Out with the old and in with the new. Let's start this year off with a new attitude toward our work and turn challenges of 2009 into new opportunities for 2010.

Optimism, as it turns out, makes a difference in business measures such as productivity, customer satisfaction and profit. When optimistic people encounter obstacles, they try harder. Instead of giving up, they find ways to handle the obstacle and reach their objective. If we want to reach optimal potential in 2010, then we must develop and promote optimism in the workplace.

The Right Kind of Optimism. Fostering an optimistic work environment does not mean that everyone operates on blind faith that everything will “turn out fine.” Nor does it mean that we can operate on wishful thinking or strive for unattainable goals. The optimists who are needed in today’s workplace possess qualities that include self-awareness, flexibility, self-confidence, initiative, resiliency, and adaptability. Whether manager, administrative or field staff, these optimists employ a system of thinking, feeling and behaving that creates conditions for success.

Optimism Makes You Smarter. An added plus in the workplace is the fact that optimism makes you smarter. This is because a positive mood changes the way your brain processes information. If you’re under stress or are in a sad mood, your brain hunkers down. On the other hand, when you are in a relaxed, cheerful mood, your brain opens up and you feel tolerant and productive.

Optimism Can Be Learned. How can you or people you manage become more optimistic? Hill Brothers’ employees can acquire the tools for creating success in the workplace by learning to ask four important questions that allow them to adapt to change and respond to all types of demands. These are:

1. What can I do to achieve the best possible outcome? 
2. What are innovative responses to the situation? 
3. What do I need to know to reach a productive conclusion? 
4. What can I learn from this situation that will help me in the future?

When things don’t go our way, we can’t waste time and energy thinking, “This always happens to me. I can never get a break.” We should respond to a difficult situation by focusing our energy on areas of the situation that can be controlled. We must figure out ways to solve problems creatively. When there is a setback or mistake, we must look for insights that will help us improve.

Optimism Pays Off. Managers who are optimistic raise the aspirations of people to achieve their individual best by focusing on innovation, problem-solving and creative failures. I have always read “Life is like a ten speed bike. Most of us have gears we never use.” By practicing optimism in the workplace, all employees can tap into and use their full potential to unleash their own capacities for success.

I challenge everyone to apply these basic principles as we continue into the New Year. Let us create an environment that will only allow us to have a successful and rewarding 2010.

Kenny Hill
CEO

“The tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach!” – Benjamin E. Mays

Now that the joy and stress of the holidays has come and gone, almost half of you have created at least one goal that you would like to obtain this year. Unfortunately, statistics show that only 20% of these resolutions will be maintained past Valentine's Day. This is an upsetting statistic because goals are important in each of our lives. And not just from January 1st through January 31st. Setting goals and holding ourselves accountable all year round is important for success in our personal lives. So, what are your goals? Here are six steps that will help you see your goals through from start to finish, and not just until Valentine's Day. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you CAN DO TODAY!!! In other words…Stop procrastinating!

1. Create a powerful, positive, compelling vision of the outcome. A vision is a clear mental picture of the outcome you are trying to achieve.

2. List the potential problems and benefits. It is important that you take the time to list every problem that could stop you from accomplishing your goal. It could even be as simple as one word such as time or money.

3. Create a written plan with measureable actions and time frames. Write out your plan, you need to include both milestones and deadlines for accomplishments. Without deadlines, things always take longer to accomplish.

4. Is the goal realistic and obtainable to YOU? Some of you are the type of person that truly gets pumped and motivated when someone tells you something can't be done. If the goal is realistic to you, GO FOR IT!

5. Be willing to do whatever it takes. Are you willing to do whatever it takes to successfully accomplish your goal? If you can answer yes, then nothing will stop you. If you are not willing to do whatever it takes, there is a good chance that one of the problems you listed is going to be too big of a mountain for you to climb.

6. Celebrate your successes today! Life is short. It is over in one heart beat. If you wait to celebrate your successful goal accomplishment, you may never find the time. Celebrate what you have accomplished today and set new goals for tomorrow.

One of our goals is to provide even more interesting, helpful and relevant information to each of you. As many of you know, we not only have this newsletter as a means of communicating with you, but we also have information on our website concerning company information such as the Ethics Hot Line, a picture of the Fraud poster, the E-Verify icon. Click under Menu and click Policies (Human Resources) you can find our Hill Brothers Code of Ethics & Compliance and HBCC Code of Ethics (Introduction) and also you will find our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement.

All these items are important – Someday…you may be asked about these…..perhaps in a Survey! Good luck!

Sharon Goolsby
Corporate Ethics & EEO Officer

Safety Update

With the start of 2010, we continue to face the constant challenge to maintain a safe worksite for all employees. 2009 was a pretty successful year for our safety program and we intend for 2010 to be even better. This all starts with YOU! Everyday, we must hold ourselves accountable for our actions. We need to start each day with “SAFETY 1st” on our minds and expect nothing less from our fellow co-workers. A few things to remember:

1. Always use the “buddy system” – watch out for each other on the job. If your fellow co-worker is not following the safety program, help them to understand the importance of safety. Make sure they follow the rules – your life or their life could depend on it!

2. Attend the weekly safety meetings and participate in the morning STARRT meetings.

3. Don’t take shortcuts! “It will only take a second.” How many of us have heard that? How many of us have heard that by someone who five seconds later is coming back with a broken finger, hurt back, etc?”

4. If you’re unsure of safety rules ask the job safety officer, superintendent, foreman, or co-worker.

5. Report all unsafe conditions and hazards immediately! Don’t turn your back to safety hazards.

These 5 basic things can help all of us have a safer 2010. Our goal is to have a safer year than we did last year. It will take all of HBCC to make this happen, but it can be done!

Benton Elliott
Corporate Safety Officer