The Best Fun and Free Summer Activities

The Best Fun and Free Summer Activities

Summer's here! Time to get out and enjoy. Best of all, you don't have to spend an arm and a leg to do it. Here are a few low- or no-cost ways to have some fun.
 

Go

Attend free workshops at your local craft or hardware store. Many retailers regularly conduct free classes on everything from knitting and floral arrangement to gardening and basic home repair. It's the perfect time to learn something new and ask questions without embarrassment. Some retailers even hold special Saturday clinics for children.

Go on a picnic. Pack some sandwiches, fruit and snacks and head over to your local park with a blanket, books and games for an afternoon of fun and relaxation.

Check out local events. You're probably not aware of all your town has to offer for free - antique car shows, art fairs, historic re-enactments, band concerts, film festivals in the park, and more. Check your community calendar online for a listing. And don't forget museums, science centers, zoos, and even bowling alleys. Most have a free or reduced admission one day a week.

Visit a state park. Each state has several, so it's likely there's one in your neck of the woods. For a nominal entrance fee - sometimes even free - the park is yours to explore.

Fish in a local pond. Even if you don't catch anything, fishing lets you enjoy nature, teaches patience, and creates summertime memories.

Go to the library. If you haven't been to your local library lately, you'll be surprised to learn it has more to offer than books. Most have extensive audio, video, and newspaper collections along with a weekly story time for children, special interest clubs, genealogy rooms, book discussions, and music lectures.

Do

Camp out. Go to a local state campground or pitch a tent in the backyard. Make s'mores and watch the stars. Set up a neighborhood field day with races for running, jumping, cycling, ball throwing and other competitive games. Reward the winners with gold, silver and bronze-colored ribbons.

Rediscover your neighborhood by taking digital photos of anything you find interesting - flowers, sidewalks cracks, lawn ornaments. Take lots of them using different angles and settings. At home see what you've captured. Great images make unique greeting cards and artwork.

Clean up your neighborhood. If you're tired of seeing empty soda cans and papers on the side of the road, this one's for you. It's good exercise and beautifies your street. Others may even join in or become more aware of their own littering habits.

Join a book club. Some are informal affairs held at a coffee house and some are sponsored by the library. A book club gives you the discipline to consciously read and finish a book.

Start a nature collection and keep a journal on your observations. Put on your hiking books and spend time outdoors studying rocks, leaves, trees, or birds. Jot down notes, dates and observations.

Volunteer your time. There's no shortage of need. A day spent volunteering makes a positive contribution to your community and rejuvenates your spirit.
 

Play & Make

Sign up for community sports. Many towns have community sports for both adults and children. If you enjoy being around the sport, but aren't much of an athlete, volunteer instead.

Play board games, cards, dominoes. There's a reason games like Monopoly, Pictionary and Yahtze have stood the test of time - they're fun! Crossword puzzles and card games like bridge, pinochle, hearts and spades are intellectually challenging as well.

Hold a craft day. Get supplies from your local dollar store or use what's in the house - paper plates, cups, popsicle sticks, empty jars, glitter, wrapping paper to make greeting cards and holiday gifts. Find creative ideas online or make it up as you go.

Bake up some cookies, make lemonade and set up a stand. Good for hours of fresh air and for meeting the neighbors you typically only wave to.

Have the kids put on a talent, skit or magic show for the adults. Create a stage with a cardboard or wooden frame and hang a sheet for a curtain. Encourage friendly competition and vote for the best.

Don't let a tight budget keep you from enjoying all that summer has to offer. By simply taking the time to come up with new ideas or recycling some favorites from your own childhood, you can create memories that will last for many years. Get out and have some fun!

Brought to you by

 1.855.381.2644

6 Ways to Tell If You're an Office Diva (And Why It May Not Be A Bad Thing)

How To Work It In The Office

About a dozen times a year, strangers invite Jeffrey Gitomer to lunch, hoping to ask him for career or business advice.

Mr. Gitomer, a sales consultant, speaker and author, is always happy to help: "Sure, no problem. I'll even buy lunch," he tells the entrepreneurs and small-business owners who call. "But I have a $1,000-an-hour brain-picking fee."

About half of the people who ask him to lunch agree to his financial arrangement, says Mr. Gitomer, who lives in Charlotte, N.C. "I think you command respect. And I am worth it."

Think all divas are women? Or that they are all badly behaved? As a diva might say, "Wrong, wrong, wrong!"

