Jooble-us.com Link

Monday, June 20, 2016

When Fifteen Times Four Equals One Hundred and Four: A Politico-Mathematical Riddle

Like so many, I had a paradoxical mix of reactions to the Orlando mass killing:  1) first I was startled and sickened, and 2) I quickly sealed over; just another day, week, or month in the US of A.  But as my anger smoldered, I read something that revealed a common thread.  Then my brain came up with an ironic twist, ala Tom Lehrer, ‘60s Harvard physicist, piano-playing political-satirical lyricist.  Initially, the mathematical riddle may prove somewhat confusing…but, please, bear with my little irony.  To say any more would spoil the game!

On the other hand…more than ever we seem to need, Preserving Human Touch in a High Tech World: Writings, Raps, & Rhymes on Stress Resiliency, Burnout Recovery, and Digital SanityMy e-book on Amazon is generating some strong reviews.  Please check it out:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GIPXVH4/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb

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).
~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Fifteen Times Four Equals One Hundred and Four:
A Politico-Mathematical Riddle

Warning:  This verse may be hazardous to the ironically-impaired!

It’s time for a lesson
Today’s times table session:
When does 15 x 4
Equal one hundred and four?

Do I have your attention?
It’s a life and death question.
AR(e) you ready to play havoc with me?
Here’s a clue:  go waste the “e parentheses.”

Okay, to solve this critical problem
Sing the fiery national anthem
Shout that “Red BULL” slogan:  Go ahead…Make My Day!
Of course, bow down to the new guard – the NRA. 

Now, putting two letters in front of 15
Makes you more than Clint “lean-and-MEAN.”
I gave you a hint, a few lines above:
Enough of this hippie ‘60s peace and love!

Perhaps I’ve been too clever by half
Ready to give this game-poem the shaft?
But wait…just kill the (e), grab that AR
Now you can do damage from near and afar.

AR is tactical
Who needs an ARmory
AR is radical
You are your own ARmy.
AR is surgical
Can rip open an ARtery.
AR is mystical
Crazed crusader ARtistry.

For AR alone seems but a trifle
But AR-15…makes an ASSAULT RIFLE!
AR + XM ** and all types in between
You too can be a mass murder machine.

Now I said 4 but who’s keeping score?
In fact…46 mass shootings since 2004. ***
While religious terror is in the design
But so too VTech and, of course, Columbine.

But from our four…oh what liberal furor
Starting with Newtown and then Aurora.
A workplace party in San Bernadino
A gay nightclub in Disney’s Orlando.
(Oh yes, that black church in Carolina.)

The Second Amend is starting to trend
We all have a right to buy a “best friend?” ****
With a cool option for the street hunting scene
A high capacity killer magazine!

15 x 4 may not equal sixty
When 15 x 4 totals all those dead bodies.
So when is the next rapture of wrath?
15 x 4…Just do the math!

AR is tactical
Who needs an ARmory
AR is radical
You are your own ARmy.
AR is surgical
Can rip open an ARtery.
AR is mystical
Crazed crusader ARtistry.


**  XM – BushmsterXM15 was the automatic weapon used in the Aurora, CO killings

***  2004 – According to June 16, 2016, “Make It Stop:  Boston Globe tweets every mass shooting victim since 2004” (when the assault weapons ban expired), there have been 47 mass shootings and 411 people killed; another news source cited 46 shootings

****  “best friend” – AR-15 has been called “the mass murderer’s best friend”


©  Mark Gorkin  2016

Shrink Rap ™ Productions


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.

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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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
-----------------

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!
-----------------

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”?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


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.

