I hesitate using the word audit. It’s the depressant of the English language. No other word creates such an immediate negative reaction. Even when partnered with words with upbeat associations it still manages to convey dread – butterscotch sundae audit, wine tasting audit, swimming with bottlenose dolphins audit.

If audit sounds too harsh, call it an awakening. Or a focus-oscopy. Or becoming hip to your screen jive. Whatever you call it do it.

A digital time audit represents an opportunity. The chance to take a focus inventory. Get a grasp on how you’re utilizing your attention and, more importantly, intention.

Focus Oblivion

Writer Jim Harrison once said, “The danger of civilization is that you piss away your life on nonsense.” And so much of what we do online adheres to this appraisal. The unimportant hobnobs with the important, enjoying equal attention, if not more.

Consequently, instead of being present, focused at work or at home, tapping into potential and possibility, we’re watching Tik Tok videos of dancing kangaroos or reading must-read stories on ‘What Kim Kardashian Stores in Her Fridge’s Crisper Drawers.’ (In case you’re wondering: red bell peppers and rhubarb.)

Brace for Flabbergast

If you own a business you’d want to know if someone was stealing from it. The same should hold true for your focus. All the more reason to conduct a digital time audit.

But when you do prepared to be shocked.

According  to Provision Learning, a senior living community provider, that conducted a phone-use study with 2,000 baby boomers and millennials, 82% of us underestimate our phone use time.

Even Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, experienced a reality zap when he tracked his digital habits via Screen Time, Apple’s screen monitoring app. Said Cook, “I thought I was very disciplined about this. And I was wrong. When I began to get the data, I found I was spending more time than I should. And the number of times I picked up the phone were too many.”

Screen Monitoring App Suggestions

1)   Moment

2)   Space

3)   ZenScreen

4) Digital Wellbeing - Already installed on your Android phone that can be accessed and activated via Settings.

5) Screen Time - Already installed on Apple devices. It can be found in your device’s Setting menu.

For digital balance questions or comments e-mail me at jeffwozer@gmail. You can also find more tips, via short videos (yes, I get the irony), at http://jeffwozer.com/videos/

Written by Jeff Wozer, our April 2021 Seminar Presenter

Stress. We all know it. We’ve all felt it, especially these past few months. BUT, what can we really do to help colleagues, our family and ourselves during times of stress? By the end of this article, you’ll have a few practical tools and maybe a new view of how stress really acts in our lives.

First off, what is stress? Stress is a perception that demands are going to exceed our resources. It’s a feeling that we aren’t going to be able to handle what is coming. Or, it’s a threat…real or imagined. Now, when we’re walking down a dark street and someone jumps out at us, that is a real threat (perhaps) and we should absolutely have that fight or flight response. But we’ve all had a situation where we’ve freaked out about the snake just find out it was a garden hose. The fight or flight response is incredibly helpful in ensuring our survival. But today, so much of our stress is that perception of danger. The boss says, “I want to see you first thing Monday morning.” Ack! There goes your weekend and you make up stories as to what she wants. Are you in trouble? Are you getting fired? Did she find out I’ve been taking post it notes and pens home? Sure this situation may lead to something negative (or not, we don’t know) but is it fight or flight worthy? Not really. As you find yourself having a strong reaction to something ask yourself is it fight or flight worthy? Often not. It’s about training ourselves to recognize our reactions, responses and behavior and making a conscious choice and effort to make changes.

Now, right now, I want you to stop reading this article. Well, in a second. Right now, I want you to take a deep inhale and exhale and then come back to reading…I’ll wait. Great, that might have been the first conscious breath you took today. What that breath does is anchor us back in our body, signal to our brain that we are okay so it stops the stress response and triggers a relaxation. It also allows us to take a pause. And in that pause, there is power. It allows us to decide whether we are going to respond to something or react to something. And isn’t it the reactions that get us in trouble? That pause is power and it’s one of the most important things you can do. Now, I want you to do that breath again, but this time really observe the breath. See if you can notice where the inhale starts and stops, and there’s a little pause before the exhale starts and stops. You’ll notice when you do that that you slow down. Go ahead and take a second to close your eyes and do that slower, more focused breath. The breath is more intentional and again, stops that flight or fight. If you have no time to do anything else during a stressful situation, this will be enough to help you relax and regain control.

Let’s talk about the here and now for a second before the next technique. So, the key to this stress reduction thing is that stress isn’t the problem. WHAT!? I know, it sounds crazy. But it’s really not the problem. The reason it’s not the problem is that you can’t control the stress. It’s some outside thing. We only have control over our thoughts and responses to that thing. This is where the breath work and the other techniques help. It gives the power back to us to make a different choice about how we respond to the things that are thrown at us.           

The other technique is the mini meditation. This is one of my favorite techniques and I’ve taught it around the world. So, do that breath again and this time on the inhale think, “I am.” And on the exhale think, “at peace.” And repeat over and over. If other thoughts intrude, dismiss them without judgment and return to the breath and the mantra. This can be done anytime, anywhere by anybody!! Including you. And as Type A as I am? If I can do it, I know YOU can.

