April 28th, 2009 by cschutz
…for these words on positive thinking.
Like everyone else, I see the in-your-face realities of the current state of affairs. I full heartedly believe we should be informed and I do not support a “head in the sand” or “tip toe through the tulips” approach to solving the very real problems at hand. But with the overwhelming abundance of bad news lately, I wonder if we are “keepin it real” or just being NEGATIVE!
I’m not trying to sound too Tony-Robbins-Zig-Zigler-esque, but, doesn’t anybody believe in the power of positive thinking anymore? Don’t we believe in the concept of the “self-fulfilling prophesy?” If we focus on example after example after example of our impending doom, won’t we ultimately bring it on ourselves?
It is to the point that I am HUNGRY for stories of survival, ingenuity, success, and victory. These stories, when I find them, are even more rewarding when we can see that the champion somehow achieved success while up against seemingly insurmountable odds. These people will unilaterally report that they BELIEVED THEY COULD REACH THEIR GOALS…NO MATTER WHAT! One of the primary obstacles those winners faced on their way to success was negative thinking.
I believe our clients/customers and colleagues are really yearning for some good news, too. I think they want partners who exude a calm confidence and unflappable belief in the current and future viability of all that we claim we can bring to the table. They do not want watered down products or half baked entries into competencies we don’t really have (and are unwilling to properly develop). They want partners that know that they know that they KNOW they have what it takes to succeed. That kind of positive attitude, especially given the current state of affairs, is sure to help you stand out from the rest.
You do not have to be a Psychology Major to know that people are more apt to be productive, creative thinkers when they are in a positive state of being. Conversely, that deep, dark, sinking feeling of dread does little to improve the bottom line. Sure, fear and worry CAN initially produce some results, but, the long-lasting side effects are usually damaging. A desperate “Lord of the Flies,” or “Survival of the Meanest” kind of thing happens. People become more isolative, there is increased posturing and back-biting, and, watching out for #1 practically becomes a national pastime. And when things turn around (and they WILL turn around), what are we left with?
In the timeless story of David and Goliath, David didn’t sit back and ponder all the reasons why he could not defeat the giant. He did not catalogue how big the giant’s muscles were or how solid his armor was. He did not subscribe to informational newsletters that detailed the varied examples of Goliath’s superiority. He did not read about other competitors, with their sophisticated weapons and solid track records in battle, and worry about losing out on his chance for victory. Heck, he didn’t even listen to his friends and family who were trying to “protect him” by warning him of the potential danger involved. Instead, he encouraged himself by recounting previous instances of success. And then? He. Just. Went. For. It.
These could be exciting times for us. A chance to join the ranks of the all the other Overcomers we have come to admire. I challenge you to stop lamenting, panicking or propagating all the reasons we are screwed and just decide right now to succeed.
Here are some ways you might shift your mindset:
* Start your day off by listing 10 things you are grateful for
* Watch the movie “Yes Man”
* Read Norman Vincent Peale’s book “The Power of Positive Thinking”
* Volunteer at a homeless shelter or children’s home
* Read this CBS News article on “Optimism, In The Middle Of A Depression”
* Watch the old SNL Stuart Smalley Skit and repeat his famous mantra “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and, doggonit, people like me!”
* Go to a Comedy Club and laugh for a couple of hours
* Watch the movie “The Ultimate Gift”
* Make a conscious effort to smile more
* Exercise regularly
* Don’t engage in office gossip or negativity
How do you maintain a positive attitude?
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
April 21st, 2009 by khart
Just back from the American Organization of Nurse Executives annual conference in beautiful San Antonio. Or at least, the usually beautiful San Antonio. During this trip, Mother Nature treated us to constant rain showers with the occasional vivid thunderstorm thrown in. Just getting from one’s hotel to the convention center was an adventure fraught with water up to the ankles, umbrellas turned inside out, and for the ladies, numerous hair emergencies.
Hodes Health Care was there exhibiting and we found the mood of attendees somber. AONE members were focused on the economy and especially its effect on the ability of their facilities to hire new graduate nurses this year. The dearth of open positions due to current employees extending hours and delaying retirement was a constant theme. Along with the certain knowledge that this situation is only a temporary reprieve from the nursing shortage that is surely going to be exacerbated when the economy improves.
And the long-term impact of not being able to place new graduates was a huge worry for those nurse executives who have been through a few of the cycles of shortages and artificial ‘oversupply’ of nurses.
Another issue was that of training new graduates. We heard about one regional meeting where attendees said because of the economic straits their hospitals are in, they could not afford to provide the training required to bring a BSN new graduate up to speed. We heard about the need for nurse residencies for these new grads, but the difficulty of being able to afford to provide these residencies. A real conundrum.
Most of the high-powered names in nursing were in attendance and many of them presented. From my viewpoint, they looked as worried as everyone else.
There was a common sense that things will turn around for health care around the beginning of 2010. Because it took health care a few months longer to ‘catch up’ to the rest of the world in terms of the economy’s impact on hiring, it will probably take a few months longer to start on the up cycle.
