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Thursday, June 16, 2016

Mindfulness and Digital Distraction Podcast, Human Touch and The Reorg Rag: A Psychohumorist's ™ Hybrid

Is Mindfulness the Answer to Digital Distraction?  Stress Doc Team Podcast, catch live or download any time after Thurs, Jun 16 at 11amET


In a world that's going MA&DD with Media Addiction & Digital Distraction, it's not surpising that people are starting to recognize, especially leaders of Silicon Valley, that having your head in a cloud 24-7 can de destructive to mind-body...and even corporate performance and profits.

Tune in and learn about the difference between mindfulness and meditation. Is there scientific evidence to back the anecdotal enthusiasm?  And is mindfulness enough to help you escape/survive the digital vortex?

We are live on June 16 at 11am.  But you can catch the show anytime on www.blogtalkradio.com

Dustin Bray, Computer Scientist/Game Strategist
Emily Livelsberger, Communications Coach/Strategist
Mark Gorkin, the Stress Doc, stressdoc@aol.com
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From Preserving Human Touch:  The Reorg Rag

Inspired by an encouraging note from Anger Management/Business Leader Guru, George Anderson, (see email below), as a way of promoting my new e-book, Preserving Human Touch in a High Tech World:  Writings, Raps, & Rhymes on Stress Resiliency, Burnout Recovery, and Digital Sanity, I am regularly releasing offerings from my book.  Today it’s “The Reorg Rag”…A wicked, wild, and “on-point” depiction of what many experience when down-sized.

Info about Preserving Human Touch…follows the lyric.  Please check out the e-book, and the provocative cover, on Amazon.


A Mix of Meaning and Magic...and Burnout Battlefield Experience!

Synopsis:  An insightful and inspiring guide for self-discovery and heart-to-heart connection, Preserving Human Touch... is the painful, playful, and soulful outpouring of a one-of-a-kind – stage and page – "word artist."  Whether poetry or prose, purposeful or poignant, the language is colorful yet clear – a tapestry of meaningful substance and magical style.  This ingenious synthesis is best captured by the “Stress Doc’s” ™ quest to be the Dr. Seuss of Stress for Adults (and kids of all ages).

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George's Recent Email

Today, I discovered an absolute goldmine of excellent information on anger, stress, and the uniqueness of the U.S. Postal Service.

I urge you to begin placing every one of the documents on Pulse.  I had no idea of your greatness.  This is what I am referring to: stressdoc.com/news19821.htm.

You are totally awesome.

Director I George Anderson I BCD, LCSW
executive coaching I anger management

2300 Westridge Rd.
Los Angeles, CA 90049andersonservices.com
andersonandandersonapc@gmail.com
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The Reorg Rag

“The Reorg Rag” was first penned in the early ‘90s, as decentralization and downsizing was sweeping the federal institutions in Washington.  In 2010 and now today, it’s “déjà vu” all over again.  Talk of budget cuts, furloughs, RIFs (Reduction in Force), and sequester along with Congressional inertia (or is it small-minded yet “strategic incompetence?”) never goes out of style.  The disorienting, existential tone of the “Rag” is especially heightened by the insightfully edgy refrains.

The Reorg Rag (with apologies to no one)

It can’t happen here, I have too much to do…
Who took my desk and chair, my computer, too?
They can’t replace me; the Branch Techno-file
What do you mean I’m still in denial?

Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag,
Why does it feel I’ve been fragged?
Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag,
Maybe I’m just on a jag.
Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag,
I’m still on the Reorg Rag!

Rejoice, you’re employed…so they’ve frozen your pay
And put on your backs the recovery.
Two free weeks furlough to re-“leave” your stress
What a friend you have in the 112th Congress!

Work’s now a casino, a high tech RIF** RAFFle
When will we know?  Why does management waffle?
Buddha Computah… who’s pink slipping away?
Here’s your ticket to ride; shopping’s good in Bombay.

Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag
Why do I just want to gag?
Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag,
Whatever happened to my swag?
Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag
I’m still on the Reorg Rag!

You’ll “Do more with less” when “There’s no ‘I’ in team”
So “Dress for Success,” then become “lean-and-MEAN.”
Keep reading those posters, your glass is half full
Though, beware “going postal” in the face of this bull.

Ignore the slacker; just take up his load
Put in for a transfer; oops, no off ramp for this road.
The boss is a bully; the “Old Boys” turn an eye
You’re getting an ulcer – such a “nice gal or guy.”

Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag
Why has life become a drag?
Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag
Should I raise that white flag?
Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag
I’m still on the Reorg Rag!

Now you’ve had enough, playing Raggedy Ann
Start calling their bluff; draw a line in the sand.
You are a survivor; just never forget
To bring out your “Inner Rambo or Rambette!”

So “Do know your limits; don’t limit your ‘No’s”
There’s life beyond widgets; you’ve taken their blows.
Break away from the mob; you’ve surpassed your quota
And have won your job…but now in South Dakota!

Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag,
Once again in a trick bag.
Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag,
Back into the old gulag
Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag,
I’m still on the Rreorg Rag.
Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag,
Forever on the Reorg Rag!


