I’m obsessed with the Chicago Cubs baseball team. This statement might seem odd since I’ve never seen them play and I don’t follow sports. Technically, it’s not the game that fascinates me, it’s the curse.

In the 1934, tavern owner Billy Sianis adopted a baby goat (Murphy) that fell off a truck in front of his bar. (The “falling off a truck” thing happens a lot in Chicago.) He was so infatuated with Murphy that he began calling himself Billy Goat, grew a goatee and renamed his bar The Billy Goat Tavern (of Saturday Night Live “Cheezborger, Cheezborger, No Coke” fame).

Billy often took Murphy to unusual locations, including Cubs games. Normally the stands were empty so it wasn’t a problem.

However in 1945, fans converged on the stadium to see the Cubs play in the World Series. Seven years had passed since the Cubs were in the Series; the war was ending – both reasons for hope and excitement. The anticipation was palpable.

Then partway into the game, Billy was asked to remove Murphy because his odor was disturbing other fans. The insult was more than Billy could bear so he placed a curse on the Cubs saying something like: “Dem Cubs, dey ain’t gonna win no more”.

Some people thought this meant the Cubs would never win a championship whereas others thought there would never be another World Series won at Wrigley Field. After all these years, we might find out.

As the second oldest baseball stadium in the United States, there’s a proposal to renovate the field to the tune of $500M. If the request is denied, the owners have threatened to leave Chicago.

Which goes back to the curse. Could this be a turning point for the Cubs? If they left Wrigley would they have a chance at winning the World Series? If another team started playing at Wrigley, would the curse apply to them?

Personally, I don’t think we’ll ever know because I believe the Cubs are here to stay. That leaves only one solution: the renovation must include a place for a goat.

May the farce be with you!

Your IFF,

Pam

Get a goat!

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About the Author

Pam Waits has more than 20 years of experience in human resources with 10 years in the top HR spot for mid-sized companies. She currently works as a Human Resources consultant. Additionally, she holds a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

Pam is also a writer and humorist, defying the perception that human resource professionals lack a sense of humor. She’s a leader who believes humor is an important part of a healthy business culture and a necessary part of life. 
If you’re too busy to laugh, you’re too busy.

Pam Waits | Blog | HR Articles | Videos | email

“The All Powerful King Inside of You”

Inside of you is an “All Powerful King” who is capable of making all of your dreams come true. Whatever you tell him you want with purpose and conviction he will make happen in your life. He has that much power and he resides inside of you right now even as you are reading this article however you must be very careful because he takes whatever you tell him literally, good or bad. So be careful of what you tell him want. He believes what you tell him to be true, even when it isn’t and he can make bad things happen just as well as good things. Good or bad whatever he produces for you he believes it is the right thing for you. He takes everything you say literally.

Does that sound like a fantasy or a crazy story? It isn’t. I am talking about your subconscious mind and what I have described to you is exactly how it works, whether you believe it or not. Very little of what we do we do is at a conscious level. Neuroscientist now know that only about 10% of what we do is at a conscious level and 90% is subconscious. Your subconscious mind controls every aspect and function of your body and mind. Your heart beating right now, the breath you just took, every chemical and hormone being released and used in your body right now is being controlled by your subconscious mind. If you think about it, you will realize how amazing that really is.

Many times the reason you seem to have such a hard time letting go of bad habits is you try to change them at a conscious level and that doesn’t work. Your subconscious mind believes the bad habit is actually good for you and will at some point override your conscious mind. It is how you can rationalize or make excuses for your bad habit. It is the reason for so many years I would lose 50 or 100+ pounds and then I would put the weight back on, even though I didn’t want to. My subconscious mind perceived me as being fat and that being fat was a good thing, even though that sound crazy. That is how you get stuck in such negative patterns in your life and can’t seem to change them.

So, how do you change these negative images and beliefs you have about yourself? Long term change almost never happens at a conscious level. It has to happen at a subconscious level first and then it becomes part of our conscious reality. When I changed the perception of myself from being fat to being thin, then I was able to change myself physically. Change happens from the inside out not the outside in. You have to change the movie that is running all day long inside your head. Your homework today will help you do that and it is simple, easy and fun to do.

Your Daily Homework

Do this exercise every night as you go to sleep.

