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Articles by Marlene Chism

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37 articles by Marlene Chism · showing 37

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By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

Leadership in the Workplace: Creating a New Vision for Others

Strong leadership in the workplace often means helping your employees create a vision for themselves, which in turn will increase cooperation and teamwork. Each year I set goals and intentions. This year one of my intentions was "Give me the eyes to see."I know that what I see with my physical eye is not all that is there. As a leader you can influence others if you are willing to see your employees, staff, and team members in a different light.

Primary topic: Happiness

2,174 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

How to Savor the Reinvention Journey

From my experience as an author, speaker and consultant, it seems that striving for success creates a lot of unnecessary drama. Instead of enjoying the journey to reinvention, the image that comes to mind for me is rowing with all of your might to get to an island that never appears. When do I get there? How do I get there faster? What if someone else gets there first? I call this phenomenon, “Salvation on the Island.” We give up our present moment worrying and obsessing about a future that may or may not occur. In essence we lose the pleasure of the journey to success.

Primary topic: Happiness

1,387 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

Top Seven Tips for Reducing Workplace Negativity

Negativity is the number one productivity problem in the workplace. Signs of negativity include backstabbing, gossiping, power struggles and lack of teamwork. The end result is absenteeism, low morale and turnover. Here are seven tips for improving workplace relationships and reducing negativity. 1. Facilitate Regular Staff Meetingsr When done properly, regular meetings provide a forum for listening, problem-solving and honoring peak performance. Meeting mistakes include lecturing instead of engaging the team, inconsistent meeting times, no agenda, and no fun. 2.

Primary topic: Happiness

4,699 views3/5 (1)

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

How to Leave the Rescue Role Behind

When I was a kid, I went to the public pool almost every day. One particular day, my friend Sheri Lou Green went with me. At ten years-old Sheri Lou was an awkward swimmer, slapping the water and fighting for every stroke. The lifeguard noticed Sheri Lou flailing about and threw her a life buoy. It almost hit her in the head, (which would have made her circumstances worse than they already were). After being startled initially, Sheri Lou ignored the gesture and continued to thrash about until she reached the side of the pool.

Primary topic: Happiness

1,574 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

What to Do When You Are Out of the Flow

I often talk about "reading the signs" and what I mean by that is not "woo woo" but about increased levels of awareness. With increased levels of awareness or (consciousness) you can make simple shifts to bring you more into that good feeling flow and that is where personal effectiveness and productivity happens. Recently I've been hearing a lot of themes emerging from those who feel out of sync...out of the flow...a bit hopeless or depressed. I even found myself feeling that way recently and was surprised at an old pattern resurfacing. I thought I had mastered the "inner game."r

Primary topic: Happiness

1,297 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

How Stop Your Drama Month Can Benefit Your Business

Every year in March we celebrate Stop Your Drama Month. Why March, you ask? Well...most of us are recovering from a very gray winter, with some moments of SAD or depression. We made New Year's Resolutions but we didn't keep them and we are rounding the bend to the first quarter. Many of us are recovering from overspending and over eating during the holidays and Valentine's day. Plus...besides Women's History Month and St. Patrick's Day, there isn't a lot of competition, so that is why March is Stop Your Drama Month.

Primary topic: Happiness

1,356 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

Stop Your Drama - Eleven Questions to Ask In 2011

It has been said, if you want a better result, ask a better question. What questions are you asking yourself in this New Year? If your questions are not getting you the results you desire, here are eleven questions you can ask yourself in 2011.

Primary topic: Happiness

1,325 views3.5/5 (4)

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

How the Victim Loses Power

On the Drama Triangle (Dr. Stephen Karpman), there are three major roles that people play: Persecutor, Rescuer and Victim. The diagram as Dr. Karpman originally developed it is an equilateral upside down triangle. The victim is at the bottom point. That is because the Persecutor and the Rescuer are in the one-up position. The Victim feels helpless, the Rescuer has the answer and the Persecutor tells you whose fault it is.

Primary topic: Happiness

1,557 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

Run Your Office with No Complaints, No Excuses and No Regrets

What does complaining, office gossip, power struggles, and low morale have in common? All of these issues are symptoms of Drama. The more global definition of drama is “any obstacle to your peace and prosperity.” A more “corporate” way to define drama is anything that hampers the mission or the productivity of the company. If you want to stop the drama and increase productivity you must learn how to identify the resistance.

