There are certain things you can do beyond just doing your own job really well. While you should remain friendly, motivated and hard working, there are specific actions that will impress your employer.

Try some of these value-enhancing actions:

1. Find a Way to Increase Profits. Even if you weren't specifically assigned the task, keep an open mind and brainstorm ways that the company can work more efficiently. Perhaps you could bring an idea to your manager's attention that will boost sales or reduce costs. Your boss will remember your creative thinking and appreciate that you took the initiative.

2. Be Willing to Cross-Train. No matter what your job is, there are ways that you can learn new things in different areas. You should show interest and actively learn the ins and outs of other jobs in completely different departments. This way your employer will know that you have a deeper understanding of the business, which could lead to bigger or better opportunities.

3. Sharpen Your Skills. Spend time to delve deeper into your current skill set. Chances are that things are not as mundane as you might think. Keep your mind open to developing your skills in a different or better way.

• For example, if you work in online advertising, continue to search for different ways you can advertise or different networks to display your advertising. You may end up greatly improving the company's return on investment by thinking outside of the box, instead of going with what has worked in the past.

4. Take on Additional Responsibilities. When you take on additional responsibilities, you add value to your position within the company. While you may not be issued a different title, your employer will see just how valuable you are. If cutbacks need to be made, you'd be less likely to go than someone with fewer responsibilities.

5. Work on Co-Worker Relationships. While the people you work with don't have to become your best friends, it's important to maintain a certain level of camaraderie. Try making small talk occasionally with your co-workers and bosses on breaks or during lunches. This will help your employer remember that you mesh well with everyone in the company.

6. Take Classes. While you may already have a degree or diploma in a subject that pertains to your current job, it won't hurt to keep improving yourself by expanding your education. Remember, it's not required to go back to school, but if you have the time and resources available it could be a good idea. More and more classes are available over the internet too, which is great for people who already work to fit their classes into their existing schedules.

While you don't have to implement all strategies at once, it's a good idea to think about doing the one's that will work for you. You may even discover that your job satisfaction increases. This becomes a win-win situation to the benefit of all!

"In ordinary use, love usually refers to interpersonal love. Interpersonal
love is love between human beings, and is more sympathetic than the notion
of very much liking for another. Although feelings are usually reciprocal,
there can also be unrequited love. Interpersonal love is usually found in an
interpersonal relationship, such as between family members, friends, and
couples. However, people often express love for other people outside of
these relationships through compassionate outreach and volunteering." -
Vadim Kotelnikov

That's what I'm talking about! Interpersonal love! There's a lot of pain
and stress in our midst - from the white House to the poor house; from the
mansion to the shanty, from the streets of gold to the bumpy, dumpy dirt
roads. We as a people will only survive today's challenges by obeying the
commandment to "Love thy neighbor as thyself." Our families, our
neighborhoods, work environments and nations will not have peace and
stability until we end our selfishness and show some love. The attributes
of love are powerful.

4Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils
over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself
haughtily.

5It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude
(unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not
insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is
not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to
it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

6It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when
right and truth prevail.

7Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to
believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all
circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].

8Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].

- I Corinthians 13:4-8a, Amplified Bible (AMP)

Love is much more than a feeling. It's a very important endeavor! To
demonstrate kindness and patience requires having self-control and
consideration for others. To avoid being arrogant and rude, be genuine and
put other peoples' needs above your own. You can only applaud righteousness
by not being easily offended and by not carrying grudges. Learn to be pure
in heart, willing to forgive, to be respectful and unselfish. Firm
commitments to what is right keep your hope alive, enable you to hold up
under the worst conditions and to endure until the battles of this life are
won.

