Want to Learn More? Coaching Mindfulness

In this digital age, there are many apps that help you get started and track your progress.  Some of the apps you can find in the App Store include: Mindfulness Daily; Mindfulness for Beginners; Mindfulness 101; Breathe; OMG Meditate; and Calm.  There is also a newsletter you can sign up to receive at mindful.org.  These resources can be great tools as you continue to experience the benefits of mindfulness.

The EAP is a great resource to learn more about mindfulness.  The EAP is available to you and household members 24/7 at 800.EAP4YOU (800.327.4968), TTY: 877.492.7341 and on the web at www.EAP4YOU.com.  Along with learning about mindfulness, you can access counseling, coaching, and consultation regarding many different topics.  All of these services are free to you and your household members.

 

Terri Sitrin, LCSW, ACSW, CEAP | EAP Consultant, Dallas District | USPS EAP

214-353-6996 | TLSitrin@magellanhealth.com

Magellan Health Inc.,  2341 W Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX  75220-4415 Go to www.EAP4YOU.com or call 800-EAP-4YOU (800-327-4968) TTY: 877-492-7341

 

Suicide Prevention: How We Can Make a Difference - To find out more, click here.

 

 

A Message from the District Manager

When I think of safety, the goal for me is that each and every employee goes home at the end of their day safe and sound. That doesn’t always happen.  We continue to have accidents and that is a concern for me -- and it should be for you, too.

It’s up to each of us to ensure that every safety procedure is being followed.  Each employee must take all required safety training and ensure you give proper attention to all Safety Talks.  Only through frequent communication, observation, and follow-up of safety procedures, can we control preventable accidents.

This month, we have started a contest to build engagement with Safety.  We want everyone involved in creating a safer environment because safety concerns all of us. We are asking you to get with your fellow employees and create a safety video.  Each month, we’ll provide a safety theme.  We ask you to be safe while filming, but that and your creativity are your only limitations.  This month’s theme is rollaway/runaway motor vehicle accidents.  More information on the safety contest is included in this month’s newsletter.

October is upon us when we start a new fiscal year.  Let’s make FY18 our Safety First year—where safety is a part of everything we do and then we can ensure that every employee goes home at the end of their day safe, sound and Dallas Proud!

 

 

A Mindfulness Exercise

One of the benefits of practicing mindfulness is the ability to practice anywhere. There are many great tools and resources to help you get started but you can begin by trying this brief exercise.

• Find a comfortable place where you can sit with legs and shoulders relaxed.
• Set the timer on your phone or 2 minutes.
• Relax your head with your chin titled slightly down. You might close your eyes as this will help eliminate visual stimuli but, if you keep your eyes open, let whatever appears before you pass without focus.
• Focus on your breathing, the slow inhale and exhale of your lungs. Your mind will naturally want to wander and that is okay; when you realize this is happening, gently bring your focus back to your breathing. Remember, mindfulness is the practice of being aware of the present. There is no judgment about the wandering mind, just a gentle return to focus on the present.
• When the timer of your phone rings, slowly open your eyes and bring your attention back to your surroundings. Spend a moment thinking about the experience: how you feel, were you able to focus your breathing?.
• Set a reminder to practice this exercise twice a day. Try 4 minutes of mindfulness a day for 2 weeks and notice the changes in how you feel and the increased attention and focus on others.

Terri

Terri Sitrin, LCSW, ACSW, CEAP | EAP Consultant, Dallas District | USPS EAP

214-353-6996 | TLSitrin@magellanhealth.com

Magellan Health Inc.,  2341 W Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX  75220-4415 Go to www.EAP4YOU.com or call 800-EAP-4YOU (800-327-4968) TTY: 877-492-7341

 

Confidentiality Notice: This electronic message transmission contains information belonging to Magellan Health Inc. that is solely for the recipient named above and which may be confidential or privileged.  MAGELLAN HEALTH INC EXPRESSLY PRESERVES AND ASSERTS ALL PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES APPLICABLE TO THIS TRANSMISSION.  If you are not the intended recipient, be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of this communication is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.  If you have received this electronic transmission in error, please notify us by telephone at 214-353-6996 or (800)327-4968.  Thank you.

