Jessie E. Meeks

This morning, as I was leaving my home for work and to take my daughter to school, we encountered an unusual amount of traffic. It took me extra time to exit my driveway and merge onto the main road. A few minutes in, I noticed in my rearview mirror a white Outback and a white Ford truck rapidly approaching. Despite going three miles over the speed limit, they were quickly gaining on me. In response, I tried to speed up to maintain a safe distance and avoid being tailgated. However, both vehicles continued to tailgate me, eagerly looking for an opportunity to pass. As I sped along the rural road, a question suddenly popped into my head: "Why am I letting these impatient and reckless drivers influence how I drive, even though I'm doing the right thing?" At that moment, I decided to gradually reduce my speed to align with the posted limit. This decision infuriated the drivers behind me, who promptly sped past me in a huff. The irony of the situation revealed itself a few miles down the road. I found the same drivers, one stuck in a busy McDonald's drive-thru lane and the other caught behind a slow-moving semi-truck just two vehicles ahead of me. Despite their impatience, the universe had its own way of slowing them down. Reflecting on this experience, I realized three important life lessons that we can all use to make today a great day: 1. Don’t Let Others Dictate Your Pace: Just as I allowed those tailgaters to influence my driving, we often let others' actions dictate our own pace in life. Whether it’s in our work, relationships, or personal growth, it’s crucial to stay true to our values and pace. Today, take a moment to reflect on areas where you might be rushing because of external pressures. Slow down, and focus on what feels right for you. 2. Patience is a Virtue: The impatient drivers eventually found themselves delayed despite their efforts to speed ahead. This serves as a reminder that patience often leads to better outcomes. If you find yourself feeling rushed or impatient today, take a deep breath and remind yourself that good things take time. Practicing patience can lead to more thoughtful decisions and a more enjoyable journey. 3. Enjoy the Journey: In our hurry to reach our destinations, we often miss out on the beauty and experiences along the way. This morning, slowing down allowed me to notice the irony and lessons in the situation. Today, make a conscious effort to enjoy the little moments. Whether it’s savoring your morning coffee, taking a walk during your lunch break, or spending quality time with loved ones, cherish the journey as much as the destination. By embracing these lessons, we can transform our daily experiences into opportunities for growth and fulfillment. Let’s slow down, be patient, and enjoy the journey. Make today a great day by living mindfully and appreciating each moment.

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Have you ever felt stuck in a situation, unsure if you should push on or walk away? Annie Duke flips the script on quitting in her book "Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away." Instead of seeing it as failure, Duke argues that quitting is a crucial skill for success. Here are 10 valuable lessons you can learn from this book: 1. Quitting as a Strength: Duke reframes quitting as a strategic tool for making better decisions. It allows you to adjust course and pursue more promising opportunities, demonstrating strength and wisdom. 2. Uncertainty and the Quitting Advantage: Uncertainty is inherent in new beginnings. Quitting becomes a powerful tool in such situations, allowing you to adapt to new information and make informed decisions as things unfold. 3. The Counterintuitive Timing of Quitting: The right moment to quit often feels too early. Don't get hooked by the sunk cost fallacy and keep pouring resources into a losing situation. Learn to recognize the signs that quitting is the best option. 4. Honing the Quitting Skill: Just like any valuable skill, quitting requires practice and a specific framework. Duke equips you with tools to analyze situations and make informed decisions about when to walk away. 5. Beware of Biases: Our decision-making can be clouded by biases like the sunk cost fallacy (clinging to something due to past investment) and escalation of commitment (doubling down on a failing choice). This book helps you identify these biases and avoid getting trapped in unproductive situations. 6. Focus on Future Value: When contemplating quitting, prioritize the potential value of your future options, not just the resources already invested in the current path. There might be a brighter future waiting just beyond the quit point. 7. Embrace Opportunity Cost: Quitting frees up valuable resources – time, energy, money – to pursue more promising opportunities with higher potential rewards. 8. Quitting Contracts for Clarity: Establish clear "quitting criteria" before starting a project or venture. This defines what constitutes failure and makes quitting decisions less emotional and more objective. 9. Flexible Goal Setting: Set adaptable goals that allow for adjustments based on new information or changing circumstances. Don't be afraid to alter your goals if quitting a certain path becomes the most strategic move. 10. The Power of Premortems: Conduct a "premortem" exercise before embarking on a project. Imagine potential reasons for failure and establish clear "quitting points" to avoid wasting resources down the line. BOOK: https://amzn.to/4byMDzj

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Whether you are a HR professional, business owner or someone who has HR responsibilities, this conference has valuable information for you! You know it’s a great conference when you struggle to figure out which break out sessions to attend because they are all so good! Bring your entire team and y’all can conquer and divide😁

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Mental health awareness is so important and we need to do more to provide people with the necessary resources.

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Check out this article and see why exit interviews are important. Not sure what to ask this article covers the most important questions to ask straight from HR professionals.

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I read this week the statement: "We receive the behavior we are willing to tolerate.” Wow! It made me reflect on the question, “What am I tolerating in my life that I should not be?” Tolerance dictates behavior because it sets the precedence for it. For example, if I tolerate disrespect, it sends a signal that disrespect is acceptable to me and will lead to a pattern where this negative behavior is repeated. This got me thinking about work as well. What are we tolerating at work that is becoming an acceptable work practice? What behaviors are we tolerating that are becoming the norm and shaping our work environment? Let's establish (or re-establish) clear boundaries and not tolerate any work behaviors that are leading to a decline in overall productivity, morale, unfair practices, or toxic influences by enforcing professional standards. Let's help create a positive and productive workplace culture and encourage others to treat others with respect and consideration and to perform as a "best-in-class" employee. By not tolerating sub-standard behavior and performance we will be proactively shaping a positive work place for all our employees and will be a best-in-class company!

