For the past two years, I’ve planted a vegetable garden. Last year, I really tended it. I watered every day, fertilized, fussed, and worried over it. My reward? A whole lot of nothing. I harvested one zucchini from my zucchini plant before worms demolished it. My cucumber plants turned gray and withered, and a mouse (and […]
I wrote this blog post for Bright Futures Consulting earlier in the week and thought it might be helpful for my own blog readers. Although it was written for parents of students applying to college, the tips could equally be applied to a loved one who is conducting a job search and faces the challenge of […]
My daughter called me the other day very excited that she’d had a tremendous personal revelation recently. Her revelation reflected much of the advice I give in my workshops, specifically to customer service providers, on the power of positive thinking and its impact on the outcome of customer interactions, but on one’s own physical and mental […]
Everyone has complaints from time to time and I’m not trying to imply with this post that we should blow off every complaint that comes our way. What I’m talking about here are the chronic complainers. Those workplace whiners who are the only ones to ever face bad coffee, rainy weather, long commutes, difficult bosses, and […]
“Love love love” is in the air this week! I was trying to think of a Valentine’s Day related post for this year and looked to last year’s post for inspiration and to avoid “reinventing the wheel” by inadvertently repeating it. Then I realized, the message from last year’s post bears repeating. I realized that when I […]
Some people say that public speaking is one of the top things people fear. In fact, these same people say that most of us would rather get root canal or be audited by the IRS than to have to give a speech. I don’t know if I agree people would rather face an IRS audit, […]
Let’s face it, the world is a critical place. Television shows’ “humor” is based on personal attacks and put-downs. Most reality television is based on people being rejected on every level from love to singing talent. Even in our homes and workplaces, the ratio of negative feedback we receive from others (and give to others) to positive feedback is incredibly disproportionate. […]
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. — Ralph Waldo Emerson On the morning of the presidential inauguration, as I was getting my first cup of coffee, my phone rang. It was my daughter. The first thing I noticed was that she was awfully chipper for a college student who was up at 7:30 a.m. […]
In last week’s post concerning office holiday party behavior, one of the recommendations was to engage at the party– to put yourself out there and get to know some new people. However, many people hesitate to do this because they just don’t know how to start a conversation. Here are some tips for striking up a conversation with […]
This isn’t going to be one of those well-thought-out lists of profound things for which we all should be grateful. I wanted to find out, when put under time pressure, what really comes to my mind when I ask myself, “What am I thankful for?” So here goes… 1. Friends I can count on 2. […]