Archive for December, 2018

It’s no secret that I’m a planner and journaling junkie.

Posted December 18, 2018 By Frank Strona

In fact, I’ve written about my love of journals in the past… 

Not mention how useful they can be for the professional as well as the those recovering from illness or setbacks. I have collected many different styles over the years.  Some end up as favorites and some I had less than stellar experience within the style,  from expensive to handmade, limited edition finds. I even go so far as to create decorative bookmarks and planner/binder keepers for friends and clients from random thrift store finds.

In the last two years, there’s been an influx of electronic versions adaptable for both the laptop and the mobile device. Many of which offer monthly subscriptions as well as an annual or limited free plan. I dabbled in a few of them as well.

But in the end, “I keep coming back to the reality that I still like mapping out my ideas using pen and paper.” I even have this year’s personal planner/journal ready to go on January 1, 2019. It is one I picked up in August from TEDxProvincetown when I did the recent TEDx talk on size, body Image and how we shape our social success and yes, that is the repurposing of an old school record as the cover.

Well, it seems I am not the only one.

This is exactly why,  much like the search for the perfect fitting pair of underwear or favorite pair of footwear, I’m always on the search and often meet up with folks who express the same need for a “fix”. Now, before you say – “ah this is an affiliate promotion“, it’s not. It’s just my geeking way of saying “I found a new one!”.

The newest kid due out and currently in Kickstarter phase is called The Content Creators Planner. My promotion of the Content Creators Planner is not as a paid affiliate or is being offered because of samples or promo material. I mention it because I really felt that it spoke to me and my need to balance how I create content. According it’s developers Kim Doyle and Jodi Hersh it can help those of us looking for more balance and adaptable support to create a strategy that supports our creative and business goals.

The elements in the Content Creators Planner is said to help it’s users “define our goals, map out our content strategy, shape content, schedule it and measure it!“

After listening to Kim and Jodi’s pitch and seeing how strong they are with content development themselves, with only 16 days left in the Kickstarter, I figured now was the time to get mine. If you are looking for an “I deserve it gift” for yourself or someone else – the Content Creators Planner is a definite “try it” for those of us looking to capture and wrangle our content creation using old-school pen and paper coupled with designs coming from content creators themselves.

Check out The Content Creators Planner Kickstarter page, the website or the Content Creators Facebook Group. Kim also has a great podcast called The Kim Doyal Show

 

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Tips for Returning to Work After an Extended Break

Posted December 13, 2018 By GuestSpot

While the causes of extended work breaks can vary, it’s no secret that returning to work after an absence can be tricky. There are many factors that can contribute to an inability to work, including a physical or mental disability, an injury, chronic fatigue, or even stress. As you prepare to return to work, you may be experiencing feelings such as stress, anxiety, excitement, or nervousness. All of these feelings are normal and valid, but there are several things you can do to ensure that your return to the workplace goes smoothly.

Make Sure You Are Really Ready

There are many reasons people have to take a break from working. Some are more personal than others. As such you should make sure that whatever took you out of the workforce for a time is resolved. As this work injury consultant explains, many work-related injuries affect your ability to do your job, or future employment, and even small injuries can become more debilitating over time. So it’s important that things are resolved. If there was a workplace accident that caused it, make sure any personal feelings against your company you may have won’t affect your ability to work. If your break was caused by a physical injury, make sure your job understands your physical capabilities and will accommodate.

Prepare Yourself Mentally

Make sure you prepare mentally for returning to work. Understand that, although there are many causes of extended work breaks, your coworkers may ask you for specific information. Decide how much information — if any — you plan to share. Keep in mind that office dynamics may have shifted or changed while you were away. This can be a bit tricky to deal with, but learning to interact with your office coworkers once again is important.

Understand Your Current Duties

If office policies or procedures changed while you were away, make sure you brush up on your current duties. Try to develop an understanding of what is expected of you as quickly as possible. This will help reduce stress, anxiety, and frustration as you begin to navigate your office once more.

Focus on the Job

While it can be easy to feel overwhelmed with your return to work or with your coworkers, try to focus on the job at hand as much as possible. When you focus on completing your work efficiently and properly, you won’t be worried about what people are thinking or how frustrated you feel over your return to the workplace. This health and wellness specialist explains, if you focus on your work and do a good job there are many health benefits! People who work hard, and feel they accomplish good work at their job tend to be less stressed and have greater job satisfaction.

Reassure Yourself

Sometimes, taking an extended work break can be a confidence shaker. You might feel anxious about the idea of returning to your old job. Maybe you question yourself. This is okay! These feelings are normal, so it’s important that you focus on reassuring yourself. Remind yourself that you’re good at your job and that you were hired for a reason. When you focus on your credentials and abilities, you’ll begin to feel more confident in your position.

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p style=”padding-left: 30px;”>No matter what type of job you have, remember that returning to work can bring with it many different emotions and feelings. Regardless of what you’ve gone through, it’s possible to return to work and to feel great about it. Just remember to take things one day at a time.

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