http://www.jaymorrissey.com Practical advice for better living Sun, 05 Oct 2008 06:32:24 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I frequently frustrate my friends and family over discussions of "security". Throughout my life, I have been the recipient of advice that includes: What if your business doesn't work out? You won't be able to re-enter the working market that easily. House prices are going up everyday. If you ... http://www.jaymorrissey.com/2008/10/05/security-the-leaky-umbrella-of-life/ Throughout my good life, I have both received and dealt my good share of insults. Many times, this has been an amusing interaction between my friends and I. However, sharing of insults has not been limited to friends. In my professional life, I have received plenty of personal insults, ... http://www.jaymorrissey.com/2008/05/28/handling-insults-with-some-of-your-own/ I am not a fan of self-help. This must sound strange coming from a person who writes articles pertaining to issues of self. Though I intend for the site to be a dialogue of advice rather than a source for unnecessary personal development. This site is like ... http://www.jaymorrissey.com/2008/05/12/self-help-and-the-pursuit-of-perfection/ For many years, I have worked in large organisations. I believe I could easily write a list of corporate "mumbo jumbo" to fill several pages of a book. Why people feel the need to use "big meaningless words", I will never understand. Some years ago, I was involved in ... http://www.jaymorrissey.com/2008/05/02/corporate-jargon-please-can-you-speak-like-a-human-being/ To the hundreds of people who have logged in daily to find nothing new on the site, please accept my sincerest apologies. It is marking season, and I had been backlogged with marking essays, presentations and assignments from many students. Even though I teach part-time, it can sometimes ... http://www.jaymorrissey.com/2008/05/02/my-sincerest-apologies/ Growing up, I was very lucky to have such selfless parents. Their kindness extended beyond family, to friends, neighbours and work colleagues. My brother and I were taught to treat everybody with respect, kindness and with a nature of giving. With a heart of gold, I approached my schooling ... http://www.jaymorrissey.com/2008/03/09/respect-is-kindness-your-weakness/ Beliefs. They're only valid when they belong to us. If only. Beliefs can be positive or self limiting, and even dangerous at times. Our environment, schooling, friends and experiences shape our belief systems. As these factors are unique, no two people on our planet share identical beliefs. For ... http://www.jaymorrissey.com/2008/02/13/you-believe-what/ Love is a wonderful thing. Without downplaying the importance of love and relationships, I do want to point out that "single" people among us are often discriminated. Of course, the severity of this discrimination is minute compared to that of race, gender and sexuality. However, single people are made ... http://www.jaymorrissey.com/2008/02/06/is-it-wrong-to-be-single/ If you do not ask to be paid for additional hours requested by your employer, they will not pay you. For a relatively significant part of my professional life, I worked an inordinate number of unpaid hours beyond the usual 9 to 5. In fact, my average work week was ... http://www.jaymorrissey.com/2008/02/01/discussing-money-at-work-part-3-payment-for-overtime/ I used to tip-toe around the subject of money with my managers, so as not to discolour the dedication to my work. I soon found that employers pay you only what they need to. If you cannot discuss money confidently with employers, your good intentions can soon be turned against ... http://www.jaymorrissey.com/2008/01/30/discussing-money-at-work-part-2-negotiating-a-pay-raise/