Thursday, June 9, 2016

“Cutting-Edge” Strategies for Reorganizing or Downsizing from Preserving Human Touch in a High Tech World

Inspired by my friend-colleague-mentor, George Anderson, head of Anderson and Anderson, an Intl. Executive Coaching and Anger Management Firm HQd in LA, (see his entire note below), I am posting a satirical, slightly wicked essay, “Cutting-Edge” Strategies for Reorganizing or Downsizing."  It is based on Stress Resilience and OD work with many federal agencies and some companies, but especially the US Postal Service.  It is one of the selections in my new e-book on Amazon, Preserving Human Touch in a High Tech World:  Writings, Raps & Rhymes -- a truly quirky, funny and insightful word artist and "Psychohumorist" collection.

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

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).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Cutting-Edge” Strategies for Reorganizing or Downsizing

This provocative piece was inspired by my work in the ‘90s with the US Postal Service. At the hands of “Carvin Marvin Runyan,” the USPS began reorganizing-shrinking to the tune of 50,000 employees.  At first, I co-led workshops at Postal Headquarters to help employees deal with their emotions about the major restructuring.  Then as a consultant I ran “focus groups” in the Mid-Atlantic Region trying to determine why there seemed to be so much systemic stress; why individuals and facilities were “Going Postal!”  Other federal bureaucracies also provided fodder for thought.  (Of course, the private sector is not immune to being “cutting edge.”) This “Top Ten” definitely stirred up folks.  Until they “got it,” many readers thought I was a “real jerk.”  I’ll let you decide!


“Cutting-Edge” Strategies for Reorganizing or Downsizing:
The Stress Doc’s Top Ten Tips for Tip-Top Management

Warning:  This satire may be hazardous to the ironically impaired.

We inhabit an era of organizational restructuring or downsizing, or better still, rightsizing, or most on target, what I call “frightsizing.”  The challenge for top management is having the savvy and guts to gut much of your workforce while still maintaining survivor productivity and team morale – that “esprit de corpse.”  While some advocate a market- or politics-driven streamlining, I believe in a higher-level, visionary downsizing mode.  To create a “lean-and-MEAN” working machine requires an Olympian management team.  Such mythological “Mad Men & Women” are capable of thunderously jolting a downtrodden, de-motivated workforce while being down-to-earth, “hands-on” role models.  (Oh yes, in these hypersensitive, politically correct times, just be careful where you place those hands.  If you have any questions, please refer to Mitsubishi’s manual of personnel policies and procedures.)
     Be WarySome critics will claim that these forthcoming strategies produce less “lean-and-mean” operations and more “lean-and-mean-spirited” organizations.  Ignore such softheaded, liberal posturing.  Now for your cutting-edge commandments.  Go for it!

Top Ten Commandments

1.  Keep Employees Grateful and Humble.  Continuously remind employee survivors that they should be thankful to have a job.  By not filling those vacant positions, there’s less competition for eventual promotions, assuming, of course, there’s not another RIF – Reduction In Force – that, of course, is very unlikely.  (Even if there is a RIF, and some employees manage to survive it, then surely they will have to be uncomplainingly thankful.)  For recalcitrant, insufficiently grateful employees, some cheerfully designed signs – “thank you for not whining” and “beware the effects of second-hand whining” – may be prominently displayed in the work and break areas.

2.  Avoid Negative Feelings through Positive Motivation.  Hire a hotshot outplacement team to motivate people to ignore their feelings of betrayal, fear, and rage.  Such a “glass is always half full” approach will generate employee enthusiasm and positive thinking about updating their resumes, leaving the organization, or applying for positions in economically- and demographically-challenged areas.  Reassure confused and vulnerable employees that a change of job or an out-of-state position is the new learning curve they’ve probably needed.  At minimum, this will help them escape that seven-year or seven-month itch (whether they know they need to scratch or not).  Hey, it’s so prehistoric, so “p.b.” – pre-boomer – to work for twenty or thirty years in one place.

3.  Separate the Transitionally Displaced.  Create a transition center for the dispirited who no longer have a job (but are still on payroll) that removes them from the rest of the company.  (And don’t let anyone mistake this center for a leper colony; the displaced are ill-fated, not contagious.)  Without distractions, these isolates will focus expeditiously on their future career plans.  An additional benefit to quarantining:  with these folks out of sight, they’ll also be out of mind, i.e., other employees would never suspect that such a treatment might happen to them.