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View my verified achievement from HRCI.

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View my verified achievement from HRCI.

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View my verified achievement from HRCI.

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🌴 The Importance of Using Your PTO 🌴 As we navigate our busy professional lives, it's crucial to remember the value of taking time off. Utilizing your Paid Time Off (PTO) is not just a benefit—it's a necessity for your well-being and productivity. Here's why using your PTO is so important: 🧠 Mental Health: Taking time off helps reduce stress and prevent burnout. It allows you to recharge your mind, improving your overall mental health and resilience. 💪 Physical Health: Regular breaks and vacations contribute to better physical health. They can lower blood pressure, improve sleep quality, and boost your immune system. ✨ Increased Productivity: Stepping away from work can lead to increased creativity and productivity. When you return, you’re more likely to be focused, motivated, and efficient. 👥 Work-Life Balance: Using PTO helps maintain a healthy work-life balance. It allows you to spend quality time with loved ones, pursue hobbies, and enjoy personal interests. 🌍 Broaden Perspectives: Traveling or engaging in new experiences during your time off can broaden your perspectives and inspire fresh ideas that benefit both your personal and professional life. At Associated Packaging, Inc., we encourage all employees to prioritize their health and happiness by taking their well-earned time off. A well-rested team is a more engaged, productive, and innovative team. Remember, your PTO is there for a reason. Plan that vacation or staycation, and come back refreshed and ready to achieve great things! #PTO #WorkLifeBalance #MentalHealth #EmployeeWellbeing #Productivity #HR #WorkplaceCulture #TimeOff

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It can be difficult to hear that a star employee has decided to leave your organization. Beware of letting that pain turn it into an ugly situation! Want to help your exiting employees find their next position faster? Learn about Purple Ink llc's outplacement services here: https://loom.ly/hG61sfU #Terminations #Outplacement

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👀👀 Looking for something to do next Tuesday? Do you like breakfast? 🥓 🥞 PROBLEM SOLVED! Come join us for breakfast and learn some great information about FMLA and Mental Health in the workplace! #HR #FMLA #MentalHealthMatters #SHRM #NWLASHRM

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Feedback and transparency can make it easier when it's time to part ways with an employee - and might keep them from leaving your organization! Want to help your exiting employees find their next position faster? Learn about Purple Ink llc's outplacement services here: https://loom.ly/hG61sfU #Feedback #CareerPathing

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"Ensuring HR is Present in the Strategic Planning Process" is one of the many presentation topics for HR and Trade Associations. See more here: https://lnkd.in/eGGypBCs

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The Stillwater Area Human Resource Association invites you to: Pregnancy Discrimination - A Legal Breakdown When: June 27, 2024 11:30 AM, CDT Where: Meridian Technology Center D208; 1312 S. Sangre Rd. Stillwater, OK 74074 Cost: $20 - lunch provided Will you be attending? https://lnkd.in/gRC2yz_F  Our presenter is Chris Vaught from Crowe & Dunlevy. This presentation provides an in-depth examination of the current federal labor laws as they apply to pregnant employees. Learning Outcomes: 1) Explore pregnancy discrimination through the lens of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. 2) Develop an understanding of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. 3) Discuss examples of reasonable accommodations and undue burdens. 4) Investigate the Americans with Disabilities Act with respect to pregnant workers. 5) Explore the PUMP Act with regard to employer's responsibilities for employees with a nursing child.   The session will be held in Classroom D208. You will enter via Entrance 2 and park in Parking Lot D. Lunch will be provided. RSVP is required. 

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Long-Term Onboarding: Beyond Day 1 Because it has become increasingly difficult to find qualified employees, a lot of focus has been put into onboarding programs. Companies spend a lot of money attracting and wooing candidates to apply, interview and ultimately to accept their job offer. However, if your company stops onboarding on Day 1, you are at risk of wasting all that time, effort & money on rapid turnover. Long-term onboarding refers to the process of integrating new employees into an organization over an extended period; typically, several months to the first year of employment. Unlike short-term onboarding, which focuses on immediate orientation to policies and procedures, long-term onboarding aims to foster deeper connections, understanding, and growth within the organization producing increased company loyalty and decreased employee turnover. Here’s how a long-term onboarding process might look: 1. Extended Training & Development: Rather than a brief orientation, new employees undergo ongoing training and development sessions tailored to their roles and career aspirations. 2. Regular Check-Ins and Feedback: Managers and mentors regularly meet with the new employees to provide feedback, assess progress, and address any challenges or concerns. 3. Integration into Company Culture: Focus on integrating them into the organization’s culture such as team-building activities, involvement in company events, and opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across different departments. 4. Career Path Planning: Rather than just focusing on the immediate role, consider employees’ long-term career goals with development plans that outline potential career paths within the organization and the steps needed to achieve them. 5. Building Relationships: Encourage new employees to build relationships not only with their immediate team members but also with colleagues throughout the organization to foster a sense of belonging and collaboration. 6. Evaluation and Adjustment: Feedback from both new hires and their managers helps refine the onboarding program to better meet the evolving needs of the organization and its employees. Ultimately, the goal of onboarding is to ensure that the new employee is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to be successful in their role within the organization. Developing and implementing a well-designed onboarding program that provides new employees with the necessary information, support, and resources to succeed in their roles while also fostering a sense of belonging and purpose within the organization will pay dividends in your company’s success! If you need help developing a long-term onboarding program that’s right for your organization, contact Katie at www.KGroHR.com. 

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