No matter where in the world you’re living, dealing with a difficult boss can be a universal experience. There are all sorts of reasons that frustrations between employee and boss arise, and all kinds of reactions that result – usually that you hate your job.

Sadly, a bad boss can make a good job stink, and if you’ve relocated for work, this relationship can cause you some serious thoughts of giving up and returning home.

Instead of giving up, here are a few ideas you can try to improve this relationship that takes up at least 5 days a week of your life:

1. Get clear on the behaviors that are frustrating you, making you angry, etc.
2. Take a look at WHY these behaviors frustrate you and make you angry – what issues are coming up for you every time the behavior happens?
3. What did you do just before the behavior started?  There is probably a pattern for you to look at.
4. Cool off – take a breath, take a “time out”, take a walk, whatever you need to do to let the emotions simmer down
5. Separate the actions from the person – realize that just because your boss is being “bad”, this doesn’t make him or her a bad person – they are simply behaving in a manner that is making you unhappy.
6. When you’re ready, and calm, set up time to talk with your boss.
7. Be clear, and concise on your goals – what do you want from the meeting?  Is it clarity, is it to improve your relationship, is it to address some concerns..?
8. Use “I” statements.  Here’s an I statement I have found great success with – “Whenever I do X [X = an action] I notice that I bring out X behavior from you.  What do I need to do differently so that doesn’t happen?”
9. Keep the focus on the positive – that you want to be a team player, help your boss succeed, understand your boss’s needs, etc.

Of course, depending what culture you are from, and have moved to, there will no doubt be some adjustments you need to make in your style, and some learning you need to do about what behaviors are and are not appropriate.  Something as basic as a handshake, or eye contact, in some cultures, can be enough to gravely insult your boss, so make sure to know the rules!

* For more ideas on professional success in a new culture, click here. *

Since we’re spending a few weeks on the topic of starting your own business, I found a wonderful article by Richard Branson with some simple tips for business success.

What I love about the article is how very simple, and easy to implement, these suggestions are.  And, when you realize that someone so successful started out just like the rest of it, it’s hugely inspiring!

Click here to read the article.

It’s Working Wednesday again!  This week’s video will cover the topic of getting people to HELP you with all that work you’ve got on your plate!

Just click the video below to learn how -

Welcome back to another episode of Working Wednesdays!

Today’s lesson focuses on what you need to do to create your newsletter, and sell your products, tune in to learn what you need to know:

Welcome back to the Working Wednesday series!  Today’s lesson will help you with ideas to make profit from your business.  You won’t want to miss this lesson.

Today’s resources:

Ezine Articles
Sample Products

** Want to further your expertise and get your own business in high gear?  Click Here! **

It’s Working Wednesday again!  Last week we took a look at websites and blogs as part of your online strategy.  This week we’ll take a look at using social media to get yourself known on the internet.

Time to sit back, pull out some popcorn, and learn!

Here are links to some of the items I mention:

Facebook
Twitter
Plaxo
Squidoo
Tweet Deck
Social Oomph

A recent article in The New York Times suggests that when we seek a new job we battle a difficult dilemma – big paycheck, or do something we love?  There are some fascinating points about how earning more money does NOT necessarily mean being more happy.  And, the article ends concluding that anyone who is earning a big salary, but unhappy in their work, isn’t really successful.

Is this a dilemma faced by other cultures as well?  I have experienced more focus on quality of life in other cultures, than I have in America – at least if I look at big cities in America.  How do different cultures measure success – is it the type of work you do, the money you bring home, the quality of your life and friends….?

And, why is it, in America at least, that we don’t focus more on the idea that we can do what we love AND earn a decent salary doing it?  Believing in ourselves, and in this possibility, might make the job search a completely different experience! 

What do you think?

It’s Working Wednesday again – today’s video explains how to get yourself online and get some exposure for your business.  This is part one of two focusing on this subject.  Today we’ll look at Websites and Blogs.  Whether your business is online, or whether it is a store/restaurant or other tangible location, these days, a website is an absolute must for people to find you!

Click below to get started:

• Dreamweaver
• Photoshop
• WordPress (link to online version – there is a hosted version as well – click here for that one)

I don’t know if anyone else out there is a fan of the series “Charmed”?  Well, I still like it, what can I say – I’m a fan of magic and possibilities!  Quick synopsis for those who have no idea what I’m talking about – 3 sister witches who battle evil to save the world, and date demons along the way.  (Don’t we all do that, LOL!?)  So on a recent episode, I thought there was an interesting correlation to Accompanying Spouses in the culture transition process.  In this episode, Cole, who is a demon one of the witches is dating, loses his powers.  He is half demon, half human, and due to an “accident”, he loses his demon powers, and becomes fully human.  As a demon, he was able to “shimmer” (call it teleport) anywhere he wanted.

As he accepts this change within himself, he goes for a walk, and on the way home, realizes he can no longer shimmer home, and walking home takes a lot longer!  He says, “I’ev always been a demon, that’s all I know.”

Now, I’m not trying to compare working to being a demon! (though I’m sure we feel like one on some occasions) but for an Accompanying Spouse who relocates to a country where they can no longer work, the transition can be quite difficult.  Especially if your job has defined who you are and you suddenly don’t have one – you will confront an identity challenge.

On this particular episode of “Charmed”, the witch dating Cole tries to have a romantic date night with him, but he is so lost in his transition that he tries to brainstorm ideas of everything they should worry about and how to tackle it, so he cannot be in the moment with his girflfriend.  In a marriage, going through this transition will also cause some challenges that each partner needs to be aware of.  It’s important to not only expect the challenges, but also to prepare some ways to handle it.  Here are a few suggestions:

1. The Accompanying Spouse, if he or she cannot work, should, as best as possible, try to commit to creative ways to create income, or, look at alternate ways to provide for the family.
2. As the ego steps in, during the process, the Expat (the partner who is working) should be prepared to talk openly, and also be aware of any changes in how you view your partner, who was once a provider, and may now be a dependent
3. Consider money issues before you move – how will you handle them
4. Make joint goals together – perhaps non-financial related – and remember to CELEBRATE when you accomplish them.  Also check in on goals you have now, and check whether any of them need to be re-prioritized or shifted, to avoid disappointment going forward.

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but as a couple, you should work together to figure out what methods you can put in place to be sure each partner feels heard, each partner remains committed to marriage goals, and there is some outlet for fun and nurturing your relationship.

* For more ideas on successfully transitioning cultures and avoiding relocation depression, click here! *

Welcome back to the Working Wednesday video series!  This is part 3 – and it’s one of the most fun, and most difficult, in the process – choosing a name!  There’s a lot of thought and research that goes into the process.

Click below to learn more:

Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the video:

• The Tess Database
• Five Dollar Logos (and more!)
• Free Keyword Tracker