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Reduce the Stress of Change at Work

The only constant is change. Making changes creates stress, but it doesn’t have to get the best of you. Try these strategies to help you cope with a changing world and beat back the stress.

·        Write down the pros and cons of an impending change. Not knowing what the change will mean creates a lot of our worries, but if you sit down and figure out the ramifications of what, for example, a merger could mean to your job, you’ll be able to eliminate the fear of the unknown. List the downsides to the changes and list the potential upsides. Don’t just assume the worst without looking at the positives the change has to offer.

·        Do your homework. If your company is merging, it would be to your advantage to do a little research on the culture of the other company. Find out who’s who in the power structure. Arm yourself with information about the people with whom you will be working.

·        Network. Network. Network. When you find that your team is being restructured, don’t wait for others to invite you to introduce yourself. Be proactive and get to know as many of the new workers as you can. As you talk to new co-workers, you may get a better understanding of new opportunities or expectations and taking the initiative lets others know you’re willing to adjust to changes.

·        Contribute right away. The best way to show that you are capable and flexible is to get started on projects on which you can work. Keep managers up to date on your involvement in plans or projects.

— Adapted from The San Diego Union-Tribune

Plan Your Next Trip Online

Las Vegas, Paris, Cave City, Ky., just about wherever you want to go, you can plan part or your entire trip on the Internet. Some smaller cites and accommodations won’t have websites, but even many small Chambers of Commerce are electronically available. You can start with a search via such engines as altavista.com or yahoo.com.

Two other sites to use as a jumping off place include budgettravel.com and budgettravel.about.com. The first site provides information on domestic and worldwide travel destinations including time differences, currency and attractions. It also has links to airlines and accommodations. The second site is a clearinghouse for travel tips, airfare searches, cruise deals, consolidators, hotels and many other aspects of traveling.

If you would rather read up before diving into the web, two books to review are Net Travel: How Travelers Use the Internet by Michael Shapiro and Travel Planning Online for Dummies. Both books break down the process step by step and list many of the Internet resources available.

When you are ready to take the plunge, visit a site like expedia.com or travelocity.com and do a little research. Compare airfares after answering specific questions such as the number of passengers, departure city, destination city and whether or not you want a non-stop flight. You can also find out about hotels, again answering questions regarding location, how much you want to spend and the amenities you require.

It may be quicker and easier to compare by using a site like expedia, but  other sources are the suppliers’ websites. You may go directly to delta-air.com, ual.com, twa.com or other airline sites for flight information. For rental cars, try hertz.com, dollarcar.com, goalamo.com or any of the other company sites.

If you are looking for a taste of the arts in your destination city, go to culturefinder.com. Pick your city and learn about museums, theater and other cultural activities.

One website generally leads to another and, as with so many topics, information abounds on the web. So, happy (digital and physical) trails.