I hope you find this info helpful. Please reach out if I can be of any assistance to your organization or team if you’d like to grab a copy of one of my books.  You don’t have to do this alone!

www.KathyGruver.com or www.KathyGruver.coach

Written by Dr. Kathy Gruver, our March 2021 Seminar Presenter

On September 17, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation greatly expanding family and medical leave of absence requirements for all employers with at least 5 employees in California. More specifically, SB1383 expands the California Family Rights Act ("CFRA") and requires employers with 5 or more employees to provide certain unpaid, protected family/medical/military leave to eligible employees. The new law goes into effect on January 1, 2021, thus employers must take steps to comply immediately.  Read here for more details on the particulars, courtesy of our Board Member James Wu.

If you have any questions about the new California Leave Laws or related employee leave issues, please contact:

James Y. Wu

925-658-0300

james.wu@quarles.com

On Friday, March 19, 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law SB 95 which enacts supplemental COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave. The law goes into effect immediately, however, covered employers have a 10-day grace period through March 29, 2021 to start providing the leave. Additionally, the law is retroactive to January 1, 2021.  Read here for more details on the particulars, courtesy of our Board Member James Wu.

If you have any questions about the new California supplemental COVID-19 paid sick leave or related employee leave issues, please contact:

James Y. Wu

925-658-0300

james.wu@quarles.com

Rossmoor Walnut Creek

Martha Rivas, HR Generalist

Members since: November 2017

Why did you join the CCCEAC?

We enjoy the variety of topics discussed and getting to know the other members.

What do you look forward to the most from your CCCEAC membership?

Pre-COVID we enjoyed sitting with others, sharing our struggles and how to deal with them.  We hope to go back to that soon.  However, we truly enjoy the commitment that CCCEAC has to its members during such a challenging time by always going above and beyond.  We always look forwar to the topics because they are relevant and helpful.  (Note from the CCCEAC:  Martha was our 2018 and 2019 scholarship winner!)

Tell us about your company!

Rossmoor is a nationally recognized community for seniors who are 55 and older. It is a place of comfort, beauty and serenity, enjoyment and enrichment that is home to people from all over the world.

The Senior Community of Rossmoor first opened in 1964 with HUD-approved co-op housing. The community, originally known as “Leisure World,” was the brainchild of Ross Cortese, who saw the growing population of older citizens and felt their special needs were not being met. His innovative dream was to create self-contained senior communities, offering rewarding living for average individuals whose busy professional and child-rearing days were ending, but who were still interested in active and enriched living. He wanted to establish a country-club atmosphere that would be in reach of the average senior. 

Today, Rossmoor has more amenities and leisure activities than even Cortese could have imagined. There are five clubhouses and an event center, a fitness center, 27 holes of golf, eight tennis courts, a state-of-the-art table tennis clubhouse, lawn bowling greens, bocce ball courts, three swimming facilities, picnic grounds, a computer center, a full-service library, a bridge/card room, a movie theater, hobby and arts shops, a full-service restaurant and bar and a dog park.

How can members contact you regarding services provided by your company?

Check out our website  www.rossmoor.com

• By now you’ve likely heard about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Superbowl LV win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Being a resident of the Tampa Bay area, for us, this has been a long time coming. While the Buccaneers won the 2002 – 2003 Superbowl after many years of being the laughing stock of football, they had not reached the playoffs since 2007. So, you can imagine for us here in Tampa Bay, this win is the equivalent of winning the billion-dollar lottery Powerball.

  But the question many people are rhetorically asking is, what was the difference this year? It’s rhetorical because we all here know the answer to that question. You guessed it, Tom Brady. That got me to thinking about organizations and the leaders who influence them.

  After an unceremonious exit from the only team he’s played for since entering the NFL, Tom Brady landed with the Bucs and immediately began drawing from a talent list of players. Only a year after retiring from the NFL, he coaxed tight end Rob Gronkowski out of retirement. It is reported that Gronk replied to Brady’s call, “I’ve been waiting on you to call.” He also tapped running back Leonard Fournette, who himself was out of a job, having been released by the Jaguars. And one of the most startling people Brady tapped was Antonio Brown, who like Shleprock in the Flintstone cartoon, trouble never seemed far behind him.

  What does Gronkowski, Fournette and Brown have in common? All were recruited by Tom Brady and not one of them were with the Buccaneers the year before. There are some incredible lessons organizations can learn from the moves made by Tom Brady.

  Great Leaders Draw Great People

  Many, if not most leaders spend a great deal of time simply working to achieve results. While results matter, they are not the holy grail. Great leaders take it a step further, and draw great people to build a great culture. Great leaders aren't satisfied with what they "have." Great leaders also have an influence that causes others to want to be around them.

  Tom Brady, knew Gronkowski still had more juice left. Tom Brady, knew Leonard Fournette wasn’t washed up and could still be a punishing runner. Tom Brady, knew that with the right mentoring, Antonio Brown could flourish. And because of Tom Brady’s leadership, not only did the men he recruited excel, they were the keys to the 4 touchdowns for the Buccaneers.

