Reflection – Stanislaus County

Reflection of findings and evaluation comments from the UC Davis workshop "Mindfulness and Well-Being at Work, The Power of Positivity" for Stanislaus County CSA professionals held in Ceres, CA. Half Day Workshops.

UC Davis Instructor: Joe Tassinaristrengths based builds strong bridges

"Reflection is offered to give power to voice, to promote understanding among team members and bring light to the  findings from the workshops. Course methodology – strengths based."

April 27 AM -13 Participants
April 27 PM – 20 Participants
April 7 AM – 28 Participants
April 7 PM – 25 Participants
March 31 AM – 28 Participants

March 31 PM – 27 Participants

4/27/16 AM Reflection – Mindfulness and Well Being at Work; The Power of Positivity

Links:

How positivity brings wellness to work
Positive Psychology Center

See what other agencies said "Makes A Good Team"

Findings

Why is your partner a positive co-worker?

  • Promotes unity
  • Helpful, shows appreciation
  • Welcoming smiley
  • Finds smarter/easier ways
  • Eager to learn/Team player
  • Good listener & open minded
  • Willing to help!
  • Helpful and inclusive smiley
  • Knowledgeable
  • Knows everyone has a gift
  • Good listener
  • Flexible
  • Cares & looks for good in others

One reason each participant is grateful working with Stanislaus County CSA:

  • My amazing coworkers and supervisor
  • My paycheck
  • The opportunity to work with amazing people
  • Retirement
  • Co-workers
  • Diversity
  • Benefits
  • Great co-workers
  • Full time employment & great people
  • Experience & appreciation
  • Job that I have
  • Welcoming spirit

​​​Each table group offered one wellness in the workplace tip:

  • Take all breaks and take time to stretch
  • Power nap, take a walk, speak with a positive person
  • Think of something to make you smile, stay hydrated

Evaluation Comments

What were the strengths of the class? What did you value most?

  • The inclusion of ALL participants. The positivity that was nurtured and encouraged
  • It facilitated participation
  • Interaction
  • I enjoyed the pace and being able to have time to discuss in small groups & reflect
  • The definition of what mindfulness is
  • The information is presented in such a way to make it personally impactful
  • The interaction with the group
  • Benefit of unity, Intent (being in the now)
  • Strengths: inclusiveness, unity. I valued the positive message & excellent instruction laugh
  • Joe brings a wealth of enthusiasm to the subject, good interaction, appreciated the scientific basis and outcomes shared regarding Positive Psychology
  • Registered "now", living positively

How could this course be improved?

  • Clone Joe? No seriously, I wish this training was mandatory because people get busy and may skip an optional training or feel they don't need it, but there's so much to learn
  • N/A
  • Can't be
  • Offered more frequently smiley
  • Offered more frequently and to ALL units. Required for supervisors
  • N/A
  • Introduction seemed a little long
  • ?
  • A little shorter maybe

How will you apply what you learned?

  • Sharing with my unit the power of goodness and positivity
  • Continue being positive, but make others' participating easier. Establish safety, etc.
  • Trying to stay & be positive
  • I will work on staying positive
  • I will practice being mindful and intend positivity in both my home and work life
  • I enjoyed course and its content. Will be and intend to bring positiveness to work each day
  • I intend to be positive smiley
  • Sharing
  • Taking with me and giving back what mindfulness is
  • Remember to be in the intent (positive in the now)
  • I will use it in the workplace & in my everyday personal life
  • By paying attention to my intent

End of 4/27/16 AM Reflection Stanislaus County CSA Professionalsconnect with Business Works on Facebookconnect with Joe at LinkedIN
contact instructor Joe Tassinari    reflections from other workshops

4/27/16 PM Reflection – Mindfulness and Well Being at Work; The Power of Positivity

Links:

How positivity brings wellness to work
Positive Psychology Center

See what other agencies said "Makes A Good Team"

Findings

Why is your partner a positive co-worker?

