25 Festive Things To Do on Your Christmas Break

1. Sleep! We know you’ve had a long semester, so enjoy this season of R&R.

2. Christmas gift shopping – before Christmas Eve this year J

3. Hit up the gym to keep off any unwanted holiday pounds! Try a new Yoga or Spin class to spice things up.

4. Make a list of your favorite friends and family members and make a point to call them sometime over the Christmas break, even if only for 10 minutes!

5. Make exciting plans for NYE!

6. Send out Christmas cards to old friends

7. Finalize Registration for the Spring semester

8. Donate plasma to make some extra holiday shopping money! BioLife Plasma in Broken Arrow has a state-of-the-art, super nice facility, and they’re so friendly.

9. Buy textbooks for next semester

10. Dream & goal set for 2012

11. Get a haircut, manicure or massage – gotta look and feel your best for all those family photos and parties!

12. Read a few business books! If you need any suggestions, just ask Dr. Greene. Our current favorites? The Third Screen, Outside Innovation and Winning with People

13. Make homemade cookies and share them with your neighbors.

14. Go ice skating!

15. Visit a museum like the Philbrook – they currently have a beautiful Christmas tree exhibit that’s a must-see.

16. Volunteer at a local charity or your church. Give back this season and show Christ’s love in action!

17. Plan your summer vacation now and find the best deals! Cabo? Malibu? NYC?

18. Take a friend to see the Nutcracker Ballet. Tickets generally start @ $20 in the Mezzanine!

19. Treat yourself to Starbuck’s delicious Peppermint Brownie Cake Pop.

20. Make a snowman!


Merry Christmas everyone!

Merry Christmas from Santa Shark and the ORU College of Business!

Demonstrating an Entrepreneurial Mindset in the Workplace

Last night, a former ORU alum, Cassia Carr, spoke to the SIFE Entrepreneurial Club on how young professionals can demonstrate an entrepreneurial mindset, even in the corporate workplace.

Here are a few highlights!

Stuff doesn't just happen -- YOU make it happen.

Be PROACTIVE.

P = Positive Attitude. Next to results, this is the most important promotable metric! People are more interested in what you have to say when you are positive. A good attitude is the most effective witness in the workplace.

R = Responsibility. It IS your fault. But you CAN fix it! Taking responsibility is a sign of professional maturity.

O = Overachieve. Mediocrity MIGHT keep you in the job you have, but it will not promote you. Find the one thing you thrive while doing! Focus on your strengths, but don't ignore your weaknesses.

A = (Jump) All in! Get dirty - don't hesitate to jump all in. Understand what those under you deal with. Do something extra that may not be "your job" but betters the company. People will take notice and management will put you on their radar.

C = Cultivate relationships.

With customers: They need to see you as sincere and trustworthy. Find out what your customers’ goals are - and help them attain them. Ask and identify needs! Go to your clients with solutions to their problems.

With peers/ employer: It DOES matter what they think about you. Accept the positive AND negative feedback for them. Ask for advice from your boss. They hold the key to your promotion.

T = Time is Money! Think of every minute as a penny. You must prioritize your days.

I = Initiate change. Don't be afraid to try something different. Learn how things work first. New employees should have a slew of innovative ideas! Find out if your ideas have been done before. Evaluate the results...the good and bad. Share results with your peers. Be the go-to for ideas and creativity!

V = Vision. Catch your employer's vision. Know what the “Big Rocks” are for your company. This helps you to prioritize. Hab 2:2 - write the vision! Everything in the past is preparation for the future. Develop in every job you hold. Always remember your vision and purpose.

E = Everything in God's Will and Timing. Don't forget your ultimate purpose! Share the love of God every day. Romans 12 - stay in the Word daily. Don't define your identity by your success at work. Daily confessions are powerful! Speak success over your life and pray for the Lord’s wisdom.

A big thank you to Cassia for sharing with our students from her own experiences and successes. All the best to you as you continue to pursue greatness, Cassia!

10 Great Fall Date Ideas

Happy November!

Many students joke about the "Ring by Spring" romance that stirs during this season on the campus of ORU.

While the Grad Business students are incredibly busy with final class projects, presentations, exams and readings, we still make time for fun! And for some, even romance.