The concept of the diva originated on the opera stage. But divas (and their male counterparts, divos) are Divas, by definition, are high-performing, high-maintenance narcissists. Some are needy, demanding, negative—and talk almost incessantly about themselves. Researchers say these are "unhealthy divas" and the source of their narcissism usually is low self-esteem: They are constantly trying to pump themselves up.

Yet, believe it or not, researchers say some divas are healthy. We could learn a few tips from Beyonce. They adore the limelight and work hard to be always front and center—but they are willing to make room for others. They are spirited, fun and positive. Because they assume everyone around them is interested in them, they share a lot of themselves—and in this way bring people together. They have the ability to help others enjoy things that aren't normally enjoyable, whether it's a long line at the store, an office meeting or dinner with the boss.

Diva Behavior

If you have the following behavior, you are a stone, cold Diva. Use these traits to move your career forward.

1. Sticking to Their Guns
The diva has specific, but reasonable, demands about working conditions and rarely waivers from them.

2. Accepting Accolades
The diva relishes recognition, will speak eloquently—and shares credit and acknowledges others' contributions.

3. Surrounded by Strangers
The diva doesn't really care who is present and will be as demanding with one close colleague as with a room full of people.

4. Trials and Tribulations
The diva loves to talk about him- or herself, especially by telling stories that are engaging but sometimes cast him- or herself in a self-deprecating light.

5. Diva Mode
a. The diva often shifts into diva mode, in which he or she clearly states her requirements, often in an uncomfortably direct manner.

6. Creative Vision
The diva insists on pursuing his or her own creative ideas and vision and in the vast majority of instances brings the vision to fruition.

What separates a healthy diva from an unhealthy diva is this: Healthy divas stand up for others, not just themselves, says Ms. Fuller, author of a recent book about overcoming "mean girls" and nastiness at the office. "They are confident of their abilities and contributions, and they love recognition—but they are happy to give credit to others, too."

All divas are talented and feel a sense of entitlement. They aren't reluctant to tell their spouse exactly what they want for their birthday or to ask for a raise.

Healthy divas, though, are self-aware. Their sense of privilege comes from their knowledge that they are worth it. They deliver 150%. They know that it's important to say, "This is what I do well. This is what I deserve. This is what I expect in a relationship," Ms. Fuller says.

Dan Nainan, a 31-year-old comedian in New York City, says he became more assertive and inflexible a few years ago, after reading a newspaper interview with a call girl. "She said that when she charged $500, men treated her like dirt, so she upped her price to $3,000, and now men treat her like gold," he says. "That really opened my mind."

Another big influence, Mr. Nainan says, was one of the rock music world's original divos—David Lee Roth, who famously put a clause in the concert rider for the band Van Halen banning brown M&Ms backstage. (It was a safety measure, the singer has explained: If brown M&Ms appeared on the catering table, he knew the concert promoter hadn't read the rider, which gave detailed instructions for constructing the stage set.)

Mr. Nainan, who entertains at corporate events and weddings, now sometimes channels his inner rock star. He refuses to perform when he isn't paid before going on stage, as his contract specifies. "If you are the talent, you need to demand what you are worth," he says. "I am worth it."

Researchers believe diva-like behavior has an evolutionary basis. "Narcissism is an adaptation for dominance," says Lawrence Josephs, a psychologist and professor at Adelphi University, in Garden City, N.Y. "It's basically saying that because I am better than you, you should defer or submit. You should know your place in the dominance hierarchy."

Narcissists, healthy or not, usually do well in the short term. They project status. People usually find them extroverted, confident and charismatic—at least at first. "Those are sexy traits," Dr. Josephs says. "These people would be seen as impressive rivals or attractive partners."

But studies show there are long-term costs for unhealthy narcissists. They are hypersensitive, demanding and intolerant of different viewpoints. They often have anger-management problems.

Healthy divas have what may be thought of as charismatic intelligence. Unhealthy divas specialize in what's known as "Machiavellian intelligence"—and more often as manipulation. "The more you get to know them, the less you like them," Dr. Josephs says. "So the quality of their relationships will deteriorate."

'This promotion is what I've wanted my whole life. I always knew my dream could come true.' | It doesn't occur to the unhealthy diva to share the credit. The healthy diva is self-aware, and secure enough to acknowledge others.

Experts say a humble person can learn to be a healthy diva. But there's more to it than just throwing on a power suit and some attitude. According to Ms. Fuller, you need to project confidence through body language and speech. You may want to cultivate a presence, through your posture and personal style, and let your personality shine.

And don't forget: You need to recognize others as well as yourself.