As you are laying in bed ready to fall asleep close your eyes and visualize exactly how you want your life to be. See it in great detail. Hear the sounds you would hear if it were real and feel all the emotions you would feel. Then fall asleep on that visualization. All night long your subconscious mind will be working on that image you created and as you do it more and more you will begin to make adjustments in your habits , values and beliefs. It is simple and it is very powerful and overtime it can change your life! In Napoleon Hill’s classic book on success, “Think and Grow Rich” he discovered that the most successful people in the world did this every night as they were going to sleep. People like Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Alexander Graham Bell, The Wright Brothers and many more did this powerful exercise

So do the exercise every night. You area going to go to sleep anyway and the exercise requires no additional time from your day. How great is that? You are amazing, so do things that help you discover how amazing you are.

Scott Schmaren’s Bio

Scott Schmaren is a nationally known speaker, coach and author. He has spent over 20 years learning powerful success technologies. He has used what he has learned and created to transform his life, losing 180 pounds and maintaining it while rediscovering his vitality. He has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show.  Oprah said, “If Scott can do it, I can do it and so can you!. Scott’s techniques are being used to increase sales and business, weight management, overcoming obstacles, achieving goals and many other great things. Athletes and sales professionals are using his systems to achieve, consistent, peak athletic and sales performance. Scott is co-author of the book, Stepping Stones to Success, along with Jack Canfield , Deepak Chopra and Dr. Denis Waitley. Scott’s forthcoming book is entitled, “Your Ultimate Visionary Mind: Transforming Your Life in 30 Minutes a Day.”

 Scott Schmaren, 847-331-5848

scott@ultimatevisionarymind.com

www.UltimateVisionaryMind.com

Soon the East Coast is going to be overrun with billions of 17-year cicadas. It’s a colossal event of biblical proportions. I know, because the western suburbs of Chicago went through the same thing 5 years ago.

It’s one of the most fascinating experiences of my life. Normally, I’m squeamish about being outnumbered by creatures with 6 or more legs. Because this could be a once in a lifetime event for me, I embraced it in order to experience the full effect of these unique creatures.

17-year cicadas live underground for (you guessed it) 17 years. When the ground reaches a temperature of 64 degrees, they burrow out, seeking a vertical spot in which to exit their shell.

Emerging from shell

Empty shells

They party for 4-6 weeks with the sole purpose of mating and producing nymphs that will live in the ground for another 17 years. The males make noise to attract females. En masse, their sound is equivalent to a jet engine.

There were so many in Chicago, the zoo paid people to bring coffee cans full of cicadas to feed the animals. Kids had a field day. Dogs were known to get sick from over eating.

They’re everywhere

When I first experienced the cicadas, I walked carefully down a neighborhood sidewalk so I wouldn’t step on any of them. I stopped by a tree to marvel at the sheer number. Little did I know until I looked up that even more were over my head.

There were just as many in the tree over my head

It’s easy to identify the 17-year brood from the run-of-the-mill cicada because they’re different colors. The most notable feature of the 17-years is their red eyes.

17-Year Brood

The annual bugs have dark eyes.

The annual Cicadas are rarely seen

If I’m still in Chicago when the 17-year brood returns, I’ll make the trip to see them again. Fact is truly stranger than fiction.

May the farce be with you!

Your IFF,

Pam

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About the Author

Pam Waits has more than 20 years of experience in human resources with 10 years in the top HR spot for mid-sized companies. She currently works as a Human Resources consultant. Additionally, she holds a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

Pam is also a writer and humorist, defying the perception that human resource professionals lack a sense of humor. She’s a leader who believes humor is an important part of a healthy business culture and a necessary part of life. 
If you’re too busy to laugh, you’re too busy.

Pam Waits | Blog | HR Articles | Videos | email

The Secret to Success!!!

People are always looking to the “Secret” to success, that “Magic Pill” that will transform you into something great! The success you want can be anything; losing weight, growing your business, being a great partner or parent, anything. So, where is that “Magic Key” where do you find it and why is it being hidden from you? They say the greatest place to hide something is right under a person’s nose and that is exactly where the key to your success is. The key to your success, all your success is already inside of you. Every resource and skill you need to be successful; confidence, discipline, hard work and all the others, you are already using in some area of your life, you may not even be aware of it. Once you become aware of those skills in your mind, you can move them over to the other areas of your life to accomplish all you dreams.

