| I recently saw a T-shirt with the words, "Become the | | | | your desk, throw out old files, make a "to do" list and |
| Change You Want." I find myself going back to those | | | | add an extra touch of cheer -- a new picture, a fresh |
| words over and over again. The words are taken | | | | flower, or just a happy note addressed to yourself.o |
| from those spoken by the world's role model for | | | | Empathize. If you can't get your boss to understand |
| change, Mahatma Ghandi, who led the successful | | | | what you want, change your viewpoint. View your |
| change to independence for India. He advised his | | | | needs from your supervisor's standpoint. If you are the |
| followers to "become the change you want to see in | | | | boss, look at your demands from your employee's |
| the world." Those words ring just as true today. | | | | viewpoint. Empathy can go a long way toward |
| One of the most stressful situations we create for | | | | boosting productivity and eliminating workplace stress.o |
| ourselves at home and at work is that we want | | | | Take Action. If you want better working conditions or |
| changes from others and become frustrated when | | | | a change of schedules, ask. Prepare your arguments, |
| those changes don't take place. We want our bosses, | | | | rehearse and refine them, then ask. The worst that |
| our children, our spouses and our friends to change. | | | | can happen is that you will be told no. If you really |
| We want our looks to change, our health to change. | | | | dislike your job, take action to schedule 30 minutes at |
| What if we become the ones to change first? Here | | | | home every evening to network with peers and start |
| are a few new ways to become our own agents of | | | | looking for that better job. |
| change to transform, empower and enlighten your | | | | Become the Change You Want with a Parent:o |
| path to a less stressful lifestyle. | | | | Become Your Own Best Child. Change your behavior |
| Become the Change You Want with Your Spouse:o | | | | with your parents by becoming the kind of child you |
| Become Your Spouse's Role Model. Instead of | | | | want to have. Be loving. Be supportive. Be |
| expecting your spouse to be more forgiving, become | | | | understanding. Your parent might take a cue from you |
| more forgiving yourself. Your actions will inspire your | | | | and start acting like the parent they always wanted.o |
| spouse.o Make the Word Flexibility Your Mantra. When | | | | Become Patient. Parents know to be patient with their |
| things don't go according to plan, tell yourself | | | | children, but they don't always practice patience with |
| (repeatedly): 'I will be more flexible.' It works!o Change | | | | their own parents. Take a deep breath, and patiently |
| Your Own Mind. Instead of trying to change a | | | | listen when your parent makes a request. It's a little |
| spouse's mind about where to go, what to do or how | | | | courtesy a parent just might return to you.o Strive for |
| to get things done, ask the question of yourself first, | | | | Sympathy. Instead of just saying no, or I can't get to |
| but from your spouse's point of view. You might | | | | that today, take an extra minute to explain why your |
| discover you will have already changed your mind | | | | schedule won't allow you to accommodate a request, |
| before you ask the question. | | | | and follow-up with a gentle expression of regret. Your |
| Become the Change You Want with Your Child:o | | | | parent is more likely to become sympathetic to your |
| Change Your Age. Imagine yourself at your child's age. | | | | needs. |
| Instead of always making demands from a parent's | | | | Become the Change You Want with Your Health:o |
| point of view, first consult your inner child. Can you | | | | Become Your New Best Friend. Don't you want the |
| explain your demands in a new light? Can you | | | | best in life for your best friend? Encourage yourself to |
| incorporate new understanding and empathy in your | | | | get the best things in life by starting with the most |
| relationship?o Listen. Don't let your role as a caretaker | | | | important, your good health. Encourage yourself every |
| overwhelm your time and ability to listen to your child. | | | | day!o Change Your Self-Image. If you are overweight, |
| Make the decision to schedule time every day to just | | | | tell yourself, 'I am not an overweight person,' before |
| listen.o Confess. Take time off from the stress of | | | | starting a new diet or exercise plan. I want you to think, |
| trying to be a perfect parent, and confess to your child | | | | "I want to be healthy."o Play. Exercise doesn't have to |
| that you make mistakes. You will teach your child that | | | | be a chore. Instead of getting up to do jumping jacks |
| it's okay to admit to mistakes and learn from them. | | | | every morning in your living room, dance and leap for |
| Become the Change You Want at Work:o Organize. | | | | joy from room to room. Buy a colorful jump rope. |
| Poor organization skills will only add to workplace | | | | Laugh at yourself. Enjoy yourself. Play! Exercise, |
| frustration and drain your productivity. Begin your next | | | | honestly, can be a fun way to get healthy. |
| day at work by coming in 15 minutes early to organize | | | | |