Movin' On Up

Express Donates $10,000 to Children’s Miracle Network

Thanks to everyone who voted in December to choose which charity would receive $10,000 in celebration of the record Express reached in 2011 of 3 million hours worked by associates in just one week. The charity that received the most votes was Children’s Miracle Network.

Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals have been working to help as many children as possible by raising funds for children’s hospitals in local communities throughout North America. This donation – made in honor of Express franchisees, and their customers and associates – will help Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals fund state-of-the-art equipment, breakthrough research, and care for millions of kids in 170 hospitals.

We’d also like to thank Big Brothers Big Sisters and Habitat for Humanity for participating and for the work these organizations do to change lives across North America and the world.

To learn more about Express’ recent milestone, visit www.expresspros.com/3million.

Help Us Make a Difference Choose How Express Will Donate $10,000

If you haven’t heard the good news, Express Employment Professionals reached a major milestone this year when Express associates worked a combined total of 3 million hours in one week. That’s more than 80,000 people like you who’ve found jobs at great companies in just seven days.

On behalf of the more than 550 Express franchises in three countries, we’d like to say thank you to our associates for your hard work and dedication because we know that our success depends on you.

Help Us Give Back – Vote for Your Charity of Choice

Now you can help us make an even bigger difference! In celebration of this achievement and the support of our customers and associates, Express is donating $10,000 to a nonprofit organization. You can help by voting for your charity of choice.

It’s simple to do! Just visit www.expresspros.com/3million and vote by selecting Big Brothers Big Sisters, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, or Habitat for Humanity. You can vote once daily from now until Friday, Dec. 30, and the organization with the most votes will receive $10,000.

About the Organizations

Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Learn more about this organization at BigBrothersBigSisters.org.

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has been working to help as many children as possible by raising funds for children’s hospitals in local communities throughout North America. Learn more about Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals by visiting their website at Childrensmiraclenetwork.org.

Habitat for Humanity
Founded on the conviction that every man, woman, and child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live, Habitat for Humanity builds simple, decent, and affordable housing for families in need around the world. For more information, visit Habitat.org.

 

Beat Job Stress with a Positive Outlook

Fear of layoffs. Longer work hours. Budget cutbacks. The list of today’s on-the-job stressors goes on and on – creating the perfect storm for workplace negativity. But with a few tweaks to your attitude and daily routine, you’ll sail through turbulent times with a smile on your face and a lot less tension. 

Keep complainers from darkening your day. Nothing sucks the joy out of a workplace like a perpetual pessimist. These naysayers always have plenty to gripe about – from the snacks in the vending machines to a new computer system to the weather. If you’re not careful, you’ll quickly find yourself dragged down by their contagious negative energy.

Put up a mental buffer. To prevent grouches from ruining your workday, refuse to react to their outbursts. Don’t provide ammunition for their tirades by offering an emotional response. Instead, remain neutral and resist the urge to fire off your own complaints.

Map out your day. Whenever possible, mix up your routine to avoid getting trapped in lengthy conversations with grumpy co-workers. Consider taking your breaks on an adjusted schedule to avoid a potential water cooler gripe fest.

Once your gloomy co-workers realize you’re not interested in being their sounding board, they’ll be less likely to dump their complaints on you.

Chose to see your glass half full. While you may not be able to change your co-workers’ bad attitudes, you can keep your own attitude upbeat. Like sunshine on a cloudy day, other people are naturally drawn to those who exude positive energy.

Live long and prosper. Need more motivation to look on the bright side? According to a recent study by the University of Pittsburgh, optimists live longer, healthier lives than their more cynical counterparts.

Don’t get typecast as a grouch. Take control of your outlook by recognizing when you’re letting negative thoughts have the last word. If your inner monologue sounds more like a tragedy than a comedy, lighten up, and take a look at the bright side. Counter self-pitying thoughts by listing three things you’re thankful for.

With practice, you’ll find yourself more prone to positive thinking, which will more than just boost your mood, but likely improve your health as well.

Extinguish stress. When tension threatens to erupt in a volcano of negative energy, take time to cool down and regain your composure. Try taking deep breathes in the break room for five minutes, catching a quick laugh by watching a funny video, or enjoying a relaxing lunch with friends. Whatever you chose, make releasing stress a top priority.

Leave it at the door. Every now and then, you’re bound to have a rough day at work. But some people prolong the stress of the day by fixating on everything that went wrong.  Instead of taking your troubles home with you, give yourself a mental break. When you leave work for the day, resolve to not dwell on negative situations.

Focus on you. To keep on-the-job problems from overwhelming you, it’s important to find healthy outlets to relieve stress. That might mean taking a photography class, going for an evening jog or getting a massage. By separating yourself from the tension of the workplace, you’ll feel more refreshed and have better work-life balance – which is essential to maintaining a positive attitude at work.

By choosing to face difficulties with optimism, you’ll soon discover the benefits of positive thinking to your health, friendships and career. Then, no matter what the workday brings your way, you’ll be able to keep your outlook bright.

Want to Get Featured on this Blog?

We’re looking for your ideas about the worst career mistakes a person can make – or even one that you have made yourself.

We’re asking on Twitter, Facebook, and this blog. Then, we’ll select the top mistakes our readers share – along with our advice on how to avoid them (the mistakes, not the readers!)

To enter your idea, simply leave a comment to this post, including at least your first name so we can give you credit! Please limit your submission to 200 words.

If you want credit to your blog, Twitter, or Facebook profile, just include a link along with your name and idea.

Bloggers can also write a post about this topic and send a trackback to this post. Then, just come leave us a comment letting us know about your post, and we’ll include it as a submission.

Please submit your ideas by Monday, December 29.

We're looking forward to your stories and ideas!