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Corsicana, TX, Lead Retail Associate Socrates Herrera (center) received his sixth Gold Star Award from Manager, Post Office Operations Brandi Smith (right) and Postmaster Jeffrey Lloyd (left) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  He is a U.S. Army veteran who strives to give great customer service to everyone.  Herrera is thankful for his job.  He is always looking for ways to improve and opportunities to move up in the ranks.  Herrera commented, “There is never a dull moment with my customers and co-workers.  I would like to thank my wife for pushing and supporting me.” 

Red Oak, TX, Retail Associate Sara Johnson (center) received her fourth Gold Star Award from Manager, Post Office Operations Brandi Smith (left) and Supervisor, Customer Services Chris Murphy (right) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She enjoys interacting with the community and seeing all of her customers.  Johnson is proud to represent the brand and the Postal Service.  She remarked, “The Post Office is a good place to work at.”

Dallas, TX, Oaklawn Station Retail Associate Jason Alvarez (left) received his first Gold Star Award from Manager, Customer Services Christian Bodirlau (right) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  He enjoys interacting with people and being able to help everybody.  Alvarez credits his co-workers and their teamwork for being able to get this award.

Dallas District Acting Marketing Manager Arlene Sanchez (right) and Acting Retail Manager Randi Klement (left) spoke to Lead Retail Associates during a training class designed to focus on the Retail Customer Experience and help improve the customer service throughout the Dallas District.

Dallas District Acting Marketing Manager Arlene Sanchez welcomed the Lead Retail Associates to FY 18 T7 Training.

Longview, TX, Main Post Office held a Passport Fair on September 16, 2017.  They processed 18 passports and generated $705.00 in total revenue.  Retail Associate Gerald Williams (above, behind desk) and Lana Anderson (below, behind desk) assisted customers with their passport applications. 

Dallas, TX, White Rock Station Retail Associate Vanessa Washington (right) received her third Gold Star Award from Manager, Customer Services Allan Wilson (left) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She has been with the Postal Service for 32 years and enjoys interacting with customers.  Washington commented, “I’m proud to help the elderly customers that we have in the area.”

Grand Prairie, TX, Westchester Station Letter Carrier Ginger Buentello (right) received her 30-year Service Award and pin from Manager, Customer Services Patti Walker (left).

Garland, TX, Postmaster Tim Huskey (right) received his Official Postmaster Certificate from Manager, Post Office Operations Dan Carleen (left).

Garland, TX, Postmaster Tim Huskey (right) received his Postmaster Proclamation/Oath from City Mayor Douglas Athas (left).

 

 

 

Prosper, TX, Letter Carrier Paul Knutson (sitting holding clock) was joined by his fellow co-workers on his last day at his retirement celebration.  He started his Postal career as a Letter Carrier in Irving Texas over 30 years ago.  Knutson remarked, “If I did anything at all.  I hope that I gave you an example that if you walk with the Lord, you can make it through anything.  It’s been hard but rewarding.  Thank you so much for this.  I love you guys and I’m going to miss you.”

Prosper, TX, Letter Carrier Paul Knutson celebrated his last day of work before his retirement.

Prosper, TX, Letter Carrier Paul Knutson (center) was surprised by his wife Lisa (second right), sons Joshua (far left), Jordan (second left) and daughter Jennifer (far right) at his retirement party held on his last day of work.

Prosper, TX, Letter Carrier Paul Knutson (left) received his Official Retirement Certificate from Supervisor, Customer Services Stacy Auten (right).

 

 

Palestine, TX. Retail Associate Jenny Velasquez (right) received her first Gold Star Award on her first day during training with fellow co-worker Stephanie Harrison (not pictured).  The award was presented by Postmaster Anthony Young (left).

Customer Compliment

Pictured left to right: Manager, Customer Services Kenny Gilchrease, Sr.; Lead Retail Associate Samuel Ado; Retail Associates Angela Dennis-Bostick, George Varghese; Acting Supervisor, Customer Services Stephanie Cruz; Retail Associate Melvita Shoals, Lobby Director, Johnny Robinson; Retail Associate Eden Hailemichael and Supervisor, Customer Services Donna L. Robinson.

 

Last Thursday and Friday, I had the opportunity to work at Irving Central Station.  My visit there was to install the new Retail Systems Software equipment at each of the retail units.  I must say that the Retail Clerks were very impressive in their skills and determination to serve Postal customers.  They consistently asked the necessary questions and encouraged those customers to consider other Postal products.  They interacted socially (briefly, of course) with the customers who, apparently are regular visitors.  The Manager and Supervisor at Irving Central were also impressive, dedicated, hard-working and able to handle any situation.

