The Beauty of The Carolinas

On this last day of January, focus on  this a gorgeous shot of Hilton Head Island.  Think spring!

China is Celebrating Their New Year

I remember when I was a kid, we would go out to eat at a Chinese Restaurant and there would be Chinese New Year placemats on the table.  Each child would frantically search for their birth year and find out the animal they were.  I used to make fun of someone who might be a rat or a snake.  Kids are mean like that, ya know.  What was my animal?  The dragon – fiery, positive personalities who love to involve others!

2012 is The Year of the Dragon and it is said to be a year that brings happiness and good fortune. Well, I sure hope so.  This world could use a positive happy year! 

A Recent Note From a Satisfied Client

“Laura, you were the perfect ending to a perfect day. You are one of our favorite speakers!  Thank you for being with us and sharing your wisdom and wit. What a gift you have to be able to share with others how to improve their lives.

I'm sure you'll be hearing from us again! Thanks so much for everything.”

Let me know if I can help with an upcoming event. Email me at laura@laurahamilton.com 

Voluntary Turnover

According to the International Business Times, “34% of Human Resource Managers reported

*Voluntary Turnover in organizations rose in 2011.  Employers pointed to the desire for higher compensation and feeling overworked as the top two reason employees gave for resigning.  30% of employers said they lost top performers to other organizations in 2011 and 43% stated they are concerned top talent may jump ship in 2012.” 

Let’s face it!  Employers have cut back to skeleton staffs and have expected the remaining employees to cover for others’ tasks until there are better economic times. “We overwork the willing and under work the not so willing” is a theory I have preached to managers for years.  This action leads to burnout from dedicated, talented employees and they will seek other employment.

I am excited talented employees, even during the tough economic times in 2011, had the courage to take their talents to where they will be better appreciated and receive more money for doing so.  Let’s hear it for Voluntary Turnover!

*This used to be called “I got a better job so I’m leaving!”

Things That Just Make No Sense To Me

I don’t know what it is to be hip anymore.  I think I outgrew that in my 40s but I still try to keep up with the current trends. Here are some that just make no sense to me:

 #1 Trend that drives me nuts is the saying, “I know, right?”   If you simply say, “I know” that tells me you understand.  Why do you have to add, “right?”  It just makes no sense.

 #2 Trend are sportscasters who say, “The newly drafted quarterbacks are not the Peyton Mannings nor the Tom Bradys.”  Excuse me, but there is only one Peyton Manning. There is only one Tom Brady.  They are not multiples.  It just makes no sense.

#3 Trend is the perceived idea it is okay to reply to anything electronic in 140 characters or less.

#4 Trend involves employees who have finished a particular task and believe they deserve a break for doing what they are paid to do.  They even believe it is perfectly fine to walk down the hall and interrupt another employee who may not just be sitting there twiddling their thumbs.  The arrogance of the employee who expects others to stop working because they have entered the room amazes me.  It just makes no sense.

#5 Trend are bosses who do not feel they have the right to fire a useless employee.  You know who I am talking about - that employee who has not done basically nothing in oh, 12 years, but still comes to work because they know they are not employable anywhere else. So as long as they are not being called on the carpet for just showing up – they continue to do nothing and continue to get paid.  Bosses please listen up!  With so many super qualified unemployed people available right now, why are you settling for mediocrity?    It just makes no sense.

A Split Second Decision

During the late 90s and early 2000s, I was an avid Charlotte Hornets fan and had loved the team since they started in Charlotte. One of my favorite players was Bobby Phills. Bobby Phills

was a beloved and admired player.  Joe Menzer of the Winston-Salem Journal once wrote of Bobby, “You can be in this business a long, long time and not meet someone as classy as that guy.”

On January 12, 2000, while running errands, I heard on my car radio that Bobby Phills had been killed in a car accident leaving basketball practice.  Bobby had made an immature decision to have a road race with another player revving up their Porsches at ridiculously high speeds. That split second decision lead to Bobby’s instant death. 

Driving in shock, I recalled that just a few months earlier, I was with my young stepsons at a local mall, in one of those fun gadget stores, and so was Bobby along with his wife and their two babies.  He wore a jersey that simply had Phills embroidered across the front of it.  We made eye contact and gave a smile.  He immediately walked over to my stepsons, bent down on one knee and started easily asking if they played sports and if they liked basketball.  He told the boys to always do their best in whatever they did in life.  My stepsons simply stood there in awe. Bobby Phills had made a lasting impression on all us that day!

The community was deeply saddened to lose not only a good player but a good man.  Bobby

Phills’ untimely death reminds us that a split second immature decision can change the lives of everyone surrounding us. Make it a goal to make careful decisions in 2012!

Where Have All the High Energy People Gone?

I am drawn to high energy people.  I love being around them and soaking in their rays of happiness. 

But where is everyone’s energy?  It seems lots of people have lost their mo-jo.  They have multiple woes.  They are burdened by life.  They just can’t seem to get off center.

It’s difficult for me to be around low energy people.  Shoot, I am afraid they’ll rub off on me so I move past them real fast!  One of my favorite sayings is – People can wallow in your sorrow for just so long.  Then they move on expecting you to do something about your state of affairs.

If you are one of these people burdened by your own life here is a question.  Have you looked within?  That is usually a great starting point as most fingers might be pointing at you.  Raise your hand to get involved in your own life again.  Have the courage to just try something – anything – to become re-invested in you.  Remember, you are the only you that you have and no one else is responsible for your happiness!