A positive attitude is vital for success in both life and business. Zig Ziglar said it best, “It is your attitude, not your aptitude, that determines your altitude.” Sure, skills are important, but you can learn skills. A positive attitude will make it much more likely that you will learn the skills necessary to succeed. If you were to take two people with an equal skill set, the person with the better attitude will win.

It’s not always easy to stay positive and keep up a good attitude. When things go wrong throughout your day it is easy to let those negative thoughts start to take over. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to help maintain a positive attitude. Here are some tips from dumblittleman.com that you can apply as needed daily, weekly or monthly to keep a positive focus.

1. Read Positive and Inspiring Books

One of the best ways to maintain a positive attitude is by reading positive books. These books serve to encourage you, inspire you, and teach you. Reading requires that you sit still and focus, and by focusing on something positive it helps you to keep a positive mindset throughout the day.

2. Listen to Podcasts/CDS

The advantage of listening to podcasts or compact disks is that you can listen on the go. You can listen to motivating podcasts while you clean your house, exercise, or on a flight. In your car, you can play encouraging compact disks that help you make better use of your commute. Listening to recordings from people like Zig Ziglar, Tony Robbins, or John Maxwell can both teach and inspire you.

3. Wake up Early

One of the best ways to help you maintain a positive attitude is to create the habit of waking up early. Waking up early allows you to get a head start on the day. You can prepare for work and start your day without feeling rushed. You can get a head start on important projects before the rest of the world is awake to interrupt you. You can spend time reading or in prayer or meditation.

4. Exercise

Very few things in life leverage your time as much as exercise. Obviously it makes a difference for your physical health, but it also has significant benefits to your mental health. Exercise is useful to combat depression and to improve overall positive mood. Further, if you exercise early in the morning you can go through your day knowing that you have already completed the most valuable activity you had to do!

5. Plan Your Week and Day

Having a clear plan to your day and to your week can go a long way to helping you maintain a positive attitude. By knowing what you want to accomplish you will be able to focus on your important life priorities. A weekly plan allows you to match your long-term goals to your weekly accomplishments. Your daily plan allows you complete the activities you need to do so that you meet your weekly goals.

6. Understand that Things Won’t Always Go as Planned

If you plan and expect everything in life will go as you planned, you will be quickly disappointed. One of the keys to maintaining a positive attitude is to understand that things will go wrong. If you expect things to go wrong, you won’t be phased when they do. So have a plan, but understand that things won’t follow the plan. The plan allows you to adapt to what went wrong and move back towards what is important.

7. St. John’s Wort and Griffonia Seed

These two herbal supplements can have an important role to play in helping you maintain a positive attitude. Many people know about St. John’s Wort as a natural supplement to help prevent or treat depression. St. John’s Wort is really a mood stabilizer. Griffonia seed works to elevate positive mood. Together they are helpful in maintaining a positive mental attitude.

8. Get Spiritually Connected

Naturally this one will look different for everyone, and this is simply an option to consider. If you are spiritually connected, you will have a positive outlook on life. This might mean prayer, meditation or reading Scripture. Set aside time each day to be connected spiritually.

9. Be Thankful

Take some time and be thankful. Be thankful about what you have, who you are, and what your life is like. Think through all of the things that you can be thankful for. Even if you are in a tough time in life there are many things you have that you can be thankful for. You need to look for them and recognize them. The very act of focusing on what you are thankful for will help you maintain your positive attitude.

10. Surround Yourself with Positive People

The people around you have a big impact on you. They impact who you are, how much money you will make, and what you value. They also impact how you think. If you surround yourself with negative people you will be negative as well. You can’t help it. Hearing negativity all day leads you to negativity. The opposite is also true. Surround yourself with positive people and you will be more positive.

At New Life Office we are fortunate to have several Interior Designers on our team.  They do an amazing job at specifying fabric, paint and laminate finishes for cubicles; constantly updating our showroom to make it reflect the our endless product options, space plan for optimal use in work areas and help to create innovate, productive work environments.  My list could really go on and on as to the many contributions that our designers bring to our offices as well as yours.

We wouldn’t think twice about thanking our teachers or doctors for their service in the community.  But what about interior designers who provide a much needed service and constantly battle the public perception of their value?

If you are an Interior Designer that is feeling a little “under appreciated” or “under valued”, here is a great list of “Why Interior Designers Matter” from the International Interior Design Association blog.

1. You are a combination of engineer and artist. Not only do you take into account safety and economy when designing a space, but you also create an aesthetic that can comfort and inspire.

