter after this issue. In fact, if you visit my website you will see this newsletter as my first blog entry (including fun photos).

Blogging is new to me as an author and I’m looking forward to the ability to add an entry whenever I choose to rather than relying on someone else to send it out (because of my lack of tech expertise). I will also be able to post links to articles I think might benefit you. As a convenience to you, you will be automatically transferred to the new system and will receive an e-mail from , which is our new subscription service.

Regarding personal changes, we dropped our oldest son Bryan off for his first year of college at Wingate University near Charlotte, NC. It’s a wonderful school and we are praying for Bryan as he adjusts to his academic schedule and playing lacrosse at the college level. Jim is figuring out what he wants to do in the work world as he is starting to apply for jobs after working with me for 12 years. Drew is a HS sophomore and is running Cross Country instead of playing football this fall. He has worked really hard to earn his varsity letter in both Cross Country and Lacrosse (he earned his lacrosse letter last spring – as well as earning “Best Varsity Rookie” for the team).

Along with continuing to speak and conduct training, which I love, I’m taking a weekly class in Breakthrough Biblical Counseling for my own personal development. It’s a great learning experience and I’m excited to see the connections to my leadership and communication topics. I had the terrific opportunity to speak at a Women’s Retreat last month on the topic of parenting and I’m facilitating a “Parents of Teens Discussion Group” at our church. I’m just beginning to explore the possibilities of writing and speaking more on this topic.

Well, time to move on to my tips for developing a better attitude when dealing with our customers. Perhaps you could consider how to apply these tips to your personal life as well (where it can sometimes be more challenging than work)?

• Forgive customers who make insulting remarks about you or your company’s service. Know that they don’t know you personally and are merely upset about their situation (see the funny sign below as an example of what will upset customers).
• Keep in mind that your next customer has no idea of how the last customer just treated you. Take a deep cleansing breath before you pick up the next phone call or ask to serve your next customer. Make it a new, positive experience for yourself and your customer.
• Encourage your co-workers if their last customer has just mistreated them. Give them one of your smiles if they have none left of their own. If necessary and possible, offer to relieve them for a quick break.

Don’t Try This a Work…
I found this photo on flickr.com recently and it made me chuckle. This is a great example of what will upset a person. Would this sign entice you to become a customer or walk away? Always think about your future customers as well as working hard to keep your current customers loyal ones.

Patti’s Personal Pick on the Web:

I recently read a really inspiring book for teens – Do Hard Things – by twin brothers Alex and Brett Harris. It is a book about teenage rebellion against low expectations which is what I’m trying to instill in our two boys. The Harris brothers have a blog that I subscribe to and enjoy reading. Here’s the link to their website: www.therebelution.com

Make it a great week!
Patti

 

The Winners Manual

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I am a big fan of The Ohio State University’s football coach Jim Tressel. He recently wrote an excellent book called The Winners Manual. It’s an quick read and has excellent content. Lots of motivational stories, poems and examples. Great for businesses, teams, and families. I typed up a couple of excerpts that I plan to give to my boys when the time is right. Here’s one of my favorites:

Dream Big

If there were ever a time to dare,

to make a difference,

to embark on something worth doing,

it is now.

Not for any grand cause, necessarily – but

for something that tugs at your heart,

something that’s your aspiration,

something that’s your dream.

You owe it to yourself to make your days here count.

Have fun.

Dig deep.

Stretch.

Dream big.

Know, though, that things worth doing seldom come easy.

There will be good days.

And there will be bad days.

There will be times when you want to turn around,

pack it up, and call it quits.

Those times tell you that you are pushing yourself,

That you are not afraid to learn by trying.

Persist.

Because with an idea,

determination, and the right tools,

you can do great things.

Let your instincts, your intellect,

and your heart guide you.

Trust God.

Believe in the incredible power of the human mind.

Of doing something that makes a difference.

Of working hard.

Of laughing and hoping.

Of lazy afternoons.

Of lasting friends.

Of all the things that will cross your path this year.

The start of something new brings the hope of something great.

Anything is possible.

There is only one of you.

And you will pass this way only once.

Do it right.

Change Agent Briefing V4 Issue 2

| Category: Newsletter Archives | Link

Dealing with Difficult People. When it comes to criticism, most people think it is more blessed to give criticism than to receive it, particularly if the criticism comes from a difficult person. Capitalize on three techniques you can use when dealing with critics.

Download issue in Acrobat Portable Document Format (.PDF)

Audio Excerpts:

“Typical Reactions to Complaints and Criticism” (5.50 minutes)

 

“Fog, Don’t Flog Your Critics” (9.51 minutes)

 

“The Problem with Information Assumption” (5.46 minutes)