Reuse Your Stuff and Revamp Your Mindset

Can’t bring yourself to toss that ultra-soft, threadbare T-shirt you’ve had since the early 80s? Does your throat catch when it comes time to check out at the grocery store and you’ve forgotten your cloth bags? Do you feel a sense of dread that teeters on compulsion when faced with having to buy retail? Then just relax, because you’re in some pretty awesome company with Alex Eaves. The mastermind behind Stay Vocal’s principle has been inspiring people to reuse and regenerate since he was a kid; if he could influence folks to pay attention at that age, it’s no wonder how he’s become a go-to guy for the growing reclaim movement, collecting awards and accolades along the way.

"Every day, I live and breathe reuse. It's how I dress: from vintage USA made Chuck Taylors to used jeans to the shirts that I sell. It's how I cut my hair: I donate it to charities who reuse it, like Matter of Trust. It's how I shop: I never leave home without my reusable bag and mug (which is good, because I drink A LOT of coffee)."

Alex’s long-time obsession with sports, music, skateboards and T-shirts created an amalgam of reuse potential that eventually spawned the popular Green America certified ReUse apparel company known as Stay Vocal, whose mission has recently spread to redirecting young minds toward embracing this philosophy. His soon-to-be kids workshop will seek to change how children think about product regeneration (not so much toward recycling since that’s still the act of throwing things away). The “Reuse Pro” will drive home his message by having his young audience craft reusables like toilet paper tubes into animals, puppets, presents, etc. they can easily make with or without their parents.

Homeless dogs have also firmly planted themselves on Alex’s radar as he incorporates animal adoption in his mission to reach and teach about giving products and pets a second chance.  I guess you can say Alex is somewhat of a magician the way he breathes new life into what others throw away. But he’ll be the first to tell you that what he does has nothing to do with illusion and everything to do with awareness. Some immediate campaigns Alex is undertaking include encouraging Dunkin’ Donuts to offer discounts to patrons who bring their own reusable cups to reduce ever-increasing environmental damage from polystyrene foam cups; and marketing his “Water Saver” T-shirts as a way to offset the 400 gallons of water it takes to grow the amount of cotton used for a single new T-shirt.

All this only scratches the surface of Alex’s penchant for pioneering the reuse concept until it becomes commonplace rather than innovative. See what else he has up his reproduced sleeve on Stay Vocal’s Facebook page (where there’s a 10% off purchase coupon waiting for you), Alex’s Facebook page (where you can see him make more amusing faces) and Twitter.

When's the Right Time to Get Another?

Few life events are more painful than losing a pet. Companion animals bring so much fun and joy to our lives that no matter when they pass on, it's always too early. Some people cannot endure the emotional void left by a departed pet and immediately adopt another, but others have a difficult time processing the grief; the idea of experiencing such intense feelings again, along with other concerns, may keep them from investing their emotions in another.

Part of the Solution
Setting aside emotional pain for the greater good is a challenge many people face when deciding whether to get another pet. It's almost impossible to avoid the mass media marketing campaigns showcasing all the homeless animals waiting for adoptive families. Reducing this excessive population by just one may not make a big difference in a statistical sense, but it absolutely will make one to the life you save and help you deal with the pain by focusing your energy on the well-being of another companion.

Learning to Rebound

If your kids are reeling from the loss just as much as you are, this may be a perfect time to teach them how to process their emotions in a positive way. Let everyone mourn the animal's absence. Encourage talk about happy times together. Help them understand that getting another companion is not meant to replace their beloved family member. All this can take time to achieve, because each person deals with grief in his or her own way. Once the whole family is comfortable with the idea, have a group discussion to decide when to bring in a new pet.

Cost

The expense of having a companion animal can be quite high with an unexpected illness or accident. While pet insurance may be a good safeguard against some health issues, Consumer Reports says it generally costs more than it pays. The death of a pet can cause significant financial strain when vet care is required, which makes it difficult to ignore the reality of getting another pet right away. You may just need some time before you're ready to take on the costs of another pet.

Grieving of Other Family Pets

Companion animals who have established strong bonds with other family pets can express grief over the loss of those buddies. While the extra attention you give during this time helps a heartbroken animal feel more comforted, he still may display mournful behavior as lethargy, loss of appetite and whining. He may even search the house and yard for days after his friend is gone. While you may not be ready to add another companion animal to the family, doing so can help ease the pain of those fur kids who are also bereaved.

Originally written for and published by eHow

Whose Life is Worth More?

If given a split second to decide which people are rescued from a 2-car collision where an explosion is imminent, it's likely you'll grab those nearest your reach. But what if one vehicle is shuttling a global leader, popular celebrity or wealthy businessman, while the other holds several college freshmen? Would you grapple with your conscience about whether one life holds more value from a "greater good" standpoint?

Are You Better Than Me?
Utility requires society to act on the benefit of the majority; while siding with the greater good is not necessarily best for all, it is alleged to be the most equitable under general circumstances. Utilitarians will argue against the claim their social philosophy is merely totalitarianism in disguise, being there is simply no way to satisfy 100% of any group. By appeasing the majority, more people are served at the minority's expense, an unfortunate situation that often leaves the same individuals to adapt to –- or be detrimentally impacted by -- the greater good.

