Kirsten Ross Articles

20 Ways to Say No - Click To Read Article
Saying no is tough sometimes. But it’s a necessary skill if you want to live a life with any kind of balance. Demands on our time, money and other resources can take all that we have if we allow them. And failing to use this important word leads to resentments in our relationships, over-scheduling, overwhelm, over extending, frustration and inattention to our own needs or goals. When we aren’t good at it, coming up with a “no” on the fly can be very difficult. I encourage my clients to create some ready phrases so that they are prepared. The trick is to:

The Priorities Game - Click To Read Article
Each one of us is a valuable resource and we all have gifts we are meant to use in service to others. There are demands on our time constantly. How do we pick and choose where we will use our time and energy? It’s tough! The Priorities Game can help. I use it with many of my clients. Just apply these few simple questions to any demand on your time before you make a decision. You will be more intentional about your choices. Follow through based on your answers and you’ll experience more focused energy and peace.

A Toddler's Exercise Program - A Recipe for Heart Health in More Ways than One! - Click To Read Article
I wrote this list when my oldest son, Eric, was about 4 years old. Eric was, and still is, a very energetic boy. One day it just struck me as very funny to think about how different we are as adults. If we were more like kids we could get rid of those extra Calories just going about our normal activities. Have you ever wondered why your kids are so thin? Well, when was the last time that you:

The Two Key Components to Living with Tenacity - Click To Read Article
Tenacity is a key component to success. We must have it to reach our goals. It’s the fuel that keeps us moving through the inevitable challenges. But how often do we take the time to stop and think about what tenacity really is? Let’s spend a minute to figure out what tenacity looks like and how we can create it to use to our advantage. When I’m working with clients I often use the analogy of getting your screaming baby strapped into a car seat to illustrate tenacity. Because, if you have kids, you have experienced tenacity! When you are putting your child in their car seat your purpose is to make your baby safe. Your baby hates to feel confined and wants nothing to do with it. You can not reason with a baby or explain your logic so you must just make it happen.

The Interview Process in a Nutshell - Click To Read Article
Have you ever thought about the full cost of hiring a new employee? There are the obvious costs: placing an ad, the wages spent on time looking at resumes and conducting interviews, pre-employment physical, reference checks. Then there are the less obvious costs: wages for training time of both the trainer and new employee, lost productivity while the position is vacant, lost productivity while the new employee learns and gets up to speed, the cost of mistakes. When you add it all up it definitely motivates you to minimize employee turnover, doesn’t it? And there are many strategies an employer can utilize to create an environment that inspires employee loyalty. But the first and most important step is making the right hiring decision.

Procrastination - The Symptom not the Cause - Click To Read Article
Procrastination is one of those buzz phrases that people use often, sometimes with a negative connotation, other times with a shrug and a laugh like it’s just the way it is and they are powerless to change it. Procrastination, itself, is never the issue though. It’s just the symptom. So, I always help my clients figure out what’s underneath the procrastinating behavior. This is where the real opportunity for change exists. Here are some of the main causes of procrastination along with some steps you can take to eliminate the behavior – if you choose!

No Time........Really?? - Click To Read Article
I love to pay attention to the language I use and also the words my clients choose. Being aware of our own language provides a window into where we may have blind spots, fears or beliefs standing in our way. I often catch my clients using the phrase, “I just don’t have time.” It’s a sentence that suggests that we have no power over how we spend our time. And the truth is, we do. Certainly there can be negative consequences to choosing to spend our time in one way over another. And avoiding those negative consequences can drive our choices, but, at the end of the day, we are choosing!

Quick Tips to Decrease Stress - Click To Read Article
Life has been busy, busy, busy but good. Lots of new projects in the works and great new clients. It's definitely been a time to chunk down tasks! Yes, even I, "the life balance guru" need reminders. Living in a state of overwhelm is not healthy. I always say, you can live that way for a sprint but not a marathon! Here are some basic steps to use to move from overwhelm to calm - or at least calmer!

