A few weeks back I had an article reminding that while you work hard, be sure to take your vacation. Too many people forget or find it hard to do so. Well I never forget and try to get that time away as much as I am able. With that in mind, last week I was on vacation and even though I’m back, I would rather be on the beach. However, I am back in the rainy weather.

If you do happen to hit the sun and sand this summer, be sure to bring a pillow! If you can’t bring a pillow then make one.

Don’t know how, well watch this video and learn from the master in a few easy steps. You can make your own and be glad that you did.

Make a sand pillow (important for business, I know – 1 minute, 30 secs)

A big thank you to my guest bloggers last week. If you missed reading, please feel free to check them out.

Training is not always the answer by Trish Mcfarlane and

Managing up: The Myth by Cindy Jordan

Make my crap your treasure

For the past two days we have been outside. Neighbors, people from other localities and anyone who read an add came buy our home. This weekend our street had a neighborhood yard sale. People came by offering nickels and dimes and other small bills from the things we no longer want. I am happy to say that most of the ‘stuff’ we were able to get rid of. However, today is Sunday and we have some things left over.

Cleaning House

Before the culmination of the last two days there had to be decisions on what was valuable and what others would want. What could be kept and thrown away. That process took weeks. Yet, starting to go through the junk for a simple garage sale wasn’t so simple. At the same time it allowed me to find other things. Clean out parts of the house and garage that needed to be cleaned.

Spring Cleaning

To compare this to work is very easy. Maybe there are some things in your office, at your work station that you need to remove, box up or maybe give to a co-worker that could really use it.

For those that are “location-neutral,” working out of your home, remotely, traveling to and from – from city to city or driving your car from appointment to appointment – maybe you could stand to get rid of some things that no longer belong or add value to your space.

Letting it go

It will be hard to get rid of some things. Especially if what you hold in your hand, when trying to make a decision, has been with you for a few years or more. That planted geranium that you bought and placed in the corner when you first started. The old picture of your anniversary and employee of the month certificate. Maybe it is a desk calendar that holds the writing of some important project or  number (while the date is from 3 years ago or older). Regardless maybe it is time for you to clean it all out, make a decision on what you need to keep and what needs to go.

Not always easy

When I was laid off from my last job, I knew a year out that it would possibly happen. I could see the affect of the economy on the business. I saw my budget and P&L lines decrease slowly. I prepared. But even though I knew and had time, it was still not easy to decide between what I would put in a box to take with me or what I could leave.

Start off the week with some Spring Cleaning

Monday, when you get back to your space and begin the week, take about an hour to do some spring cleaning.

Are you doing anything now to clean house? How will you put things in order?

Yeaaah/Booooo the Health care Bill has passed… Now what?

While the ink on bill H.R. 3962, “the Affordable Health Care for America Act” has yet to completely dry and the fact that there may still be some changes (due to rants, raves, agreements and disagreements), many questions are evident for employers (small and large) and the average person. So in thinking about this, I decided to do a search of current information that lists the potential impact this bill may have on both the employee and the employer. Enjoy and as I find more I will add to the list.

Read the House bill (PDF)

You might also want to check out FactCheck.org just to review anything and everything on the political claims to separate the crap from the gravy.
Employer Resources:
Connecticut Employment Law Blog – What Passage of the Health Care Bill Means for Employers
NY Times, What Obama’s New Health Care Plan Means for Small Businesses

Employee Resources:
Washington Post, What the health bill means for you

Entrepreneur Resources:
What the New Health Bill Means For Entrepreneurs

General Perspectives (Publica, etc.):
What Health Care Reform Means For: Small Businesses
CNN – Health Care Bill Would Force Employers to Provide Coverage or Pay a Fee (while this is a CNN news article, I found it on SHRM’s site under the listed title)

If you happen to come across good resources that will help employers and employees understand the outcomes of the bill – please feel free to send them to so they can be posted.

Doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from or what economic status you fall under; the Health care argument is a topic that none of us can ignore. Today, a historic vote is about to take place. Will it end with this vote? Does any piece of legislation ever end with one vote, of course not!

One Argument For

No one is an expert. Guess what, if you are a person, politician…a republican, democrat, independent or even Regina M. Benjamin… you are not an expert on Health care. You may have more practice and information than others but you are not an expert. I say this because the basics of health care in this country, the business of it, and the policies that are amended change. This machine continues to evolve. Your opinion and fact, while true at the moment, could be obsolete within 6 months.

The Problem with Health Care & Politics:

One Argument Against

The fundamental problem with politics is that people are behind it. We as humans have differences in philosophy, understanding and information. Those factors are then framed within a silo of our own opinions. We then use those opinions to argue, push or influence what we believe to be right.

“The belief that there is only one truth, and that oneself
is in possession of it, is the root of all evil in the world”

The thing about an opinion is that everyone has one, which is why politicians in the house, the senate, congress and the executive branch will not be able to come up with one plan, one approach, one bill that will solve everything. Should that stop us from gaining progress to fix the system?

The Problem with Business & Politics:

The fundamentals of business do not at all coincide with the thoughts and approaches of “Health Care (caring for a person) & Politics.” The politics of business is to make the business money. Yes we hope that a business will have what we all believe are morals. We hope that the business will do what is in the best interest of the customers, employees, clients and patients. However we must not ignore that if the business behind the machine that is providing Health care does not make money then they can no longer provide care.

Cost versus Consequences: The estimated cost to either fix or overhaul the system is close to 1 trillion dollars. I am not an expert but I believe that if any decision is to be made, then you first have to know the facts that are presented (most recent versions I found):

Health care Bill (Summary) and Health care Bill (Full Version)

While the cost to take care of things now may be large, how much will it be if we don’t? In August of last year CBS News had a report of How Much Health Care Reform will cost. Here is one Doctor’s opinion of why Health care Reform Needs to Pass Now. Whether you agree with it or not, don’t just have an opinion (they are a nickel a dozen) have an opinion based off valid information (yeah, that’s easy huh).

Synopsis – Take a stance:

I have referenced to many aspects of the argument. The thing that matters to me the most is that we, our representatives (whether you agree that they represent you or not) and business take a stance. No more waiting, no more political maneuvering. Any politician that is fearful of losing their job based on a vote, probably should have never had the job in the first place. Regardless, do what you feel is best. Not for politics, not for your employer, but what you feel deep down in your gut should be done.

What are your heartfelt opinions? Have you even given any thought to it?

Stay informed – more thoughts on the topic:

“Healthcare – US Bureau of Labor Statistics”

“HR Bloggers Silence on Health Care Reform” by Krista Ogburn Francis

“Death, Health care, and the employer albatross” by Mark Stelzner

“The Vote on Healthcare and the Future of Work” by Sharlyn Lauby

“Lessons from Health Care: The Semantics of Power” by Jason Seiden

“Healthcare Reform Blog” by Alan Katz

“The Healthcare Blog”