Insight Into The Workplace Insanity

1935, Social Security was implemented. What some call The Great Depression, I view as nature working it's way into industry.  

People want security and I don't blame them. But my security has always been in my ability. People of ability are always wanted. I am selfish because I refuse to give all my ability away for free. I say ALL because I do give away some of my ability to further a good cause. 

But what does Social Security and ability have in common with workplace insanity? Well, the type of insanity I'm talking about is "Dilbert" insanity. 

You know the "Dilbert" insanity. You've probably seen it. You know the guy at your company that really works hard~the one that cares~he's the one that got fired. 

I'm going to give you a different point of view on the topic of why the best abled people are fired. You'd think companies would want to keep the best people. I only see that mentality in small business. No, best abled people are the first to go because they are most likely to find work elsewhere. 

When they find work your company doesn't have to pay out social security.

 --waiting to let that sink in.--

So, if you feel like you've just gotten burned because you believed in the company and they've let you go without an obvious incident, then consider this: If the company is trying to unload expenses, then the most abled will find work elsewhere giving the company less to worry over in terms of payout.

Now don't panic and start being lazy...

Not all employers think this way. In fact I know most small business owners do not think this way. They still believe that the most efficient worker is the best. However, I've become witness to big companies or companies that just want to maintain status quo do this. Some companies see cutting the most able workers as staunching the bleeding. Not fair, but nature isn't either.

Repost: Who Cares What You Think?

Being the ethics guru my Grandfather is, he has a very profound influence over the business practices I make. Below is an article he wrote for the New Year. Every three months I like to look at where I stand in the year according to goals. Below are his...

At the beginning of every year (perhaps to remind myself) I habitually write a piece  pointing out the reasoning that underlies what I write and why I write.

For those of you who have difficulty buying into Situational Ethics, to understand it as I see it, I suggest the Wikipedia page on that subject. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Situational_ethics

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

{From CommPRO.Biz 2013.01.02}

http://www.commpro.biz/corporate-communications/who-cares-what-you-think/

“Who cares what you think?”

The ‘How’ and ‘Why’ to Craft a Meaningful Opinion Piece – Understanding Both Sides

By: W.T. “Bill” McKibben, Senior Counsel, The Great Lakes Group

We like to kick off the New Year responding to the remark we have heard so often over the decades that we have been writing opinion pieces: “Who cares what you think?” Good question. Our response is always the same: “Hopefully, no one.”  However, we keep writing. The goal–to craft a meaningful opinion piece.  Here’s some background to help you get a sense of my ‘how-to’ steps for expressing my passion.

A friend owned the only newspaper and radio station in a small town. He ran editorials in the paper, and personally voiced them on his station. His newspaper would take one side of an issue and he would dispense the opposite on the radio; he wrote both. He believed a good opinion writer should be able to see both sides of an issue, or they shouldn’t be writing the opinion.

While we make every effort to look at both sides, we are not sure we can follow that ideal in every issue we address. We do not write to convince anyone to take up our position. We do the research; often we will have as many as fifty pages of research for a five-hundred-word op-ed. Ethics rarely has two acceptable sides. On the other hand, it isn’t always a simple matter of right and wrong either. Like it or not, Situational Ethics are called for at times; the situation can change the ethical call. There are times when one has to think about the impact of hard-line adherence to what seems the right thing at the moment. Or as our friend Saul Alinsky once defined truth, “You don’t have to cross the street to tell someone how ugly they are.”

So if we don’t write to change your mind, or help you make up your mind, and if we don’t expect people to care what we think, why do we write? We write because the ethical issues we raise seem important to us and we hope you will think about them. We want you to sort through the facts. We want you to search the internet, to read and find a position. If you toss a brick at your computer every time one of our op-eds turns up, that’s OK. At least you are thinking about the issues.

Beware those who disperse opinion for other reasons.

Beware the manipulators.

Happy New Year!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

See you next week.

Be well.

