January 2, 2013
TELL ’EM YOU SAW IT IN THE PICAYUNE
2013 RESOLUTIONS Polishing work skills can make you happier on the job BY CONNIE SWINNEY Picayune Staff
MARBLE FALLS — Bill Rives knows a thing or two about getting the most out of himself and those around him in a work setting. He’s been a successful local educator, vineyard marketing and sales representative and, currently, is the executive director of the Marble Falls/ Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce. “I’ve been so blessed. I’ve had three tremendous opportunities in professions. Most people just have one,” he said. “Timing is important but be prepared. You can’t just wait for lightning to strike.” Rives is working with a number of people in the community to share ideas about positive work habits, employee relations and other workforce solutions in a series of monthly Lunch and Learn sessions in 2013. Francie Dix, president/owner of Dix Services, is one of the presenters.
For the past 30 years, she has specialized in training others in organization and communication skills as well as marketing and sales techniques. “The resolution shouldn’t be, ‘I’m going to change my career.’ The resolution should be, ‘I’m going to figure out what really would make me happy and what I can be good at,’” she said. “And if I have to polish those skills to really be good, then that’s the resolution.” Some of her tips to develop better work habits include: n avoid repeating the same actions while expecting different results n attempt to look at your own work habits with fresh eyes n re-evaluate your approach n consider the appropriate list of changes n walk out each day with one to two ideas for improvement n always show up n be prepared “You need to figure out what you
IMPROVE WORK HABITS IN
2013
need to be happy and look for that,” Dix said. “You spend a lot of time working, you need to enjoy what you’re doing.” Rives added that if you’re still not sure what path you should consider, one simple step might “seal the deal” for a possible new career. “If you have an interest in something, start by volunteering (in that industry, occupation or profession),” said Rives, who volunteered with the chamber six years before landing his current position. “I’m thankful because that’s really why I’m here today.” For more on the free 2013 Lunch and Learn sessions, call (830) 6932815 or email info@marblefalls.org. connie@thepicayune
Listening to others is important in relationships, therapist says FROM PAGE 1 Brenda Sikkema-Sykes. “I think you need to be true to yourself and realize what you can and can’t do.” Her best advice involves understanding how others think to improve interpersonal relationships in families, the workplace and in social settings. “Be a good listener. Put yourself in that person’s shoes,” she said. “See the world from their perspective.” Sikkema-Sykes offered a few more simple steps to build more positive and mutually fulfilling interactions in 2013 and beyond.
said. “How you act in one culture may be (interpreted) differently in another.”
SEEK THE PROPER RESOURCES
“I don’t think people need to look to a book to prove they have ‘that’ problem,” she said. “Something educational, like the differences between the sexes, or anything that’s going to teach you something is good.” Finding a third-party listener
might clear up some of the confusion. “Some people may think they should only go to a therapist if they have a problem. I think that’s wrong,” Sikkema-Sykes said. “We all need someone to talk to, a neutral party who is not going to take sides, someone who has an education and has had experiences with various difficulties.” connie@thepicayune.com
UNDERSTAND GENDER DIFFERENCES
If a wife asks a husband what he’s thinking, how could the reply “nothing,” a seemingly harmless response, spiral into a two-hour inquisition about sensitivity? Because men and women see the world differently, Sikkema-Sykes explained. “It’s best to avoid interpreting the actions of the males and females in the same way. You should understand the differences between men, women, boys and girls and how they think,” she said. “Otherwise, we’re assuming that they’re doing something for the wrong reasons.”
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How you “take a stance” can fan the flames of a heated discussion between a husband and wife, a parent and a child or a supervisor and a staff member. “Maintain good eye contact. But you don’t want to stare. Staring can be thought of as glaring,” she said. “When you’re angry, don’t talk. Just be quiet and listen.” Playing the part of a sounding board can diffuse many situations. “If you listen to what they have to say, they may just be trying to work through a difficult day.” Body language rules can change with the audience. “Different groups of people have different ideas about what’s appropriate and what’s not appropriate,” she
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NEW YEARS RESOLUTION #42 : SETUP A NURSERY
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