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Embracing Change is Rooted in Optimism

EMBRACING CHANGE IS ROOTED IN OPTIMISM

BY MIKE COLLINS

Researchers often identify innovative productivity and behavior change models for organizations and individuals. Oftentimes, these models could be complex and taxing to apply. Especially with an overbearing calendar. Let’s take a step back and review four basic, yet overlooked steps for productivity and behavioral health.

Aren’t you glad you don’t have changes going on all around you? That rock-solid, life-work thing you’ve got going is the envy of all the…wait…what? It’s encouraged to acknowledge a faltered method. Many people struggle with life-work balance.

During a recent conference, an attendee confessed, “I just feel like I’m carrying weight all the time! I’m tired from the moment I wake up, there are challenges everywhere I look, and nothing in life seems enjoyable.”

This may not offer the quilt-at-grandma’s kind of comfort you would like; however, you’re not alone. Many organizations and people around you are experiencing change. 

There are strategies you could apply to dial back the stress, help you see a little further down the road, and reward yourself for making the trip. Here are four steps that could help lead you through change. They could be applied in any order, and they’ll likely act as a leash on a big dog; a way to gently pull yourself back along the path you want to travel.

DRINK MORE WATER

I know. I know. Without that gourmet espresso or carbonated beverage, it’s challenging to start the day. Fine. Start the day as you usually do; however, drink more water during the day. Search for “water apps” in your app store, and you’ll see a list of technological mamas’ voices that beep reminders on the hour. Don’t dither; there isn’t a best one. Avoid analysis paralysis: do eenie-meenie-minee-moe and choose one. The objective is to increase water intake. 

Water is the most essential liquid for your body. If your hydration level drops by two-to-three percent, it inhibits your ability to do simple math and could slow your reaction time when you’re approaching intersections. Water keeps your energy level on an even keel.

CHANGE AS A CHALLENGE

The key is viewing behavior change as a positive challenge. This isn’t a Pollyanna pledge in which you ignore the possible downsides and fictionalize the upsides. Research suggests that asking, “What is the best outcome?” when facing challenges encourages possibility thinking, prompts physical/energy boosts, and could reduce stress.

Challenges aren’t designed to be easy; therefore, it’s important to ask a trusted friend to be an accountability partner. Ask a friend to closely listen to you converse, then reflect and report on the tone of the discussion. Does your friend identify that you are more optimistic or pessimistic?

This isn’t a good or bad judgment contest; however, it’s a positive or negative observation. Most people observe life through one of two lenses, bright or dark. How you view the world could have a dramatic impact on your efforts, relationships, and health. If your friend reports that your conversations have a darker hue, a good practice for improved health is to increase positivity. Making a habit of asking, “What’s the good here?” could be a small step toward improved behavioral health and productivity. 

SHORT-TERM GOALS

In The Dip, Seth Godin’s bestselling book about change, he labels the bottom of the dip The Dreaded Middle; I call it The Wilderness. The concept of a wilderness has been used throughout human storytelling history as a metaphor for being lost. Have you ever felt lost in the middle of change? Do you feel lost right now?

When you’re in The Wilderness or The Dreaded Middle you likely don’t worry about getting to the end of the journey, you’re likely focusing on the next step…and then the next…and the next. Establishing and achieving small goals keeps you moving. Creating short-term goals could break icebergs into ice cubes, which, at the end of the day, could be used to ice that carbonated beverage. Accomplishing most of your goals has a better chance of happening if you follow through with the fourth step, craft a To-Do List. 

THE BIG TO-DO

Eric Abrahamson, professor of management at Columbia University and author of Change Without Pain, says times of change, especially repetitive change (one change after another), are characterized by Change Related Chaos. The chaos is created by the storm of emails, conversations, meetings, directives, phone calls, and is experienced as a type of too-loud, life noise. Our brains fail to identify which is the most essential message.

Creating and using a daily To-Do List cuts through the clamor and keeps the urgent and important items near the top. However, too many tasks on your daily list could be counterproductive. Project management practices have taught leaders to identify a task-to-team member ratio that is sustainable. For personal planning, this would be a task-to-personal availability ratio. 

In times of change, you deserve small rewards to recognize your accomplishment of small wins. Rewards, small or large, are more than recognition for making it to the finish line; no matter if it’s a sprint or a marathon. They could motivate us to keep moving and pick up the pace.

When a conference attendee was asked, “How do you deal with change?” he replied, “I’m easy with change. I look at it as opportunities, the positive things that can happen, and then I go about planning to make sure those tasks happen.”

Mike Collins is president of The Perfect Workday Company, an information company based in the Research Triangle region of North Carolina. He is a speaker, writer, and trainer with an emphasis on behavior change.

