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In this Issue: |
In the Garden
Photo Credit: Sarah Duncan We are looking for pictures for the PARO Link Send to info@paro.ca | |||||||||||
On
these hot sunny days, you may find working through the afternoon an
effort. Here are some hints that will help. They are good sense for
anytime of the year. Remember,
if you enjoy your work, you never work at all. 10
Tips to Prevent the Afternoon Slump By
Jerry Teplitz, JD, Ph.D. If you're like
two-thirds of the population, you've experienced the afternoon slump.
You know the feeling - it's mid-afternoon
and you feel drained and want to call it a day. While you do your best
to stay focused on your work, you may find that you are not as
productive as you should be. Welcome to the afternoon slump! This drop in
energy isn't all in your head - it's a physiological response.
Fortunately, you can take steps to reduce the slump's frequency and
duration. Embrace the 10 tips outlined below and encourage others in
your office to do the same. You'll find that the old afternoon slump
period has been transformed into a time of increased productivity.
And, as an added bonus, you'll have more energy to enjoy your time
away from the office. Tip
# 1: Drink water. Drink a minimum of eight glasses of water
a day--even if your physical activity is limited to sitting at a desk.
Keep a water bottle handy so you can easily sip water all day. Liquids
like coffee or cola don't count - they dehydrate you and make the
slump worse. And don't wait until you feel thirsty - by then you are
already dehydrated. Tip
# 2: Avoid sugar and simple carbohydrates. While a
mid-afternoon candy bar may give you a quick sugar rush, in the long
run it actually worsens the slump. Sugar and simple carbohydrates get
absorbed immediately into the bloodstream, causing a rise in blood
sugar, which in turn causes your body to secrete insulin to bring your
sugar level back down. Candy isn't the only culprit. Simple
carbohydrates, like white bread and rice can cause your blood sugar to
drop after an hour or two. Try to incorporate more proteins and
complex carbohydrates into your diet--whole-wheat products, brown
rice, etc. They won't trigger blood sugar highs and lows. Tip
# 3: Eat small meals. Have six small meals over the course
of the day instead of three large ones. Eating a lot at once
overwhelms your body, causing it to work harder to digest the food.
The digestive process diverts blood away from your brain and your
extremities. Tip
# 4: Get rid of standard fluorescent lights. Most offices
are lit with cool white fluorescent tubes, which have a negative
effect on how people feel and function. A better option is full
spectrum fluorescent tubes, as these simulate the wavelength of
sunlight. Studies have shown that full spectrum lighting provides many
benefits: headaches disappear and afternoon fatigue declines, while
productivity levels rise. If your office doesn't use full spectrum
fluorescent tubes, you might want to replace the tube just in your
office. Tip
# 5: Take a walk. Walking gets your blood circulating,
helps you breathe better and stimulates your brain. Walking outside
for five or ten minutes each day will give you the extra benefit of
fresh air, but walking around the office is okay too. If you don't
have time to take a walk, run up and down the stairs for two minutes. Tip
# 6: Meditate. Meditation is a great way to rejuvenate your
body. Meditating for fifteen to twenty minutes twice a day will keep
your body continually energized. If you do run into the afternoon
slump, meditating for a quick five minutes can immediately re-energize
you. You may even find that you require less sleep at night, since you
are giving your body much well needed rest twice a day. Tip
# 7: Take your vitamins. B-complex and Ginseng have an
energizing effect on your body, so take them every day. To get the
maximum benefit from your vitamins, divide the dose and take them
twice a day, with meals. Tip
# 8: Listen to music. Music can energize you, but choose
carefully--some music can actually cause fatigue. Hard rock can make
you feel jittery. If you listen to music with lyrics, make sure they
are positive and motivating. Tip
# 9: Breathe and stretch. Your cells require an exchange of
air in the lungs to get rid of waste products. By doing some breathing
exercises during the day, you'll get a lot more fresh air into your
system. Try this exercise: Breathe in slowly, filling your stomach
first, then the chest and finally the shoulders while counting to
seven. Then exhale slowly, starting to exhale at the shoulders first
and finishing with the stomach, again while counting to seven. Repeat
the process three to six times. In addition, do some stretches
mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Tip
#10: Handle negativity. Negative people and images can have
a draining effect on your energy. Conversely, if you spend the day
surrounded by positive people and images, you will feel energized. If
negative people surround you at work, you'll have to make a conscious
effort to maintain a positive outlook. Enjoy
your day!
COMING
SOON! e-learning E-xploring,
e-learning,
e-volving,
e-merging,
e-xcelling, e-mpowering. The
entrepreneurial spirit continues, as we adapt and embrace new and
helpful communication tools. PARO
is gearing up for the fall with many professional sessions and
workshops, both locally and regionally. Some of them will be made
available through the web whether “PARO on Wheels” and our experts
deliver the workshops in the region where local Women can participate
via our emerging technologies, or whether we deliver the sessions here
at PARO
Centre, with Women in the region participating via the computer. We
are hoping to provide easy to understand instructions on how to access
the computer program from home or from one of many outlying community
central locations that we are working to set up right now with our
Community Partners. Our partners will work with us to provide ongoing
assistance with developing business ideas, job finding services,
coaching, and specific information. Next
week, we’ll update you on this week’s PARO
on Wheels trip to Terrace Bay, where we are presenting workshops
and providing coaching and important information for Women in that area.
