We loved seeing the faces of our employees who received one of the holiday meals last year. It was one of the most rewarding ways to give back. A handful of our most dedicated and hardworking employees were given a holiday meal to share with their family this season. We chose to present them with gift cards this year so that they can choose their meals. Just another way Midwest Staffing and Keystaff Professionals can bring joy and spread holiday cheer.
Our team had so much fun volunteering at 2nd Harvest Heartland last year, that we did it again! A group of us got together and spent another evening packaging boxes of food. We partnered with others in the community to prepare 757 boxes of food. Each of these boxes contained nearly 30 meals for someone in our community. This truly is one of our favorite ways to volunteer our time to help others.
https://www.2harvest.org/second-harvest-heartland-local-minnesota-wisconsin-food-bank
We did it again! Midwest Staffing and KeyStaff Professionals participated in the 2022 “Toys for Tots Campaign”. We decided to put a goal in place, to collect more than 500 toys this year. Our 8 branch offices worked together, with some friendly competition, to gather as many toys as we could. On the final collection day, we slid in with 579 toys, collected and ready to be dropped off at the local collection site. Putting big smiles on children’s faces Christmas morning makes us so happy!!
Shoe Away Hunger Program
Shoe Away Hunger offers affordable quality footwear for those in need. In addition, it helps to raise the important dollars we need to continue feeding over 7,500 people each month through our Food Programs and services. This amazing program offers a simple and meaningful way for you to join with us as we work together to eliminate local hunger “one sole at a time”.
https://www.goodinthehood.org/our-programs/shoe-away-hunger/
During this really fun and rewarding event our volunteers sorted new and used shoes that are donated to this organization. They are sold for next to nothing to churches and organizations. The money they raise goes to their food shelf. What a wonderful opportunity and a big difference you have made to many!
Contributions and benefits inspire some to acquire management positions, but effective leadership requires more than a job title. Roles and responsibilities in the workplace vary according to job industry and company needs. There are various levels and styles of leadership, but one common experience shared by many in management positions is stress.How can we minimize stress for smarter and simplified work performance? Is working to the point of exhaustion detrimental or essential for successful leadership? Let’s explore together!
Working long shifts and cutting on lunch breaks may seem like heroic acts for your team, but in reality you may be cheating out your potential and company success. According to the Statista – The Statistical Portal, workload and interpersonal relations are the main causes of occupational stress. Statista goes on to state, “More than one third of employees lose one hour or more per day in productivity, while almost one third miss between three and six days per year due to stress.” Eustress is a healthy form of stress that helps increase focus and productivity. Burnout on the other hand occurs when faced with numerous responsibilities, job expectations beyond our reach, issues with coworkers, multiple deadlines, and other factors leading to workplace stress. The good new is there are ways to work smarter and more simplified to help decrease stress and prevent burnout!
8-Stress-Reducing Tips to Prevent Burnout:
1. Take a break. Each day brings numerous demands and deadlines, but it’s crucial to take at least a 30-minute break when working long hours. Employers offer different break schedules depending on the number of hours worked each day. Use break times to disconnect from work-related activities. This provides an opportunity to step away from stressors, recharging the mind with more creativity and focus.
2. Don’t skip on meals. The brain requires glucose (sugar) for optimal concentration and mental performance. Skipping on meals can influence energy levels, concentration, and work performance as well as your overall health.
3. Get a 5 min breather. Some days can be more challenging than others. If you are having a stressful workday, take 5 minutes to breathe and calm yourself down. Ask your employer if you can take 5 minutes of breathing space. Something as simple as stepping outside for 5 minutes can make a difference in decreasing stress levels.
4. Plan your day in advance. Unexpected situations occur, yet we can establish workflow consistency by planning activities and tasks ahead of time. For instance, make a list of projects and responsibilities requiring top priority and accomplish these early during the day, listing less important tasks for the end of your workday. Some people also find it productive to schedule significant tasks during times of the day when his or her energy levels are at its peak. This allows for more proficient work and also contributes to effective time management.
5. Simplify your workload. Breakdown projects into manageable tasks to be accomplished throughout the workday, this can decrease stress when faced with multiple deadlines. Rather than focusing on the time crunch, gear your attention to a few tasks that must be completed on a timely fashion.