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      MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT

      LAST UPDATED AUGUST 6, 2019

      This Master Services Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into this day by and between Clicksuasion Labs. (“Clicksuasion”), 293 Olmsted Blvd, Second Floor, Pinehurst, NC 28374, USA, on behalf of itself and its owned and operated affiliates, and (“Client”), in the delivery of consulting and other professional services, collectively the “Parties”   This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until terminated by either party with 30 days’ written notice.

      1. DEFINITIONS:
      • “Services” means any products and services that are requested by Client, whether electronic, written or verbal to Clicksuasion.
      • “Website” collectively refers to all Internet websites and domains owned by Clicksuasion.
      • “Exploratory”, “Discovery” means all communication, whether electronic, written or verbal with the intent to agree upon a SOW.
      • “Client” means any person or entity who requests Services or engages in Exploratory or Discovery communication with the intent to hire Clicksuasion Services.

       

      1. SCOPE: “Clicksuasion” shall provide consulting, research and other professional services to Client or to Client’s clients.

       

      1. WORK ASSIGNMENTS: The specific services to be provided by Clicksuasion shall be described in one or more Statements of Work (“SOW”) (or “Proposal”) issued pursuant to this Agreement and agreed upon in writing by the Parties prior to the termination of this Agreement, except where mentioned in paragraphs 5 and 16. The SOW shall be incorporated herein by reference and all terms and conditions of this Agreement shall apply to the SOW as if fully set forth therein. The SOW shall include a summary of the work, skills required, fees to be paid, and instructions on reimbursable expenses.  In the event of any conflict between the contents of any SOW and this Agreement, the SOW shall govern.

       

      1. USE OF CLICKSUASION WEBSITES: visit TERMS OF USE: clicksuasion.com/termsofuse

       

      1. INVOICING AND PAYMENT: We will invoice Client at the beginning of any project and when stated in the SOW. Unless otherwise stated, invoiced charges are due net-thirty (30) days from the invoice date. Client is responsible for providing complete and accurate billing and contact information to Clicksuasion and promptly notifying Clicksuasion of any changes to such information, including, without limitation, Client’s obligation to promptly report any Services-related performance issues or problems negatively impacting Client’s satisfaction with the Services so that Clicksuasion may attempt to remedy such. For clarity, if Client fails to notify Clicksuasion of a Services-related issue within five days from incurring it, such issue may not be relied upon as a reason to terminate this Agreement for Cause. In the event that payment is made via a third party agent, Client shall indemnify Clicksuasion and keep Clicksuasion indemnified against any loss, damage, costs and expenses Clicksuasion may suffer or incur as a result of any default by the third party agent in making payment in accordance with the terms of the SOW or as otherwise set forth in this Agreement. Client further authorize Clicksuasion to use a third party to process payments, and consent to the disclosure of your payment information to such third party. Clicksuasion shall invoice Client for fees and direct out-of-pocket expenses incurred as per the SOW. Payment in full is due upon completion of work or if other arrangements have been made between Clicksuasion and Client. Invoices unpaid after 15-days shall incur a late fee of 24 percent per annum until paid in full. Billing shall be on a time and materials basis.  Client’s non-payment of any Invoice shall entitle the Clicksuasion to stop performance under the terms of this Agreement, any Amendments thereto and/or any SOW without recourse by Client. Client is responsible for all fees and damages associated with the collection and legal solutions of late payments. All non-disclosure agreements between Client and Clicksuasion are void upon the first aged invoice 30-days past due. Additionally, the non-disclosure agreement must be re-signed by both parties to be effective beyond the first aged invoice 30-days past due. If any amount owed by Client under this or any other agreement for Clicksuasion services is thirty or more days overdue, Clicksuasion may, without limiting Clicksuasion’s other rights and remedies, accelerate Client’s unpaid fee obligations under such agreements so that all such obligations become immediately due and payable, and suspend Client Services until such amounts are paid in full. Clicksuasion will give Client at least seven days’ prior notice that the Client account is overdue before suspending services to Client.

       

      1. ENGAGEMENT NOTICE: A request for services, whether electronic or verbal, to members of Clicksuasion and the acceptance of the request of services from Clicksuasion will constitute a signed writing. All requested services, without a signed agreement, are billed monthly at $490.00 USD per hour. Client is subject to a $270.00 USD charge upon two consecutive missed meetings, whether electronic, telephonic or in-person, regardless of geographic location. Clients with ten (10) or less full-time W2-structured employees are billed $10,000.00 USD to be held in escrow for discussions related to research. All monies held in escrow will be billed at $490.00 USD during the exploratory process and all remaining funds, if applicable, will be returned to Client upon completion of the SOW or after an agreement is signed between both parties to cancel the SOW, whichever is first.

       

      1. VENDOR NOTICE: No employee of Clicksuasion has the authority to conclude any binding contract without an explicit ink-signed consent by the Chief Behavioral Officer. Therefore, any will to enter into an agreement must be confirmed by the Chief Behavioral Officer.

