Claim Your Personal Power

For many of us, we feel like a victim of circumstances. We act helpless. We think we’re powerless. From that vantage point, we believe there is nothing we can do but complain, feel angry and resentful, look for someone to blame for the condition in which we find our self.

Alice Walker, American novelist and civil rights activist, said, “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” Her wise words remind us that in any and every situation we have power. The question is: do we believe we do?

When you feel powerless, ask yourself, “How am I disempowering myself? Am I acknowledging and utilizing my power?” Even if you don’t have positional power, or socio-economic power, you have personal power and the resource of your creative mind. Claim your personal power and get to work creating what you desire and deserve.

The Characteristics of Someone Who Influences Positively

Want to be more influential, at work and in the rest of your life? Here’s a list of characteristics you can check yourself against. Take note of which traits you possess and demonstrate already. And, identify one or two qualities to strengthen or develop. Doing so will improve your ability to influence others.

• Authentic, genuine, fair, trustworthy.
• Supportive and encouraging; shows caring and respect.
• Articulate, active listener who demonstrates empathy.
• Nonjudgmental, no hidden agenda. Interactions are comfortable.
• Calm and steady under pressure.
• Recognizes and acknowledges others’ contributions.
• Forward-thinking visionary.
• Offers a welcoming smile.

Put these qualities to work to enhance your influence and impact.

Stand Up For Better Productivity

You’ve probably read the research and seen the ads that say standing desks are good for the body and help fight obesity. Now, new research from the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Public Health indicates that standing desks boost productivity.

They studied workers in a call center over a period of six months. Those with stand-capable workstations, where the employee could raise or lower the desk as desired, were about 46% more productive than those seated at a traditional desk.

The study reports that nearly 75% of those who used stand-capable desks experienced decreased body discomfort after about 6 months, which they hypothesize, could have led to some of the increase in productivity. Perhaps equally as important, results suggest that working at a standing desk may actually positively impact cognitive functioning. How about that: a healthier worker and a healthier bottom line.