Stress – by definition – is anything that poses a challenge or a threat to our well-being.

When faced with a challenge or a threat, our body activates resources to protect us. This fight-or-flight response produces adrenaline, which triggers an increase in heart rate, muscle tension, and perspiration.

These physical factors can help us protect ourselves in a dangerous or challenging situation by giving the body increased speed and strength – however, they can also have adverse effects on our bodies and minds over an extended period of time.

When workplace issues contribute to our personal stress levels, it can create the impression of a hostile environment – and subsequently undermine corporate teambuilding efforts, leading to lower productivity.

One way we can avoid workplace stress is by becoming a “hot button expert”.

Our “hot buttons” are the things that trigger a strong emotional reaction in us. We all have them – and these hot buttons can run the gauntlet from irritating to infuriating.

By identifying our own personal hot buttons, we can then analyze why these particular issues trigger a stressful physical response in us. Do certain scenarios make us frustrated? Is our competence or authority being challenged? Are we being disrespected?

Once we’ve determined what specific “buttons” produce stress and how we are interpreting these actions, we’re able to challenge those interpretations – by asking ourselves if there are any other possible explanations.

Specifically, we are looking to separate the objective data (as a video camera might record it) from our subjective assumptions (the way we are interpreting or understanding the specific data).

The simple act of recognizing our “hot button issues” and looking at these situations as a third party– as opposed to personally interpreting the meanings behind certain actions – allows us to not subconsciously invoke the physical responses to the emotional feeling of stress.

Next time you recognize your hot buttons being pushed…

Step back. Look at the situation from afar. Analyze how it would normally make you feel. Then look for what alternative explanations are available.

Notice your emotional and physical reaction. Are you more calm? Less angry? Less stressed?

I hope so!

For more tips on how to turn stress into strength, check out our live webinar here.

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Jason Hecker facilitates a number of Learn iT! Professional Development courses, including Project Management 101-103, Critical Thinking, Strategic Planning, and Finance for Non-Financial Managers. He’s an avid Cincinnati Bearcat fan and alumnus and also enjoys mountain biking and hiking.

Discovering Your Power

As a child, I watched the cartoon Super Friends* and imagined I had superpowers.  When I feel powerless at work, I want to call on the Super Friends to help me; or at least harness their superpowers for my own use. While thinking about this idea it dawned on me that superheroes are not just powerful because of their supernatural abilities but also because they possess top-notch human characteristics that, when combined with their supernatural powers, create exceptional human beings. These qualities can be found, in varying degrees, within each one of us and can be developed and applied to our interpersonal relationships at work in other areas of life. The trick is to discover ways to identify and cultivate these powerful qualities.

Here is a breakdown of a few of the superheroes and their human powers that we can learn to identify in ourselves:

Superman* 

Although Superman is known for his strength, his most powerful asset is being the leader of the Super Friends. This position gives him the power to make ruling decisions for the group.

Position Power:  The role, title, or where you sit in an organization grants you the power to make decisions.

Where do you have formal authority?  Recognize areas where you have the power to take command and lead. Learn to take advantage of your position of power.

* An Example of Superman’s leadership position can be seen in The Case of the Shrinking Super Friends.

Aquaman*

Aquaman’s special power is his connection with the ocean and its animals. His knowledge of marine life and ability to communicate with this other world is a unique and valuable tool used to defeat villains.

Expert Power:  Based on your expertise, knowledge or information about a subject, and the ability to communicate and demonstrate this expertise.

Like Aquaman, you have expert power when you’re the specialist.  Take note of your areas of expertise and use these powers to add value to your position and stand out from the crowd.

*Aquaman uses his expert power in  Aquaman – The Rampaging Reptile-Men.

Batman*

Although Batman is human, he is equipped with superhero powers by way of the inventions he creates combined with his undeniable self-confidence and persistent conviction to fight crime.

Personal Power:  Characteristics such as strength of personality, strength of conviction, personal integrity, work ethic, and identity as a role model are forms of personal power.

Personal Power is a commitment to an idea and the confidence to share your ideas. Be assertive in voicing your opinions based on your experience.  Self-confidence and strength of conviction are convincing traits as well as powerful tools when trying to persuade and influence others.