6. Delegate responsibilities. Allow other employees to assist you as much as possible. Sharing responsibilities with coworkers decreases workload and promotes teamwork and collaboration.
7. Communicate needs to higher authorities. If you’ve tried all the suggestions listed above and others, yet still feel overwhelmed with job responsibilities it may be time to discuss your concerns with a higher authority. Your boss can provide additional suggestions and strategies that can prove beneficial.
8. Allow for introspection and reflection. Take time to review your work habits, reflecting on areas that require improvement and change. This is not a time to judge yourself, but rather an opportunity for growth and mastering leadership skills. Reflection shares light into job situations and strategies to promote stress-reduction in the workplace.
Job responsibilities and time constraints in the workplace calls attention to the importance of productivity. This is essential for individuals in professional roles were company success is co-dependent on leadership performance and accountability. Having more time to accomplish tasks doesn’t necessarily yield better results. On the other hand, using allotted time efficiently and effectively can bring about even greater positive outcomes.
LEADERSHIP TIPS TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE
1. Focus on one project at a time. It’s difficult to concentrate on any given assignment when your attention is split on numerous tasks. Rather than multitasking, thoroughly complete one project before engaging in another.
2. Schedule times for correspondence. Not all messages and calls need immediate attention. Wait for an opportune time to address correspondence, and then address each message and phone call in order of importance. Being quick to respond to incoming emails and calls can disrupt creativity and workflow.
3. Take care of important jobs first. It’s easy to procrastinate least enjoyable assignments or those requiring great effort. As the day evolves these projects seem all the more dreadful when a time crunch is in place. Instead, place important tasks on the top of your daily to-do list.
4. Do what can be done today. If taking care of an assignment today alleviates tomorrows workload, then it’s best to finish the same day. Do take into consideration other work responsibilities and job roles. Don’t overload yourself to the point of exhaustion, which can potential decrease productivity the following day. Use discretion when considering additional assignments.
5. Take breaks. Skipping breaks and lunch time may seem like the best way to get the most out of your workday. Yet, depleting your body of nutrition and rest can have negative impacts on work performance and health. Take a breather from time-to-time throughout the day. Recharging your mind and body promotes creativity and productivity.
The first day on your new job has arrived! You’re anxious, scared, and intimidated by more experienced employees. Everyone knows you’re a new graduate and the look of fear on your face clearly spells out “rookie”. There are ways to create an atmosphere that promotes business relationships and a positive first impression. Yes, even if you are fresh out of graduate school!
STRATEGIES TO STAY CALM & COLLECTED ON YOUR FIRST DAY OF WORK:
1. Keep your cool. Literally. No one likes to share an office with a sweaty and stinky co-worker. Although it may be nerve wrecking to start the “job of your dreams”, anticipate all possible scenarios by selecting comfortable and airy attire that fits your job position. This will keep you looking and feeling fresh.
2. Maintain your confidence. There are many employees, which can attest that longevity doesn’t always amount to a qualified employee or to better work performance. There are new hires including graduates, which are just as skilled and perform better on the job than employees with seniority. Be confident in yourskills and area of expertise, knowing you have much to contribute to the company.
3. Don’t be intimidated to ask questions. Many times new employees want to be self-sufficient from day one, with the idea of not burdening others or delaying the work flow. In all truth, everyone expects new hires to have lots of questions and to go through a period of training. During this time mistakes may occur, but they can serve as a springboard for future success. I’m not referring to negligence or lack of professional conduct, but rather to a general expectation that new hires are in a process of learning and becoming acquainted with the workplace.
4. Familiarize yourself with the work environment. Arrive a few minutes early and get acquainted with the work setting. For example, locate emergency exits, restrooms, employee lounge, meeting rooms, storage rooms, and employee login area. Becoming acquainted with your job setting is one less stressor that can be addressed early on in your work day. Some employees are privileged to attend orientation prior to the first day of work, yet regardless all employees can arrive a few minutes early and explore the environment.