  • Friendly!
  • Gets along with all
  • Learn new things
  • Reliable/sincere
  • Great sense of humor
  • Love to laugh
  • Team player
  • Very friendly
  • Good sense of humor
  • Willing to help
  • Gives positive advice
  • Enjoys helping others
  • Approachable
  • Accepting
  • Respectful
  • Hard worker
  • Very helpful
  • Greets everyone
  • Team player
  • Empowering
  • Gives out positive vibes
  • Willing to help

One reason each participant is grateful working with Stanislaus County CSA:

  • Making a difference in children's lives
  • Get to do what you love
  • Working with great people and receiving the benefits I do
  • Learning different jobs and getting great benefits – path to my job
  • Helping bring families together
  • All the positive people around me
  • For a Full Time job/customers
  • To have great co-workers
  • Advancement
  • Appreciated/recognized
  • Personal growth
  • Permanent job
  • Good supervisors
  • Grateful coworkers
  • Pot lucks
  • Flexibility & relationships
  • Team

Each table group offered one wellness in the workplace tip:

  • Eat something you enjoy
  • Step away from your desk when you can
  • Sunbathe – it's relaxing & gives you vitamin D
  • Use essential oils
  • Kick off shoes while at desk
  • Self-massage your shoulders with lotion

Evaluation Comments

What were the strengths of the class? What did you value most?

  • I valued how being positive will benefit all
  • The instructor
  • Group activities
  • Interaction
  • Instructor was great at presenting the information & very inclusive of all participants
  • The interaction and participation
  • Interaction, team work, informative
  • I valued the welcomeness of the class
  • The activities were great and inclusive without being awkward
  • Awareness, engaging, empowering, inclusiveness
  • Overall participation
  • Being positive
  • Sharing & learning about participants
  • How to get along with others, treat others how you want to be treated
  • Clarification of just what mindfulness is
  • I love the honesty of the course and interactions of activities. I value the interactions

How could this course be improved?

  • Everything was perfect
  • We should have more courses like this and make it longer
  • N/A
  • None
  • More videos
  • It was great as is
  • nothing

How will you apply what you learned?

  • Becoming aware of myself when interacting with people
  • I will apply what I learned by being mindful at work to be positive and helpful
  • In the workplace & at home
  • Bring it to work and home to be positive and kind
  • Be more mindful and positive
  • I will work on applying this at home and at work
  • Using what I learned in my everyday life
  • Promote to other coworkers and family
  • Practice positivity & mindfulness
  • Will improve at my work and my life
  • Work
  • Will be useful @ work and at home
  • How to be very positive in everything I learned
  • I try to be positive  every day but will be even more "in the moment" from now on. Will also let my husband in on what I learned about "getting what you give" as he deals with the public too and tends to let things get to him. Thank you Joe!
  • I will learn to be more open and positive
  • Be positive
  • Yes

End of 4/27/16 PM Reflection Stanislaus County CSA Professionalsconnect with Business Works on Facebookconnect with Joe at LinkedIN
contact instructor Joe Tassinari    reflections from other workshops

 

4/7/16 AM Reflection – Mindfulness and Well Being at Work; The Power of Positivity

Links:

How positivity brings wellness to work
Positive Psychology Center

See what other agencies said "Makes A Good Team"

Findings

Why is your partner a positive co-worker?

  • Helpful
  • Trustworthy
  • Good Listener
  • Easy Going
  • Looks for strength in others
  • Gets along with others
  • Open-minded
  • Caring
  • Friendly
  • Gentle spirit
  • Team player
  • Get it done
  • Good listener
  • Above & beyond for others
  • Positive attitude
  • Good listener
  • Great team player!
  • Kind
  • Choice (to be positive)
  • Easy to talk with
  • Friendly
  • Nice!
  • Helpful
  • Positive attitude

One reason each participant is grateful working with Stanislaus County CSA:

  • Special celebrations to boost morale
  • The ability to positively change the mindset of our customers who have lost hope/faith
  • To come back to work and be productive & interact w/ people here at CSA
  • Being allowed to participate towards bettering our community
  • Benefits
  • Co-workers
  • Not having to commute
  • My job
  • People I work with
  • I have a full-time job
  • Being employed
  • Good place to work
  • I get to help others
  • Amazing co-workers
  • Friendships made at CSA
  • Co-workers
  • Ability to help people
  • Co-workers
  • Helpful people
  • Opportunity
  • Having a job
  • Interactions
  • Internal customers

​​Each table group offered one wellness in the workplace tip:

  • On break – stretch, walk, exercise eyeballs, away from desk
  • Healthy snacks – fresh, wholesome, nutritious
  • Intentionally breathe
  • Pray (takes the load off)
  • Self soothe and intentionally go somewhere calm

Evaluation Comments

What were the strengths of the class? What did you value most?