**RIF = Reduction In Force


(c)  Mark Gorkin  2011
Shrink Rap ™ Productions
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Purpose of the Poem, Power to the Poet

Right off the bat, “The Rag” verbalizes the sense of shock and loss of major reorganization.  Even a solid, an “indispensable” employee is suddenly on tremulous ground.  The disorientation not only anticipates position change or loss, but confounded identity and diminished professional status.  Then there are those wildcard furloughs…Now everything’s up in the air.  By the time people hit the ground, they are either “pink slipping” or are off and trying to take away each other’s jobs.  There is always a loser in “musical desks and chairs”!  Of course, there are those desirable posts in the Dakotas.  And let’s not forget all those exhortations and incentives to “Do more with less” or “Ignore the slacker.” (“He kept his job???”)  And those motivational posters, e.g., “There’s no ‘I’ in team!”  We’re forging a common goal:  more and more are becoming lean-and-MEAN!   Finally, just as you’ve had enough, start drawing a line in the sand…You’ve kept your job; alas, based in the American version of a Siberian gulag!
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Discussion Questions

1.  Have you ever been involved in a reorganization or downsizing?  If so, what was the most difficult part of the experience?

2.  How did the shake-up impact the morale and productivity of the team or department, organization or company?

3.  Which slogan do you resonate with more:  “There’s no ‘I’ in team” or “There are two ‘I’s in winning”?  Why?

4.  What are the dangers for the team, for individuals, and for the formal leader when you “ignore the slacker”?
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or

Preserving Human Touch in a High Tech World
Writings, Raps, & Rhymes on Stress Resiliency,
Burnout Recovery, and Digital Sanity

A Mix of Meaning and Magic...and Battlefield Experience!

Synopsis:  An insightful and inspiring guide for self-discovery and heart-to-heart connection, Preserving Human Touch... is the painful, playful, and soulful outpouring of a one-of-a-kind – stage and page – "word artist."  Whether poetry or prose, purposeful or poignant, the language is colorful yet clear – a tapestry of meaningful substance and magical style.  This ingenious synthesis is best captured by the “Stress Doc’s” ™ quest to be the Dr. Seuss of Stress for Adults (and kids of all ages).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Everyday our world becomes more TNT – Time-Numbers-Technology – driven and distracted.  And if human traits were species, two of the most endangered would be Integrity and Intimacy.  Preserving Human Touch in a High Tech World is your skills and strategies, light and enlightening road map of “writings, raps and rhymes” for: 

Ø  dancing the “Burnout Boogie” and exploring the “Six ‘R’s Road of Burnout Recovery”:  Running-Reading-Retreating-Writing-Relating-Risk-taking

Ø  becoming more stress resilient and burnout resistant with the Stress Doc’s ™ classic “Four Stages of Burnout” and brain agility “Formula for Natural SPEED”: Sleep-Priorities/Passion-Empathy-Exercise-Diet

Ø  breaking down “The Silent Wall of Shame” as well as laughing at your own flaws and foibles while using healing humor to deflate and detoxify noxious stress carriers

Ø  preventing yourself, friends, and family or your team, department, and organization from “Going MA&DD” (through Media Addiction & Digital Distraction; (it’s obvious that the Doc is the founding member of a new 12-Step AA Group:  Acronyms Anonymous).
Ø  encouraging each reader to embark on his or her own inner journey of self-discovery and self-resiliency.  Surely, this is the foundation and pathway for vital (not just virtual) “f-2-f” (face-to-face) connection

Ø  helping organizations develop interactive learning-sharing groups that evolve from "There's no 'I' in team" to "There are two 'I's in winning!"  And these "I"s can "C"/see:  Winning teams blend Individual Creativity & Interactive Community!

Stress Doc Hats, Content Variety, and Discussion Questions

Mark’s hats also include therapist and “Psychohumorist” ™, motivational speaker, “Reality Radio” Podcaster, and “Shrink Rapper” ™.   And he’s a former Stress and Violence Prevention Consultant for the US Postal Service.  (The Doc is battle-tested!)  In addition to raps and rhymes, there are popular essays and Q & As – over forty selections of varying size, substance, and style.  Next each Shrink Rap ™ or Resiliency Poetry sample is illuminated by a brief intro and outro that:  a) sheds light on the context of the work or b) explains how the piece came into being, as well as c) some thoughts on poetic purpose and power.  Finally, the “R & R” selections – Raps & Rhymes – close with Discussion Questions to enrich engagement and expand awareness.  These head-heart provocateurs also will facilitate meaningful group discussion, whether at the family table or hanging with friends, at book clubs, or in a classroom or workshop setting.

So seek the higher power of Stress Doc humor:  May the Farce Be with You!

Don’t miss your appointment with the Stress Doc.
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Here are some recent preview comments about the book and the substance and style of my writings:

Preserving Human Touch…Recent Testimonials

I especially like Mark Gorkin's Q & A sections. They often give scenarios which explain his ideas in real-world situations.
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Loved the 10 commandments.  [A satirical essay on "Downsizing Strategies" in PHT...] Can't wait to get to the rest of the book.
T Milano, Org. Consultant

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Lovin' it - Keep it flowin'
BUSY transitioning from daughter's "princess" room to her "grown-up apartment" and reading your writings is, well, you have a terrific way of saying things.

Loved your Humpty Dumpty - I substitute my bro for the egg & my dad for the king.
"couldn't put him together again"

I find your raps fun-filled - yet darkly close to the heart -

Gorkin Fan, Donna Shriver
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Mark Gorkin, MSW, LICSW, "The Stress Doc" ™, a nationally acclaimed speaker, writer, and "Psychohumorist" ™, is a founding partner and Stress Resilience and Trauma Debriefing Consultant for the Nepali Diaspora Behavioral Health & Wellness Initiative.  A former Stress and Violence Prevention Consultant for the US Postal Service, he has led numerous Pre-Deployment Stress Resilience-Humor-Team Building Retreats for the US Army.  The Doc is the author of Practice Safe Stress, The Four Faces of Anger, and Preserving Human Touch in a High Tech World.  Mark’s award-winning, USA Today Online "HotSite"www.stressdoc.com – was called a "workplace resource" by National Public Radio (NPR).  For more info, email:  stressdoc@aol.com.

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