A slash is someone who has more than one career and usually at the same time, and who perhaps has made a second career out of a hobby or passion.

A slash can transition you from one stage in life to another or it can accompany your other career through most of your life.

I have just had a holiday. It’s been great, but at least for me, returning to the job can sometimes be difficult. Returning to work can be emotionally - and even physically difficult, especially if you have really had a mental break from your every-day schedule, as I have had. It can feel like you are a deep-sea diver coming to the surface again, facing a foreign world from where you have recently been. Resurfacing and getting back in the saddle, to mix some metaphors, are tough.

Start on a Wednesday, or even Thursday- or do a “fun” thing first

I restarted last Thursday.

Make your first work-week lighter by only working a few days, or perhaps schedule something “fun” first, such as a training day, or a team building day where you have no choice but to ignore your email list. This time I only focused on the deadlines

Networking can get you referrals.

Your best referrals will mostly come from people you know and I basically work from referrals. (former clients and present onew, remember to refer me, please)

To find more people who will refer you, will have to grow your network.

A web presence is nice, but, that’s where your referrals go to “check you out” after your name has come up. A website is not usually used by clients and customers to” find” you. They get referred, instead.

Thus, you need these ten tips for good networking practice.

How are you getting ready for the fall?

Are your emails paired down and ready for responses? Do you code/color-code them for “triage” and potential clients?

What about your to-do list(s)? Do you keep your old lists to make sure you haven’t out something under the pile of papers for too long?

What is your calendar like?

this gives us all a chance to think of how to make our working environment more positive, in general. Maybe I can be a friend so someone (unfortunately my work “best friend” recently retired, and now I would like to find someone, which isn’t always easy, as it is chemistry, etc.)- so, I wish you a god time reflecting and moving forward at work.

Finally, maybe you are still under lockdown or afraid that it will happen again at any time, if this is the case, what on the list can best help you deal with that uncertainty. Learning to deal with the uncertainty in life is the best we can do at this time.

How can we go into the fall with a calm and resolute heart to move forward positively?

First, decide not to decide (too much).

For sure, we need to keep moving.

Also, keep on planning.

Downsizing at the beginning of the fall/school year is a god thing (I will be doing this later, but for us here in the Argovian countryside, school began this morning).

Sometimes it’s time to downsize and also to look in new directions in our life. Maybe it’s time to make a list or two to remember what’s really important.

When I teach negotiation, I pull out the Six Principles of Persuasion by Dr. Robert Cialdini (a professor and sociologist) and we discuss two things: the students’ own experience with being persuaded (or not) and how they might use these principles in negotiations and at work, in general.

Here are the big six:

· Reciprocity

· Scarcity

· Authority

· Consistency

· Consensus

· Liking (people)

Let me explain each one and how they may be used “against” you to be persuaded and even (gasp) manipulated.

Are you trying to make a decision about something and just can’t get past some of the “ish” factors? Or are you talking yourself into something that maybe you (or your trusted network) might not feel so right about- maybe you are wanting to just get that first deal? ALSO: Loss aversion can derail our plans, our business, our life. It makes us focus too much on the short-term and not the long-term. We tend to give up on things that we see as loss to us especially when we apply great meaning to that thing, whatever it might be. We need to remember to always think long-term.

When we make good choices, we want to be aware of our biases and think more clearly. Here are ideas to make better decisions:

Anniversary news, and opportunities for you to get a discount.

Our biases can damage our decision-making process and even endanger our plans, projects and companies

When you have change and conflict at work, what can you do and how can you make sure you are part of the solution(s), and not part of the problem(s)? Suggestions below:

I now have two more certifications, including the Cerny Smith Assessment Coach. Life is about learning and growing. Here is my latest update.

Trust needs to be given with eyes wide open, well-earned, and vetted in partnerships and other business relationships.

When you start a business you need to consider all the scenarios, both positive and negative and have plans so you can succeed.

When you reflect on your situation, really accept it for what it is, then you can use your reflections to change what is do-able.

Here are some of my thoughts and accomplishments for 2020, despite the plague of COVID-19. Take care of your self with the PPFs.

When you remember the past with gratefulness as I do with a client, and you savor the present moments, and you anticipate a positive future activity, you can avoid burnout and reduce stress. Learn to do the PPFs.

Are you overwhelmed? Do you have a tough decision? Are you in a difficult situation? The HIT list may help you to decide what to do.