Top Companies To Work For

The “top companies to work for” can include your own company. Want to work for yourself and create your own “top company to work for?” You can do it.

Indeed, today's top companies know a simple fact. It's the small business owner, who is most strongly positioned to create tomorrow's top company. Indeed, the power of the individual—to put your personal experience and knowledge to work for yourself—can create the type of quality work environment that you want.

Enjoy the independence of working for yourself.

The “top companies to work for” don't sweat the small stuff at work.

When you're ready, you'll need some good advice on the basics.

Consider the widely acclaimed book, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff at Work, by Richard Carlson, Ph.D., which focuses on creating a less stressful work environment. Carlson provides ample advice and personal stories that exhibit just how easy it is to develop your own small company into a top company that everyone wants to work for.

Here are eight easy tips to get you started:

• Don't dramatize the deadlines.
  The mental and emotional emphasis that we place upon company deadlines can have severely negative consequences on our work attitudes. Constant thinking and complaining about deadlines consumes enormous amounts of energy and time, creating unneeded anxiety. Instead of worrying, try to relax and manage your time better.
  
  
• Become less controlling.
  Trying to take complete control over your company's work environment and setting specific standards for people to follow can be unhealthy, upsetting, and overly stressful. Try to relax more—allow situations to prosper on their own and provide positive input rather than strict orders.
  
  
• Light a candle instead of cursing the darkness.
  Rather than complaining about the negative aspects surrounding a situation, try taking positive, solution-oriented steps, no matter how small they may be, to solve a problem. Discuss ways to improve rather than bickering about how much is wrong.
  
  
• Brighten up your working environment.
  A depressing work environment can bring about a depressing attitude throughout the company. Try creating a more inviting and friendlier atmosphere at your office by filling it with family pictures, flowers, posters or even fish! It will make you and your clients feel more comfortable.
  
  
• Take your breaks.
  Sometimes we feel that if we take a break, we will lose valuable time. However, without adequate down time, we can become frustrated, impatient and inattentive. Be sure to take breaks during the day, even if only for a few minutes. Top companies encourage work-breaks—they go a long way.
  
  
• Remember the motto, “You catch more flies with honey.”
  Your attitude comes across in all you do. As the “top worker,” you set your company's attitude. Saying “thank you” and “good job,” performing random acts of kindness, and appreciating other's creativity—these actions make people feel good about themselves, and they help to form positive and trusting relationships with those people. This is key to keeping your “top workers”at your “top company”—and away from your “top competitor.”
  
  
• Pat yourself on the back.
  Just as others appreciate your kindness towards them, don't forget yourself. Put things into perspective, reflect upon your company goals, review your work accomplishments, and admire yourself for the great contributions that you have recently made.
  
  
• Avoid the phrase, “I have to go to work.”
  This phrase sounds very negative and can be rather depressing. By saying that you “have to” do something, implies that it isn't your choice and that your heart is not there. To be happy, you HAVE TO make sure you enjoy your job with all your heart and soul.

About the Reviewer

This book review was contributed by Chris Mc Gee. All comments may be emailed to our webmaster, who will gladly forward them to Chris. (Are you wondering if Chris has plans to create the next “top company to work for?” Ask him!)

If you would like to purchase a copy of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff at Work, by Richard Carlson, Ph.D., (to explore how you can create your own “top company to work for”), you may enjoy shopping online, at Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Please note, we do not profit from your book purchases. We provide these online business resources to you, for your own shopping convenience.

Wishing you much business success!