And although I stayed a day longer than planned due to storms in the region, I have to say the people of San Antonio reinforced my impressions from a trip many years ago. What a friendly, wonderful city. Customer service is something San Antonians live every day. I am already planning a trip back there, hopefully when the weather is better.
Posted in Uncategorized | To leave a comment, click here »
April 13th, 2009 by khart
For the first time since our long national economic nightmare began in September, some respected economic experts are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel in terms of the economy. The bad news is, they don’t see a recovery coming in the next few months in the jobs sector.
I don’t know about you, but some of the thinking on the economy makes my head spin. My nursing curriculum did not include any college courses on economics and I have only a moderate grasp on how it all works. What I do know is health care is struggling today and for me, that means a lot of long time friends’ hospitals and systems are feeling the pain.
It took health care a little while to ‘catch up’ to the rest of the world, but the past couple of months have been really hard for our industry. Belt tightening, layoffs and budget adjustments have impacted the way recruiters do business. Openings have decreased as employees extend hours and delay retirement.
We have also heard of some health care recruiters losing their jobs recently. When I chat with friends and clients in the industry, I hear fear and worry. While all of us who have lived through the cyclical shortages and ‘oversupply’ know the current cycle will be short-lived, still it is wrenching to have to participate in any reduction in force. After all, there is a good chance those being laid off were folks we hired. And for those lucky enough not to have to shepherd a reduction in force, the worry is always there.
And while you are worrying about your hospital or system and your own job, you may also be dealing with a spouse or significant other who has lost a job or is in the shorthairs. These are ulcer-producing times.
What can we do in these difficult days? First, try to stay focused. Look long-term while dealing with what the short-term is handing you. Be a part of the conversation whenever you can. You are the health care workforce expert.
Work with what fate gives you. If that means a layoff, handle it with compassion and care. If it means redistributing staff, play an active role. If your budget is slashed and you still have lots of openings, figure out alternative ways of sourcing.
Keep taking deep breaths. This situation is not going to be forever. The jobs outlook will improve, probably by the end of the year. And that will impact your hospital or system in a good way, as the insured patient mix will grow.
Be good to yourself. Get plenty of sleep, eat healthily, and try to find outlets for the stress you are feeling. Get away from reality occasionally; read a good book or go and see the latest Hollywood comedy or thriller. Have a piece of forbidden chocolate. Heck, have a whole box if it makes you feel better.
Just remember, better times are coming. Keep repeating that to yourself.
Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. –St. Francis of Assisi
Here’s to doing the impossible with your usual grace and perseverance. I count myself fortunate to have so many of you as my friends and colleagues.
Posted in Uncategorized | To leave a comment, click here »
April 7th, 2009 by khart
If like me, you are noticing a notable lack of customer service in your daily encounters, you must be wondering too, do customer representatives not have a clue? Have they perhaps not noticed that the unemployment rate is out of control and that they are among the fortunate to actually have a job?
We recently had an issue with our cable television reception and getting it fixed took multiple telephone calls to the cable company and three visits by a technician. The first technician pronounced all the connections in the house and to the house sound, but said the line at the outside telephone pole needed attention. And he didn’t do outside work. A week or so later, another technician arrived and had not been told he was expected to do work on the outside pole. Turns out he didn’t have the correct equipment and had to call in for yet a third technician to come out a week or so later. The third technician had the right equipment (and the right can do attitude) and fixed the problem in about an hour.
A colleague of mine was attempting to purchase a frozen yogurt in a large metro airport. She ordered her yogurt, paid for it and left without the yogurt lady ever exchanging a word with her. The entire transaction was conducted while the yogurt lady was on her cell phone.
These are just two examples of the lack of customer service we all encounter every day. And though we are often the victims of poor customer service, we shouldn’t forget that we all have customer responsibilities in our own workdays.
For those of you who are recruiters, that customer service responsibility extends to your relationships with both internal and external customers.
Do you use your name and organization name when you answer your telephone? Do you listen to what the caller needs when on a call or just listen to the first few words or sentences and then decide you can’t help him because you don’t have a current opening in his specialty or for some other reason? How quickly (and nicely) do you respond to unsolicited emails? How quickly do you get back to candidates? And do you keep them in the loop once they have started the interview process?
Regarding your internal customers, is your door always open to hiring managers? Do you meet with them about openings and projections on a regular basis? Do you work with them to strategize on filling their positions? Are your email communications to them warm and polite?
And do your current employees feel comfortable stopping by your office or calling you about concerns such as career development, transfers, etc.?
I think we are inured to poor customer service and often don’t even ‘see’ it anymore. And when we do experience excellent customer service, we are often taken aback.
We have a very expensive gourmet grocery store in our city and although we don’t purchase very much there, occasionally we just visit because the employees are so nice! The vegetables are always beautiful and polished, there are cheeses from around the world (and often samples) and the prepared dishes are always tempting. But the people really make the place even more special. We always buy something, so providing excellent customer service really does increase business.
I had a colleague once who always promised ‘customer delight’. And that is the attitude we should all have when working with our customers, whomever they may be. With all the bad news we hear every day, we can make someone’s day just a little bit better by being memorable in our interactions with them.
Posted in Uncategorized | To leave a comment, click here »