The main tenet of utility, according to Brue et al, is rational self-interest rather than selfishness, because "increasing one's own wage, rent, interest, or profit normally requires identifying and satisfying somebody else's wants," such as when parents pay their children's college tuition. Another way to understand this is by examining the meaning of altruism, which by today's standards has transformed into a philanthropic definition from its origin of perpetuating the species. This biological reality is easily demonstrated by how a bee stings an intruder, ultimately forfeiting its own life to protect the queen and hive.

Because society is fundamentally based upon performance and profit, it's not difficult to perceive utility as an opposing force to our altruistic nature. So many contemporary societies still endure incredible poverty, disease and homelessness despite global resources fully capable of feeding, clothing, educating, housing and medicating the suffering masses.

That Pesky Moral Compass

Warren Quinn, author of "Actions, Intentions, and Consequences: The Doctrine of Doing and Allowing," notes how the cloud of dispute swirling around this sociopolitical disgrace can quickly spin out of control when emotions override the greater good. Ask yourself what you'd do if you were in the following hypothetical scenario.

Engineer Bill is faced with the most difficult decision of his life: does he avert the runaway trolley to save little Sarah who is caught on the tracks at the expense of 100 passengers headed for certain death if he switches tracks? Or does he spare those hundred people in exchange for one little girl's life? Utility compels Engineer Bill to save the passengers by forfeiting Sarah, yet this does not relieve him from struggling with his battered moral compass. Harming someone is inevitable in this situation, but the question is whether making the least damaging choice is always the best decision.

Clearly, the vast opposition between utilitarianism and ordinary morality creates a disturbing issue within Engineer Bill that forces him choose between the value of different lives. But as Wendler duly points out, "our attitudes in this regard are based on a rational cost/benefit analysis. To that extent, these attitudes do not provide an ethical argument" for exposing some people to certain risks for the benefit of others. Nemo Taylor provides a lasting reminder when faced with the choice between social mandate and ordinary morality: "Don't do the right thing out of some bland sense of duty or obligation. Do it because you recognize it's the only way to truly be happy and content with your own life."

Bird photo by Greg Kowalczewski
Pyramid graphic by Gilbert Alter-Gilbert

Clicking the "Unfriend" Button in Real Life

If you're familiar with the phrase "emotional vampires," you likely strive to keep these people at arm's length; surrounding yourself with those who suck the life force out of you is the quickest way to catch the "disease." As we saw in a previous post (Are You Eeyore or Pooh?), there's absolutely no effort needed to be a Debbie Downer, but we nearly kill ourselves tripping over mental road signs that remind us to emit only positive vibes. So what possible benefit is there in willingly sucking the discharge from other people's emotional exhaust pipe?

Relationships are fluid; many of the people who cross your path are not meant to stay there. There's no unspoken rule that says you must accommodate every acquaintance, friend, spouse or business associate for the rest of your life, yet so many of us feel a gnawing obligation to put up with ill-fitting relationships for fear of being less than a good friend/business partner/family member. Instead your integrity suffers when you fail to be a friend to yourself first.

And yes, you are absolutely allowed to emotionally emancipate yourself from parents, siblings, aunts, uncles or anyone else in your clan who drags you through the gutter. Why should they receive special treatment simply because you share a genetic disposition? In fact, sometimes that's actually the best reason *to* break away.

It matters not if they're family, friends or coworkers; if you're a magnet for drama queens, boors, martyrs, attention seekers, criticizers and hypochondriacs, it's time to make some changes. But how do you expunge someone from your life without feelings getting hurt in the process? Well, you can't. But you can take steps that help the individual save face and you escape guilt. Therese Borchard's You Deplete Me: 10 Steps to End a Toxic Relationship is a snappy, somewhat snarky but completely engaging summation of who, what, when, why and how to purge an unhealthy relationship.

Improving Workplace Productivity With Physical Fitness

Coffee and energy drinks may help get the brain cells firing, but they're mostly a quick, temporary fix. Staying mentally sharp in the work-place is an ongoing challenge for many who reach for these artificial stimulants; however, employees can gain greater clarity by engaging body and mind. Implementing a regular physical fitness routine -- even for as little as 15 minutes each day -- can create a synergistic payoff for the fuzzy-brained worker.

Body-Mind Connection
Whether you're a long-distance trekker who regularly experiences runner's high or someone whose elevated mental outlook comes from boogying to the radio, you're following the same path toward greater productivity in the workplace. Job output reflects variables that, when out of balance, get in the way of giving your all. Myriad studies have illustrated the clear connection between exercise and better mood, a more tolerant attitude and higher collaborative tendencies, all of which play an integral role in your personal productivity.

