Everyone wants . . . → Read More: Take A Singles Spa Vacation]]>

You work hard all year round and now you are ready to relax. When it’s time for singles to relax, they often think of being pampered. And, what better way to be pampered than by taking a spa vacation. Rest, relax and get back in touch with who you are.

Everyone wants to be pampered, but singles often forget to take care of themselves because no one is around to remind them. What would be better for a single than to have some special pampering? That could be what’s in store for you if you sign up for a spa vacation.

Spa vacations are not only good for the mind but the body as well. Some fitness spas offer guest activities like morning runs, fitness activities, horseback riding, hiking and the like to invigorate the body. Instead of the more heavy-duty sweating, you might instead want to participate in classes: Yoga, t’ai chi, stretching, meditation, listening to new age music and more appeals to many young singles.

Spa vacations are a learning experience. There are different types of spa vacations that may interest you. You can sign up for a fitness spa vacation that offers all sorts of exercise and wellness activities. There are also spa resorts dedicated to weight loss. Here you can learn the techniques needed to reach a healthy weight and also receive a fair amount of pampering.

But, the best is yet to come. These spa vacations also include a number of services beyond what you may have had at a spa back home. Since the vacation is all about spa activity, there will be much much more than your routine manicures and pedicures.

At a spa vacation, you’ll have a chance to experience some, if not all of these types of amenities:

” Facials
” Body wraps
” Mud baths
” Hot stone massage
” Aromatherapy
” Steam room
” Sauna
” Skin treatments

When you are done being pampered you can enjoy healthy cuisine. If you want to learn how to prepare what you are eating, some spas offer cooking classes. There are also nutrition classes and counseling to help you to choose the right foods and exercise for your body. Singles meet other singles at these spa vacations who all share one thing in common – feeling great!

Finding your Spa Vacation

There are spa resorts all over the world. Spa Finder is just one of many resources available. You can use websites like Spa Finder to locate a spa in your area or elsewhere abroad. Most of the information is online, but you’ll want to call to get more intimate details. If you are choosing a singles spa in particular, be sure you know what programs the spa offers and ask about the itinerary.

If you are interested in being pampered, perhaps like you never have been before, you may want to choose to vacation this year at a resort spa. Choose your type of spa vacation that suits your budget and desires. Singles spending time together being pampered while enriching their mind and body may be just the sort of experience you are dreaming about.

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The beach is a great place to hang out in the summertime when you’re single and free. You can find just about anything . . . → Read More: The Beach Is Perfect For A Singles Vacation]]>

In the summertime, we love to hit the beach. The beach is ready-made for fun and relaxation, and the perfect choice for singles to choose for their vacation destination.

The beach is a great place to hang out in the summertime when you’re single and free. You can find just about anything that you want to do for fun at the beach. Vacationers who are single love the beach for lots of reasons. The trick is finding the best place to go.

Hotels or Resorts

Where you stay is almost as important as what you do. There are many hotel chains on beaches all over the world. A hotel is a good idea if you want a quick, simple solution to a little getaway destination. I you are familiar with the area where you are vacationing, you will no doubt be familiar with the hotel chain.

In the United States, popular beach destinations in states like North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, California, Virginia, Oregon, Alabama and other points along the coasts, will offer great deals to those singles who are looking for a great beach vacation. If you’re vacationing alone you can often cut the cost of the room by getting the smallest room available. If you plan on spending most of your time on the sand anyway, you are just looking for a place to accommodate your basic needs. There may be happy hours in the hotel bar that will cut the cost even further as well as give the single person a place to mingle with other singles.

Many singles are looking to vacation a little further from home in order to meet some new people, perhaps in a new culture. In that case, take a look at the resort options in destinations outside the U.S. Popular resort destinations are in Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe. Oftentimes, these resorts offer more amenities than a hotel. There are usually parties and other activities at night that cater to singles at an upscale resort.

You can choose a resort that is primarily rented by singles. If you choose a “singles resort” you increase your social agenda with beach parties, dances, music, and other activities, planned and unplanned. You can relax on beautiful secluded beaches or participate in water sports to get to know the other singles better. The fun never has to end when you’re meeting more new singles every day.

If you are a single man or woman who is a little more risqué, you might want to look into resorts like Sandals or Hedonism. They offer clothing optional beaches, fun excursions, crazy parties and an atmosphere filled with playful mischief. You may be looking for some memorable days and nights while you’re vacationing, but no more than that.

