WordFood

WordFood - how we feed or starve our realtionships

- Julia Hubbel

Julia’s ability to get this group of type-A executives to engage in true networking was incredible. She is truly skilled at motivating the group to engage and interact with each other, and her openness and honesty really come through.

— Shelley Stewart, Jr.,
Senior Vice President of Operational Excellence and Chief Procurement Officer, Tyco

April 10, 2015

WordFood: Say it NOW

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , — Julia Hubbel @ 11:34 pm

A week ago, a member of my high school class of 1971 passed away unexpectedly due to a heart attack. Brian was much loved, gave a great deal to the community, and much was said about his life and works.

I posted Brian’s photo on my site as well as some strong suggestions about how important it is that we say what needs to be said before we are standing graveside, wishing bitterly our last words hadn’t been in anger, or so humdrum. Wishing we had expressed our love, our admiration, mended the fence.

Well you can. Now. Today. Pick up the damned phone and do it now. Call, text, ping, tweet, IM, and surprise the heck out of someone in your life by saying what needs to be said, the good and caring and wonderful things that people need to hear.

One of the hardest things we will ever say to anyone is “I’m sorry.” Most of us are so addicted to being right that we choke on these words. Yet where it’s possible to reestablish a relationship by apology, in the end it is worth a moment of discomfort (okay, well, deep discomfort) to get someone back in your life. It could be a life changing moment.

People may respond in lots of different ways, but I guarantee you this: three wonderful things are likely to happen. First, when you start popping out kind notes to people in your world, nice things appear. People respond in kind (yes, and some will want to know what you want). You’re sending out delight. Second, when you are spending time here and there sending out nice thoughts, sweet notes and thoughtful tweets, this directly affects your state of mind, your well being and the way you see the world. You experience yourself in a very positive way. Third, by making sure that the people you care about are fed loving WordFood regularly, you know that your last words with them were probably wonderful ones.

Chances are the folks we treasure are going to be with us for a good long while. Even more reason to make sure they know how we feel about them. The joy we engender by expressing our affection and getting over old or perceived hurts is worth it.

Do it now, folks. Let’s use our social media for what it’s meant to do: connect us, bring us together, and solidify our relationships. There isn’t anything else more important.

August 6, 2012

WordFood for Mondays

When you come in to work on a Monday morning, how do you greet your people? Maybe you’re like me, and my Monday morning office greeting is in my bathroom mirror since I work at home. I’m facing my boss. So often we greet Mondays with a collective UGH and hunker down to work. Yet here is an opportunity, like every other day, to grow, to develop, to expand ourselves, and to become better people. It’s life, and life is our teacher.

When you walk into the office, there’s a chance to create an environment around you that is hugely positive. What kinds of words do you use to engage people? If you’re in a managerial position you have considerable influence on people’s states of mind. What you say and how you say it sets the stage for the day and the week. Considering how most people meet Mondays, try beginning your week with some heartfelt acknowledgements. It doesn’t have to be overboard. Something small, but meaningful, goes a long way.

Whether you’re a cubicle dweller or the big cheese, your words have power. Kind words and recognition change people’s feelings, and they have a huge impact on the office environment. They most certainly make you feel better. When you take the time to express a cheery good morning and compliment someone on a report they’ve done, the sales job they did, how they look today- whatever is appropriate for your office- this shifts the atmosphere. It can be catching. Mondays don’t have to be, well, Mondays.

Nutritious WordFood is all about spreading positive comments around, recognizing people for their worth. People want to be acknowledged and noticed. They want to know that the work they do has value to the larger organization. When they genuinely feel this  then coming to work gives them purpose and joy.

If you work at home like I do, then your job is to take the time to acknowledge yourself for the hard work you do. Give yourself credit.  Speak to yourself with respect and regard, whether it’s out loud or silently. We can be our worst critics. Every day, life gives us the opportunity to become something bigger and better. We don’t know what will happen today. But what we can do when we interact with others is feed them positive WordFood, which will kickstart the week, make Mondays matter, and get us all off to a great start.

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