Why can't I have any productive activities at work today?
Our branch was closed from 11:30 am to 3 pm due to robbery. After the police questioned all the witnesses, our branch was opened again at 3 pm. However, we experienced a power outage around 3:30 pm. Bascially, a blackout happened in that particular area in North Vancouver in this afternoon (due to the rain?). Even Save-On Food in the same marketplace had no power as well. We had to shut down all of our computers and machines and stayed in the branch until it had enough power to lock the safe and turn up the alarm system. We all stayed in the branch until 4:30 pm.
It was funny that people would knock our door even though the staff had put up a "branch is now closed" sign on the door. (Are they blind?) I also discovered two credit union staffs were playing tic-tac-toe in the children play area.
Perhaps God knows we have been working very hard and have decided to give us a break on July 29. :)
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee
I would like to share an interesting forwarded email here...
"When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee..A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The proof essor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if t he jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.' The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---God, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else---the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. 'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.' One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.' "
I really like this email. Do you agree with the professor in this story?
"When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee..A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The proof essor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if t he jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.' The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---God, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else---the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. 'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.' One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.' "
I really like this email. Do you agree with the professor in this story?
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Effective Communication
" To be effective communication must be two-way;...idea, opinions, and information must be free flowing from one individual to another. It must also be marked by active, responsive listening, it must not be stressful, and it should be clear and direct."
Active listening="listen twice as much as you speak and ensure you are actively engaged in the conversation, not distracted by thinking of what you are going to say next."
Quoted from my insurance textbook
Even though most of the contents in my insurance textbook are boring, there are some practical and useful ideas about communication.
Active listening="listen twice as much as you speak and ensure you are actively engaged in the conversation, not distracted by thinking of what you are going to say next."
Quoted from my insurance textbook
Even though most of the contents in my insurance textbook are boring, there are some practical and useful ideas about communication.
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