Life truly is like a boomerang. What you send out comes directly back to
you. Love yourself then you can love others. Be a blessing and you will
receive a blessing. Showing love is not difficult. Here are some ways to
do it:

* Do something nice for another person inconspicuously
* Give a compliment, a back rub, or pass along a job lead
* Wash the dishes even though its not your turn
* Take someone out to lunch unexpectedly
* Give clothes, food or money to the needy
* Provide your shoulder for a stranger to lean on
* Play with your kids and the neighbors' kids
* Smile and say thank you; give a hug or a kiss
* Let someone else go first this time
* Be a friend to the sad and lonely
* Share your favorite book or movie
* Share vegetables from your garden
* Send a card or letter to a long lost friend
* Don't be too critical; relinquish grudges and bitterness
* Try to relate to a teenager, remember when.and be patient
* Bring sunshine into the life of an orphan or homeless person
* Give heartfelt, encouraging words to someone who has lost hope
* Visit those in nursing homes, rehab centers, and convalescent homes

If each person will reach out to another person and do something beneficial,
these deeds will begin to trickle down. Before you know it, those drips
will create a flow of philanthropic deeds that will generate a wave of
goodness. The wave will transform into an avalanche of brotherly affection
and assistance. Then poor people, rich people, dark people, fair people.all
people will be blessed with the provision of their individual needs.

A child is encouraged, a family is fed, a village is secured and a country
is redeemed just because one person dared to stand up and make a difference
- to show some love, some bigheartedness and generosity. Such impersonal
love is the pathway to personal enhancement; simultaneously, it's a blessing
to everyone that receives it. "Love is the master key that opens the gate
of happiness." - Oliver Wendell Holmes By showing a little love, you help
to make the universe a kind, considerate and honorable world.

"Love is not about getting - but giving." - Henry Van Dyke

"If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love
others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift
of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all
knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't
love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and
even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love
others, I would have gained nothing." Holy Bible, I Corinthians 13:1-3 So
go ahead, show some love. Give liberally and don't be stingy!

Strategy implementation for overpowering anxiety will occur when you decide
change is overdue and imminent. When you are fed up with the way your life
is going and you're truly ready for a commitment to change, activation of
your strategic plans will begin. At that point, burn the bridge so you
cannot turn back. You must spend time each day endeavoring to conquer fear
using the system laid out for you. Sometimes you will want to throw in the
towel and give up, but remind yourself that you're attaining the happy life
that's rightfully yours. Turning back is no longer an option - the bridge
leading back to your previous life has been destroyed.

You have a new way of thinking now; you have a new focal point. Be
determined to move forward and not stop until you reach your goals.
Positive change commences the moment you choose to alter your attitude and
improve your life. Along the path to victory you will need to remind
yourself of your aim, control your responses to fear, isolate and evaluate
each circumstance separately, and perceive setbacks to be temporary
challenges - springboards to your success. Remain calm and in control.
Begin to act as if you are already the person you want to be. Accomplish
your goals by changing who you are - by changing the way you think and
conduct yourself.

Decide today that fear will no longer dictate your choices and actions, and
then organize your life around its achievement. Write down your specific
procedures and routine for overcoming your anxiety - fear, doubt and
mistrust. These steps will vary depending upon whether your objective is to
conquer the fear that something bad is happening, of criticism, making a
mistake, divorce, obesity, financial demise, loneliness or fear of the
future. Nonetheless, the fundamentals will be essentially the same. Be
sure to chop your tasks into small chunks if you are trying to conquer a
large fear.

Face and seize your fears by meeting them head on, and by standing up for
what you believe in. If you're worried about your well-being, then make
sure your diet is nutritional and that you are getting the proper amount of
daily exercise. If you're worried about job loss, start looking for another
job or begin a small business. If you're worried about being lonely, go out
and make some new friends - be a friend to someone who is already lonesome.
If you're afraid of change, begin to act as though that change has already
taken place and you'll find there was most likely nothing to fear at all.
Much of what we fear is just imaginary.

Resolve to live each day in a manner that is in harmony with your personal
convictions. This is crucial to overpowering your anxiety and in building
character, confidence, and pride in yourself. As a result you will
experience staying power and vitality to press ahead and win. You will feel
motivated and capable of overcoming any obstacle that impedes your success.
You will develop a stronger, more positive self-image that will drive your
fears away and permit you to attract the life of which you dream.

