Summer 2013

Fifteen years ago, my industry was filled with sweatshops. People slept under their desks, drank

Red Bull by the gallon, and never had lives. We kidded ourselves, but it wasn’t any fun.

I know you can find a lot of people these days telling you that you can get more done by working less. While this is true, I’m afraid many of them overcomplicate the process. If you take good breaks regularly—ones where you really get away from things—you’ll be more focused and productive. It’s that simple. So I thought I’d share some practical guidelines our team follows to make sure we get away.

1. Limit screen time. Take a break all screens for a significant amount of time every day and connect with the people around you. For example, go to lunch with someone and leave your phone at your desk. You’ll be surprised how much your concentration improves at work.

2. Don’t book meetings or phone calls on weekends. This seems like a small thing, but don’t do it. You need time when you’re not working, so do as little as possible on those days. If you can’t avoid it, block off a whole day of freedom, rather than spreading the work over both. A solid break is better than two interrupted ones.

3. Take real vacations. I have ritualized annual vacations (family trips, camping with friends, hanging out with relatives) that I never miss. And when I’m on them, I disconnect from the office almost completely so that when I return, I’m ready to go.

4. Make it natural. It makes no sense getting stressed about relaxation. Some people, for example, advise answering your email twice a day or limiting web surfing to 30 minutes. That’s going after the symptom not the cause, and it puts unnatural limits on what should be a natural process. Instead, take breaks where they make sense to you.

5. Develop outside interests. If you take time off, you’ll realize that you like not working. So find or rediscover an outside interest and spend time with people you enjoy. That way, you’ll be inspired to work harder to preserve time for yourself and the things you love to do.

6. Discuss it with your partner. The amount you work is a decision that affects more people than you. Everyone is different, so make sure the most important person in your life agrees with your approach to the life/work balance.

So how do you get away from it all?

My 7 Steps to Getting More DoneAdapted from Shane Atchison

Twin Cities RISE!

Volunteer Newsletter

From Eric Taie:

My AmeriCorps VISTA year of service is coming to an end this summer. I want to thank each and every one of you who I have come into contact with during this year serving at Twin Cities RISE! as the Volunteer Services & Recruitment/Internship Associate.

I came to TCR! right out of college not knowing what was in store for me, and I must say, this has been one of the best experiences I have ever had. It’s a direct reflection of those volunteers I worked with throughout my year of service.

Everyone I worked with at TCR! had a very lasting impression on me, and helped me grow both professionally and personally. I can’t thank everyone enough and I hope I get the privilege to work with you again in the future.

The next step for me is continuing this journey of service as the AmeriCorps VISTA Leader serving at Emerge Community Development. I look forward to what this opportunity holds for me and will never forget the people who I met during my time at TCR!. Thank you all!!!

From Kristen James:

Wow, I can’t believe how fast a year of service has flown by. I started this journey of my life as an AmeriCorps VISTA with Twin Cities RISE! to gain the knowledge and skills to assist in my career transition into the nonprofit sector after completing my Master’s degree from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

I have to say that this year has been full of many things: personal development and growth, organizational change, and most of all filled with many new relationships as a result of my work coordinating mock interviews and working with Employer Services.

Special thanks to the many volunteers that I have had the pleasure working with and getting to know; because of you I was able to enhance the mock interview processes for volunteers as well as participants. Saying goodbye is bittersweet for me because it means that this leg of the journey is coming to a close, but will definitely not be forgotten.

As I look forward to life after TCR!, I am excited about the possibilities. On June 6th, I began teaching domestic violence awareness to the inmates at the Federal Correctional Institution in Waseca, MN and am planning to re-enroll in graduate school to pursue another degree in Criminal Justice with an emphasis on Domestic Violence. I will continue to advocate for domestic violence & human trafficking awareness in communities across the state of MN through my participation on the State of MN Human Trafficking Task Force.

I welcome the opportunity to facilitate an awareness training, and would love to stay in touch and keep you abreast of my work in the field. If I can be of service to you or your communities, please contact me at SilentNoMore4Change@gmail.com or 507-351-6921.

Thank You & Goodbye from our AmeriCorps VISTA Members

Special Shout OutsA big thank you to • United Health Group for their consistent volunteer support.

RBC and Faegre Baker • Daniels recently hosted successful off-site mock interview events at their offices. What a great chance for participants to see companies in action.

A new group of • volunteers from CIGNA started volunteering in April. Thank you to these new supporters!

Comments, questions, ideas or corrections? Email mwilliams@twincitiesrise.org.Want to unsubscribe to this newsletter? Email volunteer@twincitiesrise.org.

Service to a just cause rewards the worker with more real happiness and satisfaction than any other venture of life. - Carrie Chapman Catt

Diana J. - Administrative Assistant• Daniel Z. - Fulfillment Associate• Faith K. - NAZ Connector• Kirk W. - Machine Operator• Wendy M. - Child Support Assistant• Amber C. - Fulfillment Associate•

Michelle W. - Intake Specialist• Mandy A. - Intake Coordinator• Dona M. - Personnel Support Advocate• Marcus D. - Helper• Johnny J. - Racker• Hilary W. - Contract Administrator•

Participants: Where are they now?

Participants and RBC employees at the off-site mock interview session.

I am so excited to step in to my new role as Director of Volunteer Services and work more closely with our volunteers who are such an asset to our organization! I have worked for TCR! for the past 3 years as an Employment Coach/Instructor where I have had the opportunity to use my professional experience and education in Human Services and Human Resources Management. It is my goal to continue to cultivate relationships that are effective on a personal and professional level for both the volunteers and the participants of TCR!. I’m looking forward to partnering with all of you as volunteers of TCR!.

I would like to add a special thanks to Kristen James and Eric Taie for all of their support in assisting me in my new role with new volunteer orientation, workshops, mock interviews, etc. They have helped out tremendously during this transition, and will truly be missed!

Hello from Melanie Williams, new Director of Volunteer Services!