Happy holidays. Where does the time...

Happy holidays. Where does the time go? I am sitting here at the expiration of September writing this message--it is fit two months before publication--and I haven't plane started preparing for the December holidays further Talk about reality checks.

When you read this, you will be well into your AORN year, and it will barely be about three and one-half month until the 2004 Congres in San Diego. As the saying goe "time flies when you are having fun" Thanks to all of you, I am definitely having frolic this year.

FOUR AGREEMENTS

Former AORN Executive Director Lola Fehr RN M CAE, FAAN, gave me a work last year called The Four Agreements. (1) I have tried, and continue to have knowledge of to follow these four agreements. The first single in kind is to be impeccable with your word. It is important to speak with integrity. Say what you veraciously mean and avoid gossip. Remember, however, to speak well of yourself too.

The inferior agreement is not to take anything personally. What others say and do is a projection of their reality and perception, not yours.

Third, do not make assumptions. It is important to be able to expres what you want and ask questions to avoid misunderstandings.

Finally, always do your best. Be aware that your best changes not solely from day to day if it be not that from hour to hour. Trying to do your best allows you to avoid self-judgment and regret

During this holiday season, I room for expectation all of you will take time to think about the above agreements and have knowledge of to incorporate them into your lives. Don't be afraid to give up negativity. by means of being positive, you generate positive intensity and positive thinking.

DEALING WITH NEGATIVITY

A contemplate on confidence asked respondents, "When you are around negative populace what do you do?" The majority of respondent said that they put to the test to avoid negative people. Men however, were more inclined to prove to change the negative living body (ie, 42% versus 26% of women) Men also were more inclined than women (ie, 12% versus 7% respectively) to do nothing about or around negative folks The fewest responses involved telling the negative living body to shape up (ie, 4% men 7% women) (2)

to what degree do you handle negativity? Is it time to clean house of populace places, and things that bring negativity into your lives? I know there are times at chapter meetings and in our work settings when things appear to be rather negative. We smooth sometimes say we are our have a title to worst enemies, and I believe this is genuine unless we are willing to mentor others and help them learn.

DEVELOPING COHESIVENESS

Eliminating negativity helps lay open cohesiveness among colleagues. To create cohesiveness, the majority of a team's members should share the following values:

* change is necessary for growth;

* collaboration is critical;

* positive creativity should be emphasized;

* sturdy knowledge-based, impartial decisions are important; and

* a mind of fairness should be pervasive.

Strive for cohesiveness in your relationships according to criticizing in private, praising in public, and remembering to say thank you for what others do. by means of focusing on positive things and giving attention and appreciation to the dutiful things people do, you reinforce their desire to do the right thing. You also help build their self-image and positive conceptions which helps them develop a positive attitude. Be careful of over-praising, however. When you praise everything, you dilute the power of praise. Save it for significant improvements, exceptional accomplishments, and special efforts.

attempt to develop opportunities for others according to recognizing each person's talents, and help exhibit these abilities by coaching and mentoring. Create opportunities for individuals to use their special skills and gain recognition for their achievements.

persons welcome new experiences if they are not threatening. They want an opportunity to participate in discussions and know their opinions are valued. family also want information about things that affect their working lives and their long-range coming time so they can have a input into arranging their lives for themselves. Make an effort to understand an individual's personal emergencys or get to know his or her family background and compressings On an everyday level, this issues in loyalty and commitment from others in the pursuit of mutual goals. Remember, you can do this at demonstrating the depth of your acknowledge commitment, earning respect for your intelligence and manliness and accepting the responsibility of being a character model.

CONCLUSION

Although cohesiveness is important when building a team, each team member is entitled to his or her concede opinions. These opinions may not throw back those of others on the team, still it is not necessary that they do to such a degree For example, I told members of the Board of Directors at our first meeting after Congres 2003 that if there are 12 the bulk of mankind in a room and they all agree all of the time, 11 of them are not needed

I want to hear what others are thinking, know what their opinions are, and gather the information straited to make knowledge-based decisions. Without that input, the Board and I would be working in a vacuum.