 

Sincerely,

Postal Employee

Lavon, TX, Retail Associate Lillian Johnson (center) and Postmaster Chris Biggs (second right) received a catered BBQ lunch, Postal Proud t-shirts and a thermal cup for achieving first place in the level 18 to 20 Point of Sale/Retail Systems Software Survey Contest with 24 surveys taken and a 100% overall customer satisfaction rate.  The prizes were presented by Acting Marketing Manager Arlene Sanchez (second left); Acting Retail Manager Randi Klement (far right) and Acting Retail Specialist Sandra McCallister (far left).

 

Dallas, TX, Main Post Office Retail Associates (left to right, starting fourth left) Sandra Biggins-Henderson, Rhonda Pinkard, Regina Williams, Sherry Williams, Lawson Ford; Supervisor, Customer Services Nadra McCain received a catered lunch, thermal cups and Postal Proud t-shirts for achieving first place in the level 21 to 24 Point of Sale/Retail Systems Software Survey Contest with 35 surveys taken and a 91.43% overall customer satisfaction rate.  The prizes were presented by Postmaster Yulonda Francis-Love (far left); Acting Marketing Manager Arlene Sanchez (third left); Manager, Customer Service Operations Rodrick Cole (far right); Acting Retail Manager Randi Clement (second left) and Acting Retail Specialist Sandra McCallister (second right).

Irving, TX, Central Station Retail Associate Angela Dennis-Bostick (right) received her 11^th Gold Star Award from Manager, Customer Services Kenny Gilchrease (left) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She has been with the Postal Service for 37 years.  Bostick commented, “I love my customers and we have a great team here.  I would not have received this Gold Star Award without my co-workers.”

Dallas Post Office Customer Service Operation Manager (CSOM) of Area 3 won two trophies as top performer for Retail Customer Experience (RCE) in Quarter III.  One trophy was for best Wait Time In Line score and one trophy was for best Overall RCE score.  Pictured are (left to right) Manager, Customer Service Operations Angela N. San Miguel; Richland Station Acting Manager, Customer Services Henry Kpandeyenge; Northwest Station Manager, Customer Services Gail Aycock; Oaklawn Station Manager, Customer Services Desiree Brown-Stewart; Station A Acting Manager, Customer Services Priscilla Jackson; Spring Valley Station Acting Manager, Customer Services Robert Coleman and Northaven Station Acting Manager, Customer Services Morris Fields.

Wylie, TX, Retail Associate Terri Click (left); I Support the Girls (ISTG’s) DFW Affiliate Grace Whitley (center) and Supervisor, Customer Services Justin O’Neal (right) posed for a picture with the day’s donations for the victims of Hurricane Harvey.  Whitley purchased a Post Office box and requested donations on Facebook through her Amazon wish list.  The request went viral and donations quickly poured in.  She makes several trips to the Post Office each day picking up these donations and getting them to people in need.  Support the Girls is a national non-profit woman’s organization who works to help homeless woman and victims of natural disasters get bras and much needed feminine hygiene products.  ISTG's Founder and Executive Director Dana Marlowe remarked, "We appreciate all the hard work at this Post Office, just like dozens of our affiliates around the country.  We know neither rain nor snow stops the USPS.  And in the same manner, since periods don't stop for hurricanes, I Support the Girls wants to make sure women have what they need during natural disasters.  Many of our affiliates have a great, solid relationship with the workers at their local post office (especially since many of our affiliates use PO boxes).  Additionally, we use USPS to deliver products to our international affiliates in Australia, Pakistan and Thailand with ease.”

Prosper, TX, Retail Associate Sherri Johnson (left) received her third Gold Star Award from Postmaster Jim Spradley (right) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She enjoys serving her customers and giving them excellent service.  Johnson commented, “I have a terrific boss and co-workers.  I love my job.”

The Benefits of Mindfulness to You

There are yet more benefits to being mindful than just the health and business benefits. This value lies in the fact that mindfulness can help you think of your values, assumptions, alternate responses, and desired outcomes before you act.

