SharonMWeinstein Archives - Sharon M Weinstein

June 20, 2021 By Sharon Weinstein

The Big Reset…who owns a great work environment?

It’s been more than a year since we pushed the reset button. During this time, many of my clients and colleagues began to be “home-based” members of a team. Moms have been pushed to the limit with work, schooling, child-care, and stress. There was a time when it was taboo to talk about the stressors of work/life balance in the physical workplace. My clients report that now is the time when it is okay to make the personal professional. After all, how many times, when on a Zoom or Teams call, has a child entered your workspace (whether it is a real space, the kitchen island, or a bedroom)?

Some companies pushed reset by shuttering satellite offices, knowing full well that employees are perfectly capable of maintaining productivity in a home setting.

We have become much more flexible, and there are many facets to flexible:

Shifting work hours or job-sharing to accommodate school schedules and drop-offs plus the formidable child-care crisis that occurs between 3 and 5 pm
A shorter workweek which has been successful in Europe for many years
Support for those who work from home, including a budget for a desk, chair, or desktop monitor

Who owns a great work environment? It is a shared responsibility that is owned by the employer and the employee. It’s time to push reset and acknowledge that shared responsibility. The employer can ask direct reports about their preferred styles of working and what support they may need. Continue to schedule remote or hybrid team meetings to enhance engagement. If onsite, maintain a safe setting and reread the three facts of flexibility!

The employee can maintain boundaries, advising kids and partners of dedicated work time, and may need privacy. Keep regular hours, whether remote or in-person. Take the time to take care of yourself, allowing downtime, hydration, and small talk to support your own physical, emotional and social needs.

It’s been more than a year, and we are ready to return to the workplace or to maintain a more flexible workspace no matter where that may be. The Big Reset is here…and we all own the responsibility for making that work environment a great one! Are you ready to push reset?

April 24, 2021 By Sharon Weinstein

Join me for a Nurses’ Week Celebration…2021

National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6th and ends on May 12th, Florence Nightingale’s birthday.

International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world on May 12th of each year, and this year, once again, the theme for Nurses Week continues…the year of the nurse and midwife.

The Coronavirus has shifted priorities; hospitals and health systems would now be finalizing plans for The Year of the Nurse, and the opportunity to celebrate nurses and nursing. Nursing the World to Health is precisely what we are doing!

Priorities may have shifted, but nurses remain on the frontlines 24/7/365, providing care, often with limited resources, and making us proud.

In the midst of social distancing, anxiety, and fear of the unknown, and to honor all that you do, I’ll provide a series of complimentary sessions addressing key topics for the nursing community:

Wednesday, May 5, 2021 – 11 am ET

Compassion Fatigue

Today, more than ever before, compassion fatigue is a possibility. Awareness of the problem is critical to developing an intervention. We find ourselves wanting to be all things to all people, and we realize that we cannot do it.

Objectives:

Discuss signs of compassion fatigue
Describe coping strategies
List possible interventions

Friday, May 7, 2021 – 11 am ET

Life as a Balancing Act- Family Matters

We all have responsibilities, whether caring for children or elderly parents or pursuing personal interests, activities, or hobbies. Some of us are in the “sandwich generation; we’re juggling the challenge of homeschooling and vulnerable parents or family members. We must be equipped to resolve personal and workplace issues, juggle conflicting responsibilities and balance personal and workplace roles. Are you ready to learn how you can balance your act – when family life matters?

Objectives

Identify challenges of work/life balance during a pandemic
Discuss the power of three
List 3 ways to ensure that family matters

Sunday, May 9, 2021 – 11 am ET

Stress and Crisis Management

Watching TV, listening to special reports, reading the newspaper (online or live), we have been inundated with reports that stress us to the point of exhaustion. Our ability to interact as members of teams drives our sense of belonging, inclusivity, collaboration, and trust. The Coronavirus has shifted our focus, leaving team members frustrated, tired, and anxious. As a team, you care for others, well aware of their fears, while concern mounts about transmission to your own family, exposure, and overall well-being. Social distancing has removed our ability to reach out and touch someone, to hold a hand, to wipe a brow, and to enjoy fellowship.

I’ll share tips for surviving and thriving during a pandemic. Yes, you can make time for yourself, stay in touch, exercise, stay safe, and keep your distance. This is your chance to learn how.