2. Your work improves the lives of others. You design for the homebody and the workerbee, in addition to the aged, handicapped, and infirm. Whether you add light to a dark interior or design a beautiful and healthy working space, you make a difference in the lives of others.

3. You are continually learning and seeking answers. You take CEUs, discuss problems with your peers and research materials. You know that the profession is evolving, and you’re evolving with it.

4. You don’t settle for the tried and true. You push boundaries and discover new and better ways of doing things.

5. You provide a service. You work with clients who typically have little to no experience in design, and you find a way to turn their ideas into a tangible reality.

6. You pay attention to details. Whether you’re picking which carpet to use in a hotel hallway or what color to paint a hospital wall, you make each seemingly small decision count for the client’s health and happiness.

7. You explore what sustainable design can mean in the home and workplace. You’re debunking myths and testing new products, and you’re saving clients money along the way.

8. You’re a problem solver. Each project you work on is a new puzzle with a new set of challenges. As the designer, you’re in charge of making it work.

9. You’re collaborators. You’ve learned the value and benefits of teamwork, and how to process and connect disparate ideas into a working whole. Even if you work alone, you’re never really working alone. You have a network of peers that you turn to for advice and support along the way.

10. You work to change the public perception of Interior Designer vs. Interior Decorator. You refrain from sighing when your colleague’s friend learns you are an Interior Designer and asks you to suggest paint colors for her son’s room, and instead patiently explain qualifications, certifications and scope of experience. You are more than just a reality TV design star.

“Businesses that invest in art in the workplace are seeing returns on their investments,” according to Glen Howard, president of Strategic Philanthropy Advisors and board member of Americans for the Arts.

In 2003, the Business Committee for the Arts and the International Association for Professional Art Advisors announced the results of a survey of more than 800 individuals working in 32 companies possessing artwork in the office. The responses revealed that art in the workplace is a valuable business asset.

• 78 percent of employees agreed art helps reduce stress
• 84 percent agreed art increases productivity and creativity
• 67 percent agreed art boosts morale
• 73 percent wanted more art in their workplace, claiming it helps make them feel more motivated and inspired

“The direction in today’s office interiors is to create an atmosphere that encourages communication among the entire staff by breaking away from the traditional, hierarchical office configurations,” says Terry M. Tellez, ASID, of Design Awareness Inc.  Studies show that art in the workplace encourages discussion and expression of opinions. One law firm even found that art created an atmosphere of humanity and creativity for its lawyers, staff and clients.

Many employees sit in cubicles staring at computer screens for long periods of time. Health and safety initiatives recommend people take a break from staring at their screen. Artwork can provide a well-needed distraction.

“The truly artful interior is compelling and provocative and transforms visual silence into a symphony of texture, color and light,” says Robert L. Stuffing, a designer, builder and developer.  This compelling nature of art personalizes different areas of the workplace and should never be underestimated. All employees are unique. Displaying unique art pieces is another way of highlighting individuality and emphasizes that the company treats each of its staff members as individuals.

Art in the workplace can also show a building owner’s interest in improving the quality of life in and out of a facility. Well-chosen artwork displayed in reception areas, waiting rooms and meeting rooms can put visitors at ease and build customer and community relations that lead to networking opportunities.

Most visitors see the reception area first. Well-positioned artwork can become a talking point and help promote a building, especially if companies display images of their work or products. Photography is a creative medium for producing an office’s original artwork. Products and project images can be photographed and displayed artistically and professionally to create a fresh look and add interest to the space. Investing in corporate art reflects the success of the company and suggests a forward thinking and dynamic ethos.

April 22^nd marks the 42^nd annual Earth Day observance. Earth Day was founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson and was first organized in 1970 to promote ecology and respect for life on the planet as well as to encourage awareness of the growing problems of air, water and soil pollution.

At New Life, we are committed to being good stewards of the environment.  We have been manufacturing high quality, sustainable workstations for over 20 years.

We take the highest quality original Steelcase panels and restore each piece to factory original quality and blend them with new and recycled components such as worksurfaces, file pedestals and binder bins. The finished product is a new, eco-sensible workstation that looks great!

Going green is something that most companies try hard to achieve. At New Life Office, it comes naturally because we have been doing it for the last two decades. Our refurbished workstations can help contribute points toward Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) projects or simply move you closer to your goal of sustainability.

Here are some great reasons to go green with workstations from New Life Office.