Work hard every day to reduce the flow of negative thoughts in your mind -
this action requires determination and persistence. Negative self-talk is a
monster that will upset your demeanor, goals, visualizations and hopes.
Continue to probe yourself. Why am I being so self-critical? Why am I
being a worrywart? Why do I anticipate the worst calamity? This pattern of
thinking is self-defeating; it sets you up for failure.

Altering your mental attitude is the primary requisite for successfully
conquering your fears, doubts and mistrusts. Promptly overcome negativism
with a change in routine and with positive affirmations. These declarations
are best spoken in the first, second and third persons in order to saturate
your subconscious mind. Conditioning your mind to think positive will cause
personal growth and develop self-trust as well as trustfulness in your
family, friends and co-workers.

When you awake in the mornings, and all through the day, choose your
thoughts and words very carefully. Eventually you will establish a brand
new pattern of thinking. Carefully select quality thoughts that will empower
you to conquer your fears and become the person you are meant to be. Start
a journal. Post entries in it every single day about your experiences,
thoughts and desires. At least once a week, go back and review what you
have written. This will help to keep you focused and highlight your
progress.

Beneath your fears are wisdom and a strong, determined force; so, go ahead
and implement your strategy for overpowering anxiety. Believe in yourself.
Have faith that you will succeed. Call upon your love ones for support.
Utilize your spirituality. Depend on God to accompany you as you journey to
your destiny. Conquering your fears is a process that takes time, practice
and lots of patience. However, the reward is a life you've only dreamed of
before; it's the actual fulfillment of your joy and happiness.

Not all fear is bad. We observe this when fear supports our survival
through warnings of impending danger. Endeavors here are to deal with
destructive fear, not constructive fear. Most people live in constant dread
of something - their thoughts can lead to mental and physical disease. Fear
induces stress; too much stress can evoke hypertension, heart disease,
cancer and manic depression. In truth, ninety percent of the things feared
never happen. Fear thus robs innocent people of realizing their ambitions
and fantasies. This negative imagery ruins aspirations for a better way of
living.

The process of understanding your fears by looking into your past is a work
in progress as you strive to attain more conscious control over your own
behavior. By now you should have at least one fear identified, and ready
for evaluation. Your system of values (what you believe in), your culture
and your environment all contribute to the fear, doubt and mistrust you
experience. But with faith in God and your abilities, every fear that
besets you can be cancelled. Rather than trust in your own capability,
exhibit confidence in God. You can do all things through Him because He
will strengthen you and direct your activities.

Now that you have at least one fear isolated, it's time for analyzation.
Begin this procedure by disposing of what other people may think. Their
pessimistic ideas, judgments, and rejection are their own issues that have
no bearing on who you are; and they certainly don't determine who you can
become. That power lies within you; it's all yours. And know that you
cannot run away from your fears - they will linger and become more damaging
until you deal with them. Strive to change every condition that gives rise
to alarm in your life. Do not hesitate to seek professional assistance with
understanding and resolving your fears.

The next step in the process of evaluating your fears is to take control of
negative, self-defeating thoughts. Re-focus! Force yourself to think of
something else quickly. Say, "I CAN and I WILL do this! I WILL overcome my
fears!" Sing an uplifting song, get on the treadmill, take a few laps, or
take a walk in the flower garden. Again, keep in mind you are not your
thoughts; neither are you your feelings. You are not hopelessly doomed to
failure. YOU ARE wonderfully made by the hand of God. With His mighty hand
and outstretched arm YOU WILL conquer every terror, every doubt and every
bit of mistrust so you can fulfill your most precious desires. So how do
you move forward? How do you re-focus and change your thought patterns?
Here's how:

1. Admit your fears and vow to leave your comfort zone to conquer them
2. Ascertain what beliefs or values contributed to this fear(s)
3. Dissect large fears into manageable small pieces; be patient in mastering

them
4. Visualize the thing(s) you fear and determine how you will handle it
5. Pray and meditate daily - recite positive affirmations throughout the day
6. Seek clarity in whatever you think, feel and say; smile more often
7. Adopt positive thinking techniques; replace negative self-talk
immediately
8. Label essentials as desires and preferences; this helps reduce stress in
your life
9. Become a better money and time manager; take some classes
10. Make well, thought-out decisions promptly; don't procrastinate
11. Let the past remain in the past; profit from your mistakes and move
forward
12. Be optimistic despite your anxieties; turn your obstacles into
opportunities
13. Replace 'need to or have got to' with 'want to or would like to'
statements
14. Don't allow your feelings to control your actions; change your routine
15. Notice how other people behave and handle their fears

Conquering fear, doubt and mistrust require that you change your focus.
Conquering fear, doubt and mistrust require that you perform in spite of
your fright. It demands you know who you are, and be well aware that your
mental conceptualizations do not represent you. It insists that you re-focus
starting now and alter your thought patterns, getting rid of pessimism in
all of its forms. Your successfulness both commences and is accomplished in
your mind. Do all that is within your power to change your old way of
thinking and believing. Change the things you can, and learn how to live
more wisely with the things you can't change.

Always remember that nothing stays the same; everything changes sooner or
later. Do not let yourself concentrate on frightening thoughts. What you
believe you will achieve. If you're down you will get up, and you will grow
into the person you have always dreamed of becoming. The change won't happen
overnight. It will take weeks, months, maybe even years to get to that
exact place - but with determination and persistence you will arrive. Make
it a fun trip! Today is the beginning of your new life. Step up to the
plate - step out and acquire all that is rightfully yours. You can do it!
Yes you can!

True courage is not the absence of fear; it's the mastery of fear. - Mark
Twain

Many of us carry around a lot of excess baggage. Stuff that happened 6
months, a year, 5, 10, even 20 years ago remains devotedly attached to our
memories. And we wonder why we can't move forward, why we can't get ahead
and achieve big dreams. Until we deal with our unrest we will never move
ahead. Our joy and happiness - our peace of mind and personal successes
will not become realities until we conquer our fears, doubts and mistrusts.
We will not experience personal growth or development; we will not
experience a vibrant persona until we are victorious over this debilitating
malady. Fear is a feeling that too often rules our lives and makes us
dysfunctional.

Whether it is fear of commitment, rejection, failure, death, flying, job
loss, poor health, divorce; fear of loneliness, criticism, growing old or
not having your needs met, this fear beast dictates and prevents us from
living our lives to the fullest. Nonetheless, fear can be survived and
triumphed over if you are willing to work and are motivated enough to subdue
it - rather than let it remain in control. ARE YOU WILLING TO TAKE A LEAP OF
FAITH?

Fear is the biggest obstacle to pursuing your dreams; it sabotages your
success. Many people insist it is a lack of money or time or resources that
holds a person back; but, it is the fear demon. You see, where there is a
will there still is a way to receive your needs and many of your wants.
Fear minimizes the quality of your thinking and squashes aggressive action.
If you can't think right, you can't do right.you can't achieve your heart's
desires.

What is it that you've wanted to pursue, that you've been hesitating to
venture upon? Pull out a sheet of paper, better yet take out a spiral
notebook and let's deal with this nuisance. The first step in conquering
fear is to understand its source. Make a list of everything that agitates
you and disquiets your spirit. Leave about three lines between each item.
Now go back and think about what originates that doubt. What is it about
flying that frightens you? What is it about losing your job that terrorizes
you? Why do you not believe that all of your needs will be provided for?
What is it about change, challenge and new responsibilities that sends you
into orbit? Why do you feel trapped and helpless? Try to understand where
you are now, why you have these fears, doubts and mistrusts by looking into
your past - but don't dwell there. You must acknowledge and understand your
fear in order to conquer it.