When you practice mindfulness:

• You become consciously aware of where you are focusing. This means you are not on auto-pilot and mindlessly going through your day and responding without really thinking.
• The actions and behaviors you take have more meaning. You become acutely aware of your intent and goals. There is an awareness of how you speak to people and act towards them and how they are speaking and acting towards you.
• By living in the present, you avoid focusing on the past or looking too far ahead in the future. Mindfulness helps you learn the important lessons from your past but not to ruminate on past decisions. Additionally, while planning for the future is important, too much focus can distract you from the present.
• Resist passing judgment on others and choose to approach them with kindfulness, openness, and a desire to appreciate their experiences that might be influencing their decisions. In other words, someone who is angry at you may not be angry with your but dealing with a difficult situation and taking it out on you. Mindfulness opens the door to many other possible reactions that someone is experiencing.

Terri

 Terri Sitrin, LCSW, ACSW, CEAP | EAP Consultant, Dallas District | USPS EAP

214-353-6996 | TLSitrin@magellanhealth.com

Magellan Health Inc.,  2341 W Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX  75220-4415 Go to www.EAP4YOU.com or call 800-EAP-4YOU (800-327-4968) TTY: 877-492-7341

Suicide Prevention: How We Can Make a Difference - To find out more, click here.

A message from the District Manager...

August is almost over.  Kids are back in school and we’re headed into the last month of Fiscal Year 2017.  It went by really fast.  And Peak Season will be here before we know it.

Normally, right now, we would be heavily into rolling out our plans for FY 2018.  As a matter of fact, we have an entire Road Show developed to review the current state of the Postal Service and to discuss ways we can improve our performance in FY 2018.  But Hurricane Harvey had a different idea for us.

Our Postal brothers and sisters in the Rio Grande and Houston Districts are currently dealing with the after effects of Hurricane Harvey.  The North Houston Processing and Distribution Center has been unable to process mail since August 26, and the Dallas Processing and Distribution Center; the Dallas Network Distribution Center; the Surface Transfer Center and the North Texas Processing and Distribution Center have stepped up to process that mail and ensure our Houston District customers that can receive mail delivery, do receive mail delivery.

The Postal Service continually works on contingency plans to ensure that if there is a service disruption for any reason, that we are able to continue to move the mail.  When you actually see those contingency plans put to the test, you realize the true dedication of the employees of this organization, because the plans are just that—plans.  It is the employees that make those plans happen.  And that’s exactly what you are doing.  In addition to assisting with the mail processing, we have had several Dallas District employees volunteer to go to the affected districts on recovery teams.

I am extremely proud of the Dallas District employees’ effort being put forth right now to keep the mail moving and of the employees who volunteered to assist in recovery.  We are asking a lot of you and you have stepped up to the challenge.

Please accept my profound gratitude for coming to work, doing your job safely and keeping the mail moving; not only for the customers of the Dallas District, but for the customers of the Houston District, as well.  You make me Dallas Proud!

 

Dallas, TX, Main Post Office Retail Associate Breanna Hogan received a Gold Star Award for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She enjoys giving excellent customer service and helping others.  Hogan is proud to be able to represent the Postal brand and do great things.  She remarked, “I do it for my kids.  They are my motivation.”

Dallas, TX, Sales Retention Team implemented an employee outreach program to the Postal employees in Houston effected by Hurricane Harvey for a general wellness check.  They touched base with them to see how they were doing and to offer their support. 

Dallas, TX, Parkdale Station Retail Associate Brigitte Earl (left) received her seventh Gold Star Award from Manager, Customer Services Dionne Davis (right) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She takes pride in representing the postal brand and enjoys educating her customers on our products and services. 

Dallas, TX, Pleasant Grove Station Retail Associate Tiffany King (left) received a Gold Star Award from Acting Manager, Customer Services Richard Thompson (right) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She said the best part of her job is her customers.  King is proud of the fact that we offer a unique service that only the Postal Service can deliver.  She commented, “I attribute my learning and knowledge to my fellow co-worker, Kim Edwards.  She trained me at White Rock Station to have a Postal eye as a Clerk and is why I am who I am today.

Dallas, TX, Bent Tree Station Acting Manager, Customer Services Angelia Hicks (left) and Vickery Station Manager, Customer Services Vangie Dyess (right) assisted victims of Hurricane Harvey at the Dallas Convention Center with forwarding their mail, change of address requests and setting up temporary Post Office boxes.  They also had free greeting cards and stamps available to those who wanted to send them.