Something to Remember

You are not the only ones who love the beach. If you want to have a beach vacation alone or with a group of single friends, avoid the family beach areas. These family resorts will have a lot of kids in the middle of summer when they are out of school. If you are vacationing at a resort that is not singles only, choose the school year to vacation.

A singles beach vacation doesn’t mean you have to be alone. Whether you choose a hotel or resort, decide beforehand what sort of fun you want to have – calm or crazy, single or paired, naughty or nice – then find the vacation destination that suits you best.

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Have you ever wanted to take a singles cruise but didn’t want to sit there alone? Well, you don’t have to go it alone on a singles cruise. There are many singles cruises where you’ll enjoy the company of other people who are unattached.

There are cruises now for every . . . → Read More: Singles Cruises For Every Age and Desire]]>

Have you ever wanted to take a singles cruise but didn’t want to sit there alone? Well, you don’t have to go it alone on a singles cruise. There are many singles cruises where you’ll enjoy the company of other people who are unattached.

There are cruises now for every group – old, young, married or single. Cruise ships are catering to people from all walks of life with their cruise packages, destinations and amenities on board.

Destinations that Appeal To Every Single

You can go just about anywhere on a cruise ship. Maybe you dream of going to Alaska to watch the whales. Or maybe your dream is to see Hawaii and enjoy the local cuisine and even get in a little surfing.

Then again you may want to sail to one or more of the Caribbean destinations where the water is the most unusual color of blue that you’ve ever seen. There you’ll want to enjoy the many shore excursions, perhaps walk the historic districts, shop, and of course, eat.

Still not for you? How about Europe? Visit museums, historical sites and taste the finest cuisine. All of this is available to you when you book a cruise.

Finding a Singles Cruise that’s Right for You

You don’t have to look any farther than the Internet or your friendly neighborhood travel agent. Singles cruise options are plentiful and varied.

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Adventure vacations are for active people who want to spend some time outdoors. The excursions are usually challenging to the body and the soul. You’ll meet people with similar . . . → Read More: Travel Adventures for Singles]]>

If you are an athletic single person who wants to enjoy the great outdoors with other like-minded people, consider taking an adventure vacation.

Adventure vacations are for active people who want to spend some time outdoors. The excursions are usually challenging to the body and the soul. You’ll meet people with similar interests and have a great time putting your strength and your wits to the test.

Types of Adventure Vacations

River rafting – Careening down a raging river is not for the faint of heart. If you like to river raft or want to learn, join an adventure vacation down the Colorado River or other white water destination.  This is a great way to meet other singles and learn what they’re made of!

Rock climbing – If you’ve had your fill of the rock wall and want to try your skill outdoors, there are climbing excursions which will have you scaling rugged terrain with other singles. Check with the group arranging the vacation to see if they accept beginners and what gear is required.

Safari trips – Discover the mysteries of Africa with a safari. See wild animals you have only viewed on television or in magazines. Ride elephants across the plains and visit wildlife preserves. But, Africa is not the only destination. In the United States you can head for Alaska and their national parks or Yosemite to see nature up close.  Many singles like these excursions because they appeal to their independent nature.

Fishing – This may be the perfect time to finally try big game fishing. Take a trip to catch swordfish and marlin with expert guides. It’ll be you and against the sea, well, with a little help from the whole crew!

Volunteer – You may want to volunteer to participate in a working vacation such as helping researchers studying endangered animals. Some groups offer room and board in exchange for your work. You’ll get to see some exotic locales and be a part of important work to preserve the environment. There are also many groups that perform work on national and park trails in exchange for room and board.  These volunteering vacations attract many singles who are civic minded and enjoy an adventure.

Dude Ranch – No, this will not be a repeat of “City Slickers.” These are usually working ranches that allow others to experience what they do. You’ll learn to ride a horse, rope cattle and perform other activities that take place on a ranch. If you are tired of the corporate world or your 9 to 5 job, trade it in for the dust of the open west – at least for a little while.

Adventure vacations can take place over a long weekend or turn into a week-long adventure. It all depends on your destination and your interests. You’ll find adventure vacations close to home, or you may choose to make it a real adventure and venture as far as your little heart desires.  Meeting other adventurous singles is almost guaranteed!

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By Stewart Rainnie*

When conflict in the workplace impacts on productivity or the welfare of employees, strong action is required Some conflicts can be resolved without the need for a third party, while others require alternative action. Mediation . . . → Read More: Mediation in the Workplace]]>

I came across this interesting article and thought that my readers may benefit from it.