New School Year: Lessons from a Middle Schooler - Click To Read Article
Today is the first day of school in Michigan and I am the new mom to a Middle Schooler!. Time has flown so quickly. It seems like just yesterday that I was holding him in the rocking chair in his room. I remember looking at his little legs and thinking to myself, “some day his legs will hang over mine when he sits on my lap. I can’t even imagine it.” And now here we are, it’s been years since he’s spent any time on my lap. His legs would almost hit the ground, all in the blink of an eye. Where has the time gone? I watch with amazement as he heads off to Middle School with nothing more than anticipation. Hallways to maneuver, new school, way more kids, lockers and classes to find. His elementary school is nothing more than a fond memory and he is ready to move on. I am so proud of him today!

Will You Be Re-Entering The Workforce? Start Preparing While You are Out - Click To Read Article
Many individuals leave the workforce for a period of time for one reason or another. It is always scary, especially if you have an established career. There are, however, steps that you can take while you are out to prepare for re-entry. And many of the items can be fun, rewarding and can keep you intellectually stimulated.

Why Should I Offer Family Friendly Policies and Work Schedules – What’s in it for me?? - Click To Read Article
More and more, employees are telling us that balance between work and life is what is most important. But, as a business owner, what's in it for me?

The Six Dimensions of Wellness: Get Balance for a Better Life - Click To Read Article
Have you ever noticed that some activities seem to give you a burst of energy while others seem to leave you barely able to move? The goal is to prioritize your life, to the extent possible, around the activities that excite you and give you energy. You have a limited amount of time but can affect the amount of energy you have to live life......a Dynamic Life!

The Wage Gap is Alive : It's no Surprise but What Can We Do? - Click To Read Article
The Census Data tells us that the wage gap between men and women still exists. In particular, men outnumber women in high paying jobs. While 13% of men working full time make $75,000 or more, only 4% of women earn at this level. The difference in wages has been decreasing steadily, but what can we do to make sure that we continue on the right path:

The Power of Positive Thinking - Click To Read Article
Your life is a series of stories and you are the author. Will you tell yourself a story that energizes you and adds to your success or will you tell one that makes you feel miserable? You get to choose!!

The Current Design of Work No Longer Works! - Click To Read Article
The current design of work was created at a time when a man went to work and a woman stayed home full time. That was just the way it was. Men could only be completely committed to their work because they had that constant support on the home front. Well, the world has changed. Women now have more choices. It’s wonderful! The problem is that some aspects of work have not kept up with the times.

Popular Flexible Work Arrangements and Their Definitions - Click To Read Article
Entrepreneurs can benefit from utilizing flexible work arrangements such as part time, telecommuting, job share and flex time. Consider these options when you are designing your workforce.

Personal Boundaries: The Key to Creating Work and Life Your Way - Click To Read Article
When you think of the word boundary, what images does it conjure up; A fence around a pasture, a concrete barrier between two lanes of highway, how about the Berlin Wall? These are all physical boundaries. What about boundaries in your work and life?

Meeting your Potential Job Share Partner Topics to Cover - Click To Read Article
Whether you are interested in sharing a full time job or looking for a great partner to share your business with, getting all of the facts out on the table will be your first step towards finding the right person.

Managing a Telecommuter Successfully - Click To Read Article
If you are the kind of leader who likes to keep a close eye on your direct reports, managing a telecommuter may be a real stretch. It is doable though, and there are great rewards to be had for providing a family-friendly environment. And, the changes you make will make you a BETTER manager overall!

Maintaining a Healthy Job Share Partner Relationship - Click To Read Article
Being in a job share partnership is like any other relationship. It can really be compared to a marriage. As a matter of fact, you may end up spending more time working collaboratively with a job share partner than you do with your own spouse. So, it is very important to make sure that you work at the relationship just like a marriage. Here are some tips to keep it in check.

Maintaining Positive Relationships with Co-Workers While you Telecommute - Click To Read Article
Maintaining positive working relationships with co-workers can be a challenge under the best of circumstances. When you are a telecommuter, however, it can be even more difficult. Here are some tips to help you stay away from some common pitfalls.

I learned a Life Lesson from My Car - Click To Read Article
As long as something is still working, at least barely, we don’t put the time or energy there at all. We live with mediocrity rather than shooting for greatness. We limp along rather than soaring. We put time and energy into a band aid but nothing more. And if we are lucky, a smaller issue will pop up to give us a wake up call before catastrophe strikes. So, what in your life needs more attention? Where do you need a wake up call?

