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Newsletter | Holiday 2011 • Volume 19 • Issue 4

This issue: A Time For Reflection

Dear Readers:

As the end of the year approaches, many of us experience an element of stress as we strive to enjoy the holidays. For instance, we find ourselves looking for and buying the perfect gift for those we care about.  We attend numerous parties, many associated with work, so we know we have to be at our best. We decorate our houses and/or offices. We select and send cards to those we care about and want to remember. We have year-end projects we need to complete for work. The list goes on. And all of this while we are still doing the tasks for which we are responsible wherever we work.

The result of all of the above is that we become overly tired and/or stressed.

Although we can’t help you with your shopping or any of the other situations listed, we have provided some tips on handling stressful situations. I hope they will be helpful.

We also have some ideas on how to say Thank You to those who have made your life a little brighter this past year.

Finally, in this last issue for 2011, I want to take the opportunity to express my profound appreciation to the people behind the scenes who have helped The Insight Communication Group continue to grow and prosper.

• Justin Shimko, Executive Assistant, who not only performs the executive assistant role but is our computer guru par excellence and picture-taker, several of which have appeared in our newsletters and on our website.
• Dennis Hamilton who edits our newsletter so capably and also works with me when we do large presentations for our clients to keep things rolling and on time.
• Kathy Rubel who does the layout for our newsletters including finding the best photos to highlight the point of our articles as well as handling our blogs, website, and social media entries.
• Heather Davison who edited the draft of a book I am writing with Julia Cloud of Deloitte to ensure our points were clear.

Most important of all, I would like to thank you, Our Readers, for continuing to let us know when you like one of our articles or an entire issue. That type of feedback is truly appreciated because it lets us know we are providing you with a newsletter of value.

Thank You!

Pat

Past Issues

Fall 2011 Newsletter

Summer 2011 Newsletter

Spring 2011 Newsletter

Holiday 2010 Newsletter

Fall 2010 Newsletter

Summer 2010 Newsletter

Spring 2010 Newsletter

Holiday 2009 Newsletter

Fall 2009 Newsletter

Summer 2009 Newsletter

Spring 2009 Newsletter

December 2008 Announcement

If you'd like to request a previous newsletter, please contact us.

OUR NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTORS FOR 2011

A big thank you to the following for writing articles for our newsletter this year:

• Lyndy Nierman, Senior Consultant, BPI Group, for her article on becoming a consultant
• John Muchmore, Consultant for The Insight Communication Group, for his insight into organizing a presentation
• Teresa Hall Bartels, Principal, Hallbart Consulting LLC, for her wisdom on interacting with The Millennials

And, of course, thanks to the following who offered tips for this newsletter:

Mark Anderson Jane Stolowich Justin Shimko Rich Harris Sonya Evanosky Shirlean Williams

Bob Widlansky Doug Pichen Sandy Hootman Fred von Rueden Carlos Lopez

THE “INVISIBLE” PEOPLE

Dennis Hamilton
Consultant
The Insight Communication Group

The holiday season is here again. Where did the year go? Although there are plenty of problems and bad things happening in this country and around the world, it’s important to take the time and reflect on what’s good in our lives. There are plenty of people who have things a lot worse than we do.

So at this time of the year, take some time to think about those who make your life a little easier and a little more bearable: your friends and other “invisible” people.

Here’s a peek into my world:

• My workout buddies who challenge me to be better than I am and penalize me (in a positive way) when I don’t perform.
• The 11 year old daughter of a friend who reminds me of the enthusiasm of discovering new things.
• My next door neighbor who watches my place when I’m out of town.
• The grocery store employee who tries to look after my 91 year old mother when I’m out of town and wants to make sure she has enough food.
• The scuba store repair technician who keeps my equipment in good shape for the next adventure.
• The waitresses at my favorite restaurants who seem to genuinely like having me as a customer.
• The teenage girl at the fitness center who holds the door open for me, reminding me that not only am I a senior citizen, but apparently look like one, too (yeah, thanks a lot!).
• My friend of 38 years who recently passed away and taught me three lessons: 1) Be what you are, 2) You are more than what you do, and 3) Have fun whenever possible.

And finally, thanks to Pat Smith-Pierce for giving me an opportunity to write articles for this newsletter.

TIPS ON DE-STRESSING

Here are some quick ideas on how to calm down during the holidays.

Mark Anderson, Executive Director, Ohio Liquor Commission, plays tennis. Physical activity is a great way to reduce stress.

Jane Stolowich, Director of Social Services at Oak Forest Hospital:  Identify what about a situation makes you most uncomfortable. Begin to think about communication as a tool to help you focus on the important aspects of the situation. Then use communication to help you turn the stressful situation into manageable pieces.

Doug Pichen, Team Leader, Windows Application Administrator for a manufacturing company and experienced martial artist in aikibudo jujitsu: “After a tough day at work nothing relieves my stress better than getting thrown on the mats for an hour and a half.”

Justin Shimko, The Insight Communication Group, goes for an acupuncture treatment, as it is very relaxing. If he is short on time, he has NADA, which is an auricular therapy.  When he has time, he has a full-body treatment. 

Rich Harris, Metra Conductor, and Sonya Evanosky, Vice President of Finance, Kaplan Higher Education, both run. Rich says he has a regime that he increases when under stress.

Shirlean Williams, Assistant Director of Employee Relations, Illinois Institute of Technology, likes to read books, watch movies at home or spend time with her daughter.

Bob Widlansky, Vice President, Product Strategy and New Market Development, CCC Information Services, dons his spandex and rides his bike.

Sandy Hootman, Vice President for Underseas Scuba Center, took up running a year ago. “Not only does it relieve stress, but I’ve lost 30 pounds, too!”

SIMPLE WAYS TO SAY THANK YOU!

John O’Meara, the late CEO of First Midwest Bank, said the value of a handwritten thank you cannot be underestimated.

A suggestion to make saying thank you with a handwritten note easy from Fred von Rueden, Deloitte Tax LLP, and Mark Anderson, Executive Director of the Ohio Liquor Control Commission: Have personalized correspondence cards as these enable you to write a quick thank you.

Carlos Lopez, personal trainer, Lifetime Fitness says receiving homemade cookies or brownies make the recipient feel genuinely special and appreciated.

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