Attitude Control in Tough Service Situations

Financially the estimated price tag for stress in Unites States industry is over $300 billion annually by way of accidents; absenteeism; employee turnover; diminished productivity; direct medical, legal, insurance costs; and workers compensation awards.” ~The American Institute of Stress

Here are 8 tips that can help you control stress and worry in tough situations:

• Live in "day-tight" compartments. The professional with a commitment to service seals off each interaction with a customer. Don’t allow past successes or failures or future anticipated success or difficulties influence current performance.
• Don’t fuss about trifles. A “trifle” is something that is insignificant in comparison to other things in your life. When we are focused on trifles, you lose perspective. Keep the big picture in mind and that will help sort out the trifles.
• Cooperate with the inevitable. When the situation you are concerned with is inevitable and in fact, will take place, utilizing this principle gives you some control over the emotional aspects. By cooperating with the outcome, you are making a conscious choice.
• Decide just how much anxiety a thing may be worth and refuse to give it more. This decision is yours to make and often it clears your mind. This helps you find ways that you can improve on the situation, or let it go and move on.Create happiness for others.This principle appeals to your nobler motives. It is difficult to sustain a negative attitude when you are doing something good or helpful for someone else.
• Expect ingratitude. In your job, you provide many diverse services and help to others. When you do so, the natural thing to expect in return is some signal of gratitude for your assistance. This expectation is often not met. If you do receive heartfelt thanks from someone, you should count yourself lucky you are dealing with someone who is a grateful person. You shouldn’t let ingratitude deter you.
• Put enthusiasm into your work. Enthusiasm is the positive energy and sustained effort that keeps you driving toward your goals. Making a decision to have a positive outlook can be critical in enjoying your job and working with your internal and external customers.
• Do the very best you can. It can be difficult to deal with criticism, especially if you feel it is underserved or hurts your self-esteem. One way to put criticism in perspective is to ask yourself if you are doing the very best you can with what you know and are able to do. If the answer is an honest ‘yes’, that helps to not take the criticism personally. If there is room for improvement, you are taking responsibility for your performance.

What is your favorite stress reducer?
One of the focuses of the Dale Carnegie program is the reduction of stress and worry by controlling our attitude. Check out the upcoming classes.

8 Quick Tips to Building Your Networking Skills

Networking events can seem very intimidating, but they can be a resource that will help propel your career to new heights. It is always important to go into a networking event with enthusiasm and a set goal in mind. Use these ideas to help make your next networking experience a successful one.

• Network onlineAccording to recent research by The Institute For Corporate Productivity, 64% of business professionals network online. In today's Web 2.0 environment, you cannot afford to ignore this networking opportunity and potential leads you could generate via social networking sites.
• Start with LinkedIn.com, the leading business networking
  Membership is free, and you can pro-actively search for and connect with customers and prospects. Also, Linkedin.com users can post questions to the "Answers" section on the site. Make an effort to answer questions relevant to your area of expertise. Not only will you add value to your connections, but you will also get additional exposure and attract prospective customers who will seek you out!
• Arrive earlyTreat the event like an important appointment. By arriving early, you get comfortable in a more intimate setting with the other early arrivals. It can be intimidating to walk into a room filled with people, so go early and let the room fill up around you.
• Show confidenceSpeak confidently, decisively, and with authority. If you are confident in your conversations and support your ideas with evidence, people will take notice and respect that you know what you are talking about and that you mean business.
• CirculateDon't just talk to the people that you know. Get out there and go network!
• Meet with VIPs or speakersIf there are VIPs or speakers at the event, prepare ahead of time. Do some research on the individual(s) so that you are informed when you talk with them. Compliment them on their speech or talk to them about how the topic of their speech or their field relates to what you do.
• Stay lateWhen you stay late, the smaller crowd also gives you the opportunity to circulate in a more intimate setting. It also provides you with an opportunity to connect with the event's coordinator. Thank him or her for hosting the event. The event coordinator can give you some additional insight about who attended the event and who might be at the next event. It's never too early to prepare for the next event.
• Have a robust profile on the networking sitePut in as much relevant information as you can that demonstrates the value you bring to your customers. Put in all the keywords you think prospective customers may use to search for a service provider in your field. Remember, on a social networking site, you want to make it easy for people to find you!

What is your favorite networking tip?

Meeting and interacting with people is a critical skill in networking and so many other areas of our life. The Dale Carnegie Course:Skills for Success class provides many tools and techniques to improve people skills.