In This Issue: Communication Corner--How to ask for what you want Employees Matter--Effective problem solving methods New You Can Use--The use of color in healthcare settings Just for Fun--Classified ads gone wrong How to subscribe or unsubscribe from our newsletter ************************************************************************ Free Articles for Your Publications ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We have many articles available for reprint in your company publications, newsletters, etc. You are welcome to use articles appearing in SOLUTIONS or on our websites, but you must print articles in their entirety with our copyright, © 2005 Maun-Lemke, LLC, include a by-line at the top credits and place our contact information as noted below at the end of each article. We would appreciate a tear sheet or electronic copy upon publication. Thanks for your interest. Maun-Lemke, LLC 8031 Center Road, Suite 222 Omaha, NE 68124 800-356-2233 402-391-5540 Fax 402-391-1025 ************************************************************************ Executive Workshop Opportunity ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dear Clients: I am always looking for new opportunities to refer to our great clients. All of our executive clients continue to amaze us with their vigorous pursuit of personal development. That's why the Executive Advantage Program offered by our friend and colleague, Kristin Arnold, is the perfect opportunity. After you've read the attached information you will want to discuss with Kristin the possibility of your participation in this dynamic, customized process. Kristin is an internationally known facilitator of executive team efforts. She has personally worked with me on numerous occasions and definitely brings new skills to busy professionals such as yourself. I am so pleased she has developed this process which is very timely. I am also pleased that I have been able to work with Kristin to offer this to our clients for a $500 discount off the total price. Please mention you heard about this program from Clint to receive the discount. I encourage you to strongly consider this wonderful development process. Thank you. Clint Maun Please click here for more information. http://www.clintmaun.com/affiliates/kaonepage.shtml ************************************************************************ Can You Hear Me Now? How to ask for what you want ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Have you been feeling frustrated or dissatisfied with work lately? Indeed, healthcare professionals have so many difficult people, patients, and situations to deal with on a daily basis that the answer to this question could easily be, "yes." Oftentimes, when employees are dissatisfied it's because they're in a conflict with their boss or co-workers. However, it's possible that the problem you're experiencing isn't really a conflict, but actually a lack of communication. Most people never really ask for what they want. Instead, they bask in silent hope that someone (usually their boss) will figure out what they need and want. Unfortunately, that hardly ever happens. Here's the cold, hard truth: if you don't ask for what you want, you're probably never going to get it. If you continue to freely grumble to others, but don't ever formulate a specific request to your boss, you're probably going to remain unsatisfied with your job. Perspective is Everything ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It's true that asking for what you want involves risk. You're ultimately risking that someone will say "no" to your request. While many people tend to experience that as a harsh rejection, it's merely an answer to a posed question. So, it really boils down to perspective. If you ask for what you want, (keep in mind that what you ask for has to be reasonable) the worst your boss can do is answer "no" or "maybe." For example, let's say you're frustrated because every night you're leaving at 7 p.m., but would really like to go home at 5 p.m. You can complain to your family, friends, and co-workers and continue to be dissatisfied. Or you can choose to ask for what you want. If you ask to work only until 5 p.m. every day, your boss can answer "yes," "no," or "maybe." It is highly unlikely that you will be fired or reprimanded for asking this question. Now, let's say that your boss says, "yes" to your request. She doesn't care if you leave at 5p.m. however, she does say that you must stay later if there are emergencies. This is great! You got what you wanted. But after three weeks, you find you are working until 7 p.m. on most nights because you work at a job fraught with emergencies. You go back to your boss and tell her what's happening. Your boss says, "too bad." You try negotiating a deal, but she says the work has to be done and you are expected to do it--end of story. Now, you have a choice to make. Do the work, accept that it's the way the job is, or start looking for a place to work that is not a crisis factory. While the story above is just an example, this is essentially how asking for what you want works. You must accept the answer that has been given to you and move on. Either way you look at it, you will probably win in the end. ************************************************************************ "The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be." --Marcel Pagnol ************************************************************************ Problem Solving: It's all about using the right resources ------------------------------------------------------------------------ When you mention the term, "problem solving" people are most likely to cringe. Quite simply, problem solving is hard work. And it can be one of the hardest things to teach the people you manage. The following is a four-step system that combines resources with inspiration. It is a powerful tool when you're tackling a problem. This system is called "Resource Masterminding." Here are the simple steps that can help you successfully tackle the problems that seem impossible to solve: 1. Discover what your real problem is. To do this, you must break the problem down into its separate components. For example, your problem may be that you're always late to work. While this is the main problem, there are probably several other components that contribute to this (i.e., getting up late, not having reliable transportation, etc.) Breaking the problem down in such a manner will help you focus your energy on the right thing(s). 