Take a Nice Pill

I am sick of rude people, aren’t you?  They have no reason to be rude.  They have just been that way so long they think it’s normal behavior. 

I believe the world would be a better place if people would simply be nice.  If this would happen:

·         We would not have so many car accidents

·         We would not have so many bruised egos

·         We would not have to hear as much negativity

·         We would not have hostile work environments

·         We would not have chaos in our home lives

Rude people, listen up. We are sick of you and your-sense-of-self-importance; have-no-friends; colleagues-do-not-want-to-work-with-you; you-can-hardly-stand-being-alone with-your-stinking-self!  Take a nice pill first thing in the morning and practice being nice.  We would all appreciate it and your life would immediately improve.  I promise!

Ground Hog Day Attitude

Many people I know experience Ground Hog Day every day!  They wake up exhausted. They dread going to work. They wish they had a break from their families. They drive the same roads to work.  They dislike most of the people they work with , yet they go to lunch with those same ole tired co-workers every day. They really do not like their jobs but with the tough economy they have to stay put.  They count the hours until they can leave work at the end of the day. They drive the same roads home. They really do not want to go home but they have no where else to go. They wonder why their life is in a rut. Then, they wake up the next morning and do the same thing all over again.  If this describes you, read on.

·         Hello?  Get out of that rut and add some pizzazz to your life. 

·         What are you thinking?  Snap out of it!

·         How long do you plan to stay miserable?  You have to have goals!

·         When will you believe you are worthy of a more fulfilling life?  Time is speeding by!

·         Where did things go wrong?  Quit blaming your conditions on someone else!

·         Why do you continue this insanity?  Change!

·         Who is in charge of your life?  YOU!

If you are in this situation - have a good talking to yourself.  Pretend you are your best friend and get a 30,000 feet view of your life.  Does it look like a mess? You are the only one who can fix it.   Simply move toward a new goal every day.  You will enjoy the abundant journey that awaits you.

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.