Article courtesy of The Wall Street Journal.

www.arisehospitality.com

12 Ways to Go Green at Work

Happy Earth Day 2013

At ARISE Hospitality Solutions, we believe in helping our clients go green and save the earth. Below are 12 helpful tips to go green at work.

1) Spend Smart on Green

The purchase and use of environmentally-friendly products can have a big impact, and not just on the environment. Buying green affects everything from worker safety to the bottom line.

- Products that are reusable, refillable, more durable or repairable create less waste and are more cost-effective in the long run than disposable or single-use products.
- Manufacturing recycled products uses less energy than goods made from virgin materials. Buying recycled products keeps recycling programs going and saves natural resources.
- Using energy-efficient and water-conserving products saves money and resources. When making purchasing decisions, it pays to do a little homework. Consider the following:
- Is the product less hazardous?
- Is it reusable or more durable?
- Is it made from recycled materials? Do we really need to buy a virgin product when the recycled version is just as good?
- What happens to the product at the end of its life? Can it be recycled? Will the manufacturer take the product back? Will it need special disposal?
- Does it conserve energy or water?
- Is it made from renewable plant-based raw materials?

2) Leave a Big Mark-Not a Big Footprint

Living and working green means knowing your carbon footprint and taking steps to balance its impact. Offsetting your company's carbon footprint is the fastest and most economical way to help protect critical forests worldwide, which is one of the most effective solutions to climate change. One way to offset your carbon footprint is to support renewable energy (energy generated from renewable sources such as wind, solar and geothermal) by buying renewable energy credits (RECs). Additionally, utility companies may work with industrial and commercial consumers to implement on-site energy-efficiency measures which can decrease usage or shift a portion of it to off-peak hours and rates.

3) Be a Star-Buy Energy Star

The next time your office is in the market for computer equipment, printers, fax machines, kitchen appliances or even light bulbs, look for the Energy Star certification. Energy Star products are among the top energy performers on the market. One example of why is that some Energy Star products power down automatically when not in use-conserving up to 75% of electricity compared to standard models. They reduce pollution, lower energy bills, generate less heat and have a longer life span than other equipment. See www.energystar.gov for more information.

4) Get Energized

Of the $250 billion spent per year on powering computers worldwide, only about 15% of that power is spent computing-the rest is wasted idling. 40% of the energy used for electronics is used while these devices are turned off. Obviously, just because a device is turned off or not in use, it doesn't mean that it isn't eating up electricity. In fact, even when a computer is switched off, the surge protector can still draw energy-up to 75%!

- Programming your computer to sleep after 30 minutes of non-use can cut power demand by up to 90%.
- Stepping away for longer than 30 minutes? Turn the computer off and unplug the surge protector. (Booting up again uses the equivalent of only two seconds of run time and won't hurt the hard drive).
- Monitors are especially big energy drains. Be sure to turn them off after 20 minutes of non-use.
- Printers, scanners and peripherals that are only used occasionally should be unplugged until needed.

5) Get the Green Light

Making green choices when it comes to lighting not only provides energy efficiency and savings, it also adds to the comfort, productivity and ambience of your workplace.

- Replace regular incandescent bulbs and fixtures with Energy Star-qualified compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). CFLs cast a warmer, soft white glow. Although initially more expensive than regular bulbs, they use between 60% and 80% less energy and last much longer (between 6,000 and 15,000 hours compared with about 1,000 hours with incandescents).
- Use task lighting.
- Install dimmers and timers to extend bulb life.
- Don't underestimate the power of natural daylight, it's free, it's pleasant and has been proven to improve worker productivity and customer satisfaction. Also, be sure that walls are painted in a light color to enhance the advantage of that natural light.
- Lighting accounts for up to 50% of a building's energy consumption. By simply turning off unnecessary lights, you can reduce the amount of energy used for lighting by up to 45%.

6) Use and Re-use

Reusing products delays or avoids altogether their entry into the waste stream, so think refillable, rechargeable, not disposable, whenever possible.

- Challenge your associates to think of ways to give new life to used items, for instance, shredded waste paper makes great packing material.
- Set up an area to store and exchange reusable office supplies such as binders.
If you can't reuse a product, there are usually others who can. Go to www.kab.org (Keep America Beautiful) for suggestions on exchange programs and other reuse strategies.

7) Clean Conscience Cleaning

Five billion pounds of chemicals are used annually for institutional cleaning. The good news is that the risk of injury from chemicals and environmental damage can be dramatically reduced by replacing the most dangerous cleaning products with safer ones.

