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Work / Life Balance
2022
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Creating Positive Change In Your Life – Katie Lauver, ABOC, FNAO, 09-01-2022
After receiving the Emerging Leader Award from the OWA at the beginning of this year, I had many people reach out, asking me what I did to get to where ...
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Time to Take Care of Me! – Katherine Cruz, 03-01-2022
As the business world around us changes daily — companies merging, buying, closing, and acquiring — it's not easy to stay focused when worrying ...
2021
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Keeping Your Remote Team Engaged! – Emilia Flamini, 11-15-2021
Who didn't struggle to find the perfect formula for keeping their people engaged and connected during these past 18 months? Who wasn't constantly trying ...
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Balancing It All: Creating Work / Life Symmetry – Sandra Mohr, 06-01-2021
Katie Lauver, Vice President of Business Relations at GPN Technologies, was the guest speaker for the May OWA Talks podcast. A busy mom and full-time ...
2020
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Growing My Career as a Single Mom – Kim Schuy, 07-01-2020
Like anyone, I need help. I am not afraid to admit that. Also, I am not perfect, and my sons know this firsthand - I remind them often! Ten years ago, ...
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Duct Tape Is My Superpower – Michele Andrews, OD, 06-01-2020
For working professionals, "work-life balance" is often seen as the ultimate measure of success. It's code for perfection, really; to achieve this goal, ...
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Working from Home: A Planned Pattern – Pamela Capaldi, 05-01-2020
When I first sat down to write I thought I might come up with a catchy title. Something less basic than simply working-from-home. Something about working ...
2019
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The Fearless Woman – Autianna Wilson, 08-15-2019
Since I was a young girl, I have been taught by my Great-Grandma to be a "fearless woman". She was born in the 1920's during the Jazz Age and the Harlem ...
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Priorities & Time Management – Bridgette O'Brien, 06-03-2019
The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.
You walk in to the office and the first thing you do is turn ...
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It's Not About Balance: How to be Effective in Your Personal & Work Life – Kelly Agosti, 05-15-2019
Deadlines, presentations, children, school plays, homework, dinner, sports, laundry, work travel, sick child, aging parents . . . does this all sound ...
2018
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Work-Life Balance in the Home Office – Sherrie Rogerson, 02-01-2018
Working remotely or working from home is definitely more the norm than the exception in this day and time. However one may struggle finding the balance ...
2017
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Best Day Ever – Debbie Myres, 11-15-2017
Are you always planning for tomorrow and beyond? I love being with my grandkids, and no matter what we are doing, my grandson always says, "This is ...
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Move Over, Holiday Hysteria! – Laura Lewis, 11-01-2017
The holidays are upon us — hard to believe it, isn't it? Weren't we just slathering on sunscreen, cranking up the air conditioners in our cars, ...
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Time, What is Time? – Megan Schultz, 07-17-2017
Time, what is time? What would we all do if we had more time? Almost every day you can hear someone say "Oh, if only there were more hours in the day." ...
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Time Management – Lauren Bianchi, ABOC, 03-15-2017
Like all working moms, I am busy. I sometimes surprise myself with the amount of stuff I can successfully accomplish in the first 2 hours of waking up. ...
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Out with the Old, In with the New – Susan Parker, 02-01-2017
The start of a new year is the perfect time to reflect on the past, consider the present and plan for the future, both personally and professionally. ...
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Next Year, Next Level
Introduced by Dave Beebe
Fifteen years ago, my husband Ken and I were on a snow-shoeing vacation in the beautiful Banff National Park and we discovered ...
2016
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Bovine Adventures – Rachel Meyer, 11-29-2016
Yesterday, I heard the words from my daughter's nanny, "Miss Rachel, Yummy 1 is standing next to my car." These are not words you hear often. Let me ...
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Turning Customer-Centric Service into Life-Centric Service – Karen Michaelson, ABOC, 10-18-2016
Customer Centric Service is the buzz these days. We all work very hard to make sure our customers and patients experience the unique and spectacular. ...
