Be Still!

I have always loved the Bible verse, “Be still and know that I am God.” Yet, how rarely do I practice it! We all get so busy with life that too often we run around the maze without thinking about where we are really going and why. I have been blessed to be on the National Advisory Cabinet for Guideposts and recently heard a thought-provoking talk by Rev. Paul Everett, who is married to Maggie Peale, Norman Vincent Peale’s daughter. It was titled “The Divine Nudge” and was about how many times God brings people into our thoughts and yet so often we fail to take time to listen and act on those “nudges.” We are just too busy! And because of that, we miss precious times of ministering and sharing and growing. The same is true for “listening” about the direction of our lives.

He quoted from the works of Henri Nowen, one of my favorite Christian writers:

“…Activities that can give us our routines and our security can also block out the ‘voice’ of correction and change…..we should be still – still in order to evaluate and hear. Thus a far greater challenge is not to DO, but to BE in the pace where we can hear; not hear the old and familiar, but to hear again what God thinks about our life’s direction, priorities, and activities, and to hear again what our heart is saying. This is often difficult for us. It is a struggle.

Yet hear new things we must! For we cannot simply continue to plunge headlong into the incessant round of activities that are no longer part of God’s creation for our lives and that no longer express our creativity and our central concerns.”

I have been thinking a lot about this concept recently. Each year I choose a theme for my year, and this year I chose “Rebuilding Relationships.” It is amazing to me how, when I AM listening, God has opened so many doors for me, out of my routine, to do just that. He has brought people from my past back into contact with me, He has given me extra time at home to schedule special sharing time with people I care about or want to know better, and He has provided work trips that will allow me to see people I love all over the country this year. Best of all, He has helped me give myself permission to have fun, too!

I have listened and made some changes in my life — I joined the Healthplex associated with the hospital here and am working out three times a week. (I have always walked on the beach and swum a mile in the pool when I was in town, but now I have something I can do even on the road, and I love that it is all computerized, so I can SEE my progress!) I have started sorting through papers and clothes and all those things that take up space in our lives. And most of all, I have taken a new attitude toward my work. Although I have a deep sense of mission about what I am doing, I have finally listened to the message that I do not have to do everything for everyone, and I do not have to work 18 hours a day when I am home.

I AM listening. Are you?????

Blessings,
Barbara

To learn more about Barbara’s work go to www.barbaraglanz.com.

Easter Groaners

A speaker friend just sent me these Easter groaners. Since this is Easter week, I thought I would share them with you to add a smile to your day:

How does the Easter Bunny stay fit? EGG-xercise and HARE-robics!
What’s the difference between a counterfeit dollar bill and a crazy rabbit? One is bad money, the other is a mad bunny!
Why did the Easter egg hide? He was a little chicken!
Why shouldn’t you tell an Easter egg a joke? It might crack up!
What’s yellow, has long ears, and grows on trees? The Easter Bunana!
How can you tell where the Easter Bunny has been? Eggs (X) marks the spot!
How do you catch the Easter Bunny? Hide in a bush and make a noise like a carrot!
What do you call a rabbit that tells good jokes? A funny bunny!
What’s the best way to send a letter to the Easter Bunny? Hare mail!
How does the Easter Bunny travel? By hare plane!
What did the rabbit say to the carrot? It’s been nice gnawing you!
How do you know carrots are good for your eyes? Have you ever seen a rabbit wearing glasses?
Why did the bunny go to the dance? To do the bunny hop!
What kinds of books do bunnies like? Ones with hoppy endings!
Why is a bunny the luckiest animal in the world? Because it has four rabbit’s feet!
What happened when the Easter Bunny met the rabbit of his dreams? They lived hoppily ever after!
Why did the Easter Bunny cross the road? Because the chicken had his Easter eggs!
Why did the Easter Bunny cross the road? To prove he wasn’t chicken!
What do you call a dumb bunny? A hare brain!

Oh, my, did you groan???? Have a blessed Easter.
Barbara

To learn more about Barbara’s serious work, go to www.barbaraglanz.com

NEW RESEARCH ON APPRECIATION

I recently received a copy of a global study that reveals “appreciating great work accelerates engagement significantly across cultures, across industries, across the world.”