Timing Is Everything
Reducing stress and improving productivity are as easy as stepping out of the office for an early afternoon bike ride or spending 30 minutes of your lunch hour limbering and toning in yoga class. Using noontime to engage in physical activity is not just a pleasurable experience but also one that handsomely rewards you. Forbes notes how midday exercise is especially invigorating when thought processes slip into low gear; breaking up the workday with a simple yet steady exercise program spikes energy and productivity throughout the afternoon.

Strength in Numbers
The idea of low to moderate exercise during the workday may really appeal to you, but lack of motivation might threaten to zap your enthusiasm. Since some of your co-workers likely feel the same way, the solution is to gather a group with similar objectives and unapologetically use one another for inspiration. Peer pressure alone, according to the Brookings Institution, is enough to drive you toward your goals.

Physiology Behind Productivity
Brain boost occurs at a cellular level where mitochondria -- known as the "power plant" component -- create the energy chemical called ATP. Mitochondria reproduce when you exercise, which in turn generates additional ATP, a domino effect that not only enables you to physically maintain your workout routine but also heightens mental capacity and productivity.

Originally written for and published by Demand Media
Photo credit: David Woolley/Digital Vision/Getty Images

The Importance of Workplace Hierarchy

The need for organiza-tion, unity and consis-tency is paramount to any business or industry to stave off chaos; when a chain of command is not maintained within the structural unit of authority, stability is challenged as subordinates assume decision-making roles. While the idiom "too many cooks spoil the broth" speaks to the need for defined roles and responsibilities along the entire chain, there is still room for a more collaborative approach beyond the rigidity of traditional hierarchy.

Empowerment
Traditional management and leadership practices have evolved considerably to incorporate a more collaborative dynamic that not only favors hierarchical strength but also bolsters workforce productivity. The chain of command doesn't have to be rigid to be successful; a strong and empowering hierarchy positively pushes the comfort zone by keeping the labor pool learning, inspired, and communicating.

Checks and Balances
The system of checks and balances perpetuated by a well-functioning workplace hierarchy helps to eliminate problems that otherwise might develop when individuals address situations meant for management. For example, a subordinate who makes a decision without first consulting his superior may create a negative outcome if he doesn't have all the pertinent information to make that call.

Ineffective Hierarchy
A company's health index starts at the helm and works downward to include what many organizations consider the inconsequential bottom workforce layer. As such, it's difficult for employees to respect corporate hierarchy when those in charge fail to recognize and acknowledge weak links in the upper echelon. Management is not exempt from accountability any more than those lower on the command chain; leaders who rely on subordinates to absorb the consequences of their ill-advised decisions threaten the relationship between organizational culture and its human capital.

Learning from Real Life
Popular culture has been instrumental in demonstrating the importance of workplace hierarchy, with the reality show Undercover Boss being one of the most enlightening examples. A common denominator among the show's featured CEOs and company presidents is how nary a single one is in touch with his or her organization's daily operations. Time and again these commanders discover sizable weak links throughout the company chain that necessitate immediate damage control mode.

Originally written for and published by Demand Media
Photo credit: Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images

Moral Issues About Dating Coworkers

Interpersonal relationships play a critical role in daily workplace operation; without the ability to create rapport, employees may not establish strong communication. Given how much time people spend in the workplace, it's easy to understand the lure of dating coworkers; when those working relationships cross over into office romances, however, the moral component of such intimate interaction comes into play.

Policy
The desire to curb romances with a no-dating policy has increased with the growing awareness of sexual harassment in the workplace. This heightened awareness aside, companies are not jumping on the no-dating bandwagon as much as it might seem; just 12 percent of survey respondents in 2003 implemented such a policy, according to the American Management Association (AMA), with the majority specifically prohibiting morally questionable boss/employee fraternizing. Even with such a rule in place, there may be little legal power to enforce it if the state considers it privacy infringement. To sidestep this possibility, employers can impose an ethics code that more solidly supports the company's stance.

Hostile Work Environment
The ethical components of an office affair can impact other employees if it's known that one or both workers are cheating on their spouses with another staff member. The workplace can also turn hostile once the affair is over and the one-time lovers are not emotionally capable of working in the same space. Moreover, the burden of liability may fall upon the employer if one of the romantic pair files a harassment complaint that's not immediately addressed and rectified.

Turning a Blind Eye
While employers may not be happy with knowing their subordinates are fraternizing, they may respect the couple's privacy as long as the relationship does not detrimentally impact either employee's job performance. Should such concerns as favoritism from one toward the other, arguing in the office or decline in productivity arise, the boss has reason to step in.

Legal Aspects
What employees do on their own time is beyond the scope of workplace policy; however, once the relationship spills over into office space, the amorous coworkers cross a line that takes them into more legally stringent territory. For example, if they exchange personal and/or intimate messages while using a department computer on company time, the employer is within rights to take action as long as an electronic messaging policy is in place.

Originally written for and published by Demand Media
Photo credit: Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

Modern Theories on Workplace Ethics

To live within a given society is to conform to the ethical components dictated by its governing culture. This same philosophy applies to the organizational environment, whereby workplace ethics is an ever-evolving entity that can be evaluated from a number of theoretical dichotomies.

