• Always hold your glass in your left hand when mingling so the right one is dry and free to shake hands.

• When in a networking environment with food and drinks, avoid trying to talk to individuals while holding them in both hands. Eat at a standing table first so at least your right hand is free to shake hands. It can be awkward and messy trying to talk while juggling your hors d’oeuvres.

Please contact me if you have any etiquette questions for the holidays at rita!@transformationacademy.com.

My blog at www.transformationacademy.com has a wealth of communications, image and career development tips. 

Be safe, warm and enjoy!

May your holiday be filled with love, laughter, good friends and family.  May prosperity and success be yours in the new year!

 Holiday social etiquette tips for your busy calendar:

• At business social events, you are still under scrutiny.  Your attire should not be too casual or revealing as that impression will carry back to the office and can affect promotion opportunities. You still want to be remembered as the polished (and fun) individual, not for what you wore. Have extra clothing in the car to make a quick change if need be.

Please contact me if you have any etiquette questions for the holidays at rita!@transformationacademy.com.

My blog at www.transformationacademy.com has a wealth of communications, image and career development tips. 

Be safe, warm and enjoy!

Honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot. What it will do is what some call ‘turning to sugar’. In reality, honey is always honey. However, when left in a cool dark place for a long time it will “crystallize”.  When this happens loosen the lid, boil some water and sit the honey container in the hot water, but turn off the heat and let it liquefy naturally. It is then as good as it ever was. Never boil  honey or put it in a microwave. This will kill the enzymes  in the honey.

Cinnamon and Honey

Bet the drug companies won’t  like this one getting around. Facts on Honey and  Cinnamon:

It  is found that a mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of  the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a ‘RamBan’  (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without side effects for any kind of diseases. Today’s science says that even though honey is sweet, when it is taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm even diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a  magazine in Canada, in its issue dated 17 January,1995 has  given the following list of diseases that can be cured by  honey and cinnamon, as researched by western scientists:

HEART DISEASES:  Make a paste of honey and cinnamon  powder, apply it on bread instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack.  Also, those who have already had an attack, when they do  this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next  attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of  breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and  Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients  successfully and have found that as one ages the arteries  and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey  and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and the  veins.

ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients may take daily  (morning and night) one cup of hot water with two  tablespoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon  powder. When taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and  half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week (out of the 200 people so treated) practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain —  and within a month, most all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis now started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon  powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.

CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water given to a cholesterol patient was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, when taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured.  According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of  cholesterol.

COLDS: Those suffering from common or  severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This  process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and, clear the sinuses.

UPSET STOMACH:  Honey taken with cinnamon powder  cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from its root.

GAS: According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that when Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts.  Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles (where DNA is contained) to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food is eaten relieves  acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a  natural ‘Ingredient’  which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from  flu.

LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken  regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Use four teaspoons of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and  three cups of water and boil to make a tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and  soft and arrests old age. Life spans increase and even a 100 year old will start performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

RASPY OR SORE THROAT: When  throat has a tickle or is raspy, take one tablespoon of  honey and sip until gone. Repeat every three hours until throat is without symptoms.

PIMPLES:  Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of  cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it off the next morning with warm  water. When done daily for two weeks, it removes all pimples from the root.

SKIN  INFECTIONS: Applying honey and  cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures  eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.

WEIGHT LOSS: Daily in the morning one half  hour before breakfast and on an empty stomach, and at  night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder  boiled in one cup of water. When taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a  high calorie diet.

CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder three times a day for one month.

FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, even when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, when taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M., the vitality of the body increases within a week.

BAD BREATH: People of South America, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water first thing in the morning so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing. Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter  and cinnamon sprinkled on it!

1. The need for achievement. These employees want the satisfaction of accomplishing projects successfully and the ability to exercise their talents to attain success they seek. They are self-motivated when the job is challenging enough, so provide them with the right work assignments and they will excel.

2. The need for power. These individuals are satisfied when influencing and managing others. They like to lead and persuade and are motivated by positions of power and leadership. Give them the opportunity to make decisions and direct projects in order to keep them from going somewhere else where they would have the opportunity to do so.

3. The need for affiliation. Interacting with others is crucial. They enjoy people and find the social aspects of the workplace rewarding. Motivate them by giving them opportunities to interact with others: promoting teamwork, projects, group meetings…be creative in how they can be involved.