Engagement is a measure of human potential. QUESTION: How much of a person’s effort, energy, and imagination are you getting for your money?

Opportunity and well-being are critical to a person plugging into their job. A 2008 Global Recognition Study conducted for O.C. Tanner by professional services firm Towers Perrin interviewed 10,333 people from thousands of companies in 13 different countries. The study confirmed that when opportunity and well-being rank high, engagement ranks high as well (even with low appreciation) at an impressive 77%. But as impressive as that is, the study shows that appreciating great work can take an already good engagement score and make it great:

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT
Low opportunity companies 35%
Low opportunity companies with appreciation 56%
High opportunity companies 77%
High opportunity companies with appreciation 92%

Trust is another major factor in engagement–so much so that the study showed a 35% to 65% difference in engagement between low trust and high trust companies without appreciation. The real surprise is that adding appreciation boosts engagement in low trust companies up to 63% — nearly the same as companies where trust is high, indicating that before a company spends money developing other management skills, it might just pay to turn on appreciation!

TEAM ENGAGEMENT
Low trust companies 35%
Low trust companies with appreciation 63%
High trust companies 65%
High trust companies with appreciation 91%

Communication is a known path to engaging people’s hearts and minds. But as important as communication is, the study revealed that people are just as engaged at low communication companies that appreciate as at high communication companies that don’t. If your company is good at communication, it can still capture 24% more of people’s drive, energy, and potential by adding appreciation.

TALENT ENGAGEMENT
Low communication companies 39%
Low communication companies with appreciation 69%
High communication companies 68%
High communication companies with appreciation 92%

This study sheds new light on employee engagement. From country to country, scores were always consistently higher with appreciation than without, proving the power of this skill. AND it does not have to cost any money!

To learn more about Barbara’s powerful presentation on “The Simple Truths of Appreciation and Recognition,” go to www.barbaraglanz.com/programs. To order Barbara’s book, “The Simple Truths of Appreciation — How Each of Us Can Choose to Make a Difference,” go to www.barbaraglanz.com/books.php3.

stofapprcover4

Giving Back in Today’s Economy

Dear Barbara,

Earlier today someone shared the “Johnny the Bagger®” video with me, and I was absolutely moved. You see, I had been festering over whether to take the best course I’ve ever created on relationship marketing and give it away for free as my way of helping business professionals through these tough economic times. I had even set up a page to give resale rights to chambers of commerce, available at www.buildyourchamber.com.

Everyone I had spoken to before watching the video had told me not to do it, but I was undecided until I watched the video. After hearing Johnny’s story I immediately decided to give this 12 hour course away for free to anyone who wants it. It’s the least I can do after what Johnny gave.

Thanks for sharing such an inspiring story. You and Johnny are both magnificent!

Warmest regards,
Glenn K. Garnes

With Glenn’s permission I am sharing this note with you to encourage you to think of ways you can share your expertise, experience, and knowledge to help make it a little easier for others who are struggling today. I have decided to volunteer to speak in Chicago in June at a fundraiser for MS. I was trying to decide if I could handle that in my busy schedule, and Glenn’s note encouraged me to make the final decision. I hope it will encourage you, too. Thanks, Glenn, for making my day, and for being willing to “be a Johnny!”

To view the full “Johnny the Bagger®” movie, go to www.barbaraglanz.com/johnny.

Where In The World Is Barbara? Part 4

Monday, March 16. Barbara takes a train to historical Machu Picchu. She explores ithe Incan ruins that remained largely undiscovered until a 1911 archaeological find by Hiram Bingham. The Inkaterra Mach Picchu Hotel hosts Barbara’s group for the night.

Tuesday, March 17. Barbara spends the morning continuing her exploration of Machu Picchu. After lunch, the train travels through the Peruvian Andes to Cuzco’s Hotel Libertador for the night.

Wednesday, March 18. Barbara tourcs Cuzco and the Incan ruins of Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park.

Thursday, March 19. Barbara flies to Lima to check in to the Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel. She spends the afternoon touring Lima’s Plaza Mayor, the Archbishop’s Palace, San Francisco Monastery, and Casa Luna.

Friday, March 20. Barbara’s long adventure concludes with a flight from Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima back home to Sarasota, Florida!