Objectives

Describe anxiety levels around Covid-19
Identify tips for surviving and thriving
Discuss the gratitude gap

Tuesday, May 11, 2021 – 11 am ET

Self-care is not selfish

Now is the time to be your own cheerleader; I’ll share content related to Self-Care along with a 32-page Playbook featuring a special section on Tips and Techniques for Self-care.

Objectives

Discuss healing environments
Read and interpret your body’s signals
Describe mindset

Attend this 4-part series of FREE programs in honor of nurses and nursing. Enroll now, at no charge, and receive a copy of the 32-page Playbook! http://bit.ly/3lx9cez

January 30, 2021 By Sharon Weinstein

How to Host a Virtual Book Launch Party…vision to reality

Are You Ready to Reinvent Yourself? A Post-Pandemic Approach to Work/Life Balance was a vision on December 15th, 2020 that became a reality on January 28th, 2021! I had the content (in my head), the mindset, and the goal to complete the process and to make it shine! While my Launch Party would have been live, with cocktails, snacks, a book signing, and so much more, I needed to push my own “reset” and “repurpose” my ideas into something virtual.

My first stop was Google, where I reviewed ideas, past experiences, and failures. My second stop was YouTube, where I perused party ideas, virtual offerings, games, and so much more! My third stop was my own designer, computer, home office, and my talented family members; together, we created something incredibly special that far exceeded expectations.

Step One: Create branded graphics

For this step, I went to Kimb Williams, an extraordinary graphic designer who “reads” me. She created the front and back cover, promo materials for the book launch and party, banners for Facebook, and everything imaginable. I said balloons, and she delivered customized balloons! I said virtual background depicting a party, and she went to work creating templates that far exceeded my expectations! I created an invitational video, multiple social media posts, direct messaging, and email blasts.

Step Two: Pick a date/time

Chances are that you’ve already scheduled your launch; the party date is next. Make it a date/time of the week that works across timezones. Make it something that would be before dinner Pacific Time, and after an early dinner Eastern Time. With no carpool runs and other errands, everyone is fairly certain to be at home! I scheduled the party on Zoom and started promoting the event 10-12 days prior to the event. I asked those interested to respond, “I’m in” via text, messaging, or email. I also added a response button to each of my websites.

Step Three: Plan the schedule

I considered multiple ideas and settled on these key components to a successful launch party:

Consider pre-planted questions about your inspiration, your why your intended outcomes (I did not need them because I had the right mix of people at the party and they asked without prompting).
Prepare a story that will capture your audience’s attention and make them feel included; frame it well (This was easy for me; at another time in my life, I worked 100 hours per week/3 countries per week, and I found balance. I also used my nursing platform to reinvent myself multiple times in multiple states and roles).
Use visuals (I decided on a brief PowerPoint presentation with a built-in game
Ask someone to co-host or share the screen to keep things rolling smoothly, and to allow yourself to relax (I asked a family member to co-host; she also recreated the game on her own PC, added the names, branding, confetti, and applause while entertaining everyone)
Be sure to include “How to Order” in your slide deck and offer an explanation of both ordering and reviewing processes
Rehearse prior to the event with your tech team (family member or friend) to ensure that everything works well

Step Four: Invite your guests

I invited a broad group of potential guests, some of whom were unable to attend. I also opened it via social media to those with an interest, asking them to reach out to me. I created and used lots of hashtags to spur interest and curiosity. Trust me, the right people were in the right seats (in their own homes) at the right time). Everyone who responded favorably received a pdf copy of the book.

Step Four: Start and end strong

The internet connection was strong (a pre-requisite), the background was amazing (thanks to Kimb), and the Zoom room looked full with nearly everyone visible. Following my lead with a glass of sparkling white grape juice, the tone was set for reflection, reinvention, and fun! I extended warm welcomes and intros and then we shared the presentation. I had pre-selected a few segments to read aloud, and because we were virtual, I opted to add a few words to a slide and to share using that tool. The content included a favorite quote, a reason for Trusting the Process (Part 8), the intro to my story of Reinventing Yourself the Kellogg Way, and more. We then played Spinthewheel, identified an Amazon Giftcard Winner, and everyone was given a chance to add to the conversation. Through open networking, and my ability to draw each individual into the conversation, the party was a huge success.

