It's that wonderful time of the year when Holiday Whining can happen to anyone. So here are a few tips from my wonderful friends at AATH (Association of Applied Therapeutic Humor) to help us all get through this Holly Jolly Season.
10 Tips For Staying "Up" in Down Times
As a member of the Association of Applied and Therapeutic Humor, I have the opportunity to know some of the most wonderful people in the world and none of them are whiners, well at least not in public. Our members know the value of keeping the right perspective when times are tough and have generated this list of 10 tips to help you lighten up and rise above the current economic turmoil and stress of the holiday season:
1. Adjust Your Attitude - Stop watching the news and start counting your blessings instead of your money! The blessings will increase, while the money is...well, you know! Personally, I try to watch Comedy Central instead of the depressing daily news channels.
2. Make Someone Else Happy - Send unexpected 'thank you' or greeting cards to a mix of people. Start with those who aren't expecting it but deserve it. Then, send a couple to people who aren't expecting and don't deserve it. Then, pick a couple names at random out of the phone book that certainly aren't expecting it and have no idea who you are! How about making sure that you say thank you to your mail carrier and give a gift too. Did you know that $20. is the legal limit that they can accept.
3. Signs of the Times - Have some mirthful signs or sayings handy. For example:
- The rules have changed... there are none!
- Walking on water is in my job description!
- Apparently, not all clowns are in the circus!
- Never wrestle with a pig - you both get dirty, but the pig likes it!
- You don't have to be crazy to work here...but it sure helps!
- If we're closed, just slide the money under the door!
- I'm not weird... I'm gifted!
-Don't let your Jingle Bell become Jingle Hell!
4. Try Some Random Acts of Silliness and Kindness - Wear mismatched gloves or socks... on purpose! Page yourself over the intercom! If and when a store clerk, restaurant server or flight attendant asks matter-of-factly "How are you today?" try replies such as, "Well medicated - and you?" or "At least I'm vertical!" Instead of them always thanking you, thank them first and watch their reaction! I've been wearing my foam clown nose around town telling everyone that I'm Rudolph's grandmother.
5. Fun with Food - Put a bag of cookies or marshmallows in your briefcase. Then, start your meeting by asking, "Dessert, anyone?" Have a marshmallow stacking competition! Put a pack of bubble gum in your coat pocket and, in the elevator, offer some to everyone! I love to pass pout candy canes to strangers and especially children.
6. Pop Goes Your Worries - Save your bubble wrap! It's a great stress reliever. Pop it with your fingers, knees and toes! Dance on it! Pop it with the help of young children! Pop it, in unison, to the beat of music! Popping is better than mopping!
7. Use Your Imagination - Think of what would happen if certain companies merged. For example: Fairchild Semiconductor and Honeywell Corporation would become Fairwell Honeychild. Grey Poupon and Docker Pants would become Poupon Pants. If FedEx joined UPS, they might become FedUP. I'm not clever enough for this one.
8. Rename to Keep Sane - Cash Flow: The movement your money makes as it disappears down the toilet. Broker: What I am today, after taking the advice of my financial planner. P/E Ratio: The percentage of investors wetting their pants as the market keeps crashing. Nor this one.
9. Exaggerate - Comedians overstate things to get a laugh. You can too! Our family is so poor these days... we took out a second mortgage on our cardboard box. Our family is so poor these days... to save on milk, we eat our corn flakes with a fork. Our family is so poor these days... when someone rings the doorbell, I stick my head out the window and yell, "Ding-Dong." I'm going to be playing golf in The World Series of Golf to be televised on CBS Sports prior to the Us Open and unfortuantley this is not an exaggeration.
10. Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella - This simple choice is yours. You can frown and be miserable (way too many people readily choose this option), or you can wear a contagious smile. In your conversations with people, smile and ask to see their smile. Then say, "I see you've been practicing!" Along with the smile be sure to make eye contact and if that doesn't work just give them a just because HUG.
