Have you read the book “The Perks of being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky? The line that resonates most with everyone who has read the book or has seen the movie adaptation is this:

“We accept the love we think we deserve.”

This line says so much about self worth, individuality, emotional well-being, and value. But more than relationships, this quote stands for all the things we accept in our lives: the kind of jobs we get, the friendships we form, the behaviour we put up with from people around us.

As we grow older, we learn more about ourselves: what we like, what we don’t, what other people like, what other people don’t. Most of the time, people focus on finding out what other people like and don’t like. We spend so much time trying to figure other people out when we should be trying to figure ourselves out. Being unsure of yourself is a very dangerous thing. When you don’t have yourself figured out, you become susceptible to fads, trends, and bad advice – sometimes from people who mean well but don’t know what they’re talking about and sometimes from people who are downright out to hurt you. Having no conviction is not much of a way to live. Like they say “stand for nothing, fall for anything.”

Having a list of personal non-negotiables in your life predetermines what kind of principles you have and how much value you put on yourself; which means never having to stand for any kind of inferior treatment. We all have ideas about what we want in life – loyalty, respect, sincerity, love. This list goes on and may sometimes change as we grow and learn about our wants and needs.

So, at the risk of having to sound like an advice column, let me share my two cents. From where you are right now, start building your list of non-negotiables. Take the time to learn more about yourself. What are your skills? What are you good at? What are the areas for improvement? What talents/ gifts can you share with others? What kind of treatment do you expect from them?

It’s time to take a long hard look in the mirror and to start being honest with yourself. None of us are perfect and that is our edge. We survive the competition because none of us are alike. Take comfort in this. Take comfort in the fact that some are better at things than others. It means you have a chance to find out what you are better at and improve on that. Alternatively, find out what you are not good at: take lessons, read, or get a mentor.

That long, honest look in the mirror will hopefully let you discover your true value. Know your worth, even if it takes longer than usual and don’t downplay your strengths. Learning to value yourself means that you learn to prioritize your well being over other people. It may sound selfish but answer this: what good are you to people you love if you don’t think of yourself that much to even take care of yourself first? It goes without saying that if you take care of your business first, the rest will follow. Realize that you don’t have to accept lousy jobs or be in less than ideal relationships because you don’t know any better. Believe that you deserve better. The earlier you learn to put a premium on yourself, the less crap you willingly put up with.

Figuring it all out might be a long process but don’t worry, no one gets it all together right away. It is a cycle of trying things out and when things don’t work out as planned, go back to the drawing board and recalibrate. You have time to figure out what principles stay with you for the rest of your life. Make sure they are the right ones.

Written by Jaie O. – The Help

Overall, a business organization has the responsibility to provide to its investors, workers, and clients the best profit, benefits, as well as goods and services. The use of the term corporate social responsibility implies expectations that the organization will do right by its stakeholders – all individuals and groups in society that may be affected by the business.

At The Help, corporate social responsibility is manifested in various programs it has undertaken since operations began 9 years ago. Emphasized in three important aspects of employment and life, these are:

Protecting the environment

It is a huge field wherein everyone is trying to do their best in safeguarding our flora and fauna. However, working to protect nature is best when we start at our sphere of influence. the Help do their best to minimize the use of paper because that means more trees for the future. Where possible, work related documents and the like are sent electronically – mail, pay slip, reports, etc.  Sponges, hand towels, and other washable fabric are utilized for cleaning.Trash is segregated into biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and recyclables. Biodegradable waste goes into a compost pit.

Philanthropic work

The Help donates monies and goods to orphanages, home for the elderly, home for the disabled, and survivors of calamities. A school-feeding program was recently started where nutritious meal was provided for children in a rural Elementary School. The Help sponsors scholarship for school children as well.

Adhering to ethical labor practices

The Help hires individuals regardless of their educational attainment, age, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, medical and physical challenges. They do their best to accommodate each applicant.

Acknowledging that the workers are important stakeholders in the success of the company, The Help provides other forms of assistance. Separate from medical and dental benefits available for regular workers, the company has:

• Free medical consultation program offered to both regular and part time workers and their immediate family members/ dependents.
• Cash advance is available for all full time and part time workers incase of emergencies.
• Depending on the worker’s performance evaluation, a (partial/ full) scholarship grant is awarded to one of his/her children, an incentive for exceptional work by the worker.

An organization wishing to be of value to society must be responsible and that can only begin from its corporate home. The Help cares for its workers, their families, and the community where they are – truly corporate social responsibility in action.

Written by Yoli P. – The Help

Productivity can be very elusive when working from home. Distractions such as children, pets, and chores beckon at all times. While working at home is a benefit that many employees try to acquire and enjoy, it remains to be a job where tasks are accomplished and ethics are exercised.