- Opt for solutions that are non-toxic, non-VOC (volatile organic compound), water-based, biodegradable, phosphate-, chlorine- and ammonia-free and those with ingredients derived from renewable resources, not petroleum.
- Buy in concentrate and bulk so that shipping and packaging waste is reduced.

8) Breathe Easy

Here's what the air in any office setting can potentially contain: ozone generated by photocopiers, dust, allergens, outdoor fumes brought in by the central air conditioning; gaseous chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from furniture, paint and carpeting. And then there's the stuff dragged in on our shoes: oil, antifreeze, particulate pollution, pollen, etc. All combine to create unsafe air quality and contribute to Sick Building Syndrome. What can you do to clean up the air in your workplace?

- Look for low VOC alternatives in carpets, adhesives, paints, even furniture.
- Help keep what's on the sidewalk out with quality doormats or entryway track-off systems.

Remember, less dirt also means less sweeping, mopping and vacuuming, which means less work, water, energy and fewer chemicals.

9) Sitting Pretty

Making environmentally savvy choices in office furniture is getting easier and easier. Whether a piece of furniture is made from wood, cloth, metal or plastic, there are earth-friendly options.

- Opt for modular office suites. These component-based systems let you reconfigure workspaces and mix and match as your needs change, helping to eliminate the need to buy new.
- Use flexible interior features, such as movable walls to help reduce waste associated with renovations.

Don't overlook the fact that, even if it's initially more expensive, buying quality furniture that's durable and can be readily repaired could easily save money in the long run, plus, lessen the chance that it'll end up in the landfill.

10) Paper 101

How do you choose paper that is good for the environment and meets your needs? Some things to keep in mind: First things first, when looking to make an environmentally responsible paper purchase, you're looking for more than the recycled symbol. Post-Consumer Waste Content (PCW): The single most important factor to consider is the percentage of post-consumer waste content. Paper with post-consumer content contains recycled fiber from paper which has already been used by the consumer and then collected for recycling. The higher the level of post-consumer content the better. Today, more and more products are available with post-consumer recycled content including: file pocket portfolios, hanging file folders, report covers, various storage boxes, file holders, file covers and three-ring binders. By using recycled post-consumer content paper, we save trees, water and prevent the air and water pollution, soil erosion and destruction of wildlife habitats associated with harvesting.

11) Digitize to Maximize

Did you know that one 2GB flash drive can store up to 20 yards of books? Storing data digitally frees up space, time and money. It minimizes clutter and helps eliminate unnecessary paper waste. Plus, transferring data digitally or transporting digital storage devices is infinitely easier and less costly than transporting files, cabinets and furniture, should your office be moving to a new locale.

12) Recycle. Recycle. Recycle.

You already know this, so it's just a reminder that everything from empty ink and toner cartridges (a single cartridge thrown into landfill can take up to 450 years to decompose) to office paper (115 billion sheets of paper are used annually for personal computers) to plastic bottles (Americans use 3.3 million plastic bottles every hour, but recycle only one in five) is RECYCLABLE. 79 million tons: that's the amount of waste material diverted away from disposal through recycling and composting in one year. Check out our recycling program at Go Green.

Brought to you by

Love Your Space.

1.855.381.2644

4 Ways to Eliminate Disruptions and Clutter

In one day you should be able to easily cross items off your to-do list, eat, sleep and even have a little time to relax or have fun. Sometimes, that just doesn't seem realistic and a common complaint heard from busy professionals is that there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day. The secret to saving time and being productive with those 24 hours is to eliminate disruptions.

Eliminating disruptions might sound like an impossible task, until you realize that you are in control. Technology gives us the option to make instant contact with one another, but it is really just an option. Take advantage of the power button. When you want or need to get something done you can turn off your phone or set it to roll directly to voicemail. You can also turn off the instant messaging and instant email alerts on your computer.

Clutter can be disruptive as well if you don't take control. Shredding is a great way to get rid of all the papers you do not need, but you do not want to go straight in the trash. Dealing with paper jams while shredding however, is a huge time waster. So how do you ensure a time sensitive shredding experience?

A JAM FREE shredder from Swingline can be a stress-buster when it comes to paper disposal. Swingline's patented 3-sensor technology works constantly to prevent jams before they happen, even with overlapping papers. Papers don't even have a chance to jam and they since they are removed BEFORE they are fed into the cutters, there's no mess to clean up or time wasted.

Finally. assume that each disruption costs you 10 minutes. That means 4 paper jams while shredding would cost you an 40 minutes of time. Eliminating these simple disruptions, or at least planning for them, is one big time-saving strategy that will lead to free time (i.e. more hours) in your day.

