Bad at Breaking

A quote from author H. Jackson Brown Jr. reads, “Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates. There’s plenty of movement, but you never know if it’s going to be forward, backwards, or sideways.” As young professionals constantly battling the Millennial labels of “lazy, unfocused, and entitled,” I’d like to think we have professional discipline down to a science.

Discipline is a necessary tool in our kit that enables us to combat common public perception and make our unique marks within the companies we serve. We are experts in our subject matter (because we had to be – we graduated into a cutthroat job market during a recession). Using the latest technology to our advantage is something we do daily to increase workplace efficiency. And we obsess over tracking our fitness steps and calories to keep our bodies at optimal performance. However, it’s become clear that there is one thing we are becoming less disciplined in doing – and that is taking time to unwind.

Whether it’s taking a day to travel to a hiking trail or a week to travel to Mexico – Millennials seem increasingly unable to block off time in their calendars for vacation. And it’s concerning, as research from the American Psychological Association shows that Millennials comprise a generation more stressed than any generation prior. As young professionals striving to make our marks in the workplace, we must remember to take time for ourselves – and there is some convincing research that backs that.

Traveling Can Increase Creativity and Focus
When I am struck with writers block, my first instinct is to get up and walk away from my writing. This can be effective to an extent. But let’s say I took it a step further and traveled to Quebec for a few days. Research indicates that this may get the creative juices flowing. Studies show that individuals who have lived abroad in their lifetime tend to be more creative. One particular study from the Academy of Management Journal, performed within the fashion industry, showed that cultural distance indicated an organization’s level of creative innovation. Furthermore, a study published in Science Daily demonstrates that even brief diversions from a task can dramatically improve one’s ability to focus on that task for prolonged periods.

More Vacations = More Money (No, really)
At a previous workplace, I can vividly remember several colleagues who would make it a point to sit out of company festivities and celebrations. These folks always claimed they were “too busy” and would practically gloat about the amount of work in front of them. A cultural shift has taken place so that many have become workplace martyrs, thinking this will lead to success. But research shows the opposite. A recent study by Harvard Business Review showed that if you take 11 or more of your vacation days, you are more than 30% more likely to receive a raise.

Relaxing Improves Your Health (Duh)
It seems fairly obvious that taking time away from the workplace can have mental health benefits such as reduced stress, anxiety, and improved sleep. However, more impressive are the physical impacts of vacationing, such as prevention of headaches, backaches, and even heart disease, according to a recent article from inc.

All told, the case is strong to put aside the martyr lifestyle and embrace vacationing. And if there’s anything I can get behind in this day and age, it’s research-based facts. So the next time you’re faced with the decision to take vacation or go into the office, do as other Millenials could not … and get good at breaking – even if it’s just to binge Breaking Bad.

By: Amy Giangiulio, VisionCorps

Obligatory August Reminder – Take a Vacation!

Hopefully reading this post won’t be your first exposure to the idea – excuse me, the fact – that taking time off work is a worthy and necessary endeavor.

There are a multitude of studies and articles out there which sing the praises of taking vacation and, more to the point, provide solid evidence of its benefits for both employers and employees.

In case you’re unfamiliar, some of the myriad benefits of taking time off for work (whether it be vacation or staycation) include:

• Reduction of stress and associated health benefits: As discussed in this Psychology Today article, work-related stress has effects much further-reaching than the knot in your stomach after a tense call. “Chronic stress takes its toll in part on our body’s ability to resist infection, maintain vital functions, and even ability to avoid injury. When you’re stressed out and tired, you are more likely to become ill, your arteries take a beating…your sleep will suffer, [and] you won’t digest your food as well. Mentally, not only do you become more irritable, depressed and anxious, but your memory will become worse and you’ll make poorer decisions.”
• Increase in productivity: “The vast majority (84%) of managers agree that when employees take time off, they return to work with improved focus and creativity.”
• Bolstered employee morale and greater employee retention 
• Renewed enthusiasm and sense of initiative: Quoted in an article in The Atlantic, Francine Lederer, a clinical psychologist based in Los Angles who specializes in stress and relationship management, shares that “Most people have better life perspective and are more motivated to achieve their goals after a vacation, even if it is a 24-hour time-out.”
• Boost to local and national economy: One key takeaway from the study “An Assessment of Paid Time off in the U.S.” completed by Oxford Economics: “If employees would take just one additional day of earned leave each year, the economy would benefit to the tune of $73 billion in total impact.”

Still having trouble tearing yourself away? Consider conducting a quick brainstorm on what’s holding you back, then prepare a plan for how to alleviate those stressors.

Dreading coming back to an inbox with 1,027 new emails?

Give yourself permission to check in every now and then to delete junk, answer simple questions, and most importantly – ease your mind. But be sure to set limits so you’re not spending an entire day buried in your phone or laptop!

Worried about burdening coworkers who will pick up the slack while you’re out?

Do your best to tie up all loose ends, and work ahead a bit. Have a quick conversation to make sure you’re on the same page; chances are, your coworker is happy to help – especially considering you’ll likely be returning the favor to allow her some time for R&R in the future.

You get the idea.

So. If you find yourself having an internal debate on whether to give in to the latest TravelZoo deal to hit your inbox, or even just take a couple days to catch up on things at home, allow me to be the voice in your ear whispering, “Just do it!”