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The Gift of a Compliment – Karen A. Michaelson, ABOC, 08-17-2016
Just like our cars, we set our cruise control daily and simply motor on. We go about our usual routine to ensure our days go as seamlessly as possible. ...
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Juggler or Circus Act? – Rachel Meyer, 08-01-2016
As professional women, I wager there are a few of you that may have felt, or feel the same way.
Ever feel like you are a juggler trying to balance ...
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Show a Little Kindness – Debbie Myres, 06-29-2016
Recently I spent the weekend with my sister, who lives about 1,200 miles away and has experienced some very difficult health problems in the last year. ...
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Foggy Dog Days – Melissa Veeser, 05-31-2016
I don't have a dog, but you wouldn't know it on this particular day recently. The week seemed much longer and it was only Tuesday. I had been working ...
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How Mindfulness Can Be Incorporated into the Busiest of Lives – Liz Vickers, 05-03-2016
Mindfulness? How can one be mindful in this day and age? Juggling children, demanding careers, home and family obligations, and so many other tasks all ...
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My Mirror's Getting Clearer – Koi Rivers, 03-15-2016
She's a definite mini me; there's no denying that. From the knock knees, to the dislike of tomatoes, to the love of music and dance, she is definitely ...
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Next Year, Next Level
Introduced by Dave Beebe
Fourteen years ago, my husband Ken and I were on a snow-shoeing vacation in the beautiful Banff National Park and we discovered ...
2015
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Accentuating the Positive – Amy Spiezio, 05-18-2015
Everyone has rough days, times when you are disappointed in your performance or feeling like you're not meeting your personal or professional goals. ...
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Are You In Your Comfort Zone? – Kate Renwick-Espinosa, 04-01-2015
Whether you're just starting a new job or have been in your career for years, stepping out of your comfort zone is one of the best things you can do ...
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Taking Care of You in Today's Fast-Paced World – Yvette Plaza-Leclerc, 03-02-2015
With our everyday lives moving at warp speed, we don't make nearly enough time to take care for ourselves.
If you are a mother and work full time ...
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Logout, Sign Out, Out of Office — The All-Important Digital Disconnect – Rachel Meyer, 01-15-2015
When was the last time you truly unplugged from the digital world we are immersed in?
We all lead extremely busy lives. We have families, careers, ...
2014
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Tips for Simplifying Your Life – Audrey Pavia, 10-15-2014
My all time, favorite motivational speaker is Curtis Zimmerman. Some of you may be familiar with Curtis, as he was the keynote speaker at an OWA POWW ...
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Dodge the Productivity Thieves: 5 Tips for Workplace Efficiency – Lorie L. Lippiatt, OD, 10-01-2014
We are all busy. Have you been finding yourself ever answering the question "How are you?' with the answer, "busier than ever"? I would consider myself ...
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Life Lessons from Skippy – Linda Fitzgerald, 09-02-2014
Our family had a picture perfect life. We had a beautiful home, my husband and I had a great marriage, two children, a dog and a cat. Without my knowledge, ...
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Snap, Crackle, and Pop – Katheryn Dabbs Schramm, 07-14-2014
One of the many benefits of membership in the Optical Woman's Association is the opportunity for professional and personal growth while we appreciate ...
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Beauty Rest – Cerella Rainey, O.D., 05-27-2014
I routinely adhere to the old adage "just sleep on it" as an effective strategy when encountered with increased pressure and problems in both my personal ...
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Do You Possess the Virtue of Patience? – Karen A. Michaelson, ABOC, 02-03-2014
This topic came to me quite vividly when dealing with a couple of situations that I would like to share with you. A couple of facts about both:
I ...
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No New Year Resolutions For Me – Christie Walker, 01-06-2014
Each year, New Year Resolutions are made and oftentimes within weeks broken. As a list maker at heart, I can't help myself . . . I make a list of resolutions ...