Here is an example: I had a client once in her late forties. She came to me because she claimed that all her life she had no confidence or self-esteem. She had been telling herself this all her life. I noticed that when she was telling me her story of despair, she was sitting tall and erect, she was projecting her voice with power and force and her body language was very commanding. She was telling how little confidence she had, very confidently. I told her that and she didn’t want to believe me and she became even more forceful and more sure of her story of no confidence. I had her freeze and look at her body language, her voice and her words. It was the first time in her life that she made the connection to herself, that she really did have self confidence. Once she made that connection all she needed to do was move confidence she had in telling her story to the other areas of her life. She was able to do that and she is now a very successful salesperson and has taken back her power in all the areas of her life.

So how do you capture your powerful success skills you already have and apply them to the other areas of your life? The exercise below will show you how to do that.

Homework Exercise

“Circle of Power”

Close your eyes and remember at time in your life when you were successful doing something (it could be anything) or something that you know you do really well. Now explore it: see the things you see while doing it, hear the things  you hear while doing it and feel the things you feel while doing.

Now imagine a circle on the floor in front of you big enough so you can step in it.

Take all the skills, resources and feelings you are experiencing doing this thing you do well (successfully) and take all those things and put them into that circle. You will notice that the circle will change color and you will begin to feel its powerful energy of your success traits coming from it.

Now step into the circle and feel all of your success from that thing you do well. See that way again, hear that way again and feel that way again. You will notice how different you feel. Standing taller, more focused in thought and confident in your ability.

Every time you need your success, power, strength and confidence…Close your eyes imagine that circle in front of you again, it beautiful color and powerful energy and then step into it. You will feel that way again and experience your success….Because….You are Amazing!!!

Scott Schmaren’s Bio

Scott Schmaren is a nationally known speaker, coach and author. He has spent over 20 years learning powerful success technologies. He has used what he has learned and created to transform his life, losing 180. He has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Scott’s techniques are being used for business, weight management, overcoming obstacles, achieving goals, stress management and many other things. Scott is co-author of the book, Stepping Stones to Success, along with Jack Canfield , Deepak Chopra and Dr. Denis Waitley. Scott’s forthcoming book is titled: “Your Ultimate Visionary Mind: Transforming Life in 30 Minutes a Day”.

The other day my exercise class was full of new people. Someone was standing where Nancy normally stands, so she was forced to move into a new spot in front of me.

Shelly, our instructor, was telling stories. (Somehow she’s able to lead the class, breathe and talk all at the same time. It’s amazing!) One of her quips finished with a quote from Albert Einstein:

What’s the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. (Correct Cliché)

Always looking for blog fodder, I started laughing to myself because I knew she’d gotten it wrong. She should have said:

What’s the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting the same results. (Fractured Cliché)

It wasn’t until I got home to write down my observation that I realized I was the crazy one.

I’m sure it was Nancy’s fault for standing in the wrong spot. I’m used to things being the same. She messed me up by doing something different.

May the farce be with you!

Your IFF,

Pam

Ein Stein

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About the Author

Pam Waits has more than 20 years of experience in human resources with 10 years in the top HR spot for mid-sized companies. She currently works as a Human Resources consultant. Additionally, she holds a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

Pam is also a writer and humorist, defying the perception that human resource professionals lack a sense of humor. She’s a leader who believes humor is an important part of a healthy business culture and a necessary part of life. 
If you’re too busy to laugh, you’re too busy.

Pam Waits | Blog | HR Articles | Videos | email

 Being Proactive

Giving personnel access to decision-making tools, contextual data and strategic planning resources also builds the company culture that supports being proactive-rather than reactive. Personnel learn to make decisions independently, thoroughly researching cause-and-effect data and making fact-based decisions. Employees learn that slow response is no longer acceptable. Teams understand that there is no longer an excuse for guessing at historical data, demand trends of taking blame guesses at what customer are wanting. Accuracy, demand planning and forecasting improve, company-wide.

Access to data through the use of technology allows personnel to take an active part in ongoing process improvement. Recent surveys indicate that engaged employees are the most productive and make the greatest contribution.

Sharing information with employees also encourages participation and ownership of role-related data. Access to performance management data gives employees the responsibility of applying the information in order to improve outcomes. The employee becomes motivated to influence key issues and sees the results of such actions. Performance data gives critical ongoing feedback to the employee, reinforcing positive actions.