The Internet created opportunities for everyone; working virtually in such fields as administration and design, among others is now possible. It has become the ‘go to’ place to search for steady employment and to create businesses, all the while staying at home. To stay productive and employed takes focus and dedication.

Some helpful tips in maintaining productivity:

• Minimize distractions by having childcare available during office hours, by saying “Can we visit another time? I have a deadline,” to visitors, and by making certain chores or errands are done later in the day.
• Much like in an office, an employee working at home will need the same supplies – coffee or tea, printer ink, pens. Having access to these prevents loss time in searching and an unscheduled visit to the store.
• Organizing space dedicated to work is an enormous help to productivity in that work and relaxation are not mixed, avoiding possible stress brought on by assignments.
• Avoid clutter in the workspace by organizing items such as finding a home for pens, paper clips, and the like.
• Consider going out to a café or library where there is ample natural light. Think about renting a co-share space, once or twice a week. A change of environment as well as possible meeting with other work-at-home professionals would be a break from life at home.
• Taking time outs is important. Because home is where work takes place, long hours may be acceptable. Breaks are conducive to creativity. It is, however, detrimental to family when work continues, non-stop.

It might take some time to adapt to new ways of working but commitment and focus on productivity goals always produce great results. Remember, “It’s important to know that words don’t move mountains. Work, exacting work moves mountains” (Danilo Dolci).

Written by Yoli P. – The Help

Starting a business takes a huge amount of energy not to mention the other factors that come into play – capital, staffing, and inventory among others. Somehow all the pieces fall into place. Voila! The new enterprise is in operation!

And you did it by yourself! Congratulations!

However, as we all know, help was extended and was always available – the inventory arrived earlier than expected, job applicants, eager to work, were hired; capital is more than adequate for a year’s operations – serendipitously or otherwise. But in the middle of it all, you hit a snag. You find yourself bogged down with the operations’ daily grind instead of growing the business. And you’re still doing it all by yourself! Unconsciously, the “I, me, and myself” of working might just be the best way to end the new business’ life.

It pays to remember that only arrogant people don’t ask for help. Everyone can teach us something new. The bottom line is asking for assistance is not a sign of weakness; it isn’t cheating nor is it a lack of pride in the business. Here are a couple of reasons why:

• Beginning entrepreneurs tend to get in their own way. Asking for help allows other ideas to come in, getting yours out of the way, thus creating an opportunity for the business to flourish.
• Highlighting others’ assets contributes to the growth of the business. For example, hiring a baker who’s a whiz at producing tasty cinnamon raisin bread shines a light the baker’s skills while creating a buzz about the bakeshop.
• Beginning business owners take on a lot of work to minimize expenses. However, delegating tasks and fair distribution of assignments insures that you have time to focus on other business aspects such as marketing.

Startups need passion and commitment. More than that, nurturing a new business is the art of asking for help in many forms – advice, moral support, and additional capital. Successful entrepreneurs like Richard Branson got help via a bank loan to get his worldwide Virgin company started – we should all learn from them!

Written by Yoli P. – The Help

Most young professionals relish the end of tedious schoolwork and finishing from college or university. They find jobs, celebrate the first paycheck and begin, with enthusiasm, early forays into a career. New friends along with new behaviors come into play, cigarettes and alcohol may slowly enter their worlds. Limited by low entry pay and mobility, young adults can turn to cigarettes and alcohol for relaxation. The perception is that these can ease mind and body particularly when struggling with work challenges.

Alcohol can cause depression in some individuals. Its effects can aggravate challenges that are already facing a young person. Habitual drinkers manifest erratic behavior. Alcohol can cloud thinking. Regular alcohol drinks on lunch breaks can cause job termination. Drinking is especially dangerous when it is combined with driving. When under the influence of alcohol, some decisions can create havoc in both personal and professional aspects of life such as malversation of company funds that could result in job loss and jail time.

Smoking can cause debilitating diseases, throat and lung cancer among others. For some smokers, the habit relieves stress but it also causes irritability.  Like alcohol, it is accepted socially, to relax, and often, to appear confident. Cigarette smoking begins for many reasons – for example, to rebel, to be aggressive, and to mask insecurity. This may be particularly true when a girlfriend or boyfriend smokes, and picking up the habit may give the impression that the relationship could last longer.

Holding down a job is a sign of adulthood. To get there means being around adults who reinforce positive attitudes. Awareness that negative habits such as smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol can and has wrecked lives is important. Adulthood may imply freedom but that same freedom is about taking responsibility for oneself and others. As young professionals, the career road is long and could be winding, full of large and small challenges. It is on this road that joy and appreciation are acquired but only by avoiding some career pitfalls, namely alcohol and cigarettes.

Written by Yoli P. – The Help