Primary topic: Happiness

2,111 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

10 Things to Give Up in 2010

Instead of trying to lose 10 pounds for your New Year’s resolution, what if you decided to give up 10 habits the keep you from loving your life? Here are ten things to give up in 2010. 1. Give up the need to controlr Impatience, complaining, and manipulation are ways we try to change something that can’t be changed. You can't control the weather, the crowds at the grocery store or traffic. All you can do is prepare, shop at a different time or leave early. 2.

Primary topic: Happiness

2,552 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

Four Truths to Help You Face Your Drama

Many people, especially well known coaches, high profile business leaders "posture" or pretend that they do not have drama or that they are not susceptible to drama. The reality is everyone experiences drama sooner or later. Because of my private coaching, I have heard the secrets that you will never hear in public. In addition, I’ve been there too, and I realize the danger of believing you are “above it all.” Here are four truths to help you confront and even welcome your drama. 1. Drama is part of life. 2. Drama keeps you real 3. Drama is a teacher 4.

Primary topic: Happiness

1,806 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

How to Use Presentation Skills While Networking

Because of your anxiety, you’ve missed everyone else’s introduction. You are focused on your own sense of incompetence regarding speaking in front of a crowd.

Primary topic: Happiness

1,873 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

Five Ways to Reduce Relationship Conflict

I attended a talk about civility this week and was inspired to write about how to eliminate or reduce relationship conflict. The presentation was delivered by <u>Dr. Forni,</u> a professor from John Hopkins University who has dedicated his life to the civility movement. What struck me was his research as to why incivility happens. There were three components: Stress, anonymity, and insecurity.

Primary topic: Happiness

1,492 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

4 Ways to Make Sure Meetings Are Not a Waste of Time

Meetings can be a big waste of time or the biggest time saver. It all depends on your skills of keeping the meeting on track and engaging your staff. The challenges that keep your meetings from being productive include going on way past the allotted time, getting off track, and meetings that turn into gripe sessions. Here are four basics to running an effective meeting that keeps you completely in charge and engages your employees. 1. Set the expectations 2. Acknowledge the elephant 3. Beat the dead horse 4.

Primary topic: Happiness

2,529 views3.3/5 (4)

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

The 8 Steps of Empowerment: Leadership Principles for Navigating Change

Change, whether it is wanted or unwanted brings out our best and worst. The Stop Your Drama Methodology incorporates 8 principles and multiple tools for navigating change or reinventing any part of your life or business. 1. Clear the Fog

Primary topic: Happiness

2,646 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

Drama Hampers Productivity and Damages Relationships

Drama seems to be everywhere. No matter how many technological advances are created to save time or make life convenient, no one seems to have enough time and everyone is stressed to the limit. Drama prevents you from being all that you can be, hampers productivity, drains your energy and takes you out of your power. Drama keeps you stirred up, immobilized, upset, unhappy and otherwise dysfunctional. Drama can be detected in your emotions, your beliefs, your patterns, your language, your assumptions, your guilt, your judgments your worry, and your behaviors.

Primary topic: Happiness

1,681 views3/5 (1)

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

Release Resistance and Increase Productivity

Nothing is so much of a time waster than trying to help someone solve a problem when they are not willing to implement your solution. No matter what the problem, it’s never really about the solution... at first. That’s why you shouldn’t get disappointed when you try to offer a solution, whether the solution is for your employee, your associate, your client or your teenager. You can see the solution because you are not as attached.

Primary topic: Happiness

3,404 views1.5/5 (2)

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

Master Key Mind Basics to Eliminate Suffering

Many people are suffering right now due to the market volatility, unemployment and apparent lack of stability. This suffering manifests in mind patters of worry and anxiety that builds deep grooves in the brain until a new pathway is built into the brain that has you repeating thoughts of doom and gloom. The more you focus on the problems the more real you make them and the more you trigger toxic chemicals that flow into your blood stream harming your physical health some three months or three years later. If you want to stop the DRAMA here are three steps. 1. Get control of your bodyr

Primary topic: Happiness

1,609 views5/5 (1)

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

Eight Tips for Clear Business Communication

Communication problems can create a lot of unnecessary drama. How often have you been disappointed because your assistant didn't meet a deadline? Or what about the times you signed off on something and you got yourself entwined in more than you could have possibly imagined? Have you ever beat yourself up for being scattered and all over the place? What about those times you have been asked to do something from your own boss but you were overwhelmed trying to decipher where to find the document or in what order to begin?

