Happiness -> Success

"Happiness is the meaning and purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence."
                                                                                                              Aristotle
"If we were to ask the question:  'What is human life's chief concern?' one of the answers we should receive would be:  'It is happiness.'  How to gain, how to keep, how to recover happiness, is in fact for most men at all times the secret motive of all they do, and of all they are willing to endure."
                                                                                                             William James
"Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in this religion or that religion, the very purpose of our life is happiness, the very motion of our life is towards happiness."
                                                                                                             Dalai Lama
Happiness -> Success
 - Happy people are successful.
 - Happiness precedes success.
 - Happy people are better workers.
     - Get more promotions, earn more.
Ancient wisdom:  Bad to Good
     Rabbi Nachum said:  "Even this can be good."
     Epictetus said:  "No matter what happens, it is within my power to turn it to my advantage."

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To learn more about authentic happiness, check out http://www.authentichappiness.org/

Copyright 2010 by Lynn D. Johnson, PhD

Body Language

Body Language

Body language is the unspoken communication we all use every day whether in classroom or communicating with others. Body language is more powerful than all the words we speak. Ninety-three percent of our communication is nonverbal! Sometimes what body language says is not the message you want to deliver.  You tell people a lot with how you present yourself.

Remember you want to come across to others as calm, assertive, and confident:

• Don’t get too close! Vision a hool-a-hoop to maintain good distance.
• Maintain eye contact.
• Look at the other person, with square shoulders.
• Stand or sit straight in the chair — do not lean back or slouch..
• Lean forward slightly when listening – show you are interested.
• Use gestures for emphasis and care.
• Do not twist your mouth or purse your lips.
• Maintain a pleasant facial expression and do not do facial exercises, grimace, frown, etc.
• Keep your voice calm.

• Speak at an even tone and at a tone for pleasant conversation.

Try these tips and people WILL listen to what you’re saying!

Live, Work, Play and Learn Here!

One of our area communities has the motto –Live, Work and Play Here!!  At Iowa Lakes we can say “Live, Work, Play and Learn Here!!”  With all of this you will most likely find yourself pulled in many different directions while trying to balance the areas of your life. Too much studying may create stress while too much playing may also get in the way of goals.

The juggling act of your personal life (LIVE),   a job or family demands of keeping the household running (Work), a social life and entertainment (Play) and taking a class or classes (Learn Here).  With all this you will most likely find yourself pulled in different directions.  Too much studying may create stress, while too much play and fun will get in the way of your educational goals. The juggling of Live, Work, Play and Learn Here” is about making good decisions and focusing your energy in positive ways.  

Make sure you are aware of resources to assist you at Iowa Lakes Community College. The Student Services area encompasses a wide range of services including the Success Center, Educational Counseling, the Career Resource Center, Registrar’s Office, Library and Financial Aid.

http://www.iowalakes.edu/student_services/

Email Ettiquette

Email Etiquette..

All capital letters – I can hear you!!

Welcome to the world of digital communications, where what you write and intend to say can be worlds apart from what is read by the reader.  A friend likes to type in all capital letters, this is rude in email etiquette as it is though you are screaming at the reader – even if it is good news and you are excited.   “GUESS WHAT", "WHAT ARE YOU DOING TODAY?” can feel a lot more sharp and bristly than a calmer greeting, “What are you doing today after work? Let's go for supper”.

There are many articles and writing out there on email etiquette.

Common email etiquette hasn’t changed much, but people seem to forget that the email signature at the bottom of the page needs just as much attention as the rest of the message.  The content of your message should certainly be the focal point of your email, but the signature might be the last thing the readers sees and ultimately the one thing they remember about your email – or even you. Who is the message from??

A signature – what for you ask??

Are you emailing or texting a friend or coworker?  If not, then do not assume that the recipient will know exactly who you are, what class/course you are in or who you are. You may need to specifically identify yourself toward the beginning of the body of the email and/or include your name, the class you are in or what you are corresponding about. ”

Email and texting is so second nature to many students and workers that they forget the formalities of introduction that you don’t take for granted when meeting someone for the first time in person or on the telephone.

An email signature should have a few key elements:

• Full name
• Course/class name
• Section or time of day
• Telephone number
• Email address

Yes, the signature may actually be longer than the message but what information is pertinent to the receiver of your message if it is college or business related?

What does an email address say about you?A few signature items can make you seem unprofessional?  What does your email address say about you?

Some people even have fun with their signatures. The famous “Sent from my…” messages that are tacked on to many smart phone, ipads, blackberry's.

Do you have some email/texting pet peeves or etiquette to share?