Bill~

W.T. "Bill" McKibben 

The Great Lakes Group

3455 Warner Dr ~ Buffalo NY 14072-1043

LL  716.883.4695  ~ Toll Free  877.619.2793 

Mobile  716.998.9848  ~ WT@McKibben.com

http://ethics-central.blogspot.com/

www.Ethics-Guru.com ~ http://about.me/EthicsGuru

Dichotomy Of Committing

Men really like their ownership. 

So what's with the dichotomy of not committing? Well, there are factors. Let's take a look at how men see commitment, shall we?

Responsibility.
He now becomes your protector, your provider. He feels his freedom is gone forever.

Women feel this is ridiculous. Of course your an independent woman who can make her own choices and commitment means freedom not the lack of it!

But, looking at this from the man's Point of view, here's what he's thinking:

1. Society teaches men they are providers and protectors. Fantastic. Here's what this really means. Guys you are disposable. You get to fight and die for your family. Sounds like fun, huh?

Ridiculous, you say. This isn't medieval times.  

No, but he still has to go to work put food on the table, make sure you're free from roaming bachelors that might take you away, responsibility of taking care of family and that means no time for play thus--no freedom. 

Unless...you prove you are the fun! 

Do you start with questions with...

1. Did you...
2. Why don't you...
3. Can you...

To a guy, those are demands. They are cages you use to circumvent freedom.

Let's replace did you... 
with
What can I do to help you?

Replace Why don't you...
with
Relax, I've got it.

Instead of can you...
say
It would make me so happy if...

There are so many things I see women getting frustrated about that can be avoided. 

First, pretend you're single, and it's all up to you. What I mean by this is, be that confident woman you are. The man in your house is not your maid, and you're not his. 

Second, you are responsible for your own happiness. Not him, not the dog, you. Go out and do things without him. 

Third, don't ask him where he's been. It's his business. Don't volunteer where you've been. It's our business. 

You might think this sounds like less intimacy, but these things create more. The profound freedom in knowing your not responsible for his happiness, and you are responsible for yours is more intimate when you both come together and share experiences through your partners eyes. 

   

      

Mr. Penn Jillette--My New Role Model

Dear Mr. Jillette,

I saw, or rather heard, an interview with you and three women of hysterical ravings about "the gun issue". These women were so incredibly hysterical that I wanted to shut them the hell up. I was going to beg my boyfriend to change the channel until your rational, calm voice brought focus into my world. 

It was like a espresso shot of zen. In the face of such chaotic panic you remained stoic and unaffected by frantic musings of your hosts that typify "hysterical woman". 

My heart went out to you when you sympathetically explained that you had friends with Asperger syndrome and to please don't make fun or blame those people with that affliction for what one individual, with the same affliction, did. 

This note is a hug and a thank you for remaining collected in the face of irrational passion. 

I know those ladies were expressing their fear. They feel helpless and want someone to deal with the problem which is the reason for the high-pitched antics. But, fear and panic is not what the topic needed. 

I am forever your fan.

Sincerely, 

S.N.McKibben

Inexplicable Hikes and Trends In Your Marketing

Listening to the Self Publishing Podcast I had a realization.  But for anyone who hasn't listened to the podcast here's the story behind the epiphany. 

 

Three guys are blah, blah, blah-ing about their other podcast -- cross marketing you know that kind of stuff.  They have another podcast on bad horror flicks.  So they mentioned that the movie they "reviewed" or rather Rock Horror-esk blasted, got a spike in sales. 

 

The people producing this movie might be wondering, what happen?  Why is it being bought now? 

 

Little do they know, a small podcast spiked their sales. 

 

So, next time you see a spike in sales, it might be because they've become a cult classic--in horribleness.  Just saying...

6 Easy Idea's For A Happy Valentine's!

Happy Valentine's from the bottom of my toes! Crap...you forgot didn't you? Let me help you out by giving you 5 minute ideas that can save the day!