I hope you found some ideas you can use and be sure to let me know how they worked for you!
10 Tips For Staying "Up" in Down Times
As a member of the Association of Applied and Therapeutic Humor, I have the opportunity to know some of the most wonderful people in the world and none of them are whiners, well at least not in public. Our members know the value of keeping the right perspective when times are tough and have generated this list of 10 tips to help you lighten up and rise above the current economic turmoil and stress of the holiday season:
1. Adjust Your Attitude - Stop watching the news and start counting your blessings instead of your money! The blessings will increase, while the money is...well, you know! Personally, I try to watch Comedy Central instead of the depressing daily news channels.
2. Make Someone Else Happy - Send unexpected 'thank you' or greeting cards to a mix of people. Start with those who aren't expecting it but deserve it. Then, send a couple to people who aren't expecting and don't deserve it. Then, pick a couple names at random out of the phone book that certainly aren't expecting it and have no idea who you are! How about making sure that you say thank you to your mail carrier and give a gift too. Did you know that $20. is the legal limit that they can accept.
3. Signs of the Times - Have some mirthful signs or sayings handy. For example:
- The rules have changed... there are none!
- Walking on water is in my job description!
- Apparently, not all clowns are in the circus!
- Never wrestle with a pig - you both get dirty, but the pig likes it!
- You don't have to be crazy to work here...but it sure helps!
- If we're closed, just slide the money under the door!
- I'm not weird... I'm gifted!
-Don't let your Jingle Bell become Jingle Hell!
4. Try Some Random Acts of Silliness and Kindness - Wear mismatched gloves or socks... on purpose! Page yourself over the intercom! If and when a store clerk, restaurant server or flight attendant asks matter-of-factly "How are you today?" try replies such as, "Well medicated - and you?" or "At least I'm vertical!" Instead of them always thanking you, thank them first and watch their reaction! I've been wearing my foam clown nose around town telling everyone that I'm Rudolph's grandmother.
5. Fun with Food - Put a bag of cookies or marshmallows in your briefcase. Then, start your meeting by asking, "Dessert, anyone?" Have a marshmallow stacking competition! Put a pack of bubble gum in your coat pocket and, in the elevator, offer some to everyone! I love to pass pout candy canes to strangers and especially children.
6. Pop Goes Your Worries - Save your bubble wrap! It's a great stress reliever. Pop it with your fingers, knees and toes! Dance on it! Pop it with the help of young children! Pop it, in unison, to the beat of music! Popping is better than mopping!
7. Use Your Imagination - Think of what would happen if certain companies merged. For example: Fairchild Semiconductor and Honeywell Corporation would become Fairwell Honeychild. Grey Poupon and Docker Pants would become Poupon Pants. If FedEx joined UPS, they might become FedUP. I'm not clever enough for this one.
8. Rename to Keep Sane - Cash Flow: The movement your money makes as it disappears down the toilet. Broker: What I am today, after taking the advice of my financial planner. P/E Ratio: The percentage of investors wetting their pants as the market keeps crashing. Nor this one.
9. Exaggerate - Comedians overstate things to get a laugh. You can too! Our family is so poor these days... we took out a second mortgage on our cardboard box. Our family is so poor these days... to save on milk, we eat our corn flakes with a fork. Our family is so poor these days... when someone rings the doorbell, I stick my head out the window and yell, "Ding-Dong." I'm going to be playing golf in The World Series of Golf to be televised on CBS Sports prior to the Us Open and unfortuantley this is not an exaggeration.
10. Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella - This simple choice is yours. You can frown and be miserable (way too many people readily choose this option), or you can wear a contagious smile. In your conversations with people, smile and ask to see their smile. Then say, "I see you've been practicing!" Along with the smile be sure to make eye contact and if that doesn't work just give them a just because HUG.
I hope you found some ideas you can use and be sure to let me know how they worked for you!
CHECK OUT AATH ONLINE!
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