By Stewart Rainnie*

When conflict in the workplace impacts on productivity or the welfare of employees, strong action is required
Some conflicts can be resolved without the need for a third party, while others require alternative action. Mediation is one solution.

What is mediation?
Mediation is a complex process. Basically, it’s about reaching an agreement or an understanding through open discussion and resolution.
Mediation can be between conflicting parties, or even one individual who has a grievance against a specific issue or group.

How can mediation help reduce workplace disputes?
Mediation is just one form of managing conflict within the workplace.  It allows the people involved in the dispute to have a say about how it is handled. It provides an opportunity for an issue or issues to be openly discussed.
In most situations the dispute has occurred because the parties involved have differing opinions or a different understanding of the situation.
Each party has interpreted the actions of another party differently, resulting in a misunderstanding or ill-feeling.
Mediation allows each party to explain their perspective in a controlled manner, hopefully in a non-threatening, non-confrontational environment. It also allows each party to get an understanding of the other party’s perspective.

Will agreement always be reached?
There is no compulsion to reach an agreement. Mediation is about opening the lines of communication in a controlled environment.

It is not about who is right or who is wrong. It is not always between two parties. Sometimes there are a number of parties involved in the process. For mediation to be successful, all parties generally have to make concessions to change the way they act and treat other parties involved in the dispute.
This is usually made easier after gaining an appreciation of the other parties’ feelings and perspective.

When is mediation most useful?
Generally, mediation is a viable option when there is a good possibility of a dispute being settled through open discussion – particularly when there has been a possible misunderstanding. 
For mediation to be successful, the parties involved must be prepared to talk. They must leave their anger at home and must be prepared to make concessions. 
It is not uncommon for Court cases involving conflict to be adjourned for mediation as an alternative option.
Mediation is often a workable, cost effective and relatively quick solution. 

Are there specific preconditions that must exist for a mediation to be successful?
Parties must be prepared to talk and have a desire to resolve the issues. They must be prepared to make concessions. No matter what the dispute is about, the parties must agree to mediate and be prepared to discuss the issues in a logical manner. 

Who should conduct mediation?
A mediator should have previous training or specific mediation skills. There are several courses now available.
Firstly, an independent person not involved in the dispute must conduct the mediation.
There is no cut and dried way of conducting mediation. It involves assessing the situation, assessing the personalities involved and also having a good understanding of what needs to be achieved through the mediation process.

What qualities should a mediator possess? 
Mediation requires a considerable amount of skill, patience and good communication skills. 
Mediators must be impartial and assist in keeping communication open. They must know when to give participants “time out” and be able to read body language and demeanour.
They should also be skilled at defusing escalating emotions and know how and when to re-focus parties on relevant issues.
A good mediator is a good “juggler” and stage manager. Mediation is a fluid process with many twists and turns.  Most mediators learn new skills every day.

What should someone conducting mediation for the first time be aware of?
Have a plan and know what you would like to achieve before you start.

 There are a few basic rules, which must be discussed with the parties involved. The participants must be clear on the rules of engagement and must abide by those rules. 
Firstly, the views and opinions of each party should be respected. Parties should not interrupt each other. Each party should be given an opportunity to speak and state their opinions.
The conversation should not antagonise the situation or lay blame. There is no right or wrong.
All parties must try to put past differences behind them. Issues must be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties.
The mediator can terminate the process at any stage if they feel the parties are not co-operating, are hindering the process, or they believe that no further progress can be made. 
The last thing the mediation process should be is a slinging match or a melee.

What records should be kept for mediation?
Firstly, an agreement should be signed between the parties involved indicating they are prepared to go to mediation. There should be no obligation to come to an agreement or achieve an outcome. They should be able to leave at any time. 
Mediation is not a binding process. What is discussed within a mediation is private and confidential and should remain within the mediation room. 
A formal record of what is said should not be kept. It is, however, good practice for the mediator to take notes throughout the process to assist with facilitating the discussion, redirecting focus and also assisting with summing up the outcomes and any agreements. 
At the end of the process the mediator gives a summary and outlines areas that have been settled and discusses options for issues that have not been resolved. 
If a case is fully mediated to the satisfaction of all parties involved, it is good practice to make a record of the settlement terms and the points of agreement. Parties should be encouraged to sign this agreement. 