2. Evaluate the resources at your disposal. This means looking at what you have now--or what you could have in the future. Resources can include your co-workers, friends, family, time, and educational material (i.e., a computer, how-to books, trade journals etc.). 3. Select the best resources on your list--and stick to them. If you don't solve your problem right away, don't give up. Remember, staying persistent and diligent is often half the battle. 4. Combine those resources to create a powerful problem-solving tool. By combining your resources, you double your chances of solving the problem. So, make sure you put your resources to work. It's also important to overcome any obstacles and misconceptions that you encounter when problem solving. Here is a list of common barriers many people experience when problem solving: * You believe that you have to solve the problem by yourself. * You think you can't solve the problem on your own. * You believe that you have no control over what is keeping you from solving the problem. * You are trying to solve something that really is not a problem. * You put an unrealistic time limit on yourself. * You give up prematurely. * You believe you are the problem. * You think you're lazy. Don't give into these misconceptions. Pinpoint your mistaken beliefs, become aware of them, and overcome them! ************************************************************************ "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." --Mahatma Gandhi ************************************************************************ The Power of Color: Using color in healthcare settings ------------------------------------------------------------------------ English art critic John Ruskin once said, "of all God's gifts to the sighted man, color is holiest, the most divine, the most solemn." Surely, we love the sight of a rainbow, rejoice at a clear blue sky, and stand in awe during a beautiful sunset. Color can certainly have wondrous effects on us. Theories of design and color and their effect on healing have been around for centuries. And how we feel about color is more than psychological. In fact, it has recently been proven that lack of color, or more specifically, light, causes millions to suffer each winter from a mild depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Because of the complex way in which exposure to various colors acts via the brain upon the autonomic nervous system, exposure to a specific color can even alter physiological measurements such as blood pressure, electrical skin resistance, and glandular functions in your body. And they most certainly can affect how you feel on a day-to-day basis. Learning about color's qualities and putting it to use can possibly enhance one's spirit, improve one's health, and even expand one's consciousness. Below are some common colors and the meanings behind them. Red. Red is the color of energy, vitality, and power. It can warm cold areas. However, if you stay under a red ray too long or are exposed to red for a considerable time it may make you very agitated or even aggressive. Orange. Orange can have a gentle warming effect if used lightly. However, orange, like red should not be used for too long. It may not be a good color for nervous people or people easily agitated. Yellow. Yellow is the color of intellect and it is used for mental stimulation. It can help you think more quickly. Yellow also may be good for clearing a foggy head. Green. Green is the color of healing and growth. It can balance the emotions and bring about a feeling of calmness. Green is said to represent nature and renewal. It is also considered soothing. Blue. Blue is the color of truth, serenity, and harmony. Blue is good for cooling, calming, reconstructing, and protecting. However, too much blue may leave you feeling cold, depressed, and sorrowful. Purple. Purple is considered to stimulate creativity and is associated with royalty. Pale shades like lavender and lilac are considered soothing. Using Color in Healthcare Settings ------------------------------------------------------------------------ When it comes to color and design, providers and facility owners must consider many questions such as: * What makes a person happy in a space? * From what in the environment do people draw their sense of well-being? * How does the environment influence healthcare outcomes? Ultimately, the challenge of putting color theories into practice lies in using what we know about color and reaching a design solution that meets patient, provider, and facility owner expectations. ************************************************************************ You Gotta Read It to Believe It! Actual excerpts from classified sections of city newspapers ----------------------------------------------------------------------- * Illiterate? Write today for free help. * Auto Repair Service. Free pick-up and delivery. 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They are simply the tops. ************************************************************************ The Fine Print ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Back Issues of Solutions are available at: http://www.clintmaun.com/newsletter/newsletter.shtml Questions or comments: clintmaun@aol.com http://www.ihnsolutions.com/ http://www.clintmaun.com/ http://www.maunlemke.com/ © Maun-Lemke, LLC 2005 |