  • Feeling good & being accepted as part of the group. Active team player
  • Open communication with all participants
  • Groups – togetherness
  • Interaction
  • Hands on opportunity
  • Positivity
  • Everyone was included in conversation
  • Interaction, positivity
  • That you could pass if you didn't feel like sharing
  • I enjoyed the large group discussion
  • Encouragement in the group; openness
  • Working as a team, Everyone being equal
  • The overall subject discussed adn the instructor was fabulous
  • Being positive; all the information I learned can be used to better myself
  • The positiveness of everyone
  • I valued that it was interactive
  • Positivity and interaction
  • Valuable information to use in my life
  • This was a wonderful experience. I will take much valuable & useful information
  • The idea that "Our life is what our thoughts make it". The strengths was the inclusion of everyone & helping people feel comfortable and safe
  • This course was a great reminder that Positivity starts with me

How could this course be improved?

  • N/A
  • More time to take in the positiveness
  • Maybe longer? More connecting activities. Possibly more creation of safe space to be sure people feel comfortable sharing (i.e. thumbs up, down).
  • Don't change anything
  • To be not so reflective
  • The course time frame was just right, but making the course longer would be extra nice
  • More handouts, resources
  • n/a
  • Enjoyed it all
  • If management took it to role model positiveness and mindfulness
  • N/A
  • good
  • It's pretty good so not sure

How will you apply what you learned?

  • Remind myself positivity begins with my own mind
  • Work/Home
  • I will use it in and outside of work
  • practice, practice, practice
  • Remembering what I want I have to reflect
  • My daily life at home and work
  • By remembering that it starts with me
  • Be mindful of my actions and interactions with others
  • It's perfect timing in my life adn I know my kids and I can benefit from what I learned today
  • This is something that I can use at work and outside
  • Everyday life smiley
  • Both at work and at home
  • Be Positive More!
  • positivity is a good thing …
  • Will approach my day at work with intent
  • In my everyday work environment & my everyday life
  • In my everyday life at work and at home by remembering to stay positive. That what I give is what I will receive. We have the power to control our environment

End of 4/7/16 AM Reflection Stanislaus County CSA Professionalsconnect with Business Works on Facebookconnect with Joe at LinkedIN
contact instructor Joe Tassinari    reflections from other workshops

4/7/16 PM Reflection – Mindfulness and Well Being at Work; The Power of Positivity

Links:

How positivity brings wellness to work
Positive Psychology Center
See what other agencies said "Makes A Good Team"

Findings

Why is your partner a positive co-worker?

  • Helps Others
  • Cheerful
  • Knowledge
  • Laughter
  • Smile smiley
  • Funny
  • Friendly
  • Outgoing
  • Approachable
  • Friendly
  • Encouraging
  • Respectful
  • Happy
  • Team player
  • Prefers positive
  • Smiley
  • Easy going
  • Caring
  • Nice
  • Grateful
  • Humor
  • Likes to fix things
  • Positive

One reason each participant is grateful working with Stanislaus County CSA:

  • For my paycheck & the wonderful unit members who support me & have become my friends
  • The help I get
  • Support by fellow workers
  • Friendliness of my coworkers
  • Co-workers who love to work
  • The services we provide
  • To be able to help our customers
  • Awesome co-workers
  • Safe work environment
  • Job duties & flexibility
  • Being able t help people in need and make a difference
  • Good and useful training
  • Pay and benefits
  • Friends
  • Personal growth
  • Waking up everyday & having a purpose
  • Team
  • Great group of positive & helpful people
  • My co-workers that make the work environment tolerable
  • Co-workers, helping others, benefits
  • Co-workers and their helpfulness
  • Work makes a difference to somebody
  • Grateful to meet clients and how they impact my life

Each table group offered one wellness in the workplace tip:

  • Stand up and stretch
  • Take a walk during break
  • Drink water, lots of water
  • Stretch hands and forearms – interlock fingers, palms down, push down to stretch
  • Eat chocolate

Evaluation Comments

What were the strengths of the course? What did you value most?

