Laugh and the Work World Laughs With You

Many of today's work environments are rife with moody bosses and co-workers, repetitive tasks and unpredictable market pressures. Stress abounds. Managers often tell me they cant afford the time or cost for my humor workshops; how can they afford not to address workplace stress.

We know clinically that laughter and play have medicinal qualities, offering physical, psychological and physiological benefits as well. In the workplace, humor and fun can increase productivity, encourage creativity, enhance team building, and thus improve esprit de corps.

While we may not be able to control everything that happens to us in our jobs and work environments, we do have control over how we choose to react. I coach others how to create an environment which is safe and friendly, and use humor to help maintain a healthy balance between the pressure and seriousness which comes from high stakes jobs and a competitive marketplace. Remember that humor starts from within. Being able to laugh at your own foibles goes a long way toward creating a healthy work climate in which to flourish.

The following are activities and strategies for you as individuals, workgroups and managers. Be creative and use these ideas to stimulate your own remedies to workplace stress.

- Adorn your work area with cartoons, headlines or funny photos which bring a smile to your face and visiting co-workers'. Whether you're surrounded by your favorite Pez dispensers childhood, or wry cartoons that speak to your tastes, let your work area comfort and humor you while taking some of the edge off the standard office decor.

- Tap a co-worker to be your humor-partner. Bring a daily joke to share. Commiserate about funny workplace events. Keep each other buoyed with good cheer. When the chips are down your humor partner can chip away at your depression, and vice versa.

- Don't think cubicles limit your humor options. I've seen shower curtains, umbrellas and other devices used effectively to set a light or semi-serious tone. For some, creativity flourishes behind their cubicle's shower curtain. People tampering with your work area? Don't get angryprotect it with yellow "Crime Scene" tape!

- Subscribe to a humor website to be e-mailed a free daily or weekly humorous story, joke and anecdote. Sites such as www.netfunny.com/rhf/ or www.oraclehumor.com/ are two examples.

Are You Laughin' At Me? One manager, known for his moodiness, acknowledged it with a "Mood-O-Meter" outside his door. Both he and his employees took turns forecasting his mood: from fire-breathing to variable clouds to periodic eruptionsproceed at your own risk. Don't underestimate the power of self-effacing humor for making yourself more accessible and liked.

Room for Laughter. Some companies designate a room, work area or corner of their office as a romper room, where frolicking and silliness is allowed. Whether yours has a punching bag, games, a dartboard or foosball, it's a room for letting off steam and taking a break from the grind.

Whine Not. Everyone loathes whiners yet we all need to blow off steam periodically. One group of creative trainers and their manager decreed Thursdays to be effective whining days. They self-policed themselves the rest of the week, making sure not to whine. Yet even their Thursday gripes had a departmental sanction and somehow seemed healthier. After all, they belly ached together. A ripple effect actually improved the morale of departments adjacent to theirs!

Meting Out Humor. Many professionals approach meetings with trepidation. A dash of humor can make a difference. For regular meetings earmark one or two minutes each meeting for a humorous interlude. In one workgroup a "humor hand" rotates from meeting to meeting. Employees take turns setting a lighter tone to the meeting, insuring everybody is engaged. An anecdote, verbal or physical activity focuses the group on the task at hand and brings colleagues together in a spirit of fun.

When not to use Humor. Not all humor is good humor. Humor that hurts, ostracizes or is cruel will have a detrimental effect on others and you. Strive for humor that is inclusive, creative and captures our human essence. By now you know that sexist, racist, ageist jokes and crude humor are not only inappropriate, but can lead to sanctions, termination or even lawsuits. Be sensitive when telling jokes involving terminations, reductions in force (RIFs) and personal tragedies. Their hurt can linger long after the fact. . When in doubtleave it out!

Appropriate humor can make hard tasks easier, collaborations fun and certainly make workdays go faster. Laugh, and the work world laughs with you!

Since the age of eleven when he went door-to-door selling Used Jokes, Craig Harrison has been connecting with customers through humor. As a professional speaker and corporate trainer Craig Harrison's Expressions of Excellence provides sales and service solutions through speaking. Contact him at (888) 450-0664, through his website http://www.ExpressionsofExcellence.com or via e-mail: humor@craigspeaks.com

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American Express Vacations Uncovers A Jewel Of The Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains

Thanks to the growing popularity of the wilderness resort, there are a number of American Express travel Deals available to travelers looking for outdoor beauty. But with the publics growing demand, comes a need for travel agents to be able to recommend specific sights, resorts and activities to offer value their clients. New research has uncovered some amazing resorts, with varying degrees of luxury and value in an area called the June Lake Loop located in Mono County, California.

For the Rugged Traveler

Down route US 395, about 70 miles from the small city Bishop, tells us travelers see the most beautiful scenic loop by far: The June Lake Loop. This green and richly forested area is home to four large lakes. This beautiful area includes June Lake, noted for its rich cobalt blues and aquamarine streaks, Gull Lake, known for its California Sea Gull population, Silver Lake, known for its glassy and silvery color and Grant Lake is also the largest lake in the most barren part of the area. The Loop has six campgrounds, three named for June Lake, Gull Lake and Sliver Lake: Oh! Ridge, Reversed Creek and Walker Lake. The campgrounds are a great value, costing only $12 a day and are great for travelers wishing to experience the Eastern Sierras in its most natural and rugged setting. Reservations are recommended, but not required.

For the More Reserved Traveler

Not all travelers are up to sleeping on the ground under the stars. But in June Lake, there are a number of motels, which are privately held, offering varying levels of comfort and value. For travelers who wish to experience the beauty of the surrounding nature with some of the comforts allowed to modern travelers, recommends its clients check out the Silver Lake Resort. This resort was originally established in 1916, and offers private, one-bedroom cabins with a bed, a bathroom, a kitchenette, and in some cases, a television with cable. Cabins start at about $125 a night and range to $230 a night. The smaller cabins sleep two and the larger cabins sleep eight.

For the Luxury Traveler

The June Lake Loop has boomed in resent years and is now beginning to attract visitors with a taste for luxury. A number of privately held mansions and condos have sprung up, and some are available to rent on a weekly basis. For visitors interested in experiencing nature in the lap of luxury, try the Double Eagle Resort and Spa. Their Deluxe Two Bedroom Cabins have a wood burring fireplace, fully equipped kitchens, a furnished living room, TV/VCR, telephones, a king or queen in at least one bedroom, outside decks with furnishings and a barbecue. All of the cabins have breath taking views of the near by Carson Peak. A full service spa and health and fitness center is also on the property. There are also several activities available to guests, including horseback riding, hiking, lead nature walks and rock climbing.

There are so many choices for travelers who wish to experience the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. From camping to resorts, there are accommodations for every type of traveler. There are a number of American Express Exclusives offered to anyone interested in staying in a non-government run resort in the June Lake Loop. This destination is becoming a hot spot for worldwide travelers who wish to experience near by Mammoth Mountain or Yosemite National Park.

Please visit http://www.amtvacations.com/american-express-exclusives.html

Virginia Morgan writes tourism and travel articles for http://www.amttravel.com/ AMT American Express Travel, a premier Internet resource for http://www.amtvacations.com/ American Express Vacations. Serving customers online since 1996.

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