Norms
Cultural values dictate workplace ethics and encourage staff to behave in certain ways. Adhering to these corporate social norms provides a structured path for people to follow; without this man-made construct, companies would have greater difficulty maintaining a socially and psychologically healthy environment. Breaking social norms, such as eating another employee's refrigerated food or undermining a fellow staffer's performance, indicates overstepping very specific guidelines that mandate certain behavioral expectations within that particular workplace.

Utilitarianism
In its raw form, utilitarianism might seem to uphold everyone's best interest, but in reality it benefits a greater number of workers while compelling the rest to adapt to majority rule. Since it is highly unlikely to appease everyone in any given workplace, the utility theory serves to satisfy needs of the many over the few, and may even be construed as a form of Darwin's survival of the fittest.

Deontology
The intrinsic value of good will — behavior that is not dependent upon an outcome to justify its occurrence — is the basis of deontological theory. This Kantian perspective applies to workplace ethics by highlighting man's need to reap a perceived value for doing what's considered a social and moral obligation. For example, an employee helps a coworker reach an important deadline without expecting recognition for his efforts.

Egoism
In stark contrast to deontology, egoism gives people permission to consider only what benefits their personal needs. This theory can create a hotbed of contempt in the workplace due to its lack of social responsibility — being aware of the impact your actions have upon the workplace as a whole. Ethical egoists believe that no reasoning can overrule what is otherwise the moral and righteous actions all human beings are expected to uphold.

Originally written for and published by Demand Media
Photo credit: Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images

The Best Jobs for Your Personality

Many people tend to enjoy their jobs much more and achieve greater productivity when their personalities are matched to the tasks. In fact, career suitability and interest tests are based on the idea that certain individual characteristics are more likely to bring about greater success and job satisfaction. Heading down a particular career path based on prominent personality traits is an approach that can demystify the whole "What do I want to be when I grow up?" quandary.

Learn About Yourself
Finding the right vocational fit begins with identifying who you are by assessing factors such as interests, talents, hobbies, achievements and desired lifestyle. Pinpointing these traits can be somewhat challenging to achieve, given how people are not always aware of all their unique personality facets. Enlisting the input of friends, family and even school counselors can be one strategy for learning about and recognizing your personality characteristics.

Gauging Your Forte
Whether you're extroverted and spontaneous, or calm and calculated, any number of vocations can complement your abilities. Finding your forte comes from pairing personality traits with career paths that highlight those characteristics. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, long considered the gold standard of personality assessments, not only provides a finely-tuned psychological insight, but it also identifies the most relevant career options that can steer you toward a satisfying livelihood.

Career Compatibility
Dr. John Holland's career-choice theory is based on the idea that six different personality types gravitate toward different work environments: realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising and conventional. People rarely fall into just one work-related personality type, and are often drawn to and suitable for a combination of categories. Consider your options in more than just one area to find your niche.

Holland's Hexagon
Holland's Hexagon, a model that outlines relationships between personalities and work environments, shows conventional personalities are orderly, systematic and like set plans, making them suited for occupations like bank teller, bookkeeper or court clerk. The dynamic, ambitious, "take charge" enterprising personality is well-suited for positions such as bank president, lawyer or customs inspector. Having a social personality lends itself to the nurturing, helpful and principled approaches seen in nursing, social work, teaching, counseling and physical therapy. Artistic dispositions thrive in independent and expressive environments where they are free to create in such careers as dancing, designing, writing, comedy or composing. The rigorous and intellectual nature of investigative personalities works best in such careers as lawyer, architect, veterinarian or chemist. Practicality and mechanical abilities represent the realistic personality, which include law enforcement, firefighters, pilots and carpenters.

Originally written for and published by Demand Media
Photo credit: Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images

Pruning to Maximize Value

Tending to your life tree is a pursuit that's all too often sidelined, allowing your world to become unsightly and ill-managed. As each main branch grows of its own accord without benefit of mindful support, it can curl back on itself, fork in too many directions or twist into a repetitive circle. Soon there are new sprigs sprouting from these branches that draw too much life force from the main stalk and ultimately weaken the whole plant. The outgrowth becomes so all-consuming that maintaining the tree is a tremendous and often futile chore with little positive return.

Ready, Set, GO!
The pruning process begins slowly and deliberately so you don't lop off large chunks of branches that belong in your life. Ask yourself what makes you most proud; what have you accomplished -- or continue to accomplish -- that has resonated beyond that one action? Raising self-supportive and socially aware children is at the top of many people's list and rightly so. But what else have you done that speaks to your own unique gift to the world?

Did you choose a vocation that in and of itself betters the planet or human relations? Have you volunteered your time or talent? Are you involved with a weekly book club that encourages you to expand your own horizons? Do you follow through on your promises? Efforts need not be huge in order to make an indelible impact.

What Moves You?

What I'm most proud of/grateful for is the humility that's allowed me to make a small difference. Saving lives through animal rescue tops the list of what I call the George Bailey effect: start the ripple and it turns into a tidal wave of good. I'm blessed with a philanthropic bent that helps me see things beyond my own myopic perspective and offer ways to improve others' lives, whether that's physically, emotionally or financially.