Where In The World Is Barbara? Part 3

Thursday, March 12. Barbara explores Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos. Sites to behold include vermillion flycatchers, woodpecker finches, and the famous Galapagos giant tortoise. After lunch, Barbara tours the Charles Darwin Research Station.

Friday, March 13. Barbara’s last day on the M.V. Santa Cruz. The ship disembarks in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal. She visits the San Cristobal Interpretation Center and tours the Puerto Baquerizo Moreno for shopping and lunch. Barbara checks into the Hilton Colon Hotel in Guayaquil and spends the remainder of the day visiting Bolivar Park and the famous statue of Simon Bolivar.

Saturday, March 14. Barbara flies to Lima, Peru for the second half of the excursion and spends the night at the Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel.

Sunday, March 15. Barbara travels to Cuzco and the Urubamba Valley. She shops at the Pisac market and visits the village of Ollantaytambo, and spends the night at the Sonesta Posada del Inca Hotel.

Monday will include a tour of the famous ruins of Machu Picchu!

Where In The World Is Barbara? Part 2

Saturday, March 7. Barbara tours Quito, the capital city of Ecuador. Sites to behold include the Museum of Banco Central del Ecuador and the UNESCO World Heritage site. She visits the Church of La Compania de Jesus, the Church of San Francisco, and the carving of the winged Virgin of Quito.

Sunday, March 8. Barbara heads into the Ecuadorian Andes to Calderon. Crossing the equator, Barbara visits Otavalo’s textile markets and villages in Peguche, where Incan crafts are made and sold. Lunch is served at La Mirage.

Monday, March 9. Barbara boards the M.V. Santa Cruz, lunching on the ship and cruising the northern shores of Santa Cruz. A walking tour of Dragon Hill lasts through a beautiful afteroon.

Tuesday, March 10. Barbara explores the volcanic island of Bartolome. Pinnacle Rock is located on the island. Sites to behold include Galapagos penguins, large schools of fish, Galapagos hawks and herons, and sally lightfoot crabs. Sea lions, seals, marine iguanas and turtles are visible throughout the island.

Wednesday, March 11. Barbara visits Rabida Island and North Seymour Island. Sea lions, marine iguanas, flamingos, Darwin’s famous finches, and blue-footed boobies are all inhabitants of the island.

Thursday will include an excursion to Santa Cruz Island!

Where In The World Is Barbara? Part 1

On Friday, March 6, Barbara left for South America on a 15-day tour.

Friday night and Saturday, Barbara stayed at the Hilton Colon Hotel in Quito, Ecuador. Saturday, she toured the city of Quito and headed on Sunday to Calderon, in the Ecuadorian Andes, for shopping and site-seeing!

“LOST AND FOUND” REVISITED

WE NEED YOUR STORIES!

Ever since I posted the blog, “Lost and Found,” just a few days ago about Sister Elizabeth Deceased and how she is committed to helping you find things that are lost, I have had a number of delightful emails of people sharing their stories about what she has helped them find. As I was telling a friend some of the stories tonight, he suggested that I write a book about them to memorialize Sister Elizabeth and at the same time give people a humorous but practical view of Heaven and the work we have to do IF we are lucky enough to “get in!”
😉

Therefore, I am asking you to send your stories by email to bglanz@barbaraglanz.com . Sister Elizabeth has found everything from checkbooks and keys, money and documents, to houses and jobs, so do not give up hope if you are someone who has lost something important. Just say a prayer to Sister Elizabeth and then let us know what happens.

Here is a picture of her gravestone sent to me yesterday by my sister-in-law who was in the convent with her. Miracles have happened all because of a forgetful nun in Indiana!

Happy Finding!
Blessings,

Barbara

Featured Article

SPREAD CONTAGIOUS ENTHUSIASM–Tips to Rebuild Employee Morale
by Barbara A. Glanz

Note: Although this article was published a decade ago and we find ourselves in an even more turbulent economy now, the ideas featured here apply as much now as ever.

Today’s workplace is enveloped by the fear of downsizing, loss of job security, overwhelming changes in technology, and the stress of having to do more with less. According to a recent Roper poll, employee morale and job satisfaction are at the lowest point they have been since Roper first began doing the poll decades ago. Managers must recognize this phenomenon and do their best to counteract it if their organizations are going to survive.