• Service. Same day drawings and quotes.
• Value. Our rates run at 50% of typical showroom-new office furniture.
• Quality. Limited lifetime warranty.
• Style. Our designers have years of experience in customizing colors to match your office space. We enhance original Steelcase designs and focus on current design trends.
• Customer Service. You will have several contacts who are able to help with all of your needs. This ensures a timely response to quotes, questions and concerns.
• Peace of Mind. Confidence in knowing that you are being provided with a high-quality, cost-efficient, sustainable product.
• Sustainability. Each workstation diverts approximately 300 pounds of waste from landfills. We will buy back product at the end of its useful life cycle. All metal components will either be reused in another project or recycled. All other components that are able to be recycled are done so as well…a true closed loop system. All paint and adhesives used are low VOC (volatile organic compounds). Laminate is Greenguard Indoor Air Quality Certified.

Call New Life Office today for your free consultation. We are confident that you will be pleased with our outstanding product and customer service.

It’s springtime! Everyone wants to be outside enjoying the fresh air, listening to the birds sing, and enjoying the beauty and fragrance of spring flowers. Unfortunately, many of us are “stuck” in an office cubicle from 9-5, only dreaming of enjoying spring.

Have no fear, here are some tips from Sierra Koester over at Yahoo Business to help you combat spring fever while you are at work, allowing you to enjoy the time you can spend outside and giving you the ability to concentrate on your work.

• Indulge yourself: That’s right; indulge yourself in the spring weather. On your break, go outside and enjoy the fresh air. Eat lunch outside if it is possible. Take a walk every night after work. Walk to and from work if you can.

If you need to, take a mini-vacation where you can enjoy the outdoors for a few days. But don’t overdo it; you’ll want to come back to work feeling refreshed, ready to concentrate and work hard, not feeling tired.

• Decorate: Many employers allow their employees to decorate their offices a little with flowers and pictures. Put some bright colored flowers on your desk; they’ll spruce up your office. Open the window in your office if you can. Smelling the spring air will be a pleasant reminder that when you are done working, you will be able to spend time outdoors.

• Challenge yourself: If you work in a department within your company or work with a team of individuals regularly, challenge each other to be productive. Encourage one another. Set goals for your team and work hard to meet them.

• Company activities: Ask your employer to coordinate a company picnic or small party outside for lunch one day in the spring. Suggest that workers’ hard work be rewarded with commendations. Have each employee write down the name and accomplishments of individuals who deserve to be recognized for their accomplishments in the company during the spring. Then, at the end of the spring months, draw one or a few names out of a bucket and reward each drawn name with a small gift or gift certificate.

• Spice it up: Wear brighter or pastel colors to work. Make your mood match the cheerful spring weather; smile at your co-workers, greet customers with a cheerful attitude, or wish your boss a great weekend before he or she leaves on Fridays.

Dealing with spring fever is a challenge. Try applying a few of these tips to be a little more productive around the office. Happy Spring!

The latest office trend is a blast from the past that I would never have dreamed of seeing in use again!  That’s right, I’m talking about chalkboards.  Painting a wall in your business or even home office has become quite chic with many creative, attractive and functional results.

I know, I know, when you think of chalkboards you kind of resort back to your school days.  From an early age there is always something quite attractive about writing on walls.  You could even say there is something almost empowering about not being confined to a sheet of white paper.   It can help people of all disciplines think through a complex problem or organize their thoughts.  Developers, marketers, managers, salespeople, designers, teachers; all can benefit from this ability.  Chalkboards are becoming more popular in offices that want to set themselves apart for their creativity. In addition to the benefits of being able to think creatively, ideas can actually pop out more because of the high contrast nature of a chalkboard.

You may be thinking what exactly is chalkboard paint?  As the name indicates, chalk board paint is exactly that … paint.  It is applied just as any other waterbase coating.  The key factor when using chalkboard paint is allowing it to cure/dry per the manufacturer’s recommended time (usually 28 hours).  This allows the paint to withstand the repetitive writing and cleaning that follows.

You really can use chalkboard paint about anywhere.  If you don’t want to paint the entire wall, you can tape out a smaller section and create a chalkboard on a smaller scale.  This is where chalkboard paint can be used to express your creative side!  Use it on a door panel, paint some text bubbles on the wall and fill them in with a daily quote, paint a filing cabinet or even paint a small section of your desk for list making.  The possibilities go on and on. Unless you’re in an environment where chalk dust is a problem, you can come up with chalkboard paint ideas in any setting with nothing more than a little imagination, a paint brush and a roller.

If black doesn’t fit into your décor, no worries, there are different tints available.  Benjamin Moore,  Sherwin Williams and Rustoleum are three of the bigger manufacturers that sell blackboard paint. Check your local paint store for availability, and if that fails, your local home improvement center generally keeps it on hand.

Here are a few more ideas for both home and office!