*Batman displays his strength of conviction in The Killer Machines

Wonder Twins*

Jayna and Zan’s superpowers allow them to transform into animals and forms of water. This power of transformation is very handy but even more effective because they are a great pair and work well together.

Relationship Power:  Based on established relationships and our ability to get things done via networks.

You have power with your network of relationships.  By cultivating these relationships, decisions are more likely to go your way. With the support of your networks you gain influence and power to make things happen.

*Jayna and Zan work together in Mxyzptlk’s Flick

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Learn more on the subject of influence and power with our Webinars Influence: The Power of Persuasion and Influencing Without Authority. Sign up today to and unleash your inner superhero!

*Superhero references are based on their abilities during the Saturday morning cartoon of the 70’s and 80’s and are not cross-referenced with any comic books source material.

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Angella Bernal is an outstanding Professional Development trainer and an invaluable part of the Learn iT! team–a Wonder Woman of sorts. She creates the Professional Development Live Online Training classes for Learn iT!. Angella values learning and in her spare time is learning to homebrew.

Learn iT! and Corporate Training Group announce joint training venture in NYC called Learn iT! with Corporate Training Group.

Responding to market opportunity and customer demand for high-quality, customizable training, San Francisco’s Learn iT! and New Jersey’s Corporate Training Group, Inc. have formed a strategic partnership. The new enterprise – Learn iT! with Corporate Training Group – is based in New York City and will provide live, instructor-led training for Information Technology, End User Applications, Professional Development and Project Management.

The new company will have the capacity to deliver training through three different platforms –public classes at their 330 W. 38th Street location, on-site at client locations, and remotely, using state of the art technology (including webinars and remote conferencing) to connect students to live courses via computer.

Learn iT! is a San Francisco-based company that has provided IT and Professional Development training since 1995. It was founded by Walter Lembi – a local businessman who, after experiencing a very frustrating day trying to learn Microsoft Excel, decided a computer learning school was in order. His son, Damon took over as CEO in 1997.

“By partnering with Corporate Training Group, we are able to fulfill my father’s dream and establish a formal presence in New York City, the business capital of the world, “ says Lembi. “We trained over 250,000 workers in 2012, giving companies and individuals the opportunity to develop tangible skills that provide a solid return on their training investment.”

Corporate Training Group, Inc., with multiple offices in New Jersey, was founded in 1991 by Lisa Eyerkuss. Lisa, a trainer herself, realized the need for highly customized quality training for Fortune 500 companies in the Metro area and began CTG with this as her mission. CTG is a certified Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE), Small Business Enterprise (SBE), and Woman Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). These certifications allow the firm to participate in government and corporate contracts with set-aside quotas.

“Our partnership with Learn iT! allows us to offer more training options,” said CTG President and CEO Lisa Eyerkuss. “Today’s businesses have diversified training needs. Having one company able to address those needs – through both in-person and remote platforms – positions us as a thought leader in the training industry.”

The partnership was the brainchild of a meeting at the 2012 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto. Lembi and Eyerkuss knew each other through their participation in the Mi-Training Partners consortium, and a chance conversation led to a series of meetings.

“It made perfect sense,” says Lembi. “Corporate Training Group has some of the best Microsoft Trainers in the world, and with us already being a Microsoft Gold Partner, as well as having the best Professional Development training team on the west coast…the synergy was obvious.”

Learn iT! with Corporate Training Group is currently open for business.

Corporate Training Group, Inc. (CTG)

Corporate Training Group’s instructors and consultants possess exceptional presentation skills and true business applicability using the software tools they present. CTG provides standard and client specific technical training, as well as end user training within Microsoft technologies, Global Migration training, and other vendor specific and proprietary applications.

CTG has enjoyed 22 years as an independent company and has multiple locations in the tri-state area. CTG President and CEO Lisa Eyerkuss has built an organization that provides business benefit and return on capital investments through a process of skills transfer and talent development.

Learn iT!

Based in downtown San Francisco, Learn iT!, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for Learning Solutions, has served the training needs of businesses, government agencies, and individuals since 1995. CEO Damon Lembi drives a team that is dedicated to making learning efficient, valuable, and enjoyable.

Learn iT! also manages a carefully selected network of nationwide instructors, allowing them to provide training on a national scale or for major rollouts.