An engaged employee will be alert to ways to improve efficiency, quality performance or customer satisfaction anywhere in the manufacturing process. Access to performance data helps the employee recognize opportunities, research cause-and effect theories and uncover opportunities where changes can be made to streamline activities, speed delivery time, conserve use of resources or anticipate a customer need.

Personnel must be trained to look for such opportunities, feel motivated to utilize the software capabilities to their fullest advantage and receive positive feedback for taking “above and beyond” actions. Again, access to strategic business intelligence data makes this possible—enabling management to monitor workforce productivity and track trends in performance improvements by individuals or departments.

When it is now possible to maximize productivity, optimize the use of the workforce and be keenly attuned to customer needs and customer expectations through performance management systems, decision-making tools, collaborative environments and enhanced workspaces, a new attitude is fueled within companies one that is not willing to settle for ho-hum performance. Technology enables a proactive mindset for the company and fosters a sense of priority on fast, agile attention to NEW ideas.

Wendell Podulka|   wendell.podulka@infor.com | http://www.infor.com

Arlington Heights and Education Hubs Launch

HandsOn Suburban Chicago (HOSC) and Linked Local Network (LLN), as part of the Community Hub Network, have collaborated to launch two new websites focusing on Arlington Heights and Education.  The sites will be previewed on May 1^st at 8:30 am at the Forest View Education Center Theater in Arlington Heights.  In attendance will be Thomas Hayes Arlington Heights Mayor, Carl LaMells of Clearbrook, and Mike Fiel Director of Community Education at Township HS District 214.

These two new Internet websites are designed to share news, information and events that professionals can use to grow their organization, engage in community dialogue and create long-term, mutually beneficial relationships between business, nonprofit, public service agencies and education sectors.

There will be a short presentation on how organizations can get involved and an opportunity to ask questions. There will also be a virtual ribbon cutting. This event is free to attend.

For more information and to register visit:  http://ArlingtonEducationCHN.eventbrite.com.  Ceremony can also be viewed  online at the Linked Local Network Google+ Community by  joining the Hangout.

Saying that scientists have made a discovery always lends a certain amount of credibility, no matter how ridiculous the revelation.

It’s been reported that Italian scientists discovered the gate to Hell – literally –  in Turkey (the country not the bird). Known as Pluto’s Gate, this is the genuine portal to the underworld.

Pluto’s Gate (Source: hurriyetdailynews.com)

Just as one might expect from the gate to Hell, it’s bad for your health. Laden with carbon dioxide fumes, even brief contact can be lethal.

I’ve actually been to Hell… in the Cayman Islands. I didn’t breathe any poisonous fumes and as far as I know, it didn’t kill me which leads me to suspect that Pluto’s Gate doesn’t end up in Cayman.

The other possibility is Michigan. I haven’t visited Hell, Michigan yet so I can’t say with certainty there are no deadly gasses. However, if such a phenomenon existed, I’m sure we would have heard about it by now.

It’s not clear to which Hell Pluto’s Gate leads – Cayman or Michigan. It probably depends on how bad you’ve been. Who the hell knows? It may not go anywhere. If that’s the case, to hell with it!

Someday I plan to go to Hell (Michigan, that is) and I’m going to have a helluva good time. I’ll skip the deadly, poisonous route of Pluto’s Gate and simply drive. It should be an easy trip because you know what they say – “the road to Hell is paved”. Besides, I want to experience Hell on wheels.

Going to Hell should be interesting but it doesn’t sound like the most appealing vacation. Frankly, I don’t want to go unless I can come back.

May the farce be with you!

Your IFF,

Pam

Proof I’ve been to Hell

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About the Author

Pam Waits has more than 20 years of experience in human resources with 10 years in the top HR spot for mid-sized companies. She currently works as a Human Resources consultant. Additionally, she holds a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

Pam is also a writer and humorist, defying the perception that human resource professionals lack a sense of humor. She’s a leader who believes humor is an important part of a healthy business culture and a necessary part of life. 
If you’re too busy to laugh, you’re too busy.

Pam Waits | Blog | HR Articles | Videos | email

“What Do You Say When You Talk to Yourself ?” 