       

      1. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR: The Parties recognize and agree that Clicksuasion is an independent contractor. This Agreement is not to be construed to create an employment relationship between Client and Clicksuasion’s employees or subcontractors. This Agreement does not authorize either party to enter into any commitment or agreement binding on the other party. Clicksuasion shall have sole responsibility for the payment of salary (including withholding of income taxes and social security), worker’s compensation, disability benefits, and all other applicable taxes for its personnel.

       

      1. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: Each Party agrees not to directly or indirectly disclose to third parties any of the other party’s confidential or proprietary information without the written consent of the disclosing party. Neither party shall, during the time the Clicksuasion is rendering services to the Client or any time thereafter, disclose to anyone other than authorized personnel any information of a confidential nature, including but not limited to, information relating to: any materials or intellectual property supplied by one Party to the other Party; either Party’s projects or programs; the technical, commercial or any other affairs or acts of the other Party or any confidential information which either Party has received from a third party and which has been identified as confidential. The restrictions contained in this Agreement are intended to cover confidential information which relates to the Parties’ respective businesses and which has not been otherwise made public but shall not apply to the dissemination which may be required by proper government or judicial inquiry. Likewise, confidential information shall not be deemed to be information which is in the public domain or which at some future point become available in the public domain. All non-disclosure agreements between Client and Clicksuasion are void upon the first aged invoice 30-days past due. Additionally, the non-disclosure agreement must be re-signed by both parties to be effective beyond the first aged invoice 30-days past due.

       

      1. WORK PRODUCT RIGHTS: Clicksuasion shall retain all rights, title, interest and ownership in the work product delivered pursuant to this Agreement, any Amendments thereto and the SOW as well as the Clicksuasion’s proprietary tools and methodologies which shall remain the sole property of Clicksuasion. For work product produced under the terms of this Agreement, upon payment in full of Clicksuasion’s Invoices, Client shall be granted a paid up, non-exclusive, irrevocable, world-wide license for all such work product to reproduce, distribute copies to the public and prepare derivative works by or on behalf of Client. Client agrees to permit Clicksuasion to publish Client data and case studies, without personally identifiable information, and without distribution of confidential information, for the purpose of advancing behavioral science via academic journals and Clicksuasion websites and distribution channels.

       

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      1. NON-SOLICITATION: During the term of the applicable SOW and for one year thereafter, neither Party shall solicit, entice, offer employment, retain or hire the other Party’s employees or contractors, without the written agreement of the other Party; nor shall Clicksuasion solicit or enter into a direct contract with Client’s client without the written agreement of Client.

       

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      1. TERM OF AGREEMENT: This Agreement commences on the date Client executes the SOW or requests service, whichever is first, or Client access any Clicksuasion Services and this Agreement continues until all services granted in accordance with this Agreement have expired or been terminated.

       

      1. TERMINATION: This Agreement may be terminated or amended at any time only upon written agreement by both parties with 30-days written notice; however, all payments made to Clicksuasion and the rights and obligations which by their nature are intended to survive such expiration or earlier termination shall survive, including without limitation warranty, limitation of liability, and confidentiality. Client may request that Clicksuasion reassign any of its personnel assigned to a SOW upon Clicksuasion’s receipt of Client’s written notice.

       

      1. LIABILITY FOR LOSS: Neither Party shall be responsible for any consequential, indirect, punitive, incidental, or special damages arising under any theory of recovery. The maximum liability of either Party is limited to fees paid by or payable to Clicksuasion for Clicksuasion’s services. Client acknowledges that Clicksuasion shall not be responsible for damages or delays of any kind or type caused by labor strikes, fires, wars, acts of God, terrorist activities, the inability to obtain supplies or materials or any other causes or forces beyond the control of the Clicksuasion. Client acknowledges that such events may delay the start, progress and/or the completion of the work.  Moreover, Client acknowledges and agrees the Clicksuasion shall have no further liability upon Client’s receipt of Services.  Client also acknowledges and agrees that any changes made to the website by Client’s personnel and/or by third parties which require the Company to do additional work after delivery of Services shall be billed by Clicksuasion to the Client on a time and materials basis.

       

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      1. GOVERNING LAW: This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina without reference to any principles of choice or conflicts of laws. Any action instituted by either party arising out of this Agreement, the SOW or the Proposal shall be litigated exclusively in Moore County, North Carolina.  The Parties expressly consent to the exclusive personal jurisdiction and venue of Moore County, North Carolina.

       

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      1. ENTIRE AGREEMENT: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior understandings between the Parties. Any change to this Agreement shall be in the form of a written Amendment signed by both Parties.  In the event of a conflict between this Agreement and the signed Amendment, the Amendment shall control.

       

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