  • Met great group of people and shared and learned valuable ideas
  • It was an awesome experience, very up-lifting
  • Everything – the interaction, the lecture, the video
  • Group participation. Thank you Joe for making us comfortable enough to share
  • Group activities and the leadership of the instructor
  • Class interaction
  • Very engaging, up-lifting, very energizing adn promoted positivity
  • Group participation even though it is out of my comfort level
  • The power of positive thinking. This course helped bring to light areas in my life I can continue to work on and improve
  • The group interaction was a strength as well as the handouts and information. I value this whole training
  • Being able to step out of my comfort zone adn participate. Being able to work together. Class was positive
  • The strength is that we learned how to focus on what is good and right and true
  • Everything was great & helpful. Loved the group circle exercises. Got to meet & interact with everyone
  • Love the activities
  • Reminder that staying positive and how projecting affects others
  • Interactiveness. The course FLOWED WELL
  • It was reassuring to hear from all of my co-workers what their thoughts and feelings are

How could this course be improved?

  • Everything was just right. Keep on having Joe come back to teach us more great classes
  • Exceeded expectations – should be a mandatory class training for all CSA staff
  • It would be great if able to cater to how Evaluations are received and finalized. For supervisors to focus more on what workers are doing right and groom them to be better workers
  • More time allotted to write down power point info
  • I think it was really great as it is
  • More videos are fun. I enjoyed the visual design of the video. The art work was fun
  • Provide chocolate on the table, the good kind
  • I'd like to see people stand up from their tables adn meet other participants/to switch tables maybe eery hour
  • Make this a Mandatory training course. People who are not mindful or positive are less likely to attend a course like this (in my humble opinion)
  • Make it mandatory for management and Exec Team
  • Everything overall was very well presented & very organized
  • It's great. Could be shorter in length

How will you apply what you learned?

  • Speak it and act it
  • Learn to be more positive
  • Spreading kindness everywhere I go
  • I will give what I want (to receive)
  • By being mindful and staying positive at work
  • Daily; I appreciate the people I work with and praise them for their efforts
  • I intend to be more positive and to promote positivity & goodness around me
  • I will trust more and be less guarded
  • I am going to stay positive bout trying to be positive that I will one day be positive
  • I want to be a positive person whether at work at home or with friends
  • I am going to start with my family by being more positive and focus on what everyone is doing right versus where they can improve
  • I will try to express gratitude for things more often
  • Being more aware
  • By identifying my intents & creating the atmosphere I desire to have by exemplifying positive character traits
  • Counseling customers, keep strengths based
  • Be mindful in my job and in my life as a whole. Great Training!
  • Using it at work, home, and my personal life, social life smiley
  • Be more positive, it will effect everyone
  • I will apply being positive in my EVERYDAY life. Being mindful of who I am and how others want to be treated so they too can live Positive Happy lives

Participants: Victoria, Rebecca, Nanette, Maria, Rosa, Joyce, Samantha, Mayra T., Joanna, Valerie, Holly, Noe, Latricia, Maribel, Tanya, Sandy, Mary, Yvonne, Heather, Arlene, Maryam, Shari, Mayra P., Christina, Jaszmeera

End of 4/7/16 PM Reflection Stanislaus County CSA Professionalsconnect with Business Works on Facebookconnect with Joe at LinkedIN
contact instructor Joe Tassinari    reflections from other workshops

 3/31/16 AM Reflection – Mindfulness and Well Being at Work; The Power of Positivity

Links:

How positivity brings wellness to work
Positive Psychology Center
See what other agencies said "Makes A Good Team"

Findings

Why is your partner a positive co-worker?