Recap list:

1. Turn off your phone, instant messenger and email alerts.

2. Increase productivity with tools like Swingline Jam Free or Hands Free Shredders.

3. Schedule meetings in a row and set up a designated time to return calls.

4. Plan ahead to deter disruptions at inopportune times.

You are now ready to conquer your to-do list!

Brought to you by 

 

Love Your Space

Commit to Being Happier and More Productive at Work

 

Resolution 2013 - Commit to Being Happier and More Productive at Work 

Does every day feel like Ground Hog Day? Looking for more satisfaction from your work? Would you like to get more accomplished each day...and still have a personal life? Well, you can with a few simple changes. Make 2013 the year you commit to being happier and more productive at work. It's just a matter of organization, time management, and staying focused on those things that are truly important.

Break the Email Obsession

It's a fact: Email is addicting and the biggest source of workplace distraction. According to the research firm, The Radicati Group, the average corporate user receives 133 e-mails a day and very few if any, require immediate attention. Still, many of us check our inboxes every five minutes for something more urgent or more interesting than what we're doing at the moment. But this habit takes a toll on our productivity: 96 interruptions and a loss of 2.1 hours of work time in an 8-hour day!

Break the addiction by setting some rules. If you can, avoid checking email first thing in the morning. Instead check it at regular intervals, say 10AM, Noon, 2 and 5. Save the emails requiring additional thought for later when you can fit them into your schedule. Other ways to better manage email? Turn off the email alarm, use Reply All sparingly, resist the temptation to send an email if a phone call will do, and don't send email after working hours.

Tackle Tough Jobs at Peak Energy 

Do you zip through your to-do list in the morning, but slog through it in the afternoon? Then like most of us, you're a morning person. Whether you get your burst of energy first thing or later in the day, use your peak energy time to tackle your toughest assignments. Turn off the email, close your door, and let others know you're unavailable during that time.

Keep a Single To-Do List 

Many of us scatter our projects across sticky notes, day planners, notepads and electronic calendars. Valuable time is wasted keeping track of scraps of paper, transferring items and living in fear you forgot something. Avoid the confusion with a single to-do list. Once you get into the habit of writing everything down in one location, you'll be able to concentrate on getting things done. When creating your list, be sure to prioritize those items that are most important and delete or ?parking lot? the rest.

Tidy Up Your Desk

You may think a messy desk shows how busy you are, but if you have to spend time searching for things, you just look unorganized. Every day set aside a few minutes to clear your desk.

Keep pens, pencils and pads neatly stored, line up binders and books and keep extraneous items away from keyboard and mouse. A well-placed in-box gives co-workers a handy landing spot for documents that might otherwise be strewn haphazardly across your desk and chair.

Keep Files Organized

Keeping your electronic and paper files organized is essential. Start by creating a logical filing system using clear, concise names. Place current electronic folders on your desktop, then move them to a hard drive directory when the assignment is complete. For paper folders, color code according to project type or importance, for example use red for urgent matters, green for accounting, etc. When retrieving papers, leave a trail so you can return things to their rightful spot. Simply place a sticky note in the file where you removed the document and place a matching sticky note (either colored or numbered) on the actual document. To return the document, simply match up the sticky notes.

It's a fact that eighty percent of what is filed is never looked at again. Before saving any document, consider whether this information would still be up to date next time you needed it. If not, it's time to pitch.

Stock Up On Supplies

It's always the little things that slow you down -- running out of printer ink for a big report, not enough pads of paper for meeting attendees. If you don't have sufficient supplies on hand, it seriously slows down productivity. Every office or department needs a central supply of frequently used items. Whether that's a closet or a single drawer, make sure your inventory is stocked with the necessary goods to keep you and your team on task. Your local Office Supply Dealer would be happy to help you place a standing order so you never run out.

Slow Down

Seems counter-intuitive, but slowing down actually makes you more productive. Think about the last time you hit Reply All and had some explaining to do to the unintended recipients. Or, too late, double-checked a rushed project and found blatant, embarrassing errors. Rushing is the norm, creating a false sense of urgency, driving up stress, and increasing mistakes. Besides rushing being a risk for a heart attack, it also makes you impatient, frustrated and angry. If you tone down the panic, you'll get the job done more quickly and accurately.

Conclusion

Make 2013 the year you resolve to be happier and more productive. All it takes is a commitment to renew good habits and ditch the bad ones to see an improvement in both your professional and personal life. 

Email us at customerservice@arisehospitality.com or call 855-381-2644 to share your tips with us. 

Cheers!