You may need to work on your list and brainstorm a few days or weeks; do
whatever it takes. Every single move in the right direction will lead you
to victory. After identifying your fears, search deep within and consider
their source - where did they come from. Ponder why your fear exists so
strongly. Answers to these queries will bring about the solutions that are
right for you. If you are a Believer, I urge you to pray earnestly, study
your Bible and have faith in the Word of God. The Scriptures below will get
you started on your way:
Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest. - Matthew 11:28

Trust in the Lord with all of your heart; and lean not unto your own
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your
paths. Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the Lord and, and depart from
evil. - Proverbs 3:5-7

.whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed and be thou cast
into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those
things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
- Mark 11:23

Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. - Psalm 55:22a

For with God nothing shall be impossible. - Luke 2:37

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord
shall be safe [secure].
- Proverbs 29:25

Pray, meditate, think logically; learn the origin of your fears - doubts and
mistrusts. Understand where you are right now by taking a look into your
past. Only then can you start to conquer fear. Talk about your fears with
someone you can confide in, with someone who has proper knowledge,
compassion and skills to help you. It is very important that you
recognize, define and accept your fears. Only then can you comprehend where
they come from and how you can rid yourself of them. Take baby steps - crawl
before you walk. Endeavor patiently; persevere with tenacity and
determination. YOU WILL BE AN OVERCOMER.

How can you stop this contradiction? How do you stop worrying about whose
feelings are being hurt, quit making decisions you soon regret - and then
suffer the consequences all alone? When are you going to release your
excess baggage and stop being concerned about who will get angry? When will
you stop giving in to avoid confrontation? And when will you stop yielding
to other people's task delegations because you feel pressured? I say it's
time for you to get off of this merry-go-round NOW. Say NO to being taken
advantage of, used and abused because of your kindness, your talent and your
fear.

You are human and can only do so much. Your life consists of a whole lot
more than work, family assistance and community services. Choosing not to
accept additional responsibilities simply means you recognize that you have
higher priorities to deal with at the present time. Should someone get
angry because you said NO to their request, so be it. That is not your
problem. As Phil Evans of People Stuff says, "What others do or say is
their stuff; how we react, or not, is our stuff! And: true happiness in life
isn't having what you want, but wanting what you have! And lastly: What
other people think of you is none of your business!" Live your life based
upon your own beliefs, values, and ambitions. Then you can have peace of
mind and joy.

You have to respect your own time and duties if you want others to do
likewise. The ability to say NO gives you personal power and freedom
because you are no longer held in bondage by other peoples' agendas. You
are free to move about and live your life the way you choose; when, where
and how you choose without being encumbered. It takes practice to learn
this art of saying NO; but, once you get over the initial shock and exercise
your power a few times, it becomes second nature. There are distinct and
tactful ways of just saying NO that will yield more success and favorable
regard.

Begin saying NO to unhealthy eating habits and negative self-talk. Say NO
to decisions that compete against your specific goals. DO NOT make it easy
for anyone to expect you to do what he or she wants, without consideration
for your plans. Maintain a comprehensive daily planner that includes your
commitments, goals and personal plans. Review your calendar each day to
help you more easily decline unprofitable, distracting tasks. Use your
discernment, disrupt conversations, and resolutely let others know your
schedule is full or that you already have existing commitments.

Consider heeding these additional suggestions:

1. Re-organize your thoughts and priorities systematically
2. Be polite, but let your voice tones agree with your words
3. Avoid encouraging body language - nods, smiles, etc.
4. Don't ask questions that suggest your interest or buy-in
5. Begin sentences with the word NO to exert your power and influence
6. Say "Let me think about it" when you want time to consider a
decision
7. Refuse to give in to flattery and do not feel guilty for saying NO
8. More often than not, give a short, firm NO without lengthy
justification

You can soften your NO by using the phrase 'Not now' if you are speaking
with someone you are close to or if there is a chance you can help them at a
future time. Saying NO is an amazing empowerment tool. When you learn to do
it effectively, you will begin to notice how people no longer ask you to do
their urgent, unimportant tasks. Finally they have come to realize that
their smooth lines and tactics no longer work on you. Get familiar with
your personal limitations, establish precedence for your chores, and make
certain you spend enough time taking care of your needs first. Later you
can help someone else if it is your choice.