4.  Beware the “Blame Game.”  Refuse to hold management-employee team building/group grieving sessions; open expression of feelings just makes management the target of another “bitch session.”  (Please do not impute any sexist connotation to either open blabbing or the aforementioned “b”-word.  These days, being a strong, silent John Wayne- or Rambo-type is not just a male thing.  There are plenty of Rambettes out there.)

5.  Don’t Get Predictable.  Keep information about the restructuring as vague and inconsistent as possible.  In fact, the more disinformation the better.  A certain amount of uncertainty heightens group competition and, hopefully, will disorient your best people and/or discourage them from leaving (until you think it’s appropriate, especially if they may be a threat to your own tenured position).

6.  Demonstrate Decisive Displacement.  Have new managers rapidly fill some of the positions of displaced managers, especially those managers who were well respected; people don’t need to dwell morbidly on the past.  On a more positive note, this transition-transfusion also provides a real opportunity for new blood.  (Of course, one hopes we are speaking figuratively here.  You might want to have escorts, though, for these new managers as they leave work.)

7.   Instill the Spirit of Overload and Accommodation.  Make sure middle managers and supervisors appear to accept cheerfully “doing more with less,” even if their employees feel that they are at the breaking point.  Low morale, heightened staff tension, and anger or especially that self-serving term “burnout,” are not sufficient counter-indicators to “sucking it up”; nor is psychobabble about psychosomatic, stress-induced illness acceptable.  (Cardiac arrest, however, continues to be grounds for excused leave.)  And don’t let any of those wimpy stress experts tell you “Burnout is less a sign of failure and more that you gave yourself away.”  Remember, a manager or supervisor who selflessly takes on an ever-expanding workload without renegotiating priorities and time frames is an icon of company loyalty and dedication.  Such a role model will surely inspire even surly subordinates to meet the plantation’s, I mean the organization’s, new goals.

8.  Consider Token Team Building.  If in a careless moment you do allow employees or supervisors to form support/work productivity teams that meet on company time, shortly thereafter insist that the company can’t afford to have this many people away from their assignments or work stations.  Reduce the size by half; especially eliminate any indigenous leaders.  If this small matrix group is to meet sporadically, they must provide only positive ideas; your mood should not be disturbed in order to pacify others’ upsets or egos.  And while giving lip service to dilettante democracy, expect absolute buy-in for your ever-evolving company vision.  (Or is it a hallucination?  So often it’s such a fine line.)  Eventually retire the group with gilt framed team-building certificates.

9.  Create Social Diversions.  Plan a company picnic, a Christmas dinner party, or some diversionary event for your beleaguered “survivor shock” employees.  When not enough people sign up (or refuse to contribute a potluck dish), send an e-mail saying that regretfully, because of lack of employee interest, the party had to be canceled.  You can also organize a committee to discover the reasons why people didn’t sign up.  The results should be forwarded to the above-mentioned token support team for prompt and decisive action.

10.  Retreat Reorganizationally from Reality.  Avoid a sustained relationship with a consultant trained in reorganizational crisis, conflict, loss, and grief work, as this intervention will surely make things worse.  You know because you once attended one of those touchy-feely retreats where they even made people briefly hug one another.  Or you heard about a workshop facilitator who used a “let it all hang out” encounter-group-like method on a law firm retreat with thirty litigators.  Big surprise…The workshop turned into a primal attack/scream session and people didn’t speak to one another for the next six months.  (So the retreat was a wash; there probably had been too much socializing around the company coffee machine anyway.  Or maybe it was just one of those retreats where people took their vows of silence to heart.)