What if more breaks meant more productivity?  In a recent article by the Idaho Business Review, there was mention of a study by Dr. Naomi Swanson, who is a researcher at NIOSH, which also advises the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.  Along with a group of colleagues, she studied data entry workers at the Internal Revenue Service, and released reports in both 2000 and 2007.  

Dr. Swanson divided the workers into two groups:  one group’s workday included two 15 minute breaks, plus a half hour for lunch.  The other group had four additional 5 minute breaks per day.

The added breaks meant 20 extra minutes of time spent not working per day, but Swanson said those workers were less stressed, had less musculoskeletal pain and were more productive than their counterparts who took fewer breaks.

I knew I loved breaks, but I didn’t realize how much they could foster productivity.  You will want to be smart about how you take your breaks and test what does and does not work for you personally. It is important to choose a break that won’t last more than a few minutes.  If you’re a person who can’t sit still, get up and walk around at least once an hour.  If you’re someone who works best by getting lost in a task for hours, you can do that, but take a break whenever you surface.  You could even set up an automatic reminder on your computer or phone to distract for a second or two every 15 – 20 minutes.

Here are a few ideas from Workawesome.com for short breaks at your cubicle or desk.

• Stretch.  If you feel yourself getting squirmy at your task or even just pausing to think for a minute, do a stretch or two.

• Think about something else.  This could be as simple as what to have for dinner tonight or as significant as a loved one.

• If you have access to a window, look outside.  If you stare out at the horizon, you’ll give your eyes a break as well as your mind.

• If you’re going to use the internet, choose sites that don’t offer endless diversion.  Stay away from the blogs with in-depth, interesting content and links to other thought-provoking articles.  Instead, choose something small and light.  Bad: The New York Times.  Better: Flickr’s explore feature, which displays a different photo each time.

Beyond breaks, make time to just sort of space out.  How many times have you had your best ideas of flashes of insight while driving, on a walk, or even in the shower?  For many people, those times are when they get their best thinking done.  Our minds need the freedom to wander and space out in order to give us the really good stuff.  Breaks are a great start, but to get the most out of your creativity, make sure to stay rested and allow yourself unscheduled time to just be.

Here’s something to think about; most people spend over 90 percent of their time indoors where they may be exposed to thousands of airborne pollutants.  Kind of makes you want to step outside and go for a walk doesn’t it!  Different products and materials indoors release volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and particles into the air that may have a negative effect on your health or result in unacceptable odors.  Inadequate ventilation, high temperatures as well as high humidity levels increase concentrations of some pollutants, leading to indoor air pollution levels up to 1000 times higher than those outdoors.  Are you ready to move your

The economic impact of indoor air pollution is just as alarming.  Poor indoor air quality can adversely affect both employee health and productivity.  The EPA has estimated these costs to United States businesses to be in the tens of billions of dollars per year.  By making improvements in the indoor air quality, business may substantially increase employee morale and productivity and reduce healthcare costs.

Indoor air quality can affect your health in different ways.  You can experience health effects from indoor air pollutants soon after exposure or years later.  Some immediate effects may be irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, headaches, dizziness and fatigue.  Such immediate effects are usually short term and treatable.  Indoor air pollution can also trigger symptoms of some diseases, including asthma, dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis soon after exposure.  Serious health effects may show up either years after exposure or only after long or repeated periods of exposure.  These effects include some respiratory diseases, heart disease, cancer, reproductive and developmental problems, and they can be severely debilitating or fatal.

The best way to reduce indoor air pollution is to control the sources.  The toxic emissions from any of these sources are not controlled or are only partially controlled by federal, state or local law.  The EPA encourages using low-emitting interior products and building materials certified by Greenguard.  At New Life Office our refurbishing process is carried out with a great environmental consciousness. The paint we use is a low VOC, water reducible enamel. We also use a low VOC, formaldehyde-free adhesive when refabricating panels for our refurbished cubicles. This means that there are less compounds being released into your office space making workstations safer for your employees. The three high pressure laminate manufacturers we use are all Greenguard certified, and our Terratex line of fabric is made from 100% recycled materials.    

Some other helpful hints to reduce indoor air pollution may include no smoking indoors, airing out the building when new materials are brought in, applying wet product such as paints and adhesives before the installation of dry products such as carpet and ceiling tile, using exhaust fans when cooking, avoiding use of fragranced materials, deodorizers, and aerosol sprays, and storing construction chemicals outside of the building.

Do you keep in touch with your former co-workers?  A recent article on careerbuilder.com advises that you keep ongoing relationships with your former co-workers because they are the cornerstones of professional networking.  If you think about it, it really is true.  They can provide resources for questions, industry trends and even recommendations.  If you should find yourself looking for work, they can be your first line of defense while job seeking.