One of my favorite blog sites is "The Art of Manliness." As a female, I love to gain perspective and insight from a dude's point of view. This blog site is actually managed by a fantastic couple, and you'll enjoy their wit, relevant advice and humor as they tackle life issues such as relationships, health and wellness, careers, sports and family.

Today's highlight is on one of their recent articles entitled, "10 Great Fall Date Ideas." It was so fabulous I thought I'd share it in hopes of spurring a few ideas for yourself (for now or in the future). Enjoy!

Click here to read the blog article "10 Great Fall Date Ideas"

Inspiration Friday

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.

Live the life you've imagined."

--Thoreau

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things

that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover."

--Mark Twain

ORU College of Business Travels to Peru

Yesterday, a team of ORU students, along with Dr. Russell, the Undergrad Chair, from the College of Business departed for the beautiful country of Peru!

Stay posted on what Team Peru will be involved in over the next 10 days. They have an exciting itinerary!

Thursday, October 6:

Visit Elim Christian School, Interview on Radio Cadena, El Agustino Civic Center service

Friday, October 7:

Interview at Pacifico TV, Conference Kick-Off "Peru's Cambia tu Futuro!" and then watch the Peru vs Paraguay Soccer Game

Saturday, October 8:

Speak at the Conference again, then at a Young Adults Service that night

Sunday, October 9:

Cathedral of Faith church services, Visit and Presentation in Jose Galvez

Monday, October 10:

Word of Faith Bible School, School Visits, Meeting with the Dean of the School of Administration - USIL

Tuesday, October 11:

Word of Faith Bible School, Visit to Congress, Church Service in San Camilo

Wednesday, October 12:

Word of Faith Bible School, Children's Home Visit - "Albergue Nino Emmanuel," Meeting with Young Professionals Team

Thursday, October 13:

City Tour, Shopping Trip, Prepare to head back to the USA!

Be praying for Team Peru - specifically for their safety, clearness of mind, divine connections, and many healings and miracles (emotionally, physically, and even business-related)!

Best Places for Coffee & Studying in Tulsa

Tomorrow is the first day of Autumn, and nothing says "Happy Fall" better than a Pumpkin Spice Latte!

Here are some of my favorite places to get a cup o' joe and study here in Tulsa:

• Starbucks. We have quite a few of these around town…at least a dozen. Find your favorite one and get to know the baristas. They have been known to allow free 2nd cups of coffee.
  


• Kaffe Bona. 2 locations within just a few miles of ORU. They have a lot of tables and leather couches for the perfect studying atmosphere, although it can get a little loud sometimes (just bring earbuds). And, bonus, they offer ORU students a discount!



• Nordaggios. The classic coffee shop located across the street from ORU, so even if you don’t have a car, a nice jaunt across the street can stimulate your brain for studying with a cup of roasted joe (discounts here too for ORU students).



• Barnes & Noble. This place is usually quite crowded but occasionally there are some free tables…however, power outlets are no where to be found (just charge up before you g0).



• Cosi. This little café is just a few miles from ORU and not only offers oven-baked bread sandwiches, pizzas, and an assortment of coffee drinks, but it has free wi-fi, s’mores, and an outlet at almost every table They also offer $2 off your order when you flash your ORU ID!



• Library. There are lots of these around town. Besides the one on campus which has multiple locations conducive to studying, the Tulsa public libraries have also been known to be great places to get away and think. Again, no coffee here, but with all the Starbucks in town, there’s probably one less than a mile from whatever library you go to – and some libraries have been known to have little coffee carts.



• Shades of Brown. This is a coffee shop in Brookside with funky décor and some back rooms to avoid the activity at the front of the store. Amazing hot spiced chai!



• Coffee Shop on Cherry Street. This place is on 15th Street near Utica Square so it is a bit further than some of the nearby places to ORU (a plus if you want to get-away). A bit eclectic like Shades of Brown but great atmosphere with plenty of tables! Beware of their homemade pies and cookies. ;)
  

These are just some of the places I have found in Tulsa that have been great places to study. If you are from Tulsa or are currently studying here, feel free to share your favorite study place as well – I’m always looking for additional places to check out!