THE CONFIDENCE CENTER NEWS

Easy Ways to Raise Employee Morale

And Build Personal Confidence

July 31, 2002 - ISSUE #109

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WORDS OF WISDOM

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WORD OF THE WEEK

*** Compassion ***

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

*** "The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires."
William Arthur Ward

TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK

*** What Chinese parlor game swept America in the 1920s?

(Answer at the end of this week's newsletter.)

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MORALE BOOSTER OF THE WEEK

Special Days to Celebrate in August

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Choose some of these days to celebrate or plan a theme around.

August is ADMIT YOU'RE HAPPY MONTH, sponsored by the Secret Society of Happy People http://www.sohp.com
August is CATARACT AWARENESS MONTH, http://www.eyenet.org
August is NATIONAL BACK TO SCHOOL MONTH, sponsored by Operation Blessings http://www.ob.org
August is NATIONAL INVENTORS MONTH, http://www.inventorsdigest.com
August 1st is World Wibe Web Anniversary
August 3rd is National Mustard Day, http://www.mustardmuseum.com
August 10-18th is ELVIS WEEK, http://www.elvis.com
August 19th is National Aviation Day

* More morale boosters in the Fire Up Your Staff manual. For information Click Here

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BONUS MORALE BOOSTER OF THE WEEK
Recycle Party for Children's Used & Outgrown Clothing
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Children's clothing is expensive and children outgrow their clothes quickly. This a great budget stretcher for employees as well as a way for employees to get to know each other.
Clothes should be in good condition and brought in (on hangers if you can borrow or make racks) with the following information pinned to it.
1. Size
2. Price
3. Whether it is for boys or girls
4. The name of the person who brought it in
Price guidelines can be suggested on the flier announcing the clothing exchange.
The tags are collected when the person pays. At the end of the sale money is distributed to employees who brought the clothing.
To create a party atmosphere, serve refreshments and ask people to pin a picture of their child (children) on their shirt.
Buy the Fire Up Your Staff Manual for hundreds of low cost morale boosting ideas, certificates, forms, etc. For more information go to http://www.confidencecenter.com/prod01.htm

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CREATING CONFIDENCE
Before You Lash Out In Anger - PAUSE

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By Harriet Meyerson

Does what other people say or do provoke you to anger? Do you have that uncontrollable urge to lash back?

STOP! If you immediately react with angry words you are creating an anger spiral. Although lashing out may give you a momentary feeling of power, you are actually making the situation worse for the future.
Instead, use positive ways to get rid of the negative energy that your anger creates.

3 WAYS TO REDUCE THE NEGATIVE ENERGY THAT ANGER CREATES.
1. Get physical - Weed your garden. Clean out a closet. Shoot basketballs. Hit a golf ball. Run. Punch a pillow. Pull on a rolled up towel.

2. See the humor in your situation. Pretend you're writing a sitcom and your situation is an episode.

3. Evaluate your expectations. Are you expecting a difficult person to be reasonable? Are you expecting perfection? Make your expectations more realistic.

Then, after you have calmed down, talk to the other person about their behavior by using this fill in the blank formula.

Yesterday when you_______ I felt _____. Next time would you please ________? If the person says, "No" try to understand why and negotiate until you come to a mutual understanding.

From the Tips Booklet "110 Ideas for Dealing With Angry People"
Only $5 - Click Here for information.

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ANSWER TO THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION

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Q. What Chinese parlor game swept America in the 1920s?

A. Mah-jongg

For Today's Joke, Cartoon, and more Trivia Click Here.

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(c) Copyright 2002 Harriet Meyerson/The Confidence Center. All rights reserved.