All day long we talk to ourselves. Are you even aware of that and what you say to yourself? Most of us aren’t. Yet at least several hundreds times a day we say things, comment, compliment, criticize and sometimes put ourselves down. The conversations we have in our head are important. They help define who we are and what we are? They are an important part of creating the self-image we have about ourselves. Unfortunately, if you are not aware of your self talk then most of it is probably negative. You know what I am talking about, you are doing something and you make a mistake and the little voice in your mind says to you, “How could you be so stupid?”. This self talk and commentary we have is happening all day long and until you become aware of it, you can’t change it. We become what we say to ourselves all the time. So if we are saying negative things to ourselves, our lives most likely reflect that. Where did it come from? Many times it comes from our childhood, growing up. We hear things like; Your… Stupid…Dumb…To Fat…Ugly…Not Good Enough…Worthless…Unlovable…and there are many more. Our subconscious minds are very powerful and if you tell it something enough times, it will believe that it is true…even when it isn’t. When we hear those negative words enough times, we start acting that way and the world starts treating us that way. Fortunately, if we say great things about ourselves over and over, we believe that we are great and the world treats us that way. Positive or negative either one is and can become your reality.

How do we change our self talk? The first step is to become aware of it. You cannot change anything that you are not aware of. Being aware of who you are, what you are and what you think are the most powerful tools of change. Without them you are forever destined to live the current life you are living. Today’s Success Homework will allow you to become; awake and aware of your internal dialogue and then be able to change it. What should you be saying to yourself? Look at the picture in this article, “Strength” read the words surrounding it, those are great examples of what you should be saying to yourself, all day long, everyday. You are Amazing…accept that about yourself.

Your Success Homework

Every time you catch yourself saying something negative to yourself, freeze, stop what you are doing and repeat these words: CANCEL, CANCEL, CANCEL…and then replace your negative statement with a positive one. Here is an example: You make a mistake doing something and you say to yourself “Am I stupid”….Freeze…say: CANCEL, CANCEL, CANCEL…”I am learning new things everyday and getting wiser”. Does that sound simple, it is. At first you will not catch yourself that much because you are not that aware of your thoughts. Soon you will be aware and you will be “cancelling” yourself all day long. Eventually you negative self talk will subside and you will think more positively and you will be “cancelling” yourself  less and less.

Scott Schmaren’s Bio

Scott Schmaren is a nationally known speaker, hypnotist and author. He has spent over 20 years learning powerful success technologies. He has used what he has learned and created to transform his life, losing 180. He has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show.  Oprah said, “If Scott can do it, I can do it and so can you! Scott’s techniques are being used for business, weight management, overcoming obstacles, achieving goals and many other things. Scott is co-author of the book, Stepping Stones to Success, along with Jack Canfield , Deepak Chopra and Dr. Denis Waitley. Scott’s forthcoming book is titled, “Your Ultimate Visionary Mind: Transforming Your Life in 30 Minutes a Day”.

Have you ever faced a situation in which any decision you made could be a bad one? I experienced this recently with a new consulting assignment.

I was excited to get the work. It was a new client and my performance could send more work my way. I’d prepared for the first meeting, was confident in my ability and ready to go. Then the unthinkable happened.

The evening before the meeting, Dewey and Mia sprinted outside and got sprayed by a skunk. It was dark. The dogs ran out of the house like normal, the outside light came on, and we spotted the skunk. Stephen called the dogs back but it was too late. The skunk was scared and let everyone know. With the dogs now running toward the house, we had to act fast. Dewey came in first and I grabbed him. Picking him up at arm’s length, I threw him in the laundry room sink. Stephen got Mia after she jumped on the sofa.

The smell was horrific. Stephen washed the dogs in order to minimize my exposure.

The next morning the house reeked. It was like an odorous cloud wafting through the house with a smell that would cling to your body. Our noses were desensitized and we had no way of knowing whether or not we smelled.

I pictured myself as a living version of Peanut’s Pig Pen with the odor following me wherever I went. Highly doubting a reputation as “The Smelly Consultant” would garner business, I saw two options for my meeting. (1) Explain what happened and apologize or (2) Pretend it never happened and hope they didn’t notice.

Because Stephen took the brunt of the spray, he offered to conduct a sniff test at work. The logic: if he passed, I would too. Fortunately he smelled normal so I followed my instinct and kept silent. Either my new clients didn’t notice anything or they granted me im-pew-nity for my transgression. I think it was the former because I got the job.

I learned something through this experience. Follow your instinct even if your inn stinked.

May the farce be with you!

Your IFF,

Pam

Stephen assured me I wasn’t smelly