Does your company have PTO Donation programs? According to SHRM, these programs can benefit the employer and elevate employee morale and camaraderie. “These employee-friendly programs may also play a role in increasing productivity, reducing absenteeism, and improving recruiting and retention of quality employees.”
The importance of a name could be more than you may realize. Last night, was our first “Kindness Catalyst” workplace cohort with 20 employees from a financial institution based in 13 different Asian countries. We will be working together for the next several weeks, so I knew I wanted all of us to be comfortable using each other’s names.
There are many things I am good at, but technology is not one of them. I often get frustrated trying to figure out how to overcome these technology struggles. Even something as simple as pairing a blue tooth headset with your device can be a challenge.
When we talk about spring cleaning, we often are referring to donating clothes or items from around the house, refreshing our spaces in honor of good weather and the sense of newness that the spring season brings. As blooms start to emerge and cold weather turns warmer, we are met with an overwhelming sense of resilience. We are reminded by nature that although humans are small and individual, we are all part of the same network, living life on the same planet. We cannot avoid the change that a new season brings; we can simply find ways to thrive together amidst whatever comes next.
A few weeks ago, I read in a local magazine about an upcoming Scatter Day taking place at River View Cemetery Funeral Home. There were two reasons this opportunity caught my eye. One personal and one professional.
I “played hooky” yesterday to fill my heart with some creative joy. In third grade, my teacher Mr. Jones brought art and joy to all our lessons. I remember learning about colors and painting alongside math and mythology. That was my favorite year of elementary school. Let’s be honest, playing hooky has a connotation like I’ve done something “wrong” or “without permission”. I could have said I took PTO for some self-care. But in honesty, I did feel a little indulgent, a little like I was “cutting class.” But you know what? It felt incredible.
Never stop learning! That was the theme of my weekend back in person live with some of my NSA Oregon colleagues. Our leader for the day, Jim Cathcart had so much to share with all of us. One golden nugget he shared that absolutely resonated was to ask yourself the question; “What do you want?” This question determines EVERYTHING. Articulate it.
Compliments from strangers are almost always unexpected, but they also tend to stick in our memories for longer. There is something about someone you don’t know going out of their way to validate, acknowledge, or admire. Giving a compliment to a stranger can sometimes feel uncomfortable. You don’t always know how your message with be received. But if we are genuinely extending kindness to another person, we can feel confident that our gesture will be well received.
It’s opening day for baseball and in my house that is a day to celebrate. I married into a baseball-loving family. I have learned the rules over the years and thankfully my husband answers all of my questions about the game. I started thinking about one of my FAVORITE kindness stories of baseball during COVID. It happened in August of 2020.