Peeps: The New Stress Busters

Life is busy. Life in HR is busy. Life in HR is always busy. I should know that. I should expect that and I should not be surprised that I only see water when I look around me and remember, yes, I am supposed to be growing gills. I am right where I was this time last year. What is it they say about doing the same thing and expecting different results?!

As I wiped the water from my eyes yesterday (could that be tears? Not!) I looked around and noticed that I was not alone. Unfortunately, my staff is right there beside me. The most frustrating part of what I do is finding that I am so buried in my own stuff that I am not available to my staff.

Well, help was on the way. I took the kid to Walgreens looking for some little stress buster types of things I could bring into work. We still use my ashes of problem employee jar but I wanted something different this time. So, to the toy and candy aisle we went and right there at eye level, I found what I needed - PEEPS! Pink peeps, blue peeps, purple peeps, yellow peeps and green ones. I quickly began loading them into my basket when the kid asked me if they were for her. No, I said, they were for the office. I was going to bring them into work so we can release a little tension as we rip their little arms off. If looks could kill . . . . back on the shelves the little Peeps went.

I settled for colored eggs with stressed, angry, laughing, crying and silly faces on them, stuffed with Dove chocolate. They were enough to get a few very overdue smiles. The Peeps were safe this time but they may not be so lucky next time!

So, what do you do to release a little bit of tension in your office?

Go to Your Meetings!

You have a meeting on your calendar. You wouldn't be invited if your input wasn't important, right? I can hear the comments now but just go with me on this one.

Instead of looking at a meeting as an interference, a waste of time, or time taken away from "getting the job done," look at a meeting as your job. Look at your next meeting as an opportunity to connect, learn, influence, or set direction and that next meeting may just be the very best use of your time.

So, in conclusion, take your calcium, be nice to your friends and GO TO YOUR MEETINGS (Lisa)!