Wise Ways from Melissa

By Melissa Davies, Wise Ways Consulting It’s hot.  No, I really mean it – it’s HOT!  As in I went outside for a walk this morning before work and it was already that ‘stifling, sticky, and ugh, I wish I could go to the pool’ kind of hot! Yes the dog days of summer are upon us! We conjure up …

By Melissa Davies This July, let us celebrate our collective interdependence and embrace what we all bring to the 4th of July picnic table. Everyone is American on the 4th – just like everyone is Irish on St. Paddy’s Day.  People celebrate the oneness of being citizens of this country – a diverse nation where people are embraced and welcomed. …

By Melissa Davies, Wise Ways Consulting In April’s edition, I advised readers to plan for their summer vacations.  There is a tremendous value both physical and mental for taking time off. Now that summer is here, and I hope you have scheduled your time off, I want to push you out of the Northern Virginia nest. It’s easy to want …

By Melissa Davies, Wise Ways Consulting Words can bring about emotional reactions. How do you feel when you see these: I-95, I-66, the Beltway, Prince William Parkway? Do you feel a tingle of apprehension? That feeling is the commuting blues. If you live in the Washington DC region, even if you work from home, you feel it. Everyone has a …

By Melissa Davies April is one of the best weather months in this region!  We enjoy longer days and consistently warmer temperatures. It’s easy to let important tasks fall behind when all you want to do is be outside. So how do we ensure that we have more disposable time to play outside and enjoy the fun side of life? …

By Melissa Davies, Wise Ways Consulting March in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, kicks off the region’s “Everyone’s Coming to Town” season. Beginning with the Cherry Blossom Festival then on to the spring break pilgrimage, moving right into the summer tourists!  Great to have everyone here putting money into the economy but who isn’t glad to have the roads back …

By Melissa Davies, Wise Ways Consulting Living in the National Capitol Region, we share the area with many military installations and service members.  Americans pride themselves on supporting the military.  People rally around the returning troops, attend fundraisers to help support individuals, brave freezing December temperatures to lay wreaths at military cemeteries, and countless other opportunities to show their gratitude.  …

By Melissa Davies, Wise Ways Consulting, Inc. Much has been written about the national mood in 2016. Here in Northern Virginia, it’s even harder to predict. Amidst the hand-wringing for residents who work directly for the federal government or government contractors, people wonder – will it be boom or bust? Will the Metro continue to take us safely to and …

Provided by Wise Ways Consulting Fall starts a season of workplace multicultural miscommunications. It is a time for various holidays and observances from a vast array of religions and cultures. These celebrations then roll into the complications of Thanksgiving, and ultimately the office protocol jumble of Christmas and Hanukkah with its company parties, gift exchanges, and annual bonuses. It’s natural …