  • Encouraging
  • Positive
  • Humor
  • Loves helping people
  • Teamwork
  • Good mood
  • Positive outlook
  • Loves her job
  • Ownership
  • Gets along
  • Trustworthy
  • Helpful
  • Smiling greeting smiley
  • Positive affirmations
  • Sees good in others
  • Efficient
  • Easy going
  • Humorous
  • Sunshine
  •  Helps everyone
  • Dedicated
  • Excellent listener
  • Contributes to department
  • Loves her job

One reason each participant is grateful working with Stanislaus County CSA:

  • Work family
  • My employer
  • Friendships I make
  • A job to take care of my family
  • My job
  • Provide for my family
  • I have a good job
  • Great boss
  • Be able to help people
  • Friendships/Attachments
  • Retirement benefits
  • Opportunities to "make a difference"
  • Friendships made
  • Ability to provide for my family
  • Cultural diversity
  • Helping the community
  • Support & compassion
  • Potlucks
  • Friendships
  • A window near my desk
  • Friendly co-workers
  • The people I get to help
  • Pay check
  • Employment
  • Opportunities
  • Helping others

Each table group offered one wellness in the workplace tip:

  • Quick nap at desk
  • Pound on lymph nodes around neck and chest area
  • If you're at a computer a lot – wiggle your fingers at each side of head in eye periphery
  • Drink water
  • Pressing deep on and around your collar bone (acupressure) relieves neck tension
  • Take all breaks and move around
  • Write down tasks and check them off as you complete them

Evaluation Comments

What were the strengths of the class? What did you value most?

  • Lecture and group activities. The group activities kept it flowing and interesting
  • Welcoming structure for participation
  • Sharing thoughts and ideas with other people
  • Joe is great at what he does. He is a natural born teacher and leader
  • The positive atmosphere
  • Being positive to others will bring positivity to me
  • Positive participation
  • The inclusion of all. Made it comfortable for everyone to be able to and want to participate
  • Everybody was made to feel equal. The "positive" message was outstanding
  • Learning that the little things matter and you get out what you put in
  • The interaction between Instructor & groups. Ability to be heard and acknowledged
  • The message. It made it easy to understand the concepts
  • Credibility – the studies that back up the information being presented
  • The examples of positive strengths and focusing on Positive
  • Positivity – instructor's knowledge
  • He made us all feel included
  • The fact that the concept was simple and easy to grasp
  • To understand being Positive
  • The instructor
  • All inclusive
  • Learning how to be positive in the moment
  • The comfort to express ones self
  • Everything was focused on being positive. We need more of that in the world
  • Reminder of what Positive thinking can do and its strengths

How could this course be improved?

  • Nothing! It was great
  • Additional forms or a reminder note to keep at desk
  • More detailed handouts w/ more info
  • Do it more often!!!
  • None
  • Maybe to have the course a little longer
  • N/A
  • Catered => Yummy
  • Food laugh
  • N/A
  • nothing
  • N/A
  • Course was great as is
  • 2 10 minute breaks

How will  you apply what you learned?

  • I will apply it at work and personal life
  • Positive affirmations will be shared with others
  • That I can exude 1 positive emotion w/out having to focus on several and still have the same result
  • Stay mindful in my everyday normal life
  • What I give, I will receive
  • Buy going back to workplace, home and anywhere as it applies to all aspects of life
  • I already use these "techniques" daily but knowing that one good action makes all the others happen
  • Everyday in my work situations
  • I would like to share this in my personal life with my kids & mom
  • To focus on the concepts and be mindful
  • With my co-workers. Don't give up on being positive. Thank you Joe
  • Last week I was late to work because I was not feeling well. My Sup. was kind of upset but I tried to focus on positive (by saying at least I came in, instead of not at all but I don't believe he agreed. Made me feel not good at all. (Today) I came in 10 minutes late and was greeted with applause and felt appreciated I was present wink Experience of focusing on Positive!
  • I will refocus my energy to improve & balance my well being & life
  • Both work and Home
  • Keeping focused on using positivity everyday
  • I will take this to many aspects of my life from home to work to community
  • Be mindful
  • With family/co-workers/clients, and everyone I meet, including myself!
  • mindfully, daily
  • By giving what I want to receive
  • Be positive and good towards everyone
  • With clients/co workers and with family

End of 3/31/16 AM Reflection Stanislaus County CSA Professionalsconnect with Business Works on Facebookconnect with Joe at LinkedIN
contact instructor Joe Tassinari    reflections from other workshops

3/31/16 PM Reflection – Mindfulness and Well Being at Work; The Power of Positivity

Links:

How positivity brings wellness to work
Positive Psychology Center
See what other agencies said "Makes A Good Team"