Grand Prairie, TX, Postmaster Anthony Willis (left) was officially sworn in as Postmaster on August 31^st, 2017 by Manager, Post Office Operation Dan Carleen (center) and was assisted by Bulk Mail Technician Mary Black (right, holding bible).

Grand Prairie, TX, Postmaster Anthony Willis (left) received his Official Postmaster Certificate from Manager, Post Office Operation Dan Carleen (right).

Mindfulness and the Business World

Last time, we talked about the personal health benefits that you can reap by practicing mindfulness. But, the benefits don’t stop there. Many businesses have begun using the practice of mindfulness for their employees because of the work-related benefits they have seen.

So, why should you care how mindfulness impacts the business world? Because you are part of that world. The USPS is one of the largest civilian employers in the United States. Your day-to-day focus on mindfulness impacts the success of the organization. Your success = helps USPS’s success; USPS’s success = helps your success.

The benefits an organization realizes when employees practice mindfulness in the workplace include:

• Increased self-awareness and self-esteem in employees.
• An increase in the amount of compassion for others which has enhanced relationship satisfaction.
• Improved workplace functioning that includes greater creativity, increased resilience, and improved focus and concentration.
• Employees who practice mindfulness have lower absenteeism, lower levels of frustration, and a reported improved work environment.
• Individuals report an increase in job satisfaction and effectiveness with their current role largely due to goal-directed behavior.

Read over that list again. Yes, these are all benefits for the organization. However, they are also benefits to you as an employee: increased self-esteem, more compassion, better relationships, more creativity, lower levels of frustration, and greater job satisfaction.

Terri

 

Terri Sitrin, LCSW, ACSW, CEAP | EAP Consultant, Dallas District | USPS EAP

214-353-6996 | TLSitrin@magellanhealth.com

Magellan Health Inc,  2341 W Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX  75220-4415 Go to www.EAP4YOU.com or call 800-EAP-4YOU (800-327-4968) TTY: 877-492-7341

 

Suicide Prevention: How We Can Make a Difference - To find out more, click here.

 

 

 

 

Lewisville, TX, Main Post Office Retail Associate Velencia Burchette (center) received her Official Retirement Certificate from Postmaster Thomas Alonzo (right) and Supervisor, Customer Services Treesa Thomas (left).  She has been with the Postal Service for 21 years and will be missed by the employees and customers of Lewisville.

Lewisville, TX, Main Post Office Letter Carrier Joyce Lehmann (left) celebrated her retirement after 36 years of service to the Post Office with Postmaster Thomas Alonzo (right).  She was the longest tenured Letter Carrier in Lewisville.  Alonzo thanked Lehmann for service to the community and wished her well in her retirement.

 

Dallas, TX, Vickery Station Retail Associate Jacqueline Edwards (left) received her fourth Gold Star Award from Supervisor, Customer Services Shinequer Dickerson (right) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She has been with the Post Office for over 33 years and is a U.S. Air Force veteran. 

Garland, TX, Main Post Office Retail Associate Robert “Bob” Easley (left) received his fifth Gold Star Award from Postmaster Tim Huskey (right) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  He has worked for the Post Office for over 17 years and is a U.S. Army Veteran.

Garland, TX, South Station Retail Associate Jose Rodriguez (left) received his second Gold Star Award from Postmaster Tim Huskey (right) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  He has worked for the Postal Service for 20 years and enjoys helping customers and serving the community.  

Ennis, TX, Retail Associate Carolina Gutierrez (second left) received her sixth Gold Star Award from Manager, Post Office Operations Brandi Smith (far right); Officer In Charge Debra Morriss (second right); Supervisor, Customer Services Joshua Vaughan (far left) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She was the first person to receive a Gold Star Award at Ennis.  Gutierrez loves working the window and taking care of her customers.  Her customers often comment, “That it’s great to see someone who is happy to be there who gives great service with a smile.”  Gutierrez remarked, “I have always wanted to work at the Post Office since I was a little kid.  I love what I do.”

Dallas Main Post Office Passport Fair

Dallas, TX, Main Post Office held a Passport Fair on August 26th, 2017.  They processed 69 passports and generated $2565 in total revenue.

Retail Associate Rhonda Pinkard (above) and Deborah Wilkerson (below) assisted families with their passport applications.