A sure sign that you’re dealing with a true consulting superstar:  this leader will totally work out all those minor post-restructuring adjustment problems in a weekend retreat.  In addition, on the same reorganizational retreat, such a stellar management coach, if you act right away, should offer to place a big positive motivational bandage on all pre-crisis dysfunctional work relationships, at no extra cost.  If you do dismiss the retreat approach, there still is a safe, effective image-enhancing option:  send a couple of key personnel on a three-day “team building” workshop.  Then you can answer “affirmative” if anyone asks whether yours is a team-based operation.

In conclusion, if you or your executive management team has the courage and foresight to enact one or more of these cutting-edge strategies, please let me know.  As a reorganizational consultant, I certainly aspire to work with such a visionary, progressively “lean-and-MEAN” upper management team.  I understand loneliness at the top.  And believe me, you’ll need all the help you can get!

(c)  Mark Gorkin  1997
Shrink Rap ™ Productions


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.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Preserving Human Touch in a High Tech World E-book Is "Live" on Amazon and more!

Preserving Human Touch in a High Tech World E-book Is "Live" on Amazon; would love your support.  P.S.  Don't miss the e-book cover; it is outrageous!  It alone is worth the price of admission.  (And the Dedication Page also provides symbolic interpretation of the cover imagery.)

As promised, we are "live."  Hope you will consider purchasing and rating.  I think you'll find it quirky, funny, and insightful.  It would mean a lot!  Warm wishes and good adventures,  Mark

~~~~~~~~~~~

Did you see my "What The Donald Wants" lyric?  It's stirring up some intense reaction!!!  (If you didn't see it, will gladly send it.  Or you can go to my LinkedIn writer's page:


"What the Donald Wants" just got published on WritersBeat.com.  Also, here are some interesting Facebook reader responses:

~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi,

Loosely akin to being a proud parent of a new-born (e-book), Preserving Human Touch in a High Tech World:  Writings, Raps, & Rhymes on Stress Resiliency, Burnout Recovery, and Digital Sanity, is "Live" on Amazon.


Would love for you to check it out, and consider purchasing, reading or skimming as time and interest allow, and writing brief comments.  In light of how our world (as presently defined by Amazon.com, Google, etc.) works, it's of great value to have people post ratings and comments about an author's work.  (See summary below.)

Also, based on Amazon's suggested pricing/book sales algorithm, their recommended price is $3.99.  (I had earlier mentioned a purchase price of $1.99.  If you decline or defer, I understand.)

Thanks again.  Best wishes and good adventures,  Mark
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here are some recent preview comments about the book and the substance and style of my writings:

Preserving Human Touch…Testimonials


Mark, 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: http://www.stressdoc.com/news19821.htm

You are totally awesome.

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

T I 310-476-0908
F I 310-476-6789
2300 Westridge Rd.
Los Angeles, CA  90049

www.andersonservices.com
andersonandandersonapc@gmail.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let me know when it is live. Funny and insightful as usual. Jef
Jef Gazley M.S., L.M.F.T., D.C.C.
6540 E. Kelton Lane, Scottsdale, Arizona 85254
866-998-0560

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi Mark,

Thank you for sending me the Bipolar Dance poem and the introduction.  I am honored you would also share the introduction with me as well.  The poem is excellent and really captures the variety of feelings that are often associated with bipolar disorder.
You are an excellent writer. Thanks again,

Karen, SALERNK@ccf.org,
Cleveland Clinic Foundation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Mark,

Wow, I opened your book (PHT) and couldn’t stop reading as I got all the way to page 52.  I’ll get back to reading this, hopefully, over the weekend.  I look forward to obtaining a copy through Amazon when it goes live.  It is a nice work wellness resource. Very best,

Diana
Diana.Mickle@USPTO.GOV
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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
Currently sleep deprived & earning more wrinkles
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

E-book Promo Summary

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

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:

  • dancing the “Burnout Boogie” and exploring the “Six ‘R’s Road of Burnout Recovery”:  Running-Reading-Retreating-Writing-Relating-Risk-taking
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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).
  • 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
  • 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!
A Mix of Meaning and Magic...and Battlefield Experience

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).

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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~