Primary topic: Happiness

1,277 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

Stop Workplace Drama is Not about Office Cat Fights

I recently got a message from an associate of mine on Linked In. The message excited me because it gave me a chance to talk about drama…what it is and why my book Stop Workplace Drama is even for men, for owners, and even for those who are lucky enough to experience a collaborative work environment. Read on and then let me share with you a few other signs of drama and how it holds you back. “Could this book be for me? It is 4:41 am and up because of a "worry" dream and I can't fall back to sleep. I’m conce ed about others and their feels, even though it is out of my control.

Primary topic: Happiness

3,200 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

The 4 Deadly Habits that Give MLM a Bad Name

Many in a stage of reinvention get involved with network marketing as their transition business. The MLM business model is sound. You wholesale a quality product, build a client base, and recruit and lead a team to leverage income. In addition, the training offered is a benefit to people new to business. There are conflicting statistics about the success or failure rate where variables such as prior experience, time dedicated to learning the systems or commitment to earning a living.

Primary topic: Happiness

2,340 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

Four Ways To Get Happy Now

Recently I watched a 20/20 special about happiness and I was delighted to have this news show confirm I’ve been talking about for years: We have a big measure of control over our own levels of happiness, at least 40 % according to what researchers said on the show. Only 10 percent is circumstantial and about 40 to 50 percent is genetic. Most interesting perhaps, is the notion that you can change your brain and your circumstances if you are committed to being happy. Here are four ways to get started. 1. Meditate 2. Focus on the positive 3. Build Rewarding Relationships 4.

Primary topic: Happiness

1,982 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

Four Ways to Stop Your Family and Friend Drama

Complaining and negativity is difficult enough in the workplace, but what do you do when a relative or friend, (Sally, Sam, or Sue) occupies your time with venting, complaining and negativity? It’s difficult to see someone you care about go through hard times but it seems that this is more of a pattern than a particular situation. Negativity breeds negativity and research shows that venting only makes things worse. Here are four choices to stop your drama with your family and friends! Unplug I have a saying: it takes two to play games unless you are playing solitaire.

Primary topic: Happiness

1,842 views3.2/5 (5)

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

Favoritism Creates Conflict in the Workplace

Conflict in the workplace can be caused by a boss playing favorites. I often compare the boss-employee relationship to the parent-child relationship. We all want our bosses to be fair. So let me talk about what drives the perception of fai ess...because sometimes it’s really just a perception and as I've said before, not the truth. Let's look at the three drivers of fai ess and then talk about why favoritism happens. There are three drivers of employee perception of fai ess 1. How a boss behaves 2. Input the employee has in decision makingr

Primary topic: Happiness

5,840 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

Master Key Mind Basics To Eliminate Suffering

Many people are suffering right now due to the market volatility, unemployment and apparent lack of stability. This suffering manifests in mind patters of worry and anxiety that builds deep grooves in the brain until a new pathway is built into the brain that has you repeating thoughts of doom and gloom. The more you focus on the problems the more real you make them and the more you trigger toxic chemicals that flow into your blood stream harming your physical health some three months or three years later. If you want to stop the DRAMA here are three steps. 1.

Primary topic: Happiness

2,253 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

Get Grounded While In Transition with These Three Steps

Any time you have been really caught off guard and you are in a lot of pain, there is always an awakening with lots of wonderful life lessons to follow. The world is in a financial crisis and people are losing their homes, moving in with relatives, wondering about where their next pay check is coming from. The emotional, spiritual and mental aspects of these kinds of changes create chaos and overwhelm. Many people shift into panic mode, and take action only to experience a downward spiral.

Primary topic: Happiness

1,701 views4/5 (1)

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

Five Red Flags of Resistance

Your boss doesn’t listen to your ideas. Your spouse refuses to try to understand. Your employees resist your leadership, and secretly you know you keep doing things you don’t really want to do but you feel stuck and don’t know how to tip the lever to change. What we are talking about is resistance. Until you are trained, resistance is nearly impossible to spot because often it can be subtle. Good listening is one way to uncovering resistance in yourself and others. Why should you care?

