Share & Share Alike
     Sent 2/7/2003

Sharing Creative Energy Newsletter
By Darla Arni
February 7, 2003

Share and Share Alike

As adults we don’t think much about sharing. Sharing is a lesson for children to learn, right, maybe not. I have found in my work with educators from early childhood through high school that sharing is just as hard for adults as it is for preschoolers. Why is that?

First of all, sharing is something that requires practice and is learned over time. It involves using the same material, object or information at the same time with another person or persons. It is a complex concept and sometimes people just do not like to do it. Sharing involves negotiation, making deals and cooperating with others, which can often get lost in this world of competition and winning.

So why share in the first place? Through sharing you can build relationships, increase communication, learn from someone else’s experience, learn cooperation, avoid conflicts and much more. It involves both giving and gaining, but never loss.

Some of the rules and realities of sharing are:

-If you want someone to share with you, you must be willing to share with him or her.

-Be respectful of others feelings.

-Model and encourage sharing, we learn by seeing and doing.

-Sharing always makes you feel better about yourself.

-Sharing is a learned behavior and some will learn it quicker than others.

-Sharing your time is the best sharing you can do.

Ways to Share at Work

-Offer help to someone who needs it before they ask, whether it be caring a heavy box, coming up with a creative idea, or helping them find the right resource that can make their job easier.

-Share a listening ear. The most unlikely people can have the most profound insight.

-Share a compliment, but make sure it is sincere and appropriate for the workplace.

-Share the spotlight. Recognize the hard work of others.

-Share hidden skills. All of us have talents that don’t relate to our career but could be of use to others at work if we give it some thought.

-If an idea works for you, share it with others. Too often I have seen professionals struggle side by side that could have been thriving together if they only shared their experiences.

-Share a treat or favorite food with people in your office. Food has amazing teambuilding potential!

Ways to Share at Home

-Pencil in time on your calendar for family. This should be in addition to the regularly scheduled kids activities and doctor appointments. Time is the best thing you could ever choose to share.

-Share what life was like when you were growing up with your children, without mentioning anything about hardship and 3 mile walks through a snowstorm to school!

-Share a special hobby or talent with your child’s class.

-Share one encouraging word each day for every member of your family.

-Share your failures with those you love. It will teach them that failures are learning experiences, not reasons for giving up.

-Share your frustrations in calm language before they escalate into an argument.

-Choose a charity or cause and volunteer as a family. You will be helping others and teaching your children the importance of giving back.


Share with me and my readers

-If you have other great ideas for sharing at work or home send them to me at
darlaarni@socket.net and I will print them in my next newsletter.

Copyright 2003, Darla Arni

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Darla Arni is a Professional Speaker, Consultant and Author of Sharing Creative Energy at Home, Life Compass for Women, and the Sharing Creative Energy Newsletter.

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