What if the mediation is unsuccessful? 
This is not a bad thing. Generally the parties have had an opportunity to hear each other’s side and can go and hopefully reflect on that. 
Often when you think the mediation process has failed, the situation is later resolved under the parties’ own terms. 
An unsuccessful mediation does not impact on the ability of an employer or affected party to take other action. For employers this may include disciplinary action, relocation, pecuniary action or even termination. 
There are many other options such as arbitration or taking the matter to Court.
For many, mediation is considered a safe and soft option. It is generally the first option.
If that fails, other people must take action or make a decision on their behalf.

* Stewart Rainnie is a trained and experienced mediator with WISE Workplace Investigations.  Further information was available by visiting www.wiseinvestigations.com.au

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The two day workshop . . . → Read More: Resilience- What qualities does a resilient person have?]]>

I was fortunate enough to attend a workshop that was run by iNSPYR during the early part of this year on “Building Resilience in Individuals”. I had been through a difficult phase during my employment, and I needed to learn how to take control of myself and “bounce” back.

The two day workshop was really good, and I would recommend it to anyone who is either going through a large change in their life or who has been through a tough experience and they need to pick themself up, dust themself off and just carry on with their life.

This article will be the first of several, where I intend to share with you some of my learning’s from this workshop.

My material is from both the workbook provided by iNSPYR and material provided that was written by L. Michael Hall, Ph. D.
So, what is resilience? It is the ability to “get back up and go for it again”, the ability to bounce back from falls, misfortunes and setbacks. T develop resilience within ourselves as well as the organisations that we work for, we have to put together a number of mind sets that will change the way we think.
Without resilience we can tend to experience grudge holding, non-forgiveness, bitterness and negative emotions. We can also begin to expect more hurts in our lives, retreat into self pity, become augmentative and become very victim like.

According to iNSPYR:
Resilience = Recuperative powers which give us the freedom and ability to become totally involved in the dangerous business of living.
Our mental/spiritual body therefore like our physical body needs us to use wisdom to participate in life, take some risks in order to be fully involved in life and to also use and apply our inner healing resources when we get hurt.

Hall says, “Resilience gives me recovery power, it allows my powers of mind, emotions, speech, behaviour etc. to keep rejuvenating me, it keeps these personal powers alive, it empowers me to have a courageous heart in life, it keeps me going, strengthens my motivation, enable me to “live from within”, gives me a “never say die” attitude, assists me in rolling with the punches, turns life into more of an adventure, enables me to become bigger than my environment or circumstances, frees me from holding grudges, makes me more pleasant in company etc”. Resilience gives me an emotional elasticity that allows me to make the most of the situation, to keep learning and growing. With resilience I always win because I keep finding it within myself the power to come back and not get lost in despair. It gives me true endurance and steadfastness. Resilience enables me to remain centred and decisive”.

If we are able to apply even half of what Hall is describing, we will all be in a better place to pick ourselves up and walk tall, even when things go wrong.
I hope you will return to read my next article in this series. I would welcome your comments and feedback.

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Recruitment is a high priority in sectors such as working with people who have a disability, because there is often high staff turnover in this industry. Effective recruitment strategies should result in the optimum person/job . . . → Read More: Recruitment]]>

Recruitment is the process of advertising the availability of a job vacancy, and encouraging appropriate people to apply.

Recruitment is a high priority in sectors such as working with people who have a disability, because there is often high staff turnover in this industry. Effective recruitment strategies should result in the optimum person/job fit, which in turn will result in a higher quality of staff person and thus when linked with the disability industry, a higher quality of support to individuals and their families. Recruitment processes should be efficient, which in turn will mean that it is cost effective.
The first step in the recruitment process is to review the job and decise whether it needs to be done at all.
Each step in the recruitment and selection process must be linked back to the relevant competencies for the role. This considerably increases the chance that the organization will choose the right person for the right job.
Selection criteria describe the essential and desirable competencies required to perform the job. Each recruitment process usually requires a set of selection criteria.
It is good practice to provide an information kit for applicants. This will assist the applicants to obtain relevant information about the job. This will also allow the applicants to self select and helps to ensure that only the most appropriate people apply.
Before advertising, it is recommended that you look internally first. Also consider networking with other organizations and the use of recruitment agencies.
It is becoming a preferred practice to advertise vacancies online, using local and national employment sites such as seek.com however, the use of advertising in local newspapers and radio is also common.

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