Time For Go-Go Juice! - Can Laziness Actually be Productive Too?

Good Morning to all my readers! It’s a lazy Saturday – did you bring your Go-Go Juice? I did – let’s chat. I love Saturdays! They’re the one day a week I get to sleep in. This morning I’m in grey sweats! So comfy! How can you go wrong in sweats? They stretch in every direction you move, they keep you toasty on chilly mornings, and they go great with tennis shoes! It would be great to wear sweats at interviews or at jobs…you think I’m joking? Those who know me would tell you otherwise! Look – they’re not only comfortable, but quick to put on and some are extremely stylish! When I travel in suits for meetings, no doubt I wear the full get up – blazer, pants or skirt, proper blouse and a good set of heals for the meetings. But, I keep a pair of tennis shoes and pair of sweats to change into after business is conducted whenever it is possible. When I’m walking airports, do you think I wear my heals? Heck no. I switch into my tennis shoes – although, they don’t go together. However, I think there’s a way to create and produce “business tennies” to go with people’s suits – especially women. Men get to wear stylish flats that I’ve been told are tremendously comfortable on their feet. Have you seen women’s flats? I think they’re plain and totally uncomfortable. Most have no cush! I picture black, brown or white tennis shoes with big fancy bows made of lace to go with a women’s suit attire. Have you seen Ellen DeGenres feet? She wears tennis shoes! “Oh, don’t even go there!” I know what you’re thinking…she likes ‘girls’. But that doesn’t mean she acts like a boy! In fact, she has many feminine qualities. Do you know who else does work in both tennis shoes and sweats? Bill Belichick – one of my favorite football coaches of all teams. He is the head coach for the New England team Patriots! Whether or not you’re a football fan, (like I am) if you watch the games, you’ll notice that most coaches dress in at least slacks and a dress shirt with a sports jacket. Not Bill! Every single game he has ever played, you can count on him wearing his sweats and tennies! I swear it’s the key to his success! I’m making a point here folks…we spend way too much time on dressing to impress than getting the job done. We place so much focus on attire that it almost takes attention away from the goals. I practically fired a department head for spending too much time on fixing and straightening his dress shirt cuffs than rolling them up and putting effort and labor into his department. We are not manikins to make a department or company “look good” – it’s our performance and result that makes the impression. So who’s with me? All in favor of allowing sweats and tennis shoes at jobs and interviews say, “Aye!” Well, my hand is up – the business world may not be ready yet. Give it some thought. Who knows – maybe 10 years from now, we can embrace ideas that can put productivity to the top of the list while making happy people at the same time. Enjoy your Saturday and be lazy! In our race around world getting things done, everyone needs at least one day to re-energize, re-load and be rested to accomplish more in the days ahead. Good Shabbat to my Jewish friends and family for today and a Happy Easter to everyone else tomorrow! Be sure to light your candles for important reflective time and say a prayer for your neighbor. Be good to yourself and relish in your cup of Go-Go Juice, the most important juice of the day. See you Monday!

Time For Go-Go Juice! - More People in Jobs is a Toast with Margaritas!

TGIF! The end of another week…and a long one at that. Good morning! How’s your GO-GO Juice brewing this morning? Mine needs a couple extra doses of caffeine from being so drained from fighting the virus, calling on employers and entertaining the family. A mom’s job is never done. It would be so cool if a vacation fairy flew down and whisked me away to some hidden island beach with warm winds, a cozy hammock gently swinging under a palm tree with a double margarita at my finger tips. Oh, and an endless bowl of chips and salsa! No demands, no noise – just the sounds of soft waves, distant seagulls and the sweet smell of coconut oil…total bliss. Well, that was a nice day dream! Back to reality. I noticed that Yahoo posted the announcement of record breaking employment increases – apparently March produced the largest job gain in the last three years since before our economic crash prior to December of 2007. The labor department showed employers had added 162,000 jobs for the month. This includes 48,000 temp jobs for the Census Bureau. You can see the report if you copy and paste this link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100402/ap_on_bi_go_ec_fi/us_economy In my industry, I see that Leisure and Hospitality added 22,000 of those jobs as well. Too bad, I’m not in that statistic. But it will happen. It’s all about numbers at this point. Sadly however, it is yet a far cry of an economic turnaround. There are still over 15 million Americans out of work. Slow as it is, it is progression, though. And, now that summer is around the corner, I suspect more job openings will occur as business increases. I wonder how many Americans have gone out of country to seek employment. That could mean increased global business for other countries by an increase of temporary residents. Again, though it means people are struggling and taking the bull by the horns – as best they can. For instance, Mr. Frank Harris, of Lafayette Louisiana who once made a decent six figure salary with an MBA degree who lost his job over a year ago, took his drive and began mowing lawns. As reported by Laura Bassett of Huffington Post, he now has 36 customers and is making approximately $45,000 a year based on price per customer and frequency. You can read his story by going to this link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/huffpost/20100401/cm_huffpost/521620 However, it too, came with a many compromises besides a decreased income. He doesn’t spend as much time with his family and his mind and body has taken a good licking! I feel for him. But my friends, this is what I have referred to in my prior posts…the human spirit is amazing! We are survivors and will conquer this economy one way or another! If you too, are one of the unemployed – there’s still money out there and markets untapped! Take a look at your talents and see how you too, can capitalize on selling what you do best. It’s not the easiest way to recover, but never say, “Never”. As long as you keep at it and try something different, surely you too will have a success story to share. It’s time for another fill up – enjoy your day wherever you are. Tap yourself on the back for making it through another day. And, put Island Napping on the top of your list – that way, what you work towards, just might get you to where you want to go.