Findings

Why is your partner a positive co-worker?​

  • Compassionate action
  • Friendly
  • Supportive
  • Cares about people
  • Respectful
  • Social
  • Good listener
  • Respectable to everyone
  • Unconditional acceptance
  • Positive energy
  • Goofy
  • Helpful
  • Good listener
  • People person
  • Friendly
  • Reliable
  • Kind
  • Courteous
  • Helpful
  • Approachable
  • Acceptance of others

One reason each participant is grateful working with Stanislaus County CSA:

  • Positive impact on people's lives
  • Ability to support myself
  • Making a difference in customer lives
  • Paycheck
  • Contribute to community
  • For my supervisor, Kristi Rodriguez
  • For my co-workers
  • Working Monday – Friday, having weekends off for family
  • Being able to work 4 10's
  • Being able to help people
  • Have an impact on our customer's lives
  • My coworkers and the positive work environment
  • Training opportunities
  • Good boss
  • Friendly people
  • Retirement/paycheck
  • Opportunities to promote
  • Benefits provided
  • Awesome co-workers
  • People I work with
  • Job security
  • All of the above
  • People we work with/co-workers/supervisors
  • Flexibility, benefits, vacation time

Each table group offered one wellness in the workplace tip:

  • Every 2 hours or so, stretch, walk, take a break
  • Press (acupressure) meaty area between thumb and index finger until you feel pain – breathe deep until pain subsides
  • Take short naps
  • Drink lots of water
  • Inhale deeply, release slowly
  • Move around and listen to music, walk outside
  • Humor smiley

Evaluation Comments

What were the strengths of the class? What did you value most?

  • Shockingly awesome
  • The interaction with instructor & workers
  • Informative
  • The interaction, positivity, easy to follow along
  • Involving everyone in the activities and making it easy
  • The emphasis on changing by focusing on the positive strengths of the person – or yourself!
  • The interactive nature of the class ad that we were all able to share & be heard
  • Very easy to understand and apply to day to day life
  • Interactive process. I valued the participative activities
  • The strengths of the course were the interactivity & repetition
  • Being positive. I valued the different points of view and outlooks on life
  • The activities and ways to speak to people
  • Everything
  • The activities to make everyone feel included
  • Overall, excellent
  • Instructor presented openly – didn't feel as he was reading it from book. He believed it
  • Interactive projects & group activities
  • I left with a very positive outlook. I valued the class interaction the most
  • The instructor was well organized, it made it easy for me to participate in his activities. Vey knowledgeable
  • The message & the skill used to obtain a wonderful environment of positivity
  • Positive mindset
  • N/A
  • Practical activities

How could this course be improved?

  • I enjoyed the training as it was. The whole training group participated! Great job Joe!
  • N/A
  • N/A
  • Handouts
  • More information on being "in the moment." Handouts need to be improved – I won't be able to understand handouts if I look at them 6 months from now
  • nothing
  • good already
  • perfect just like it is
  • Perhaps add more topics
  • N/A
  • More references
  • No improvement needed
  • Doing it more often to more people
  • It's fine the way it is
  • N/A
  • No suggestions – it was very good
  • Adding some more topics

How will you apply what you learned?

  • Practice on my family 1st, then on customers!
  • I will apply it perfectly
  • To look at my environment more positively
  • Stay positive
  • With not only work but everyday life. Awesome course and awesome Instructor
  • at home & at work
  • I will think about my intent & how I will affect others
  • At work and at home smiley
  • Bring up similar activities in meetings
  • I will be mindful of the affect my thoughts have on myself and others
  • I will be more positive at work, at home with my kids and husband
  • To my job and at home
  • I will try to choose my attitude for the day, every morning
  • practice: think positive
  • I will be aware of my actions towards others
  • Being mindful!
  • I will try to be more mindful every day
  • N/A
  • Think positive ideas
  • I will apply it at work w/ my co-workers, customers & at home

End of 3/31/16 PM Reflection Stanislaus County CSA Professionalsconnect with Business Works on Facebookconnect with Joe at LinkedIN
contact instructor Joe Tassinari    reflections from other workshops

One thought on “Reflection – Stanislaus County”

Comments are closed.