1. Here's an intimate message you can write on a memorable card (compliments of me!)...steal-this-poemgive-it-to-your-lover.html

2. Make a message recording on your phone with a cute puppet.
http://fiverr.com/supergirlrockit/get-poochie-golden-retriever-pup-puppet-to-sing-a-funny-greeting-of-your-choice?autoplay=true
 
3. Send an e-card from Blue Mountain or JibJab.

Blue Mountain is more cute and sentimental. JibJab is more funny and humiliating. 

If you have more time...

4. Send them a short story like Lady Alene or But For You, Yes!
Yeah, yeah, shameless plug--but they are perfect stories for Valentine's!

5. See's Candies are wonderful, but what about home-made cookies?
Worth the effort! Guy and girls swoon over someone baking or cooking for them. Do it with love. Even if you do it everyday today is the day of hearts! Display an edible heart ornament or shape the food in the universal sign of love.

6. Flowers lift the spirit, but pictures do too. 
Frame a picture of you two together. Do you have any pics on your phone to print? Even a small one or sharing the picture by text with an explanation of "thinking of you" is heart melting.

Writing Starts That Never Finish...

Anyone who thinks themselves unlucky must not know about the odds of conception. Think about it, guys spurt out more sperm than there are people in the world in one go and yet the odds of a woman getting pregnant are still one in so many zero's that it takes two mathematicians and a thousand pens to write that number down. 


The biggest computer screen is not enough to show that many zero's. You, here, alive, and human is so astoundingly phenomenal that you've got no reason to curse luck for any reason. So just because you're hanging from an oak limb hiding from a snapping German Shepard does not mean you're unlucky. It means you're stupid for trying to enter into your girlfriend's house for a surprise Valentine's in the first place. 


 

Sex As A Bad Thing

You're angry. I get it.
 
Breath. Because you will need every ounce of patience you possess to explain something to me.
 
Why is being viewed as something sexual demeaning?
 
Why is being wanted bad?

Here's is a scientific fact that Harvard researchers examined to a degree of infamy. 

Men think about sex. 

They think about sex with women, men and goats. Yes, that last one is gross (and a joke) and to those men that really want to have sex with live-stock I don't get it, but the men having sex with women part I can really dig!

There are many men who love women. What saddens me is that women treat men like incompetent women. They expect men to think as women, only men don't. 

This means women may get offended by what a man says. Have you ever heard the saying "If she likes you, you can do nothing wrong. If she doesn't, you can do nothing right." Yes, the right guy can say something to the effect of "I like your hair." and the woman is please because the guy she likes is paying attention to her. If the wrong guy says the same thing, even the same way, that guy is harassing her. He's a jerk.
 
This mentality makes me sad.
 
Women throw away their power constantly. Somewhere in the struggle of man and woman--women tossed their power aside. This power can bring a man to his knees. It has the power to "launch a thousand ships", it can tame, provoke, calm or destroy him. 

That power is sexuality. 

You know what I think? I think with great power comes great responsibility. I think women who shun their sexuality are terrified of their power. 

I can attest to you that I have waggled my finger at guys and they come running. I've had experiences were I've given a "sit" command to my dog and a complete stranger heeded my command. He thought I was talking to him. On his behalf, I was very serious, very angry and my voice was very no-nonsense you better do as I say right now (just at the dog-but hey, he thought it best to be safe.) 

Point being:

Men love woman and they want to please us. 

I love men. I love the way they try to make me laugh. I love the way they think. I love their easy ways. I love their compliments--even if they whistle at me from across the street. You know what I do when I get a cat call? I wave and say thank you. Because honestly those guys are desperate, and desperate guys are often the ones that stumble on their own words. They're the guys that come over when I waggle my finger and then can't string two thoughts together. 

What would happen if you actually had a witty come-back to a come-on? What if you felt powerful instead of intimidated in front of those guys that were trying to gain your attention and what if you took control of the conversation? 