Simplicity and minimalism have become increasingly important. Quality over quantity. Personal choice over social mandate. I no longer have any interest in owning another home. Living and traveling in an RV has always appealed to me but even more now as my sights are set on downsizing. That type of free lifestyle has come to represent the epitome of embracing what's truly important.

Laura Filbert has some additional insights on her blog about how and what to prune on our tree of life.

Read more about pruning certain people from your tree in my past post Clicking the "Unfriend" Button in Real Life.

"Tree of Life" painting by Tim Parish

Photo by Val Kerry

Careers for Hearing People Using ASL

American Sign Language (ASL), which provides a window of communication between the hearing and hearing-impaired communities, is the conduit for many different career opportunities. Hearing people fluent in ASL are poised for jobs in such industries as education, social services, health care, law and linguistics on local, state and national levels.

Interpreter
As the country's fourth most commonly used language according to the University of Rochester, ASL bridges the comprehension gap for several deaf and hearing-impaired populations. Students from kindergarten to university further their studies with the assistance of lecture hall and classroom interpreters, while social events such as theatrical performances and political rallies are more fully perceived when translated into sign language. Courtroom trials and depositions are two of many legal areas where ASL interpreters provide definitive understanding of often complicated processes and subject matter.

Instructor
Interest in learning ASL has grown considerably over the recent past, leading to an increased need for educators. Sign language instructors can have quite an eclectic group of students, ranging from those who are curious about the language, those in a deaf studies curriculum, deaf or hard-of-hearing students, or students who have a hearing-impaired friend/family member with whom they want to communicate. Whether at the beginner level where basic technique is taught, or at the graduate tier where students are ready to embark upon a career, instructors diligently guide students through every facet of ASL and deaf studies.

Tutor
Deaf or hard-of-hearing students who may not have classroom interpreters, or simply require more specialized academic attention, gain considerable benefit from ASL tutors. People who want to brush up on their sign language skills can call upon a tutor's expertise to enhance sign expression and finger spelling dexterity. One of the best aspects of this career choice is that tutors can meet online with students, which allows much more schedule flexibility for both.

Social Services
The gamut of careers available to people fluent in ASL is rich and rewarding. Areas of social services alone offer multifaceted options to help the deaf and hearing-impaired community navigate through myriad health and personal development options, not the least of which includes speech pathology, psychology, counseling, medical, audiology, nursing and language development. Social workers with ASL skills can better aid their hearing-impaired clients.

Originally written for and published by Demand Media
Photo credit: Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images

Gifts for People Whose Dog has Died

Honoring the memory of a deceased dog is a loving way to help friends and family with the mourning process. For some, pet-loss bereavement can be as emotionally devastating as losing a human. Being mindful of and compassionate toward the owner's grief is a gesture she will long appreciate.

Ashes Pendant and Wind Chimes
While some pet parents can't bear daily reminders of their departed dogs, others are empowered by their ever-present spirit. Those who choose to cremate or bury their dogs can keep a tangible piece close to their hearts with a small pendant that holds ashes, crushed flowers, fur clippings or soil from a special resting place. Wind chimes, too, are a thoughtful remembrance. Their sounds can make the bereaved feel as if the dog's spirit gently floats on the breeze that moves them, offering a soothing peacefulness.

Customized Gifts
There's no shortage of opportunities to create a personalized memory keepsake. Some of the many heartfelt options include an urn sculpture, photo collage, portrait (on glass, canvas or as a clay-like photo sculpture), engraved frame, etched garden stone, Christmas tree ornament and scrapbook. Myriad online shops and brick-and-mortar stores offer extensive options for creating a unique keepsake; with personal photos so readily available on social media sites, it's relatively easy to surprise the recipient with a warmhearted gift.

Living Memorial
Let your creativity run wild with thoughts of rejuvenation: Help the owner plant a tree or bush in her yard, scatter flower seeds over the dog's favorite outdoor spot or surround the pooch's photo with a small indoor garden where the grieving friend or family member can take solace. Also check the policies of local parks to see if a tree may be planted there for everyone to enjoy.

Donation to an Animal Organization
Saving another life can be one of the most cathartic experiences for someone in the throes of pet-loss grief. Whether public operation or private shelter, all animal-related organizations have ongoing needs, things they require to help keep their charges happy and healthy. Many groups have a wish list of specific items necessary for everyday operations and for their special-needs residents. Cash donations also help -- and they allow the shelter's staff to determine how to best utilize your generosity -- from veterinary costs to daily expenses. Consider giving locally so you're better able to track how your donation is used.

Originally written for and published by Demand Media
English springer spaniel image by Jeff Dalton from Fotolia

Identifying a Micromanager

The way a boss manages his staff can make the difference between empowered, motivated employees and demoralized, intimidated workers.