Learn iT’s business philosophy is driven to make life better for everyone they come in contact with. Employees and management share a commitment to innovation, teamwork, and purposeful action. They understand that Learn iT! affects the lives of all of those they serve, and they continuously remind themselves to remain accountable and treat others as they would like to be treated.

Reading The New York Times over the shoulder of someone at the coffee shop spurred 45 minutes of brainstorming about procrastination. I looked up the full article, For Entrepreneurs, It’s All About Time, which resulted in a good amount of time spent web searching and skimming. It’s not procrastination, although it feels that way.

Back to The New York Times: In this article a quote stood out, “Procrastinators are made, not born.” I AGREE. Especially after four days of teaching the Time Management Webinar, Don’t Procrastinate: Take Charge of Your Time.

You might think that the last thing a procrastinator needs is to go online. Social websites, email, and Web deals distract from work. Here are five websites that can help to diminish procrastination.

Procrastinator #1: I Get Distracted

Visit Merlin Mann’s website 43 Folders. He starts with two simple questions to inspire you to get working. Make this your home page so it’s the first site you visit.

Procrastinator #2: I Forget What I Have to Do

Remember the Milk is a list-making tool that helps organize reoccurring tasks that I want to keep in the front of my mind. As the name implies, you can also make a list for the grocery store. I have the phone application and check it daily. It’s handy when I think of something and don’t have a place to write it down. I open Remember the Milk, set a due date, and move on.

Procrastinator #3: I Can’t Focus or I Like to Multi-Task

Being a multi-tasker actually decreases efficiency by 60%. A timer might help keep you focused on one thing at a time, so go to Online-Stopwatch and find one that works for you. Try concentrating on one thing for 10 minutes, then reward yourself with a one-minute break.

Procrastinator #4: I Can’t Find My Stuff

When a Web page, television show or conversation piques my interest, I copy the link, take a picture, or make a note in Evernote. When I want to refer to it later, I open the Evernote application and search by keyword. It’s also a great virtual notebook. It keeps everything in one place and I never have to spend time “finding it” again.

Procrastinator #5: I Have So Much to Do or Manage

WorkFlowy is an online outlining tool that is straightforward and easy to use. You can list items, both large and small. I stole this from a co-worker’s blog and now I’m hooked.

Procrastination comes in all shapes and sizes. Take our Time Management Webinar, Don’t Procrastinate: Take Charge of Your Time to find other ways to tackling time wasting woes.

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Angella Bernal is an outstanding Professional Development trainer and an invaluable part of the Learn iT! team. She values learning and in her spare time is learning to homebrew.

This month we are acknowledging Ben Bomberry for all of his hard work, and thank him for his dedication to Learn iT! Being the face of the organization for our Santa Clara office, he is dedicated and dependable. When someone calls, he’s usually the friendly voice they hear, as he’s quick to respond to any task before him. He’s knowledgeable on the services Learn iT! provides, so many employees reach out to him when they need some help. Having reliable members of the Learn iT! family like Ben helps us continue to run smoothly. Thanks, Ben, for taking initiative and responsibility, making Learn iT! a stronger company!

“Ben runs Santa Clara like a boss. He has NEVER called in sick, which is a huge deal since he is the only employee in the South Bay. Classes would get ruined for certain people if he called in sick as often as everyone else does. He does whatever I ask of him without complaining and most of the tasks he does without asking after you have explained it to him. I am grateful to have such a consistently hard working employee on my team. I don’t know what we would do if we didn’t have him down there.”

-Joe Fitzpatrick, Operations Manager

 “Done and done – that is how Ben rolls.  Every time I ask Ben to get something handled Ben sends back a quick done and done reply.  This is a great comfort because I know Ben gets the work handled quickly and professionally.  Appreciate Ben’s positive attitude and creativeness to get things done.  You would be hard pressed to find a better team player than Ben.”

-Matt Murawski, VP of Sales

 “ Always on-board and always complete.  Ben never denies an opportunity to take on new responsibilities and take complete ownership of them.  He handles everything from student requests to internal company projects with the utmost objectivity and professionalism and never leaves a job or task incomplete.  When a task or responsibility is given to Ben, Learn iT! Management understands that they have left it in the hands of someone that will get the job done right with zero micro-management and zero second guessing.  As such, Bona fide Ben is an extremely valuable member of the Learn iT! family.”

-Sean Corcran, IT Manager