Life is about the journey. That includes the trek you make from work to home, to the grocery, to school, whatever. When you walk your are on a journey. In that journey you have the opportunity to meet new people. Since it's about the journey and not point A to B, it seems like a waste to put your head down and expect everyone to ignore you. 

What power is within you that you're so terrified of?

Hot Cup Of Love Challenge

I found this post from the Searching For The Happiness blog and had to share!  It's about creating tender moments and stoking the fires of love. These are 21 day challenges you can do to bring your relationship back in the forefront of your life.

  http://www.hotcupoflove.com/lovechallenge/

Prince Charming...Is A Lie

He's not perfect. He's my kind of perfect. You see I've let go of the biggest romatic/relationship LIE ever told. 

Prince charming WILL BE...

...so drop dead gorgeous that every  woman on the planet will want him--even lesbians. (Ha! I didn't believe that one)

...will only have you in his mind and won't look at other women. AND regardless that he wants to watch Die Hard and you want to watch Pride and Prejudice, he'll go see the movie you want. (YUK! Can I join you and watch Die hard?)

...will bring you gifts or tokens of undying love. (Okay, DW does do that. I've figured out it's him bringing me coffee, or him bringing me my forgotten lunch from home, or my cell phone or sending me kisses via text)

...will own a white horse and ride up on said stallion and take you away into the sunset. (Where exactly is the sunset? Do we just ride and become burning smolders from heat stroke or does it get dark and then what do we do? Besides, I was the one who owned the white horse--that wouldn't let any guy ride him.)

...will own a castle and bring you to the top of the hill to square you away. (Ummm...he has a house alright and it's everything I can do to clean it. Yes, it's big and a pain in the rear to clean. I love the house, I love, love, love it...I have a dog and cats and I get to clean their poo but when things break. Oiy!) 

...will fight to the death just to kiss you. (Yeah. In real life that's escalates Stockholm syndrome and typically you wake up two years later wondering why your with this guy.)

...will know every thought and bend to your every whim.

...will be this AMAZING lover. He'll know everything about your body and want sex every 5 minutes. (Exhausting, you know the typical time it takes for a girl to get off is 40 minutes--I'm not the exception. While never leaving the bed is great, this blog wouldn't be possible if that were the case.)

...will know you are the one instantly! (pft! Took me 6 dang years. Maybe he knew instantly)

...will love and cherish you and do everything you say! He'll even read your mind and jump to your snap, he'll never look at another woman and...

 

STOP!

 

No, I did not believe in all that. What I did believe was my problems and issues would go away when my Prince Charming came through the door.  

I had this list of attributes I wanted in a man without really knowing what those attributes looked like in the real world. 

When you say I want him to have integrity, well then, what does that look like in real life? I'll tell you, it looks like me hemming and hawing, embarrassed, because DW won't let me get screwed by a movie theater employee for screwing up my ticket. 

What does thoughtful look like? Bringing me tea in the evening when I'm working. 

What does handsome look like? No, he's not Joe-football-I'm-a-star, but I get dizzy when he kisses me--every time. 

The rest of my list was not long, but it wasn't paltry either. All those things I wanted--I've forgotten. 

I'm too busy experiencing who I'm with now to make checklist of who I want to be with. There are things I'd like. He's not the most organized person. But I am. He can be Mr. Oblivious, but he over looks when I become "Mrs. Grace". He doesn't wear the latest fashions. He's not rich, but our bills are paid. He's not an alpha male but I'm a bit of a bossy mare. 

The point is,you have been lied to and it's time you wake up from the dream. It isn't real. Prince Charming is another way of saying that the person you are with will solve all your problems. 

Solve your own problems. Don't try to solve his. Learn that men do have feelings and wants of their own. Learn that people must take care of themselves before they can take care of anything else. 

When I say learn, I mean go to seminars, seek out relationship counselors, talk to others, discuss this fairy tale that does so much damage to how you interact with men--even if you do happen to have your "Prince Charming". I got lucky. DW is well kept secret.