How to Ask for a Flexible Work Arrangement - Click To Read Article
Are you a parent trying to better balance work and family or an entrepreneur just getting started while working for someone else? Either way a flexible work arrangement can be the answer to your prayers. It is a great way to carve out some extra hours for your other endeavors. Asking for even small things can be hard at times. Here are some helpful tips to make asking for this big thing a bit easier.

Flexible Work Arrangements: Why Should You Offer Them? - Click To Read Article
As a business owner you are interested in helping your employees succeed. But, behind many decisions, whether we admit it or not is always, "what's in it for me?" Read here to see what just SOME of the advantages are to providing flexible work arrangements as a benefit to your employees and candidates.

Flexible Work and The Fair Labor Standards Act - Click To Read Article
The Fair Labor Standards Act or FLSA can make scheduling flexible work for non-exempt employees a bit confusing. Here are some options that will work under most circumstances. We'll also bust some myths about the FLSA while we are at it!

Elements of a Family Friendly Work Place - Click To Read Article
Becoming an employer of choice is the goal of many organizations. One way to get the competitive edge is to be considered a family friendly organization. Below you will find some programs that you may want to consider in addition to providing alternative work arrangements to help establish your organization as family friendly.

Dress for Success: Even Working from home Requires a Dress Code - Click To Read Article
Are you an entrepreneur working from home, or do you want to be? A professional image is key wherever you are conducting business. Following a dress code, whether others see you are not, is an important element to your success.

Dealing with the Stresses of Balancing Professional and Familial Obligations - You can make it easier! - Click To Read Article
We all wish that we had more time. Life is so stressful these days. Things can be especially difficult if you haven’t been able to swing that flexible work arrangement job that you’ve been dreaming of. If you are spending 50 or so hours away from your home per week you need to find life balance by finding ways to decrease your stress or at least find some ways to live with it! And the motto here is, “just do the best that you can!” Here are some tips:

Do You Have What it Takes to be an At-Home Entrepreneur? - Click To Read Article
So, you have decided that you want to work from home AND be your own boss. You’ve seen the commercials with the woman leisurely getting out of bed, taking time to exercise and then conducting business in her pajamas while her happy baby sits nearby. Unfortunately, this is not the reality of working from home, especially if you are working for yourself. Do you really have what it takes to be an entrepreneur? There are a lot more challenges than you may realize. Here are some questions to think about.

Decreasing Labor Costs Without Layoffs - Click To Read Article
At a time when the nation’s economy is softening, and perhaps worse, many entrepreneurs are considering layoffs as a way to cut costs. But eliminating jobs does not always result in immediate cost-savings. There are often severance packages to finance and unemployment benefits to cover. In addition, the morale of the employees left behind always suffers. There are ways to decrease labor costs that can save jobs, however. And, in many instances, these strategies can save money immediately, keep unemployment insurance rates down, improve or at least maintain employee morale and save jobs.

Compensation Definitions: Basic Must Knows for the Entrepreneur or Employee - Click To Read Article
Have you ever been in a staff meeting or other location and had a visit from a Human Resource Professional to discuss Compensation? Or maybe you’ve inquired about salaries or hourly rates – and have you been bombarded with terminology. Here are some basic compensation terms with definitions that will help you sail through those meetings looking like the entrepreneur that you are.

Compensation Definitions: More Must Knows For the Entrepreneur - Click To Read Article
As an entrepreneur you must be a jack of all trades at times. As your business grows, you will need to become at least minimally versed in the area of compensation. After all, paying people is a key to keeping them around. This article will deal with some of the terminology used when describing a compensation program.

Are You Ready to ReEnter The Workforce Back to Work Strategies that Work - Click To Read Article
Have you been out of the workforce for a period of time and now are ready to re-enter? Don’t worry – it’s not that uncommon these days to go back to work after a period away! Many moms take a hiatus after having a baby and then go back to work. Or, life circumstances change, you get a divorce and need to go back to work after being home. Here are some tips for preparing:


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