1. Take time to set your mind. A little time in prayer, meditation or just reflecting on all the amazing blessings you have does *marvelous* things for setting your mind and spirit in a great state to start the week.

2. Stretch! Stretching does *great* stuff for body. It promotes blood flow, it works out kinks and aches and it makes you feel more flexible. And really, when we’re more flexible and we feel good our minds are more flexible too!

3. Do a bit of exercise. You bet. Strong bodies help build strong minds. Get those endorphins flowing, build muscle, feel buff.

4. Picture your week. Create the image of the week that you’re starting – and see it all going GREAT! See it just the way it should be. Don’t worry, even if things come up, you’d be amazed at how easily you can adapt those surprises in and help make them part of how great the week is!

5. Make today’s to do list. If you haven’t already done it the night before, do one now. Don’t make it exhaustive and don’t make it for the rest of the month. Today’s list is fine. Then find one thing you can get done straight away and get your first check mark!

6. Smile and say hello to everyone (yes, even "them") that you work with on the way into your desk/office/cube/work station. You’d be surprised at how much starting with a smile will make both their week and yours better!

7. Be *positive*! For real! This is pithy, but true. Look at things with a glass half full – heck – even go 3/4 full! – mentality. Sure, stuff happens, but look at it as an opportunity! Yes, I hear some of you thinking that you’re a "realist" or " too pragmatic" for that. Well, guess what! The most pragmatic thing you can do is to change the reality by going after those opportunities by unleashing your creative mind with a positive outlook for creative solutions with enthusiasm!

But there is no limit to the intangible rewards you can give them. These "psychological paychecks" require little effort and cost the company nothing. They represent an excellent way for you to compensate your people during times of transition and change.

Don’t underestimate the value employees place on simple things such as a word of encouragement or a compliment from you. Give them a listening ear and show empathy. Ask their opinions about things. Call them by name, ask about their family, say thank you when they have the right attitude and effort. Write a short note to the employee expressing appreciation for quality work, initiative, etc. When you hold staff meetings, single out individuals and give them a word of praise or commendation for good job performance.

If you take the time to be nicer, you will energize, and encourage your staff. This has many far reaching benefits, particularly during periods of organizational change. There is a real payoff for you, the employee, and your company.

Exercise your role and lead by example. Now that you can move about freely because you cut away the dead weight, use the time and energy wisely to walk and talk to your staff on a daily basis. Share in their world; hear their suggestions, concerns and ideas. They are the people who make it happen daily. Demonstrate that you value the staff members who make the department and institution look good every single day.

With smiles and cheer
They take each task
With hope their cleaning
Is going to last

They move the chairs
And gurneys to
Driving out dust bunnies
With determination and care

So to each one we do
Say with appreciation and pride
For everything you clean
We really thank you

Don’t underestimate the value employees place on simple things such as a word of encouragement or a compliment from you. Give them a listening ear and show empathy. Ask their opinions about things. Call them by name, ask about their family, say thank you when they have the right attitude and effort. Write a short note to the employee expressing appreciation for quality work, initiative, etc. When you hold staff meetings, single out individuals and give them a word of praise or commendation for good job performance.

If you take the time to be nicer, you will energize, and encourage your staff. This has many far reaching benefits, particularly during periods of organizational change. There is a real payoff for you, the employee, and your company.

(Sung to the tune of "I know an old lady who swallowed a fly")

Lyrics by Wayne and Laurel Johnson

I know an ol’ lady

Who cleans at night.

With all her might,

She cleans at night.

But that’s all right!

I know an ol’ lady

Who earns her pay.

That’s the way,

She earns her pay.

But that’s all right!

Chorus:

To earn her pay

She cleans at night.

With all her might,

She cleans at night.

But that’s all right!

I know an ol’ lady

Who scrubs the bowl.

O what a toll,

To scrub the bowl.

But that’s all right!

Chorus:

She scrubs the bowl

To earn her pay.

To earn her pay

She cleans at night.

With all her might,

She cleans at night.

But that’s all right!

I know an ol’ lady

Who wipes the glass.

With a single pass,

She wipes the glass.

But that’s all right!

Chorus:

She wipes the glass

Then scrubs the bowl.

She scrubs the bowl

To earn her pay.

To earn her pay

She cleans at night……..

I know an ol’ lady

Who cleans the sink.

Quick as a wink,

She cleans the sink.

But that’s all right!

Chorus:

She cleans the sink

Then wipes the glass.

She wipes the glass

Then scrubs the bowl.

She scrubs the bowl

To earn her pay……….

I know an ol’ lady

Who mops the floor,

Such a bore,

To mop the floor.

But that’s all right!

Chorus:

She mops the floor

Then cleans the sink.

She cleans the sink

Then wipes the glass…….

I know an ol’ lady

Who washes the wall,

Frame and stall,

She washes the wall.

But that’s all right!

Chorus:

She washes the wall

Then mops the floor.

She mops the floor

Then cleans the sink…..

I know an ol’ lady

Who checks the drain.

What a pain,

To check the drain.

But that’s all right!

Chorus:

She checks the drain

Then washes the wall.

She washes the wall

Then mops the floor……

It doesn’t take much skill to spot a problem. The majority of us in Environmental Services can see the obstacles in front of us, yet only a select few see the opportunities. We need to understand the need to stop focusing on problems and look for opportunities to improve our operations.

I have learned to be analytical and persistent in dealing with problems. Defining the issue and seeking out other peoples’ opinions. Many times, I have not understood a situation at first, then while trying to explain my problem to another colleague, some ideas come to mind. Through this process I have come to understand a few simple truths:

Problems are a matter of perspective. Through many difficulties others will often give up. A confident manager will show team members and stakeholders how easy it is to prevail when they try.

Obstacles, setbacks and failures are simply parts of our daily operation. You can’t avoid them, but don’t give in to them either. Focus on possibilities rather than liabilities and push the limits of what you can do. Take what you have and find a way to make it work.

Problems either stop us or stretch us. When it comes to approaching problems, you really have only four choices: flee them, fight them, forget them or face them. Which do you usually do?

Here are a few suggestions to help you become a leader focused on solutions:

Refuse to give up. No problem can withstand sustained troubleshooting. Work with your key team members on the issues and don’t wait until you are too tired or distracted to start.

Rethink your strategy. Albert Einstein once said, “The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.” Think outside the box, break a few rules. Redefine the problem.

Repeat. If at first you don’t succeed, keep at it. Remember your goal is to cultivate a solution oriented attitude within your department.