10 Tips on How to Shake Hands

Handshakes are an essential part of business etiquette and communication.  #8 from the article linked above reminds me of a true story...I was meeting with a client several years ago who, while problem solving an issue he was having with the carpeting I had sold him, happened to be standing under a very hot spot light.  I also have to mention that he was bald - by choice would be my guess because he was a relatively young man.  In any case, this spot light was generating a lot of heat and the man was perspiring from his temples.  He kept wiping the perspiration off with his right hand...I would also guess that he was becoming very cognizant that he was sweating, but never suggested we move out from under the light.  I had become distracted from what he was saying because all I could think of was, "I'm eventually going to have to shake that hand."  Ever since this meeting, I have carried a small bottle of Purell in my purse...  Is your handshake firm, brief, and hygienic?  If not, practice!  

Friendship in the digital age...not that much different from the stone age.

I thought the following article was very interesting...it is in regards to Dunbar's Number and Social Media friendships.  Dunbar's Number is "the limit on the number of individuals with whom one can have a personalized relationship". 

After an unscientific survey of my FB friends and Linkedin Connections, it seems to be the case that 150 is the average number of friends and connections we have in the digital world.  Let's face it...who has time to keep track of anymore than 150 people on a personal level!? 

I especially like the Community Attributes paragraph:  1. Trust.  If I don't know you or have had a personal experience with you, there is no chance of you being my friend or connection.  2. Peer Pressure.  It's true.  I will admit...if Chrissy is your friend on FB, then I will be your friend too. I always look for mutual friends.  If Chrissy is there, you're in. 

http://www.forbes.com/2010/01/17/internet-facebook-social-networking-business-friends-oxford.html

How many FB friends do you have?  Take the survey to the right.

I love Fall Fashions!

Fall is my favorite fashion season.  Skirts with tights, tall boots, turtleneck sweaters, cable knit cardigans... it kills me that I can't really wear this stuff until January here in the desert.  September is an exciting fashion month!  The  fashion magazines are 3 times bigger than normal and "Back to School" sales are everywhere.  I still go "Back to School" shopping.  This is a great time to update your work wardrobe staples and get them on sale.  The article below gives a great outline of the basic items needed to create a work wardrobe.  What I especially like are the recommendations on how to mix and match the staples into various outfits.  A simple and well thought out wardrobe can go a long way...Happy shopping!

Basic Wardrobe Staples for Work

photo from www.newyorkandcompany.com

Reconnecting...good for the soul.

I know what you're thinking..."Gosh, a whole month on vacation.  Lucky Mary!".  I wish!  I enjoyed my time off immensely, however, upon my return, the daily responsibilities of parenting, housekeeping, and work had quickly piled up.  To say the least, my inbox is a mess again.  Anyway...I spent my vacation reconnecting with my family, high school girlfriends, and my dance teachers - three important groups of people who all have influenced who I am today.

It was great to have my children interact with their aunts, uncle, and cousins... whom they do not get to see on a regular basis.  I loved spending time with my sister Cindy - it had been two years since the last time I saw her!!  My high school girlfriends have changed so much, yet, are still the same...in a very good way.  I wished I had snapped a photo of me with my dance teachers...drat!  It's the 30th Anniversary of Jan's School of Dance...definitely something to celebrate!  We are planning a "reunion" party during the recital this year. 

While I live far away, reconnecting with these special people reminded me of how important and beneficial it is to keep in touch with those who are and have been influential in our lives. 

The article below from http://www.healthywomen.org/ agrees -
http://www.healthywomen.org/content/blog-entry/reconnecting-old-friends.

High School Girlfriends - 12 years since we've all been together!

My Sisters and Brother - 3 years since we've all been together!

How to Prepare The Office For Your Vacation

1. Out of Office email....check! 
2. Change Voicemail...check! 
3. Update reports...eh...check-enough. 
4. Emergency Contact...check! 
5. Relax...well, after I successfully land at my destination I will relax. 

I'm taking a vacation, folks.  No worries, my loyal followers, I promise to come back refreshed and full of new ideas to share with you.  In the meantime, refer to the attached article to find out 5 must-do's to prepare your office for your next vacation.   

How to Prepare The Office For Your Vacation eHow.com

What is a Blog?

Everybody is doing it. Seriously... every company, every store, some of your friends, perhaps, have blogs. The video link above gives an excellent 3 minute explanation on what a blog is. Now go on...start one of your own!

Empty Your Inbox

This post was inspired by my friend Emily, who updated her status on Facebook as "crawling out of an "inbox" mess" a few weeks ago. I've read where the looming backlog of messages in your inbox can create unnecessary stress. Who needs that? I found this article by Janet Baily, whose company is Mindful Time Management (http://www.mindfultimemanagement.com/). You should check out her website for other great time management suggestions. The link below offers a great methodology for cleaning out your inbox...so I gave it a try:
http://www.mindfultimemanagement.com/2009/10/approaching-the-inbox-with-a-shovel-or-maybe-a-bulldozer-tea-and-lots-of-chocolate/

I didn't have tea or chocolate...I drank a Michelob Ultra and ate pizza instead. It took two hours to file and delete my way to a better state of mind. I left 21 emails that will serve as my to-do list when I return to work on Monday. I'm afraid if I filed them, I'd just probably forget about them. Now, I just need to commit myself to keeping this practice up. Cheers!