Here
we are again- that week went quickly.
Hope you are not all as busy as I seem to be – I guess I have
to prioritize. Thank you to
all the women who gave me such positive feedback re: the column – it
is very encouraging to know that women support one another. Getting
back to the promise I made to give some hints on “How
to Handle the Difficult Customer”, I will be short and to the
point, as I know many of you only have short amounts of time to spend
reading information.
-
meet
the customer with a sincere greeting and say the person’s name if
possible.
-
adopt
a relaxed stance, maintain steady eye contact and use a calm voice -
often hands clasped in front and your body turned slightly to the side
is felt to be less threatening. -
try
to remove all trace of emotions from your voice by not reacting
negatively or in a similar way as the customer.
-
many
people forget to do this one very important point and go directly to
defending their position or assuming that they do know what the customer
wants or is asking for, -
repeat
back to the customer something about what he/she is saying which allows
you to have time to confirm your ideas as to what the customer is really
asking for, e.g. “I
understand that you want the room completely darkened when you close the
venetian blinds…” -
this
would also be a good time to empathize with the customer if you can
understand what he/she is trying to tell you, i.e. “that must be very
frustrating to have called in the prescription three times and to not
have it ready in advance each time.”
-
you
have already done the release part if you have empathized with the
customer and the “press” part would be to help them understand the
protocol in terms of policy for your company or store. -
At
least this way the customer, goes away not necessarily happy but at
least s/he feels as though they have been heard. Loretta Loretta
McGregor, B.A., B.Ed. Owner/Executive
Director
Phone (807) 628-8844 Clear
Mediation: Conflict Resolution
FAX (807) 625-0317
Oasis Watergardens in owned and
operated by Anne Newbold and Sara Lee Spencer. Oasis Watergardens
began operations in 1996 with only one tub of water plants in the
greenhouse. Today they have the largest selection of aquatic plants in
North-western Ontario.
Although Anne and Lee specialize and are
knowledgeable about aquatic plants & ponds, they also sell
uncommon, field grown perennials at reasonable prices. They also sell
fish, pond rubber, preformed ponds and cement garden ornaments
including fountains.
The owners of Oasis Watergardens when
thinking about their accomplishments are most proud of the fundraising
efforts they have engaged in and the donations they have made to their
community.
Anne and Lee hold Annual Spring and Fall
Seminars:
- Spring Seminar talks about how to build, stock and maintain your water garden while the Fall Seminar deals with putting your pond to bed for the winter. (Instead of charging admission to these seminars the ladies ask participants to bring non perishable food items which are then donated to Shelter House.) - Every August for the past nine years Oasis Watergardens has been the official sponsor of the pond tour. The Pond Tour is a self guided tour where a participant would visit on the date of the tour during specific hours approximately nine ponds located at different homes throughout the city. This event is hosted annually as a fundraising activity. Over the past nine years over $45,000 has been raised and donated to the following charities or organizations: Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, - St. Joseph's Care Group, Thunder Bay Ringette Association, The Alzheimer's Society, Thunder Bay Therapeutic Riding Association, Canadian Mental Health Association, and this year's proceeds will go to The March of Dimes. - This years pond tour, Rain or Shine will be held August 12, 2006 from 10:00 to 5:00 p.m. The event is a self guided tour, tickets include a map of the locations of the ponds. Tickets will be available at all pet stores, garden Nurseries, Oasis Watergardens and The March of Dimes.
Admission: $3 PARO Members / $5
Non-Members
Refreshments - Light Snacks Please dress for the outdoor conditions. You may want to bring your own lawn chair. For more information contact Debbie Squier-Bernst debbiesb@paro.ca ~ 625-0328 or Deborah at graphx@tbaytel.net ~ 935-2685
Upcoming PARO Leads & Links Events:
August 23 - How to
Access Free Advertising with presenters Dougall Media at the Prince
Arthur Hotel
September 27 - Wellness with presented by Activate Healing at the Prince Arthur Hotel October 25 - Handmade in Thunder Bay a showcase of local items made here - Prince Arthur Hotel
Display space available at August,
September and October meetings only $20 per table (limited space
available)
contact the PARO office at 625-0328 or Deborah at 935-2685 to book your space today!
Are you a Woman with a Disability?
Want to Become
Self-Employed?
Are you a woman contemplating
going into business but do not know where to start?
For more
info, please call Lori 625.0328 or 1.800.584.0252
Start Your
Business Today!!! Let us help you!