Primary topic: Happiness

1,704 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

What a Dog Taught Me about Personal Growth

My mom’s neighbor had shoulder surgery so she agreed to babysit Buddy, her neighbor’s heavy set and short legged terrier. I offered to take Buddy outside, and started toward the deck. “Buddy is afraid to go down the stairs” my mom said, “You’ll have to take him out the front.” “I’ll get him to go out the back,” I said, up for the challenge. “He will absolutely not go down stairs,” my mom warned. “Watch me” I said. “Here Buddy. What a sweet doggie. Yes you are!

Primary topic: Happiness

1,449 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

Why March is Stop Your Drama Month

Every year about mid February I notice indicators of drama starting to emerge. The extra pounds from over indulging during the holidays have your pants fitting a bit too tight. You only worked out two days since your New Year’s resolution to get fit once and for all, but the big snow kept you trapped at home with kids who were out of school for snow days. Business slows to a snail’s pace. Budgets are tight, and everyone has something to sell, but no one wants to buy.

Primary topic: Happiness

1,597 views4/5 (2)

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

Four Tips for a Complaint-Free Office

As a leader it is your duty to make sure the rules are enforced. Even though some rules may seem unimportant, you have to see the big picture. Just as there is a reason for wearing seat belts, there is a reason your company has instituted rules. Rules provide a framework for how you operate and set you and your staff up for success.

Primary topic: Happiness

1,670 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

Reinvention is Easier Said tha Done

This is what you wanted, so why are you feeling so scared? Is it your "negative beliefs?" Are you just incompetent? A victim? Those were some of the questions going on in my mind when I was in my big stage of reinvention about 10 years ago. Now that I know what to expect, any time I reinvent an area of my life it becomes easier. I know there will be “turbulence” and I know I will be uncomfortable, and I know why. 1. Old habits die hard 2. Your brain wiring 3.

Primary topic: Happiness

1,497 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

Five Leadership Qualities That Will Make You Stand Out

What leadership qualities do the most effective managers posses that make them stand out from ordinary managers? You might think that it’s difficult to stand out given all the distractions of the day. However, there are easy ways to be exceptional simply by distinguishing yourself from the norm. What is the norm today? Stress, anxiety, feeling overworked, complaining about how busy you are, putting too much on your plate, letting others down, impatience and overindulgence are the signs of our times.

Primary topic: Happiness

4,708 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

Sales Drama? Talk Less, Listen More

It starts off as curiosity about you. "Hey Marlene, did you just publish a book?" Julia waived me over to join her at the local networking event inviting me into her little cluster of friends that included two guys and another female. How exciting, I thought.

Primary topic: Happiness

1,625 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

Overworked and Overwhelmed? Three Ways to Take Charge of Your Life

If you are obsessing, worrying and feeling overworked, you may feel stuck on the hamster wheel and not know how to change. You long for fun and relaxation but you can’t see any change in sight. If you relate to the song, “I can’t get no satisfaction,” it’s time to make a couple of needed changes. 1. Stop working so much 2. Take a technology break 3. Block out time for fun Stop working so muchr We get addicted to adrenalin and being busy.

Primary topic: Happiness

2,132 views4/5 (1)

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

A Truth-Telling Navigational Device to Guide Your Direction

You visualize but it doesn't materialize. You take full responsibility. You have eliminated the negativity and drama. You have the education and knowledge. You have studied spirituality. So why haven't you made any money? It's because you are rowing in the wrong direction. You keep listening to the coaches and gurus tell you that you have to strengthen your belief. You must have a big block somewhere.

Primary topic: Happiness

1,439 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

Want to Sell More? Listen More, Talk Less

It starts off as curiosity about you. "Hey Marlene, did you just publish a book?" Julia waived me over to join her at the local networking event inviting me into her little cluster of friends that included two guys and another female. How exciting, I thought.

Primary topic: Happiness

1,942 views

By Marlene ChismRecently published1 topic

How Effective Meetings Eliminate Workplace Drama

You dread dealing with the staff. No one gets along, everyone feels overwhelmed and the negativity is so thick you could cut it with a knife. Even if you increase sales, your money leaks out in turnover and absenteeism. This is going to shock you, but you could easily solve this problem if you would learn how to facilitate an effective staff meeting. The problem is most managers don’t know how to hold an effective meeting, much less bring up sensitive issues in a way that fosters team building and open communication.

Primary topic: Happiness

4,092 views2.8/5 (5)

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