4. The need for autonomy. These employees thrive on freedom and independence. Allow them to make their own choices as much as possible, including setting their own schedules within reason, and the opportunity to work as independently as possible. If they can achieve the same goals by a different means, let them prove themselves.

5. The need for esteem. They will excel with recognition and praise. Give them significant feedback and public recognition, not just during appraisal time but regularly.

6. The need for safety and security. These employees crave job security, a steady income, health insurance, and a safe work environment. Provide predictable work with litle risk or uncertainty. Don’t the majority of us want that?

7. The need for equity/fairness. Bottom line, they want and need to be treated fairly. They probably compare work hours, job duties, salary and privileges to those of other employees–and will become discouraged if they perceive inequities. Fair and trustworthy treatment will reap outstanding rewards for you and your company!

Be quick to praise and slow to criticize. The result will be evident in your company and in the bottom line.

 For more great articles on professional development, see our blog atwww.transformationacademy.com.

Life is filled with so many questions and concerns right now. Here is some encouragement for those who are wondering about the future:

“I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.” Proverbs 4:11-12

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded!”  II. Chron. 15:7

Not all leaders are in actual designated “leadership positions.” We have the opportunity to be a high quality leader every day, in whatever capacity the day calls for, whether it is with those in our same household or with individuals worldwide.

Good leaders have the ability to lead and follow. They are visionaries. Everyone can have a vision, no matter what position they hold.  They can influence individuals to “do” something. They have a high sense of integrity and use wisdom in their decision making. Leaders are not always popular and that can be difficult at times but for the sake of the greater good they hold their ground. Leadership also means being humble enough to make corrections when making a wrong turn.

Critical leadership characteristics are the ability to be results-focused and still give a hug of support; to operate with a focus that incorporates the head and the heart in decision-making and problem solving, willingness to let go of biases and positions to see possibilities; to create space/environments of inclusion and acceptance; and think of themselves as resources and not “Bosses”.

Leadership Strategies & Outcomes: The impact of Leader has no bounds! An ancient quote from Phillip II of Macedon still holds true today: “An army of deer led by a lion(esse) is more to be feared than an army of lions led by a deer.” Why? A lion(esse) is involved, firm and confident, and scouts new opportunities for provisions. They take position for battle AND they take care of their own. Deer are peaceful, passive and run away when frightened.

Strong leaders listen to staff. Take this simple test to check your listening skills. At the end of your week, write three things – learned from employees that week. Examples: insight about customer, better way – handle process, reasons why project didn’t work. So much – learn from employees. If you can’t list at least three things per week, you may not be listening carefully enough.

Nurture and Inspire: You can be a great leader without degrading others as you move forward, in your career, or as a leader or coach. Always be mindful of other people’s feelings and to never jump to conclusions about their behavior. No one knows what challenge they may be dealing with.

Positive Influence: We all have a need for a sense of belonging and do things that make people feel included. Leaders let others know that they are valued members of the team. Female leaders are particularly talented at helping their employees feel like they belong. Talk to each employee as a human with needs, emotions and goals. Develop an other-person mindset. Begin looking for ways to include others. Caring means a genuine concern for others that can create a more productive work atmosphere.

 For more great articles on professional development, see our blog at www.transformationacademy.com.

You are preparing a presentation to an organization, potential client, or your team at work. Then it hits! Your internal conversations start creating a giant batch of butterflies in your stomach, bringing a sense of dread that you are having a hard time shaking. Here are two effective techniques to help create a different, more productive and positive mindset. Make it a fun adventure as you create your list for the following reasons why you will nail it:

• Write down three reasons why the audience will like YOU. For example:
  • Your audience will like you because you will demonstrate that whatever you “say” in your presentation, you will actually do. You can back this up by actual stories and examples that you have already experienced, ones that lend credibility to your message.
  • You could write down that although you may not be the most charismatic presenter, you 1) know your stuff, 2) believe in your product…and 3) it shows!!
  • You are skilled at body language and facial expressions so you know when to stop, ask questions, or clarify a point.
• Write down three reasons why the audience will like your presentation. For example:
  • You will limit your PowerPoint or other visual aids to only the most relevant, clear and interesting points. This will keep your audience engaged.
  • You will use “we” and “us” much more than “I” and “me”to help them relate…and buy in to your message.
  • You truly care about giving the best, most helpful information possible!!

Bottom line: only allow your mind to run down a positive path, smile as you prepare (it actually makes you feel better) and give it all you’ve got!