Good Manager
Effective bosses lead with a firm but empowering hand. They give employees the necessary project details, then leave them to their own abilities with minimal supervision. At the same time, good managers are easily accessible for consultation and suggestions when staffers request it.

Micromanager
Micromanagers have difficultly delegating even the smallest projects without constantly having to oversee progress. This can result in frustrated employees who lack confidence in their abilities. Micromanagers often ignore the big picture to focus upon little or insignificant details. They may rescind an assigned project after finding one mistake, and require every aspect of the decision-making process be run past them first.

Effects On Productivity
While being detail-oriented and hands-on are two important characteristics of a good boss, these traits can quickly become detrimental to productivity when taken to an extreme. For example, supervisors who assign projects to highly competent employees and then hover over them every step of the way create unnecessary tension, stymie employee morale and interfere with project outcome.

Working With A Micromanager
When circumstances prevent you from escaping the clutches of a micromanager, "Forbes" offers suggestions for mitigating the negative impact. Identify trigger situations that cause the behavior and anticipate what's needed to lessen the controlling response. Empathize with a boss who may also be under the thumb of a micromanager. Be the ever-present and reliable role model, and encourage change by unceremoniously demonstrating how well an empowering approach works. In some cases, bosses don't realize they are micromanaging productivity into the ground, so a gentle, nonconfrontational chat may be all that's needed to move things in the right direction.

Originally written for and published by Demand Media

Job Description: Foster Care Coordinator for Shelter Animals

Pairing foster families with a pet in need of care is rewarding on several levels. The process is important because it moves one more animal from the shelter system into a loving, temporary home. While you don't need a license, degree or formal education to become a foster care coordinator, you have to possess certain communication skills to make and maintain the right matches.

Assessment
The individual's desire to foster a shelter animal is an important first step, but there are a number of other factors you must also take into consideration before approving an applicant. Because shelter animals can harbor residual fears from past trauma, it's essential to determine a potential carer's lifestyle and commitment level. A casual interview with open-ended questions gives you a clear understanding of the applicant's expectations, experience and boundaries, while references and a background check help to corroborate those claims.

Training
The success of any foster pairing rests upon the level of training each individual receives once being accepted into the program. Consistency of daily care protocols and adherence to shelter policies must be maintained by all foster families to guarantee a positive experience for animals and humans alike. As such, coordinators meet and evaluate all family members who will have a hand in caring for the animal, from children to grandparents, so everyone understands and appropriately executes their specific roles.

Foster Responsibility
Fostering is a free venture for those who can temporarily give their time and love in exchange. As coordinator, it's up to you to make sure foster families follow established guidelines such as feeding only shelter-provided food (some animals require special dietary formulas); seeking medical attention only through in-house veterinarians or approved external clinics (shelters often negotiate special rates); and refraining from making any changes to the animal's schedule without first consulting you for coaching and moral support.

Intrinsic Qualities
Foster care coordinators embody several personal qualities not typically required of other jobs. Three essential traits include having compassion and empathy when interacting with the foster families, harboring respect for both animals and people, as well as having an intrinsic concern and affection for animals.

Originally written for and published by Demand Media

Breaking Up the Workday

Engaging in any activity without a break, whether enjoyable or laborious, makes it difficult for the mind and body to relax and regain balance. This is particularly true in the workplace, where stress can be constant and relief options minimal. Establishing a dedicated area where employees enjoy some downtime during the workday is a strategic move that can reap many positive benefits for the company and workers alike.


Increased Productivity
The basic principle of a staff breakroom -- which is "often the most undervalued, underappreciated room in the workplace" -- is for employees to temporarily disengage from the steady stream of daily tasks. It only takes a brief respite in this work-free zone for people to relax and recharge, a combination that brings with it a greater level of productivity, job satisfaction and general health.


Socializing
The chance to step away from work-related issues lends itself to a more social atmosphere. People who gather in the office breakroom have an opportunity to catch up on coworkers' family news or shoot the breeze about current events. Talking shop is also an option that can be a challenge to avoid, yet its presence still adds to the relationship-building aspect of workplace cohesion.


Important Qualities
The office water cooler has long been a focal point when people needed a quick break, yet its typical placement in the middle of the office didn't allow for any downtime away from all the activity. The metamorphosis into a separate room calls for several key components beyond a simple sofa for designing a comfortable and inspiring space. A break room should have kitchen-type appliances, including a refrigerator, coffee maker and microwave; food and drink, such as coffee, tea and healthy snacks; paper products, including disposable cups, plates, eating utensils, as well as shelves for reusable mugs and dishes; entertainment -- a television and reading material, such as local newspaper, trade and general magazines; and some cleaning supplies, including dish soap, sponges and paper towels.


Utopia
Some companies have elevated the concept of workplace break rooms to such a level that employees almost feel as though they've been treated to a spa day during their lunch hour. From mood lighting to nature sounds, plants to distilled drinking water, and cushioned floor pads to massage recliners, a growing trend is to create an oasis where people can refresh with meditation, short naps or light exercise. Another way to unwind and de-stress is to play games. A 2001 article in "USA Today" pointed out how pool tables, air hockey, darts and other interactive games can add a greater physical element to sideline stress and help employees regain focus.