Time For Go-Go Juice! - Giant Sea Creatures Attack California's Coast Line!

Wow – my morning has been tied to CNN’s breaking news – a huge weather pattern has developed off the south coast of California near San Diego and while the waves have hit a record breaking 15ft in heighth, the rumbling of water has pulled up some deep sea creatures that make the sharks look timid. According to the news, beaches will be closed while these animals are gathered up by California’s Department of Fish and Game. Huge and grotesque, beach residents are wondering what the heck they are – Water Dust Mites? Deep Sea Cockroaches? Enormous Poisonous Pill Bugs? Actually, the department calls them, Giant Isopod (Bathynomus Giganteus). Officials are warning the public to avoid the ever so popular beaches until they can control the situation. My cousin lives in that area…I wonder what she thinks? Copy and Paste this link to see the creatures! http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahooeditorspicks/galleries/72157623618461809 But consider yourself warned as the photos can be horrifying.

Good Morning my friend. Did you check out that site? Ha, made you look! Well, the animal is real and was pulled up from the depths of the ocean and yes, it appears that Southern California is going to get some heavy showers and lightening over the next 24 hours, but the beaches are still open – providing you want to play in the rain. The tea leaves in my Go-Go Juice said to have a little fun this morning. Happy April Fool’s day. Tomorrow marks Good Friday and Peter Cottontail makes his way through the forest carrying loads of colored eggs, chocolate and marshmallow goop by Sunday for Easter. My little Melissa (she’s 3-yrs old) will have a blast! But what’s funny is that I actually felt some sorrow when my 18 year old told me she would not be participating in an Egg Hunt this year. Now – once she turned 12 long ago, I told her she was too old for Egg Hunts, but each year she’s insisted on participating – that she’s never too old or too big to find the sweet goodness of chocolate bunnies and fruity jelly beans at Easter, until now. Folks – my little girl has finally grown up. :( Oh my. The emotional tug-o-wars of being a mom, really sucks. I should be celebrating – 1 kid will soon be out of the nest with 4 still to go. What am I thinking? This is a time of celebration – a time to rejoice in the resurrection of parental freedom – she’ll be responsible for herself! She will get a job and pay her own bills! She can sleep whatever hours she wants in her own home – which won’t disturb me! And then, when she gets sick…oh, well, who will cook her up some soup? Who will help tuck her warmly into bed and ensure she’s wearing cozy socks on her feet? And, if she gets hurt, who will kiss her boo-boo? Oh, crap! Well, maybe I can convince her to hang around for a little longer. Ya, right – not only will she laugh at that idea, but no doubt Dad will keep his arm around me tight while kissing his daughter and giving her a departing gift as he guides her out the door. Lol. Now, how did I get onto this depressing subject? Oh yea, happy go-lucky Egg Hunts. Well, if you have kids, be sure you give them a hug today! Time flies and then they’re gone. And moms, because your babies are gone, you may find yourself buying Egg decorations at Wal-Mart just to cheer yourself up to remind you of your children’s past, the fond memories that will only suck you back into depression – the very reason you bought all that stuff as prevention. Oh – well, I think I’m going to go back to the mighty Giant Isopod pictures and change out the liquid in my Go-Go Juice! I need some new thoughts. Enjoy your day! And don’t get too mad at your friend who threw the “Kick Me” sign on your back.