E- Zine - April 2007

WELCOME to the PROTOCOL PLUS MONTHLY E-ZINE

IN TODAY'S ISSUE:

Tips to Outclass Your Competition - Respiratory Etiquette

Public health officials are promoting “Respiratory Etiquette” to reduce the spread of respiratory infections. Respiratory Etiquette is polite social behavior your mother encouraged: cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, use tissues, and wash your hands. Protect yourself and others from sharing germs by following these simple measures:
  • Wash your hands often for 15-20 seconds, or about the time it takes you to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. If you can’t wash your hands, use an alcohol wipe as a temporary measure.
  • Have a paper towel handy so you can use it to turn off the water and also to open the door.
  • Stay home if you’re seriously ill with the sniffles or flu, or sanitize public office equipment after use.
  • Forgo the automatic handshake if you are ill. Others will be thankful. If someone who appears ill extends his or her hand, simply say, “It seems you may not be feeling well. Let’s shake another time.” And then immediately go into conversation.
  • Cover your mouth with a tissue when your cough or sneeze. Dispose of tissues in the nearest waste receptacle after use. If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Do not share eating utensils, drinking glasses, or towels.
  • Be leery of doorknobs, pens, telephones, water fountains, or elevator buttons.

    Yes, there are rules for everything. Many are basic, common sense rules, yet people seem to be unaware or have forgotten the simple courtesies of life. These simple things can make all the difference in your success. If you would like to bring a user-friendly reminder of the rules of protocol to your organization, call 405-341-3216 today. My Professional Protocol Series has many choices to meet your needs.

    The Coach’s Corner – What pushes your buttons?

    We all have emotional triggers or buttons. Recently my emotional buttons were pushed by the person who took up two parking spaces AND the woman in the gym shower who left her towels on the floor, AND the person hacking and coughing in church who then reached out for a handshake AND the person talking loudly on the cell phone after the flight attendant told us to turn off all electronic devices AND that’s just for starters. Surely I never push anyone’s buttons J. We’re usually not intentionally rude or inconsiderate, but just plain oblivious to what’s going on around us. The next time someone pushes your trigger, take a deep, slow breathe with your eyes closed and ask yourself:

    Coaching questions:
  • How can I let go of this feeling?
  • How can I look at this and stay optimistic and light?
  • What can I find to laugh at about this?
  • What is the happiest moment of my life? Bask in that good feeling.
  • The Bible says, “Judge not lest ye be judged.” Be compassionate and send your good feeling to the person annoying you.
  • How can I get back in control and be in a state of peace?

    As your coach, I listen when you need to talk things through. Often, just putting things on the table releases much of the emotionally chaos. Examining other perspectives can also help you see things differently. If you want to learn from and move beyond a situation so it no longer zaps your energy, call today for your no-obligation, coaching session. This 30-minute confidential session will give you the experience of coaching. To schedule your session, call 405-341-3216.

    Quotes of the Month

    “INothing is going to spoil this moment…Imagine making that decision: nothing’s going to spoil this moment. Now, imagine making that decision about a relationship, job, day in the week, or…whatever. Imagine applying that idea uniformly in your life.”
             --- Neale Donald Walsch, author of Conversations with God

    “A hero is someone who can keep his mouth shut when he is right.”
             --- Yiddish Proverb

    Ask the Expert - 2006 Word of the Year

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