  Who is your Tom Brady in your organization? Who is that person that uses their influence to draw out the best in others? Who’s that person within your organizations that persons inside or even outside of your organization want to work for?

  How Can You Be Like Tom Brady (And still be you)?

  1.    Spend a little time each week looking for great people to spend extra time with to mentor.

• 2.    Spend time developing people to become something instead of getting them to simply do something.

• 3.    Make connections and keep notes on talent you may want to tap down the road.

• 4.    Instead of putting together a list of potential candidates to replace Susie when she gets promoted or moves on, have your own list of people who are the type of talent you want now.

I believe we all want to be around or work for great leaders. I’m aware that neither you nor I are Tom Brady, however, we both certainly can make sure we’re the kind of person that others would want to follow.

So, I leave you with the question I started with, who’s your Tom Brady?

 

Kelvin McCree

www.mylaserfocus.com

Muller Veterinary Hospital

Julia Stephens, CFO

Members since: early 2000s

Why did you join the CCCEAC?

I joined as a veterinary consultant before I was with Muller VH at the referral of another member.

What do you look forward to the most from your CCCEAC membership?

Our team gets so much from the educational opportunities that help us run our business.  You offer excellent speaker.  I do miss the in-person networking where I have met and hired some very helpful consultants for our business.  We have also used the attorney benefits where we have received excellent advice, on several occasions!  I think that CCCEAC is one of the most undervalued and undermarketed resources for smaller employers in Contra Costa County.

Tell us about your company!

When you have a pet, giving them the best care possible is definitely achieved at Muller Veterinary Hospital in Walnut Creek.  Muller Veterinary Hospital was established 1957 by Dr George Muller, the Father of Veterinary Dermatology.  It was later sold to Dr Erin Troy in 1999.

Muller VH has been accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association since its inception.  They specialize in general animal veterinary services as well as providing world-class pain management care in their canine rehabilitation center. (Note from the CCCEAC:  Muller is currently such a popular hospital, there can be up to a several week wait before a new client can get a first appointment.)

How can members contact you regarding services provided by your company?

Check out our website  www.mullerveterinaryhospital.com

Adaptive Learning Center

Donna Feingold, Executive Director

Members since: 2014

Why did you join the CCCEAC?

I had previously participated in local EACs at past jobs and always found the information valuable and offered at a reasonable price.

What do you look forward to the most from your CCCEAC membership?

Good trainings and, pre-Covid, with an opportunity to network with other companies.

Tell us about your company!

We are a local nonprofit based in Concord and have been around for over 30 years.  We support individuals with disabilities to live and work independently in the community.  We support an amazing group of individuals with a wide range of abilities and talents.  These individuals are your friends, your neighbors, your employees, your customers, and your fellow citizens.  Our vision is a community where individuals of all abilities have limitless opportunities.

How can members contact you regarding services provided by your company?

Contact me directly (dfeingold@alc-ca.org) or check out our website www.alc-ca.org

Welcome the newest addition to our Board of Directors!

James Y. Wu, Membership Coordinator

James Wu is honored to be joining the CCCEAC Board of Directors.  You may recognize James because he has been a presenter the CCCEAC for the past several years.  James has been providing strategic and day-to-day advice and counsel to employers for over 25 years on all employment law topics, including terminations, leaves of absence, COVID-19 issues, Employee Handbooks and policies, employee classification, and so much more.  He also defends employers when claims arise, including wage & hour, PAGA, discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination.  He serves businesses of all sizes - from start-ups to Fortune 50, and represents many businesses in Contra Costa.  James is also a former President and current Board Member of the Northern California Employment Roundtable (established in conjunction with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH)).

James and his family have lived in Contra Costa County since 2001, and he is very active in the community.  He has served on the Board of Directors of the Contra Costa County Bar Association for nearly a decade, and was the President of the Board in 2018 and 2019.  James also served as the Section Leader of the Bar Association's Employment Law Section.  Outside of work, James has served at his children's schools and he is a former President and Board Member of the Walnut Creek Little League.  James earned his JD from Boston College Law School, and his MA and BA from Stanford University.

Giant Chef Burger

Paula Gassoumis & Nick Kikes, 

Owners

Members since: 2016

Why did you join the CCCEAC?

For the seminars!!   Very informative and educational. 

What do you look forward to the most from your CCCEAC membership?

Staying up to date with new laws affecting employers and how to lead vs manage employees.

Tell us about your company!

Pleasant Hill's oldest diner!  Best diner and comfort food in the county and probably in the state, but we might be biased!  We are family owned and operated with an awesome staff!  As for the food, well, we have big portions of everything... old-fashioned country gravy, country fried steak, omelettes, pancakes, French toast, steaks, burgers and more!!! For the healthy eaters, we have plenty of options for you too!  During COVID crisis, food is prepared for “to-go” orders only.  We are hoping to reopen for sit-down dining in the spring of 2021!

How can members contact you regarding services provided by your company?

Place an order "to go" by calling us at 925-689-6094, option 3, or stop by and order at the window!