Photo credit: Ryan McVay/Digital Vision/Getty Images
Article originally written for and published by Demand Media

Whose Life is Worth More?

If given a split second to decide which people are rescued from a 2-car accident where an explosion is imminent, it's likely you'll grab those closest to your reach. But what if one vehicle is shuttling a global leader, popular celebrity or wealthy businessman, while the other has several college freshmen? Does one life hold more value from a "greater good" standpoint and deserve to be saved over the others?

Are You Better Than Me?
Utility requires society to act on the benefit of the majority; while siding with the greater good is not necessarily best for all, it is alleged to be the most equitable under general circumstances. Utilitarians will argue against the claim their social philosophy is merely totalitarianism in disguise, being there is simply no way to satisfy 100% of any group. By appeasing the majority, more people are served at the minority's expense, an unfortunate situation that often leaves the same individuals to adapt to –- or be detrimentally impacted by -- the greater good.

The main tenet of utility, according to Brue et al, is rational self-interest rather than selfishness, because "increasing one's own wage, rent, interest, or profit normally requires identifying and satisfying somebody else's wants," such as when parents pay their children's college tuition. Another way to understand this is by examining the meaning of altruism, which by today's standards has transformed into a philanthropic definition from its origin of perpetuating the species. This biological reality is easily demonstrated by how a bee stings an intruder, ultimately forfeiting its own life to protect the queen and hive.

Because society is fundamentally based upon performance and profit, it's not difficult to perceive utility as an opposing force to our altruistic nature. So many contemporary societies still endure incredible poverty, disease and homelessness despite global resources fully capable of feeding, clothing, educating, housing and medicating the suffering masses.


That Pesky Moral Compass

Warren Quinn, author of "Actions, Intentions, and Consequences: The Doctrine of Doing and Allowing," notes how the cloud of dispute swirling around this sociopolitical disgrace can quickly spin out of control when emotions override the greater good. Ask yourself what you'd do if you were in the following hypothetical scenario.

Engineer Bill is faced with the most difficult decision of his life: does he avert the runaway trolley to save little Sarah who is caught on the tracks at the expense of 100 passengers headed for certain death if he switches tracks? Or does he spare those hundred people in exchange for one little girl's life? Utility compels Engineer Bill to save the passengers by forfeiting Sarah, yet this does not relieve him from struggling with his battered moral compass. Harming someone is inevitable in this situation, but the question is whether making the least damaging choice is always the best decision.

Clearly, the vast opposition between utilitarianism and ordinary morality creates a disturbing issue within Engineer Bill that forces him choose between the value of different lives. But as Wendler duly points out, "our attitudes in this regard are based on a rational cost/benefit analysis. To that extent, these attitudes do not provide an ethical argument" for exposing some people to certain risks for the benefit of others. Nemo Taylor provides a lasting reminder when faced with the choice between social mandate and ordinary morality: "Don't do the right thing out of some bland sense of duty or obligation. Do it because you recognize it's the only way to truly be happy and content with your own life."


Bird photo by Greg Kowalczewski
Pyramid graphic by Gilbert Alter-Gilbert

Yorkies as Service Dogs

Lucy - the world's smallest working dog

Characteristics such as temperament, physical ability and size distinguish a number of dog breeds as suitable for service animal work. While golden retriev-ers are one of several popular choices for people who need dogs to fetch large items or help with mobility, Yorkies have additional advantages that make them a better match for some disabilities.

Renting Policies
Having a Yorkie as a service animal has many size-related advantages, not the least of which is that they fall within the strict limitations of rental apartments' pet policies. Apartments typically have weight restrictions of up to 25 pounds, while private landlords who are on the fence about allowing pets at all may be more inclined to consider a small dog.

Medical Alert and Emotional Support

Service dogs perform myriad functions that make everyday life easier for people with various disabilities. Yorkies are especially valuable as medical alert service animals because they can be trained to detect epileptic seizures and subtle changes in a diabetic's glucose level. Yorkies are also valuable psychiatric service dogs, because their portability allows them to accompany their caregivers almost anywhere, which, according to the Psychiatric Service Dog Society, is a critical component of managing mental health symptoms.

Traveling and Lap Duty
Even though the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states that service animals cannot be refused access to public transportation no matter their size, a Yorkie's small stature makes traveling more manageable than with, for example, a golden retriever. By the same token, lap duty is also a special task reserved for the tinier service animals, which provides caregivers the opportunity to physically embrace their canine companions rather than having just the dog's head resting on their laps.

Monk

Daily Tasks

While small, Yorkies are adept at helping around the house with easier projects such as pulling open cabi-net doors equipped with soft handles; fetching the television remote; retrieving clean clothes from the dryer; and alerting their owners to the phone, the doorbell or a crying baby. In an article for the journal "Interventions," Debi Davis proudly boasts that her service Yorkie enjoys pressing the automatic door remote with her nose and helping to change bed linens by tugging at the corners.