Here are some easy ways to stay connected:

•  Connect while you are still working together. 

It’s easier to maintain an existing professional relationship than to start one from scratch.  Make it a point to foster good relationships with your colleagues while you’re still working with them.  You don’t need to make weekend friends; the goal is to have people remember you fondly when they think about working with you way back when.

• Use social media.

Social media sites are a place where professionals can connect and share ideas.  Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are a great way to keep in touch with past co-workers.  Think about forming a “former co-workers list” on Facebook to keep in touch.  You can comment on posts and reach out personally to stay connected.  Use LinkedIn to track career advancements of co-workers past.  By sending congratulation to an old friend who has been promoted, you can spark conversations and new business opportunities.

• Reach out.

It’s good to communicate regularly, but don’t overdo it.  Be sure that the bulk of your communication has value for your former co-worker.  Try sharing new information, wishing them a happy birthday, inquiring about kids or just giving them a good laugh. 

• See each other.

Nothing compares to some good old fashioned face time.  Every so often, make an attempt to see former co-workers.  You could attend networking events together; invite them to a party, etc.

•  Lend a hand.

Look for ways in the career realm that you can assist former co-workers.  Helping out doesn’t need to be overly time consuming, make an introduction, pass on pertinent information, let them know about job opportunities or send referrals their way.  Show them that you are a valuable connection and that you are looking out for them.  Hopefully, what goes around comes around!

For most of us, the office is our home away from home.  We spend a good chunk of our week there and are quite likely to be in the office when a natural disaster strikes.  I know, it isn’t very fun to think about earthquakes, tornados, winter storms and power outages, but it should be a great comfort to know that you are prepared for one at the office.  Emergency services and government agencies may not be able to respond immediately to your needs. History has shown time and again that people who prepare experience less disruption when emergencies occur, and are able to resume their lives more quickly than those who do not prepare.

Preparing for emergencies takes only a few hours a year. Being prepared can save your life, minimize damage to your property, and help you recover more quickly following an emergency.  It is not difficult to put together an office 72 hour kit and every employee should have one.   Below are some ideas for an office emergency kit that were found on the Emergency Management website for Whatcom County, WA.

Pack in a portable, weather-resistant container (backpacks work well). Every employee should have a kit that includes at least one each of the items identified with an asterisk.

Brought From Home/Supplied by Office:

• Aluminum foil
• Antacid tablets
• Aspirin & non-aspirin pain relievers *
• Cash, spare change *
• Change of clothing *
• Chlorine bleach
• Comfort items – Books, cards, hard candy *
• Contact lens supplies or glasses, if needed *
• Disinfectant
• Food (see below for examples) *
• Maps – city and county
• Matches in weatherproof container *
• Mess kit-Disposable plates/utensils
• Needles and thread
• Paper and pencils/pens *
• Paper towels
• Personal hygiene items *
• Plastic garbage bags *
• Prescription drugs *
• Rain gear
• Signal flares
• Soap
• Sturdy shoes or boots *
• Toilet paper *
• Towels *

Food and Water Supply Examples per Person

• Apple Juice: 2 – 7.5 oz. cans (flip top)
• Granola Bars: 2 bars
• Mixed Fruit: 2 – 4.5 oz. cans
• Pork and Beans: 2 – 8 oz. cans
• Peanut Butter: One small jar
• Smoked or dried meats (beef-jerky)
• Tuna: 2 – 3.25 oz. cans
• Unsalted crackers: 4 oz.
• Bottled spring water: 3 gallons

Purchase Order/Donations

TOOLS:

• Adjustable wrench, 10in
• Bolt cutters
• Camp hatchet
• Chisel
• Claw hammer
• Crow bar, 18″
• Folding shovel
• Hacksaw & blades
• Nylon tool bag
• Pliers
• Screwdriver set
• Short handle sledge hammer

SUPPLIES:

• Battery operated radio *
• Can opener (non-electric)
• Candles
• Compass
• Duct tape
• Dust masks *
• Emergency solar blankets *
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit (complete)
• Flashlights *
• Leather palmed work gloves
• Lightsticks *
• Plastic Sheeting
• Rope, 100 ft x ½ in
• Safety glasses or goggles *
• Signal Flares
• Tarp
• Utility/camp knife
• Whistles *
• Wool blankets

* Every employee should have a kit that includes at least one each of these items

If you do not have the resources to put together an emergency kit right away, start out small by bringing a few items every week.  If you have a spare drawer in your file cabinet, start bringing nonperishable items, bottled water, etc.  Whatever may come, it is a comfort to know that you will be able to sustain yourself in an emergency situation.