Join the Making A
Difference: A Business Development Program
Funded by:
The support of
Government of Ontario through the Ontario Women's Directorate, the
Ministry of
Citizenship and
Immigration is acknowledged
PARO
Self-Employment Benefit Program
PARO's
GATEWAY: A Path to Self-Employment
On EI now
or in the last 3 years, or had Maternity benefits in
the last 5 years?
Register
Today!!
Click
here for more
information
This
program is funded by the Government of Canada
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Do you have
a computer? Can you surf the internet easily? Why
not try our new Pilot project...PARO On-line.
Mom’s
at the lake, she will be hiking, walking, swimming, running,
fishing, visiting and relaxing! She will want you to get
up and get going! Make it an excellent two week’s and she will
see you on July 24th! Jacquie Deb
Coulis - Lifestyle Coach Coulis
Connection Cell:
807 628 2408 Ph:
807 935 2484 Fax:
807 935 2484 www.coulisconnection.com "Connecting
You to a Fit and Healthy Lifestyle"
PARO Presents is NOW OPEN MONDAYS - If you are available to work in the store, and would like to receive training on a Monday or an alternate day during regular store hours, please contact Maria Talarico at 625-0328 or email mariat@paro.ca for more info. Check Out Our Yard Sale! New Items Arriving Weekly Browse at PARO Presents anytime between 10am and 5pm Monday through Saturday Other Services Drop off your dry cleaning today at PARO Presents Supreme
Cleaners
Dry Cleaning and Alterations Depot PARO
Presents 111 N. May St. 623-2200
Biz and Bagel will return on Monday September 11th. See you then!! If you have a Biz and Bagel topic you would like to be presented, like to be a guest speaker or know of someone who may be interested, please contact Lori @ loriw@paro.ca or 625-0328 This program is funded by the Government of Canada
Put Your Best Foot Backward Get more
from your walking workout by putting it in reverse. RealAge Benefit: Exercising regularly can make your RealAge as much as 9 years younger. Source: www.realage.com
The PARO events calendar will list all dates, times and places of events that will be held during the next few months. Unless otherwise specified, events will be held @ PARO Place. Please contact the office at 625-0328 for any information. All Biz and Bagels will take place from 12:15pm until 1:15pm. July 26th - PARO Leads & Links ~ Oasis Watergardens August 7th - Civic Holiday ~ PARO Centre Closed 23rd - PARO Leads & Links ~ Prince Arthur Hotel September 11th - Biz and Bagel ~ TBA
POSITIVE QUOTE : "It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things." ~ Elinor Smith
To Break Free Of Your Self-Limiting Beliefs Is something holding you back from what you really want in life? No matter how hard you try, do your desires and dreams seem to elude you? Have you ever thrown up your hands in despair and asked "What is the use?" Most people either give up or force themselves to keep trying the things that do not work. But there is a third alternative: get radical. I once made a speech which brought a standing ovation. In analyzing what made the audience react so positively, I realized I just told the group that they should celebrate their victories and feel good about themselves. Now whenever I put myself down in subtle ways I really feel angry at my own limiting beliefs. So I say out loud and with great conviction: "I am successful now!" And in my mind, I double my next goal for my business. I say it over and over, almost ferociously, putting all the emphasis on the "now." I say it in different ways: I am now successful. Now I am successful. I am successful now! After repeating these words for several minutes, I begin to feel angry, frustrated, at the end of my rope. I begin to swing my arms as if I am holding a sledge hammer and I continue to say very firmly, over and over, "I am successful now!" Finally, I stand up in the middle of the room and, with all my power, I swing that imaginary sledge hammer with full strokes as I repeat the phrase. At last I visualize myself breaking through the wall that holds me back and, at that moment I begin to laugh-at myself and all the ways I have of keeping myself from accomplishing my goals and breaking down my own inner resistance. From my years of research, striving, working and learning to break free from my limiting beliefs, I hope others will find comfort and an ability to get radical. By Steve Simms Irby F. Stewart -- Have a a great weekend, Maria PS....if you have pictures of you at your business or with you family, your pet or a special picture and want to feature it on the PARO Link....send it to info@paro.ca
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PARO Centre For Women's Enterprise - 110-105 May Street
North, Thunder Bay, ON P7C 3N9 If you wish to cancel your subscription to this newsletter please click here Please Note: Due to the popularity of the PARO Link, please be informed as follows: By popular demand, PARO is pleased to offer businesses an opportunity to advertise (within size limits) in the PARO Link. Fees are set at $20 per ad for PARO Circle members, $25 per ad for PARO Networking Members, and $50 per ad for non-members. Non-members are encouraged to purchase an annual $25 Networking Membership to realize savings. PARO reserves the right to limit content and size for all PARO Link submissions. We ask you to keep your special events and/or community announcements to a maximum of 100 words. We cannot guarantee any graphics. Learning type column submissions must be limited to a maximum of 200 words. | ||||||||||||
