Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84 Page 85 Page 86 Page 87 Page 88 Page 89 Page 90 Page 91 Page 92 Page 93 Page 94 Page 95 Page 96 Page 97 Page 98 Page 99 Page 100 Page 101 Page 102 Page 103 Page 104 Page 105 Page 106 Page 107 Page 108Research shows that pot users are more likely to report that they can drive safely while high. Those who were high while taking the survey believed they could drive safely, while those who smoke pot but were not high at the time they took the survey said they would not be safe driving while high. This may explain why an entirely different research study by AAA discov- ered that fatal crashes involving pot smokers in Washington State have doubled since legal- ization of pot use. Sources: www.wcpo.com/news [search: “marijuana crashes”] and http://her. oxfordjournals.org [search: “drugged driving”] Opioid addiction and pre- scription drug abuse are national problems, and one research study discovered that 87 percent of opioid or related medication addicts are self-medicating. Does this sound like you or someone you know? Note these warning signs for needing help: 1) You are using the medication not just for pain but also to achieve a feel-good state. 2) Your pre- scribed dose seems way too low. It takes more to feel the effects. 3) Your pain has subsided, but your desire to use the medication you were given is growing. You say you’re worried about the pain coming back, but the effect of the drug is really the motivating factor. 4) The medication has become part of your life, and you are planning and coordinating your life around obtaining and using the medication, even to the detriment of your family, things you enjoy, and parts of your life that you value. http://www.bumc.bu.edu [search: “prescription abuse”] Do you have a person- al stress management program—a collection of techniques to intervene when stress hits? Or when stressed, do you cope with the anxiety and tension without a strate- gic approach, searching for relief only when it all becomes too much? With a thoughtful approach to stress manage- ment, you can reduce the risk of harm from prolonged stress and avoid unhealthy ways of coping with it. To build your stress management “tool kit,” first identify factors central to your stress response pattern. When stressed, do you lose sleep, get headaches or neck pain, eat poorly, eat more, not eat, become irritable, head for salty snacks, or have GI problems? See the long list of stress effects at www. stress.org/stress-effects. Once you pin down these effects, focus on how to fight back. Research the intervention strategies, and try enlisting the help of a profes- sional counselor or your organization’s EAP. The word “competitive” gets a bad rap in the workplace because it often describes pushy or manic or aggressive behavior. But there is another type of competitive employee—the one who champions reaching for the gold in healthy ways. Healthy competitiveness is a learned skill and an energetic approach to work that shows you are proactive, focused, and positive. You seek to top your best, not that of others. Employers are clamoring for employees with a healthy compet- itive spirit because they are engaged workers. Grow your competitive spirit by 1) Giving yourself permission to be competitive. Overcome any false scripts suggesting competitiveness means not be- ing fair to others. 2) Identify strengths and skills that are unique to you. Spot opportunities to apply your skill set and establish goals that will add to your achievements while lifting up your employer. 3) Be a “conscious collaborator” by showing your ability to share work, elevate others, and share credit. Being competitive is an easily spotted trait, and you risk irking people if you do not demon- strate humility in this way. 4) Be confident about your skills, use hard work to achieve your goals, and avoid fear of failure. Share the final glory with those who lent a hand along the way. It happens often more than it may appear.