FIND YOUR STRONG

Sometimes things get tough in life.  Work isn't going the way you want, things aren't always easy.  In these moments, we need to find our strength to get through to the other end; to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This video puts it into a little more prospective.

Check it out!

Charity Guest Bartending Event for Operation Smile!

This weekend, we at Blue, Inc. held a charity event to raise money for Operation Smile.  A select few of us guest bartended at an Elgin local bar called Booker's, and all of the tips earned went to an amazing charity.  For those of you who are not familiar with Operation Smile, it is an organization that provides free surgeries for children in third world countries that are born with cleft pallates and lips.  This event was definitely a fun way to raise money for Operation Smile, those who were able to participate in bartending had not bartended ever before so it was a new experience for them.  " I was able to cross 'bartending' off of my bucket list, and we were able to make someone in another part of the world smile; its a cool thing," says Manager Wrinardo McKennedy.  This was definitely an out of the box way to raise money for a charity, but that is the kind of creativity we like around here at Blue!

Stay tuned for our next fun event!

We Did It Again!

We at Blue, Inc. have been nominated again for one of Chicago's 101 Best and Brightest companies to work for! This is the second year in a row we have been nominated and we are so excited to be included in amongst such great companies as Radio Flyer, Ernst & Young, KPMG, and Luna.  "It is really a cool thing that we have been nominated again, it shows that the hard work we put in to developing the people we work with pays off," says Manager Nicole Skovgard.  "We are excited for what 2013 will bring, and will continue to do the same things that we always do to be a great company."

To view the entire list of winners, click here.

Turn Procrastination into Motivation!

I was reading this article on procrastination, which I feel like a lot of people, myself included suffer from.  I feel like everyone has a little ADD in them and can at times be difficult to complete a project.  This article is really helpful and gives great tips on how to cut down on procrastinating and to get more motivated and productive.  The author of the article, Adam Singer, states that procrastinating is a mental game and putting mind over matter will help minimize procrastinating.  "Keep your thoughts positive,and recognize when you're entering a cycle of procrastination.  "Here is where you will need to address mind over matter. Start by just getting into it and doing step one of whatever your task is and go from there. Sit down and break the project up into consumable parts that are less daunting." This point, as well as several others, are included in this article and are great in minimizing procrastination.  To read the full article, follow this link.

Turn your Dreams into Goals

I was reading this article about goal setting, seeing as it is a new year and is the time where people come up with their resolutions.  Often though, the motivation to complete those resolutions runs out pretty quickly.  People dream of accomplishing many things throughout the year and their life and this article talks about the difference between a dream and a goal.  Diana Robinson, the author of the article, says, "a dream is a goal without legs.  It is a wonderful thing to have, can be the guiding passion of your life, but unless you clarify it and give it the legs to move toward you, getting there is going to be very much a matter of luck."  Robinson goes on to talk about how in order to transform dreams and wants into goals and ultimately reality, we need to clarify what is wanted, and be very detailed about the end result.

I really liked this article because for those who are not the best at following through on goals, it gives them a way they can follow through and get the result they want for their life.  Robinson gives great examples and makes it really tangible and easy for everyone to do it.  I recommend reading it!




To read the entire article, click here  .

Need to get Inspired??

I saw this video on YouTube and it really got me motivated.   We at Blue, Inc are pretty competitive and with the holiday season closing in, we like to have that extra push for the end of the year.  It goes without saying that Marketing, Sales and Sports go hand in hand- they are all about team work and competitive drive to get the job done.  We are excited about the new year and the growth opportunities it will bring for us, and we can't wait to get there!

Get inspired and have a great holiday!

Blue, Inc. to host Charity Poker Tournament!

On December 15th, Blue, Inc. will be hosting a charity poker tournament to raise money for Operation Smile.  Operation Smile is an organization that repairs cleft palates and lips free of charge for children in third-world countries, where they can be ostercized for looking different. We will be playing Texas Hold’em and people will play until one person has the entire pot.  All of the proceeds from the buy in will go to Operation Smile and the winners of the tournament will receive a $50 Target gift card, $50 cash, and other prizes.

“This is such a fun way to raise some money for a great charity.  It will get our competitive juices flowing, and let everyone know just how great of a poker player I am!” says Meredith, our HR Manager.  Everyone here at Blue, Inc. is getting really excited for this weekend’s events and can’t wait to play, we are expecting a great turnout. 

Tune in next week with the results of the tournament!