5. Greet everyone with a friendly attitude. For the most part people like the company of other positive individuals. There’s a lot to learn and mentally digest on the first day of work, and there may be little time left to interact with co-workers. Break time is a great opportunity to become acquainted with other employees in your workplace.
Wishing you much success on your first day of work!
Throughout the day we experience fluctuating periods of increased alertness and sleepiness. For some individuals creativity and mental focus intensifies in the early morning, while others are more proficient in the evening. A person’s internal biological clock or circadian rhythm influences periods of wakefulness at various times of the day. Working against one’s internal biological clock can be challenging, particularly for employees who are most productive in the evening and hold daytime positions. Fortunately implementing a few strategies can yield positive results when seeking to increase morning productivity.
The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) comments further on the role of internal circadian rhythm and wakefulness:
The circadian rhythm dips and rises at different times of the day, so adults’ strongest sleep drive generally occurs between 2:00-4:00 am and in the afternoon between 1:00-3:00 pm, although there is some variation depending on whether you are a “morning person” or “evening person.”
Having adequate sleep each night is a good starting point to increase daytime energy. Allow a period of adjustment as your body adapts to a new sleep schedule. Also, avoid long naps even if the previous evening you slept fewer hours than desired. Limiting hour-long naps contributes to better sleep and increased restfulness at night. As noted by the NSF, “The sleepiness we experience during these circadian dips will be less intense if we have had sufficient sleep, and more intense when we are sleep deprived.” Recommended sleep hours vary depending on the individual’s age, lifestyle, and health needs. In general, adults should get an average of 7-9 hours of sleep each night.
TIPS FOR ADJUSTING YOUR BIOLOGICAL CLOCK:
1. Get a good night’s rest and limit hour-long naps during the day.
2. Adhere to an exercise routine.
3. Limit consumption of caffeinated foods and beverages in the later afternoon and during the evening.
4. Develop a sleep schedule that’s suitable for your lifestyle and health needs.
5. Monitor times of the day when you are most alert and plan your workday accordingly. If possible, plan important work projects during times of the day when energy spikes. On the other hand, tedious tasks can be scheduled when feeling sluggish, as they tend to require little if any mental exertion.
6. Don’t run on empty. Be sure to have a healthy breakfast each morning before heading to work.
7. Incorporate a motivational boost. Mediation, spiritual practice, or preferred activity can be introduced to bring enjoyment to the start of your day.
Midwest Staffing and Keystaff Professionals are honored to have volunteered and assisted My Very Own Bed – Providing new beds to kids in need!
Our teams designed and assembled beautiful dream kits for each bed. Once completed, we helped deliver beds and the dream kits to children that were in need of beds in our local community. It was an incredible experience and very heartfelt. We especially loved seeing the kids light when they received a bed where they can enjoy sleep and personal space. Our teams are already looking forward to the next time we volunteer for this amazing non-profit organization founded by Michael J. Allen.
Check the KSTP News interview at the link below!
Teamwork yields positive results when individuals are encouraged to manifest his or her full potential. The coming together to share ideas and strategize solutions, bring endless opportunities of creativity. Let’s examine why teamwork is such an essential component in career and business success.
BENEFITS OF TEAMWORK:
1. Promotes Originality:
No two people think alike. Picture a room filled with highly skilled individuals, a white board, and a black marker. The creativity and brainpower in such a scenario is immense! We each have gifts and ideas to contribute in the work setting.
2. Inspires Creative Thinking:
Teamwork brings forth constructive approaches that encouragecollaboration of tasks and responsibilities. Motivating others to share creative skills and talents is paramount for success.
3. Makes Delegating Easy:
For people in managerial positions, delegation is necessary. With a strong team of dedicated employees working efficiently is likely to increase.
4. Welcomes a Support:
A collaborative teams support members to achieve excellence. Teamwork benefits employees, but much more employers. Employee support portrays flexibility and professionalism in part of the company.
5. Builds Relationships:
Teamwork influences business relations and supports work ethics. When teamwork drives employees there’s a different atmosphere in the work setting. On average we spend more than half of our day working, thinking of work, or getting to work. For some people it’s all of the above. Building healthy relationships with co-workers can make the workday more enjoyable.