Smile, breathe and go slowly – dealing with negativity in the workplace

We all get down sometimes and have difficult days, so being negative from time to time is quite normal.  However, when you are in situations where negativity is the norm, it is time to act.  Nerida found this fantastic quote by Jim Rohn on the Zen Habits website, which really made us pause and think:

“You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with”.

What this quote means is that who you spend your time with has an impact on the person you eventually become.  We think this is very true, and the article accompanying this quote then goes on to discuss how when you hang out with negative people you often start to feel negative in yourself, like a bad aftertaste.  In contrast, when spending time with positive people, you tend to feel extremely upbeat and exuberant. Clearly, there is a spill over effect that takes place even after the interaction!

Have a think about your home and work colleagues, and maybe read the full blog ’7 simple tips to deal with negative people’, it is a good read and is something that you might like to pass around your office or send to your HR department.  Remember, we all need to take individual responsibility for how we feel, you cannot make someone become ‘positive’, but you can be aware that by spending more time with negative people, your thoughts and emotions will slowly become negative too. At first it might be temporary, but over time it’ll slowly become ingrained in you.

Siwan and Nerida

PS we now have a new webpage that provides knowledge about ‘People and relationships’ we are happy to put any of your recommendations for resources relating to this topic so we can share that with others…..

AWA Catchment Management Conference – Wangaratta, 22-23 August 2011

Registrations for the Australian Water Association Catchment Management Conference are now open.  The conference is focusing on building co-operative relationships with land managers and Catchment Management Authorities about water supply aspects of catchment management.  The full program is here, and early bird registration closes at the end of June so take a look at what is on offer (looks good to us and we are planning to be there!) and book.  Further information, registration and call for posters click here.

Siwan

Water Stories – Online Collaborative Documentary Making

Australian Documentaries, and the Institute for Sustainable Futures at University of Technology Sydney have partnered for Water Stories: the first online collaborative documentary making process in the world.

Water Stories is funded by the Water in The Landscape Program, run by the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC).  The documentary will be directed by award winning documentary maker, Sascha Ettinger Epstein.  The Water Stories documentary will voice water issues that are most concerning, or ideas that are most inspiring, to Western Sydney-siders.

The film will be submitted to film festivals around the world – and to finish with a big bang! -  a red carpet event will be held in Western Sydney to celebrate this world-first, participatory and professionally produced documentary.

The ARRC is watching this project with interest as it may well be an approach that could be used in other parts of Australia.  If you want to keep track of the project follow their website www.crowdtv.com.au, and to learn more about the range of terrific community art, drama and storytelling projects being funded through the Water in the Landscape Program, click here.

Siwan

Inspirational stories

I have just finished reading a really fantastic book that has nothing to do with river restoration, but everything to do with the power of people and the strength of the human spirit.  My friend Kylie gave me  ‘the Dressmaker of Khair Khana’ by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon to read, and I could not put it down.  It  is the story of five sisters and their community’ Khair Khana’ when  the Taliban take over Kabul, Afghanistan.  The story provides you with insights into the day to day impact the Taliban had on women formerly used to freedom, and now restricted to wearing the chadri and confined to their homes.

I really recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the events of Afghanistan.  It is a true story, and I learnt more about what has happened in Afghanistan through this book, than any of the news programs and bulletins that I have watched on television or via the internet.  If you have an inspirational story you have read, let us know and you can blog and share that story with others.

Siwan

Farm Day 2011

FarmDay is when a farm family hosts a city family for a day of real hands-on experiences and a greater understanding of the day-to-day life of the farming family.  Farm Day is held over the weekend of May 28-29 2011.

Farm Day aims to foster a greater understanding of farming among urban Australians through a farming family sharing their life with a city family for a day of ‘fun, friendship and understanding’.  The experience provides a chance for a city family to share a day with a farming family, see how a modern farm business operates, and understand why farming is important to the  urban lifestyle.

Farming families are able to help city families understand the business of farming, showcase their farm and the work they do, and enjoy the pleasure of seeing a city family discover the world of farming.

For more information and to register go to the Farm Day web site.