Originally written for and published by eHow

When's the Right Time to Get Another?

Few life events are more painful than losing a pet. Com-panion animals bring so much fun and joy to our lives that no matter when they pass on, it's always too early. Some people cannot endure the emotional void left by a departed pet and immediately adopt another, but others have a difficult time processing the grief; the idea of experiencing such intense feelings again, along with other concerns, may keep them from having another.

Part of the Solution
Setting aside emotional pain for the greater good is a challenge many people face when deciding whether to get another pet. It's almost impossible to avoid the mass media marketing campaigns showcasing all the homeless animals waiting for adoptive families. Reducing this excessive population by just one may not make a big difference in a statistical sense, but it absolutely will make one to the life you save and help you deal with the pain by focusing your energy on the well-being of another companion.

Learning to Rebound

If your kids are reeling from the loss of the family pet just as much as you are, this may be a perfect time to teach them how to process their emotions in a positive way. Let everyone mourn the animal's absence. Encourage talk about happy times together and help everyone understand that getting another pet is not meant to replace their beloved family member. All this can take time to achieve, because each person deals with grief in his or her own way. Once the whole family is comfortable with the idea, have a group discussion to decide when to bring in a new pet.

Cost

The expense of having a companion animal can be quite high with an unexpected illness or accident. While pet insurance may be a good safeguard against some health issues, Consumer Reports says it generally costs more than it pays. The death of a pet can cause significant financial strain when vet care is required, which makes it difficult to ignore the reality of getting another pet right away. You may just need some time before you're ready to take on the costs of another pet.

Grieving of Other Family Pets

Companion animals who have established a strong bond with another family pet can express grief over the loss of that buddy. While the extra attention you give him during this time helps him feel more comforted, he still may display mournful behavior, such as lethargy, loss of appetite and whining. He may even search the house and yard for days after his friend is gone. While you still may not be ready to bring another animal into your home, adopting an additional pet can help ease the pain the remaining one is experiencing.

Originally written for and published by eHow

1950s Marketing and the Shifting Gender Landscape

The post-World War II business approach capitalized on family-related market changes. This era modified ideas of who brought home the paycheck, how the children were raised and the evolving notion of stay-at-home mothers. The 1950s advertising industry recognized women as having considerably more decision-making status and used the "cult of domesticity" to market this trend.

1950s Feminization
Postwar years created a tremendous consumption of mass-produced housewares. Consumer designs changed drastically to appeal to this feminine shift, while manufacturers heavily promoted their wares directly to women. Pre-1950 advertisers were not adept at strategic psychological manipulation. However, according to Lapham's Harper's Magazine article, that soon changed as marketing campaigns began to reflect gender-based sales tactics.

Entering the Male Domain
This marketing shift necessitated a greater female presence in the professional sphere to teach housewives how to become informed consumers. Women were quickly learning marketable skills as home economics and consumer science drew them out of the home and into commerce. This push to professionalize consumer culture not only spawned criticism against stereotypical female roles, it also helped women obtain the know-how to enter a male-dominated workforce and establish a new feminist consumer market.

Adjusting Perspectives
The postwar era encouraged advertisers to heed the lessons of a radically shifting consumer landscape by accommodating a much broader female audience. According to Penny Sparke, author of As Long As It's Pink, specific target marketing became a critical component in the 1950s. This helped establish a secure consumer base, which soon became a much greater challenge when defining a feminized postwar society. The upshot was women developed the confidence to make purchasing decisions without their husbands' input.

Shaping the Future
Given how 1950s women were quickly moving away from the conventional social mold, advertisers were compelled to identify with them as unique individuals rather than extensions of their husbands. Men had long been the central point of virtually all advertising campaigns until this significant shift in consumer focus occurred. For women who were bursting at the seams with newly recognized value, the area of social equality was ripe for change.

Originally written for and published on eHow

Gotta Gripe?

Reaching a positive outcome to a negative situation can be quite a struggle, especially for con-sumers who don't always get their com-plaints resolved on the first try. You may be tempted to twist the customer service rep into a balloon animal, but keep in mind she's much more likely to accommodate a calm, polite yet direct complainant than a rude and demanding one.

Keep a detailed paper trail of facts, dates, names, communications, receipts and any other pertinent information. Structure the complaint so the person on the receiving end doesn't become defensive. Formulate your approach as more of a favor than a demand by tactfully asking for how you'd like to see things resolved. Be flexible enough to accept alternative options when your specific request cannot be fulfilled.

Realize that customer service representatives, particularly those over the phone, have limited decision-making power. Explain your problem to the first rep with the expectation that you may ultimately have to speak with a supervisor (or even higher up the management ladder) who has the power to make changes.

Admit to your part in the problem if you have one, such as if you were past due paying a bill and want the company to reverse the late charge. There may be a time when you won't be satisfied with the outcome no matter how positively you approach the problem; in these cases, just stay as composed as possible and avoid making threats even if you fully intend to file a report or contact an attorney.

Originally written for and published on eHow
Graphic by Jack Corbett