Recognize the responsibility and power in saying NO. Acquire this skill and
you will become more honest with yourself and those persons wanting your
time and space. Doing so is hard initially, particularly if you thrive on
other folks' approvals. But hang in there and keep trying. Eventually your
confidence will begin to soar as you realize you are not rejecting the
people, but the task request and infringement on your time. You will earn
more respect; you will demand more respect.

Being in your own power is the ability to just be yourself, without fear of
criticism, with confidence rather than arrogance.
Phil Evans, People Stuff
Master, Personal Development and Empowerment

You Cannot Always Have It Your Way

All of us can use a refresher course in becoming better listeners, by
working peacefully to converse with one another. More often than not we are
preoccupied with our own concerns. This causes us not to listen well during
conversations and insist upon having our own way. By having such a
self-focus, we fail to notice the problems, concerns and needs of others.
The message we send out very forcefully is that we are not interested in
them. Communicating well insists that we respect our individual needs as
well as the needs of other persons. One man or woman is no more important
than the next. "To whom much is given, much is required."

So come alive and get over it - we cannot always have our own way. We must
bend a little if we want to enhance our persona. The art of compromising is
interlaced within us. No one is an island. At some point a man will give
and a man will take - like it or not. Compromise represents a means of
survival, not a loss of face or power. It's giving up something not as
essential, in order to receive a greater necessity in return.

Nevertheless, personal values and human needs are non-negotiable. So we
might as well learn to be a lot less selfish and a whole lot more
empathetic. We might as well become a better listener by becoming less
self-focused. People will like us more, trust us more and associate with us
more.

Being a Good, Active Listener Requires Practice

Listening is a verb. It's an action word. To do it well requires work; it
does not come naturally. It requires practice. Thus, becoming a good
listener means becoming an active listener even if we have heard the same
story line before. There is always the potential for learning something
new; hearing something we missed the last time. Unfortunately, we rarely
listen attentively. Instead we find ourselves thinking about something else
or planning a rebuttal to what we think we have just heard. We allow
distractions to cause our minds to drift away. It's time to embrace a real
commitment and positive attitude tailored to the person we are speaking
with.

Whether we're talking one-on-one, or engaged in a group discussion, it is of
utmost importance that we give our undivided attention to the speaker. When
the person talking has finished, we should be able to recite back in our own
words what we heard. This does not imply that we agree with what was said,
but that we are paying attention. It gives the speaker an opportunity to
provide additional explanations if we have not properly understood what was
said. At this point we can discuss our differences intelligently and devise
a plan to resolve them. Active listening is a wonderful habit to form. It
reduces misunderstandings and conflict.

Communicate Authentically - Don't Try to Fake It

Authentic communicators are people who project sincerity, a positive
self-image, and a willingness to hear all that their speakers have to say.
Because they've taken time to do self-assessments and understand themselves,
they have a realistic idea of how other people operate and why. They don't
try to fake who they are and run the risk of annoying their listeners. Being
authentic when communicating means being earnest and considerate - holding
positive regard for other people's time and opinions. Persons who speak
genuinely from the head and heart create good rapport, prompt good listening
and establish an atmosphere of trust. Listeners are dissuaded from sending
up protective barriers. It positions the speaker and the listener for having
productive conversations.

Traits of a Good Listener

Let us put forth diligent efforts to become good listeners. Let us
understand the benefits, train ourselves to be active, authentic (genuine),
reflective listeners to those with whom we speak - at home, in our
businesses, on our jobs, at the mall or in the park. Let us adopt the
attributes below and become good listeners for personal development, image
enhancement, and effective communications. They are the traits of a good
listener.

Maintains eye contact with the speaker
Radiates open-mindedness and confidence
Tunes out distractions and tunes in the speaker
Uses body language to acknowledge attentiveness
Respects the speaker's emotions and feelings
Is slow to react and take defensive action
Asks questions for clarification and interest
Suspends judgment and acknowledges what is being said
Listens to the whole message before formulating a response
Paraphrases what the speaker said; repeats it in his own words
Does not get hung up on the speaker's delivery style