Step Five: Celebrate success

I followed up immediately after the event with a personalized email message and an updated copy of the book. I recorded a thank-you video that was shared with each attendee. The video and the success story was posted on multiple social media outlets; since then, I’ve received great interest in the book, in my other releases, and in my work. Take advantage of my lessons learned; adapt what works for you to create your own Virtual Book Launch Party, and have fun!

December 17, 2020 By Sharon Weinstein

It’s your CHOICE…postponed or canceled

Henry Miller tells us that, “Life, as it is called, is for most of us one long postponement.” The pandemic shifted many of our lives, postponing, and sometimes canceling booked events, meetings, conferences, and family gatherings. It’s one thing to postpone a meeting or event; it is another thing to put our dreams on hold. What gets in the way of our dreams, and causes us to hold off? How about time, money, family responsibilities, work priorities (if you are still employed), health challenges, fear of change, and uncertainty?

What’s holding you back and keeping you from getting better? Jim Rohn tells us, “Things don’t get better by chance; they get better by change.” I prefer, “Things don’t get better by chance; they get better by CHOICE.” So, what choice will you make as we approach a New Year and a chance to reset our respective buttons?

Refine your “Brand.” Personal branding is a brand called you; it conveys your work, your style, and your purpose. Make a CHOICE to commit to your brand in 2021 and beyond. Make a CHOICE to avoid postponements and cancellations, and advance to become the best version of yourself. Make a CHOICE to not allow people, places, and things to interfere with your dreams! Let’s make 2021 the year to overcome disruption, enhance well-being, and enjoy life!

September 6, 2020 By Sharon Weinstein

What’s in a credential?

You see lots of letters after someone’s name, and you wonder what they might stand for! Perhaps your search for those acronyms leads to a discovery that your new friend or peer is a highly credentialed professional. They are “Certified.” Certification is an earned recognition that demonstrates specific skills, knowledge, expertise in a given area. Usually aligned with a profession, technology, or industry, the credential is usually awarded by a professional organization or credentialing body.

A professional certificate, like many offered online, is not the same thing as professional certification. Certificates are not all equal…and those who have earned the highly regarded credential are honored to be recognized. According to the American Association for Legal Nurse Consultants, certificates and certification are very different.

Certification

Results from an assessment process that recognizes an individual’s knowledge, skills, and competency in a particular specialty

Typically requires professional experience

Awarded by a third-party, standard-setting organization, typically not for profit

Indicates mastery/competency as measured against a defensible set of standards, usually by application or exam

Standards set through a defensible, industry-wide process (job analysis/role delineation) that results in an outline of required knowledge and skills

Typically results in credentials to be listed after one’s name (LNCC, ONC, CCRN)

Has on-going requirements in order to maintain; holder must demonstrate he/she continues to meet requirements

Certificate

Results from an educational process

For newcomers and experienced professionals

Awarded by educational programs or institutions often for-profit

Indicates completion of a course or series of courses with a specific focus (different than a degree-granting program)

Course content determined by the specific provider or institution, not standardized

Usually listed on a resume detailing education

Demonstrates knowledge of course content at the end of a set period of time

Let me provide an example that is critically important to me. The Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) is an earned credential. The CSP credential offers skill validation from clients, peers, meeting professionals, and other CSPs. It adds opportunities to command greater fees and to develop new and sustainable connections. It also showcases the designees, allowing them to shine on paper as much as on the platform, in the training room, or in the virtual studio. The CSP designation is the speaking profession’s highest earned international measure of professional platform competence. Less than 17% of National Speakers Association members worldwide have achieved the CSP designation. With support from NSA’s CSP Committee, the CSP is conferred by the NSA Board of Directors upon qualifying members of NSA as well as upon qualifying members of the 16 Global Speakers Federation (GSF) associations. For me, earning the CSP credential was a milestone; it was not my first credential, nor will it be my last. As Chair of NSA’s CSP Committee, I’m pleased to announce that on September 4th, candidates for the CSP Class of 2021 were encouraged to begin the application process. https://www.nsaspeaker.org/csp/.

Certification is an earned recognition that demonstrates specific skills, knowledge, expertise in a given area. When you see lots of letters after someone’s name, take note of what each acronym stands for, and realize how hard they worked to earn that credential. What about you? If you are a speaking professional, are you prepared to apply for the highest earned international measure of professional platform competence – the CSP?

The application process begins now…for professional members of the National Speakers Association (NSA) or one of the Global Speakers Federation (GSF) member associations. Will you be certified?

To start the process: