20 Things to Add to Your Desk to Promote Workplace Wellbeing in the New Year

The New Year marks the beginning of a fresh start. As a professional, you may have a number of goals that you are working toward in 2020—and aligning your wellbeing with your performance is a good one to add to your list.

According to research, the average professional will spend 90,000 hours at work—which is the equivalent of 1/3 of someone’s lifetime.

Workplace environment plays a big role in how productive people are at work; and how employees show up. Everything from air circulation, to the floor plan, and the colors of the walls factor into workplace well-being.

You’re probably wondering what it is that you can do with the amount of control that you do have. And the answer is, a lot! Starting with your desk. Your desk is typically where you spend the bulk of your time when you aren’t in meetings or traveling. That is why de-cluttering and livening up your space is a great way to protect your peace and be productive.

As you get back into the full swing of your work routine, here is a list of 20 ways that you can create an inspiring and productive space for yourself in the workplace.

20 Ways to Liven Up Your Desk

1. Hang up and inspiring calendar that you will use.
2. Decorate your desk with things that bring you joy.
3. Hang up photos of family, friends, or inspiring images.
4. Keep a powerfully scented candle to add an aroma to your area (Do not light it, of course!)
5. Print out helpful industry resources that you can post in your area that you can learn from during your down-time or refer to.
6. Have a personal first-aid kit.
7. Keep a grooming or beauty kit for days when you are on the go.
8. Hang words of affirmations that you don’t mind others reading.
9. Keep an umbrella under your desk for unpredictable weather.
10. Create a desk appropriate size pantry of non-perishable snacks.
11. Keep an extra pair of shoes at your desk.
12. Keep a stress reliever near your computer for moments when you need to take your mind to other places.
13. If you eat at your desk, having an electronics cleaning brush will help you keep your keyboard clean!
14. Place your favorite mug or tumbler on your desk.
15. Add a little life to your area with a small plant.
16. Being comfortable in your work climate is important. A desk fan or personal heater can help you keep your cool or stay cozy.
17. Add a stack of books that are significant to you at your desk. They are great reminders and conversation starters.
18. Keep a personal stash of cleaning supplies. Sanitizing wipes, screen cleaner, and air fresheners often come in handy.
19. Keep a sticky note or set an alarm that reminds you to walk around and get fresh air.
20. Bring your best self to work each and every day. That’s priceless!

You got this!

from Black Enterprise https://ift.tt/2QOHSJL

Terry Gilliam Is Tired Of White Men Being Blamed For Everything. I Blame White Men For This

These days I kind of hate that I love the movies “12 Monkeys” and “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” so much because... boooooy, did their creator turn out to be a living, breathing dumpster fire of non biodegradable trash.

Read more...

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20 Things to Add to Your Desk to Promote Workplace Wellbeing in the New Year

The New Year marks the beginning of a fresh start. As a professional, you may have a number of goals that you are working toward in 2020—and aligning your wellbeing with your performance is a good one to add to your list.

According to research, the average professional will spend 90,000 hours at work—which is the equivalent of 1/3 of someone’s lifetime.

Workplace environment plays a big role in how productive people are at work; and how employees show up. Everything from air circulation, to the floor plan, and the colors of the walls factor into workplace well-being.

You’re probably wondering what it is that you can do with the amount of control that you do have. And the answer is, a lot! Starting with your desk. Your desk is typically where you spend the bulk of your time when you aren’t in meetings or traveling. That is why de-cluttering and livening up your space is a great way to protect your peace and be productive.

As you get back into the full swing of your work routine, here is a list of 20 ways that you can create an inspiring and productive space for yourself in the workplace.

20 Ways to Liven Up Your Desk

1. Hang up and inspiring calendar that you will use.
2. Decorate your desk with things that bring you joy.
3. Hang up photos of family, friends, or inspiring images.
4. Keep a powerfully scented candle to add an aroma to your area (Do not light it, of course!)
5. Print out helpful industry resources that you can post in your area that you can learn from during your down-time or refer to.
6. Have a personal first-aid kit.
7. Keep a grooming or beauty kit for days when you are on the go.
8. Hang words of affirmations that you don’t mind others reading.
9. Keep an umbrella under your desk for unpredictable weather.
10. Create a desk appropriate size pantry of non-perishable snacks.
11. Keep an extra pair of shoes at your desk.
12. Keep a stress reliever near your computer for moments when you need to take your mind to other places.
13. If you eat at your desk, having an electronics cleaning brush will help you keep your keyboard clean!
14. Place your favorite mug or tumbler on your desk.
15. Add a little life to your area with a small plant.
16. Being comfortable in your work climate is important. A desk fan or personal heater can help you keep your cool or stay cozy.
17. Add a stack of books that are significant to you at your desk. They are great reminders and conversation starters.
18. Keep a personal stash of cleaning supplies. Sanitizing wipes, screen cleaner, and air fresheners often come in handy.
19. Keep a sticky note or set an alarm that reminds you to walk around and get fresh air.
20. Bring your best self to work each and every day. That’s priceless!

You got this!

from Black Enterprise https://ift.tt/2QOHSJL

Political Leaders, Black Twitter Speak Out On Threat Of US-Iran War

 

The US and Iran continue their heated exchange as concern spreads throughout the nation – from Capitol Hill to Wall Street – over the threat of escalating military conflict in the Middle East. Responses have ranged from Democratic presidential contender Cory Booker citing the perils of a commander-in-chief who lacks a coherent strategy and conducts foreign policy “by impulse, by tweet” to Black Twitter followers engaging in a bit of gallows humor through commentary and memes under the hashtag #WWIII.

Wall Street’s reaction Friday to Iran’s vow of retaliation for President Donald Trump ordering the airstrike that killed its military leader Gen. Qassem Soleimani: skittish investors caused the Dow Jones Industrial Average to plummet some 230 points – its greatest one-day decline in a month – as oil prices spiked. Expect continued market volatility as Trump declares he’s “prepared to take whatever action necessary” if Iran attacked Americans.

“THEY ARE MOTIVATED NOW TO RETALIATE”

The potential for military, civilian, technical and economic hazards are real. Susan Rice, former UN Ambassador during the Obama Administration, told MSNBC Saturday that killing Soleimani does not eliminate the looming threat of an attack from Iran: “We can be certain that they are motivated now to retaliate in far greater scale than they may have been planning.”

USA Today reported that even though analysts confirm that Iran can’t match American military might, it can initiate a plan for revenge through rocket attacks on US allies such as Israel or sabotage oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway considered the most sensitive transportation choke point for global oil supplies. Moreover, observers also noted that Iran could engage in a series of cyberattacks as well as target American citizens and troops abroad near embassies, consulates or military installations. In the US, cities like New York beefed up security at landmarks, structures and other “sensitive areas” as Mayor Bill de Blasio maintained that “we’re at this point in a de facto state of war between the United States of America and Iran. None of us knows how this will play out.”

Trump told reporters Friday that he ordered the drone strike at Baghdad Airport to prevent a conflict with Iran because Soleimani was plotting attacks that endangered American troops and officials. However, he did not produce any evidence to back up his assertion. Despite the president’s claim, Democrats – including members of the Congressional Black Caucus – demanded more information about the strike, condemning Trump Saturday for not notifying Congress – including the Gang of Eight senior leadership — ahead of the airstrike.

“NO STRATEGY FOR CHALLENGES IN MIDDLE EAST”

Moreover, the Trump Administration’s action will most certainly impact the 2020 presidential race. In fact, US Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a Democratic presidential candidate, and Congressman Ro Khanna of California announced Friday introduction of legislation to prohibit any funding for offensive military force in or against Iran without prior congressional authorization. The measure to restrict funds for such military activities passed by a bipartisan 251-margin vote in the House but was later removed from the National Defense Authorization Act adopted by Congress in December. Sanders stated: “After authorizing a disastrous, $738 billion military budget that placed no restrictions on this president from starting an unauthorized war with Iran, Congress now has an opportunity to change course. Our legislation blocks Pentagon funding for any unilateral actions this president takes to wage war against Iran without Congressional authorization.”

US Sen. Booker of New Jersey has made the rounds at CNN, MSNBC, TIME and other media outlets to share his views on Trump’s reckless actions in the Middle East. “I have a lot of concerns right now as this is unfolding about that standard of the use of military force and I have a lot of concerns about a president who’s already shown to have no strategy for the larger challenges we have in the Middle East, especially around Iran,”  Booker said in television interviews. “These are statements coming from the Trump White House. There’s a lot more facts that have to come out to see if indeed this president, who already has done things that have undermined what people on both sides of the political aisle in the Senate have said do not constitute the authorization for the use of military force.”

Congresswoman Maxine Waters of California, a founding member of the Congressional No War With Iran Caucus, said in a released statement: ”The assassination of Iran’s notorious high-ranking top paramilitary general, who is immensely popular in Iran, could trigger a deadly galvanized response from the regime and undoubtedly lead us to the brink of war. Tragically, [Trump] has done so without securing an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iran from Congress or properly briefing the American people.”

“IMPEACHED PRESIDENT’S ACTIONS PREDICATED IN POLITICS THAN POLICY”

She further expressed concern that “the now impeached president’s actions may have been predicated in politics rather than sound foreign policy.” In fact, she cited claims that Trump made against President Barack Obama of seeking to employ military action in the Middle East as a means of boosting voter approval to gain a second term. “In 2011, Trump tweeted, In order to get elected, @BarackObama will start a war with Iran,’ and in 2012, he again tweeted, ‘Now that Obama’s poll numbers are in tailspin – watch for him to launch a strike in Libya or Iran. He is desperate,’ ” Waters stated. “Perhaps Donald Trump believes that if he drags the country into war, the American people and Congress will rally behind him. Perhaps he thinks that war is a diversionary tactic. Perhaps he thinks it will drown out the criticisms of his scandal-plagued administration and protect him from removal by the Senate.”

Once again, partisan warfare broke out over the airstrike when Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas clashed with Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota – a member of “The Squad” – after she tweeted: “We are outraged the president would assassinate a foreign official, possibly setting off another war without Congressional authorization and has zero plan to deal with the consequences.”

Omar rebutted the GOP opposition Saturday: “They’re going to accuse anyone who cautions against war of ‘siding with our enemies’ or ‘supporting terrorists.’ This is the exact rhetoric that got us into the War in Iraq.”

“WILL DRAFT COME BACK?”

On Twitter, hashtag #WWIII was trending online. The New York Times reported that the Selective Servuce System website, which maintains the database for those eligible for military if the draft was reinstated, crashed. Even though mandatory conscription ended in 1973, all men from 18 to 25 years old are required to register with the system by checking a box to register when getting a driver’s license or signing up when applying for federal student aid to attend college. Many now ask, “Will the draft come back?”  And despite the irreverence of omments and images, a number of black Twitter followers offered their concerns on people of color being placed “on the front lines” if war broke out.

In responding to the possibility of war, the NAACP’s Crisis Magazine invoked the late civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., tweeting one of his powerful quotes: “We must concentrate not merely on the negative expulsion of war, but on the positive affirmation of peace.”

from Black Enterprise https://ift.tt/2MXaJux

Black Woman Says Ulta Beauty Makeup Artist Told Her She’s ‘Too Dark’ for Products

A black woman seeking makeup application services at an Ulta Beauty store in New Jersey says an employee told that her “skin was too dark for most colors in the store.” Now, she’s calling for the beauty store chain to give its workers’ diversity training.

Ebony Kankam London, an expecting mother from Houston, Texas, told KTRK-TV that she traveled to the East Coast for a baby shower on Dec. 28 planned by her mother-in-law. She says she went to the Ulta Beauty store a day before to book a makeup appointment and confirm that their makeup artists were comfortable working with her skin tone.

“Sometimes with darker skin, some people don’t feel comfortable [or] don’t know what they’re doing,” she told the ABC News affiliate. “So, I went in the day before just to see if they could achieve the look I was wanting.” However, she says the makeup artist assigned to her did a botch job and criticized her complexion.

“So today at Ulta Beauty in Holmdel I went in to get my makeup done for my baby shower. I brought in a picture for reference and was told that my skin tone was too dark for most colors in the store,” Kankam London wrote on Facebook and Instagram. She also shared side-by-side images of what she wanted and the look she ended up with.

When London told the makeup artist that she was dissatisfied with her work, she says the staffer “got really upset” and told her that “was the best she could do” because “her skin was too dark” for most of the products in the store.

“In a store full of people who didn’t look like me I felt sad and upset,” Kankam London wrote on social media. “Like my skin tone was a problem.”

The employee also asked her if she had ever had her makeup done professionally. Kankam London told her that she did and even shops at Ulta Beauty, but the staffer didn’t believe her.

In a separate update posted on Facebook on Monday, Kankam London said she was contacted by a manager at the Holmdel store “who is apparently biracial and witnessed the entire situation” but she “didn’t want to make a big scene” by interfering. Kankam London added that the store manager told her that she felt “comfortable doing black makeup” and offered to do her makeup over along with a bag of sample lotions as compensation. Kankam London, however, declined to get her makeup done at the store since she was returning to Houston, reports NBC News.

Ulta said it was in contact with Kankam London in a statement published Thursday on Twitter.

“Guest satisfaction with our services is a top priority,” a spokeswoman said. “We never want to hear that a guest has had anything less than a great in-store experience. This is our responsibility and we take it seriously.”

Ulta provides “ongoing artistry education, and diversity and inclusion trainings across the organization, which is an important commitment that we recognize requires daily action and accountability,” the spokeswoman said. “We remain committed to provide a welcoming, inclusive environment where our guests can feel their best.”

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