2013
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Refresh Your Mind and Work Space for the New Year! – Debbie Myres, 12-02-2013
With the holidays approaching, thoughts go to shopping, gifts, parties, where to go, what to eat and inevitably lead to the dreaded New Year's Resolutions. ...
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Celebrate You! – Lorie Lippiatt, OD, 11-18-2013
I recently returned from my annual birthday trip to the Napa Valley. I like great wine, and the Napa Valley during fall harvest has been my "go to" ...
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Just 2 Songs – Christie Walker, 09-03-2013
Working from home is both a joy and a curse, especially if you are a multitasking woman. A joy, because the commute is short and without peril (unless ...
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Balancing Act – Katheryn Dabbs Schramm, 08-01-2013
We've all heard it many times, "It's not the destination; it's the journey." I've wrestled with that most of my life. Life has been a series of goals ...
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You Are Worthy and Valuable! – Linda Fitzgerald, 07-01-2013
One of my dearest friends lives hundreds of miles away from me, and with the craziness life brings, we do not have the opportunity to speak nearly as ...
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Balancing Home and Work
Introduced by Mentoring Committee Member, Karen Michaelson
I have the pleasure of picking articles from the OWA One-Minute Mentor archives. Even ...
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What Is In The Back Of Your Knowledge Closet? – Karen A. Michaelson, ABOC, 03-04-2013
I love writing about situations that I call "live feed". The experiences are real and have positively impacted me or those around me.
Recently, a ...
2012
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Find Your Inspiration, Feed Your Soul – Linda Fitzgerald, Classic Optical, 12-03-2012
Sometimes the monotony of our daily routine can be draining. I have found two ways to maintain the drive and determination to become successful.
Feed ...
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Time Management – Maggie Sayers, M. Sayers Coaching, 11-07-2012
Your perspective and empowered ability to choose how you invest your time directly impacts the success you'll have in all aspects of life.
No one ...
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Taking the Challenge: Eating Healthy on The Road, On the Job, On the Go Overview – Rebecca Johnson, EyeTrain4You, 10-15-2012
On May 1st, I received an email from Christie Walker asking me to conduct the workshop at the Optical Women's Association Meeting on September 5th in ...
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What Stage Is This? – Sheila Haile, ClearVision Optical, 10-03-2012
This has been a big year for me, both personally and professionally. Looking back, I am astounded on how swiftly life changes and that I am already ...
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Things to Do for Everyday Success – Jennifer Fiorenza, ClearVision Optical, 05-16-2012
To me, there are some little things you can do that can make an ordinary day, an extraordinary day.
Last fall, I read an article in Fast Company that ...
2011
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Making it a Happy Holiday – Amy Spiezio, 12-05-2011
This time of year is often touted as the most wonderful, but getting through it might be challenging. Between work, family, and all of the other demands ...
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Secrets to a Real Vacation
Introduced by Dave Beebe
I first heard Kevin Eikenberry speak at a conference last year, and afterwards subscribed to his inspiring and motivating ...
2010
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Vacation Days, Part 2 – Jody Groh, 07-12-2010
Last month, Amy Spezio, Managing Editor of Eyecare Business magazine, offered some fantastic tips on how to take a vacation and enjoy it. Summer is the ...
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Vacation Days – Amy Spiezio, 06-07-2010
Going to the beach, the mountains, or even just the back yard this summer? Good! It will help you work better in the long run.
PricewaterhouseCoopers' ...
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Strengthening Your Core – Rebecca L. Johnson, COT, CPOT, COA, 04-27-2010
When my husband and I recently joined a gym, we began to hear a lot of talk about "strengthening your core". Our first thought was, "What the heck is ...
2008
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Reduce Holiday Stress – Jodi Groh, 11-12-2008
Ready or not, the holidays are here. It's a time that should be filled with joy, but oftentimes that joy is shadowed by stress. With work, family, travel, ...
2006
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Balancing Home and Work – Jodi Groh, 12-20-2006
Meetings. Phone calls. Deadlines. E-mails. Soccer practice. Piano lessons. Aging parents. Sick children. Housework. Bills. The multitude of tasks we ...