By: Meredith Beiler, ATOMIC

Finding Passion and Purpose…Beyond My Cubicle

Oftentimes, passion and career don’t overlap. And, to me, that is OK. Someone might have a passion for painting, but it’s not their chosen career path because after all, they aren’t THAT great. I think it’s important to find our passions, whatever they might be, and figure out how to incorporate them into our lives. And if it doesn’t relate to your career path, then figure something out in order to have that passion in your life. Every day. And if your passion and your career do line up, then good for you!

According to a commencement speech by Mike Rowe, host of TV show Dirty Jobs, “Never follow your passion, but always bring it with you. Let your passion lead you when it comes to hobbies. But passion is ‘way too fickle to follow around’ when settling into a career.”

I totally agree with Mike on this concept. I have always wanted to be a part of something inspiring, meaningful…and quite frankly, bigger than myself. If it wasn’t for my quick gag reflex, I would have become a nurse. I struggled with this for years when working in the Interior Design industry, as I didn’t feel that my passion for helping people was quite aligning the way I had wished. But I never knew what to do to break through the “funk” I was feeling. I would volunteer at miscellaneous events at church, attend the occasional fundraising bingo night, or write a letter to my sponsored child in Haiti. But it never felt like enough. I knew I needed more.

A few years ago, I started volunteering for a non-profit that I had a personal connection to, called A Week Away.  Now, two years later, I am the Secretary for the Board of Directors and the Chair of the Respite Planning Committee.

A Week Away finances and coordinates respite weeks for families that are dealing with a life-threatening illness. We plan everything in order for them to “get away” from their lives that are filled with doctor appointments, treatments schedules and constant chaos. We have found, and witnessed firsthand, that time away helps patients feel “normal,” again, and they are able to regain the strength they need to keep fighting. Not to mention creating memories with their loved ones doing something they wouldn’t have been able to do on their own. Many families we assist have never been away from home, either due to finances or due to the need for medical assistance. When necessary, we are able to send the appropriate medical team that can help make their respite week as enjoyable as possible. A Week Away is based out of Lancaster, PA, but word is quickly spreading across the country…mostly due to social media (there’s my marketing plug!).

Sure, a lot of my spare time is spent attending meetings, catching up on emails, communicating with our patients, and keeping up with my never-ending organized spreadsheets. But I wouldn’t change a thing. I have the capacity in my life right now to do this, and I want to make a difference. To 1 family or 100 families. It’s all worth it.

I believe there are physical, emotional and spiritual benefits of being part of something that you are truly dedicated to and passionate about. When there is a level of commitment to something you love, big things can happen. From my experience, here are the big ones that I have seen in my life:

True Fulfillment – There are times when I feel like I don’t have the time to fit one more thing into my day. But then, I think about the families we have helped. And I think about the families we are going to help. I think about the smiles on their faces and the memories that they are creating, all because of what we do. There is nothing more rewarding than being a part of something good. Truly good.

Growth & Learning – Being a part of A Week Away has impacted my personal and my professional skills, immensely. It has forced me out of my comfort zone at times and challenged my communication, organization and prioritization skills – which are all things that my job at Scheffey can benefit from. Win-win.

Change in Perspective – My view of life has changed. In fact, it took a 180-degree turn. I see life, faith, health, love, happiness, sadness and stress in a whole new light. Seeing the love of a mother for a child sick with cancer, or a husband who wants to do anything possible to make the life for his wife who is in constant pain stress-free, changes your perspective on everything.

Friendships – Last, but certainly not least, are the amazing friendships I have made. When a group of people with the same passion and commitment for a common purpose come together, strong relationships are naturally going to form. You attend meetings and events together, and build connections that evolve into friendships. You laugh and cry together. I know that my “A Week Away family” is a strong bond that will last a lifetime.

So, what’s your passion? Maybe it’s gardening, community involvement, helping disabled children, cooking or the welfare of animals. How can you continue to incorporate it into your life? It might seem overwhelming to fit it in at times, but trust me, it’s worth the effort.

Written By: Megan Scheffey of Scheffey

Interesting Facts and Trivia about Business

Hello lovely blog readers! With August here, we will take a break from heavy topics and instead have some fun with a list of interesting facts and trivia gleaned from various sources. I hope you enjoy a sampling of what I found!

1. Amazon employees spend two days every two years working at the customer service desk. Even the CEO does that! This is to help all workers understand the customer service process.
2. The world’s largest package delivery company, UPS, was founded by two teenagers with a bicycle and $100 borrowed from a friend.
3. If you have $10 in your pocket and have no debt, you are in a better financial position than 25% of the American population.
4. The red and white Coca-Cola logo is recognized by 94% of the world’s population.
5. In 2012, the 100 richest people in the world earned enough money to end world poverty four times over.
6. 5 percent of small businesses are made up of immigrants from other countries.
7. Candy Crush brings in a reported $633,000 a day in revenue.
8. Samsung accounts for 20% of Korea’s gross domestic product.
9. Gambling generates more revenue than movies, spectator sports, theme parks, cruise ships, and recorded music combined.
10. Everything you say to Siri is sent to Apple, analyzed and stored.
11. Starbucks spends more on health care insurance for its employees ($300 million) than on coffee.
12. 70 percent of small businesses are owned and operated by a single person.
13. “97 percent of the world’s population now lives in countries where the fertility rate is falling,” writes author Jonathan Last.
14. The most productive day of the workweek is Tuesday.
15. The average smartphone user checks Facebook 14 times a day.
16. One in 10 Europeans are conceived in an Ikea bed.

Written By: Christine Hess of Wendy Jo’s