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I’m a firm believer that technology and electronics, when used as intended, can be real assets to our lives. If they weren’t, why would so many people have and use them? However, when they’re misused, they can be one of the most irritating things out there!

No matter how hard you try to be perfect, I can guarantee that, at some point, you’ll have the need to apologize to someone! I find it interesting that a lot of people think that having to apologize is a sign of weakness, when it is really a sign of humility, self confidence, caring, and strength.

Here are a few points to consider:

Failure is the one thing most Americans fear the most. Of course, that makes sense right? We are afraid of feedback because it means failure right? Wrong! Feedback is the threshold to success. When you know how to use it that is.

Simon and Garfunkel once famously sang “I am a rock, I am an island”. It’s a great song, but it simply isn’t true! For whatever reason, we all seem afraid to ask for help, even from those closest to us, regardless of whether we need or deserve it. There’s something in our society that seems to dictate that we have to do it all ourselves – either a perception that we’ll be seen as weak, or just simply pride.

Excuses.  We all have them. It starts early in our lives with such gems as “The dog ate my homework”

Can you imagine how different life would be if no-one could make an excuse for a full year?

Ever heard of the ‘5 Ps’? Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance?

Planning your day and your work may seem like a complete ‘no-brainer’, but you’d be surprised how many of us fail to do so consistently and effectively.

I’ll bet you could tell me exactly when the last time someone gave you a meaningful compliment. In fact, I’ll bet you can remember exactly what the person said that made your day.

When we think of the word ‘politics’, we can’t help but think of political rallies, scandal and confrontation. Regardless of which side of the political divide you identify with, as a nation, politics has a very negative connotation.

Asking for things can be seen quite often in a negative light. Many people don’t like to ask for help, they think it may seem needy, greedy, or weak. Of course, the reality is that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness – but exactly the opposite. It’s a sign of strength, and of success.

A clean inbox is the sign of a well-managed desk... Read more.

This simple process, or action, can save you minutes that turn into hours.

One of the keys to a well-managed inbox is to have the correct mindset. By having a mindset that your inbox will be empty after every time you view it, you will go a long way to achieving your priorities.

To clean out that inbox, you need to get to it in an effective way. Minimizing interruptions is a great strategy for accomplishing more...

Brief article starting the international Clean Out Your Inbox Week on why we should strive to have a perennially empty inbox.

Almost every day, I hear someone remark how fast the world is changing – and it’s true. It’s almost unrecognizable from our parents’ days, and even from the world we grew up in.

I firmly believe that the companies that will lead the way now and in the future and truly ‘hit the jackpot’ are those who promote flexible and creative thinking and action at all levels within their organization. To work in this way, leaders must not only practice this way of thinking themselves, but encourage it in ALL their staff.

Get rid of the chaos and learn how leading a simple life can help you enjoy your life.

We’ve all heard of the ‘touch it once’ rule – where smug associates with seemingly empty desks tell you they owe their serenity to never allowing paperwork to touch their desk more than once. Have you ever tried it for yourself and found yourself no better off, if not worse?

Questions to motivate your progress in the coming year...

As long as people work, there will be behavioral errors, and situations that need correcting.

How well do you build reserves? And we’re not just talking about money, although the concept is the same. Do you have reserves of time, resources and energy? Are you running your life, or is your life running you?

Why doesn't everyone just get along???? We hear this all the time. Whether it is differing values or conflicts or misunderstandings, some people have a harder time than others just getting along.

Consider the world productivity impact if everyone sent 10% fewer e-mails than their average -- every day from this day forward. Not sure what that number is? Simple

Leadership is about having a vision and inspiring others. This has been and will always be true, but modern leaders face the challenge of processing information faster than ever before. The ability to “self manage” or “self lead” is critical.

Feel like you’re on a treadmill that will never stop? Too much to do? Too much to get done? Boundaries to the rescue!

Icebreakers are great.  When you get people together to work on things, getting them to know each other will spur on other positive results. Learn why icebreakers work.

Want to energize your meetings?  Plan interactions!

So many times, people don’t realize how easily they can sabotage their careers, unknowingly, they will do or not do things that hold them back. Here are five cautionary behaviors:

The way you are introduced as a speaker can really impact the success of your presentation. Here's a great formula.

Thriving businesses and their leaders SERVE. They evidence a Spirit of Service, Embraced Solutions, Respectful Communication, Valued Feedback and Empowered Excellence

 

Every day, people tell me how overwhelming it is to address their email backlog and how just opening up their inbox stresses them out. To help remedy this crisis, here are ten surefire ways to manage your outgoing email to reduce the number of emails coming back your way.

People complain about all the e-mail they receive, and how much work it is for them to handle.  And it is true, the number of e-mails being sent is definitely on the increase.

Have you ever stopped to observe or consider what your organization’s e-mail culture is? How do your employees use it? How do they manage it? How do they send it?

We've all done it. The meeting is going on and on. Your boss is rambling. You "get" the gist of the concept. You're bored. Your mind drifts. Hmmm. Wonder what newfound treasure has appeared in my PDA? Who will notice if you sneak a peek?

Values are the bedrock of your walking the path of life. They support and drive your purpose. Take the exercise to unearth your values!

If you'd like to have energized and motivated employees or members, people who love what they are doing, and a thriving organization, then ask yourself how much of a recognition culture you have in your organization.

How many of you have heard the expression positive politics?  Read how to remove negative politicking and turn it into a positive!

When you go to your mailbox, do you review your mail, and then put your mail back in to the US Post Office mailbox?  No!  Find out how to break our habits of leaving things in our email inbox.

Networking is not about collecting business cards.

Everything is changing so fast!  I hear this comment almost daily.  And the reality of it is, -- it's true!

In this day and age of building collaborative relationships, playing “gotcha” just doesn't work.  It tears apart relationships.

People who have more luck than others aren’t afraid to ask others for help.  While some might think that this is a sign of weakness, it really isn’t. It is a signal of success.

It costs organizations and you a ton… in lost or misused productivity

Reclaim Your Productivity!  The top ten ways to reduce your email and become productive.

Yikes, too many emails and not enough time! Learn seven quick and easy tips to streamline the handling of your e-mail.

Have you ever stopped to think of what your organization's email culture is? A few tips to help you create a positive office email culture and increase productivity.

Have you ever stopped to examine how do your employees use their email? How do they manage it, send it, and save it? Learn how to reclaim more time and increase bottom line.

If you want your goals to "work," there is a simple solution. Read this article and find out!

What is the best way to infuse ethical behavior at all levels of your business? And, how do we infuse a values based ethical culture?

Do you remember the last handwritten note you received?  Even more, do you remember the last handwritten note you sent?  Take the hand written note challenge.

What is your “on-time arrival percentage?" Do you arrive on time for appointments, meetings, and other functions? If not, create the "on-time" habit now!

Frustrated that you’re not moving up fast enough at work? Passed over for a promotion that you thought you deserved?  What do you do?

To have a more fulfilling life, it is helpful for you to try to run your life rather than having it “run you.” Here are some tips to help you do that.

“Inter D” for short… It is pronounced, “in-ter-DEE,” and it is the new buzz word of the century. Are you and your organization "Inter D"?

Are you focusing on the tasks or building relationships?

Why do so many peoples’ intentions and actions differ? There are probably as many answers as there are people…

Strategies to deal with feelings of being overwhelmed.

So much to do -- so little time to do it all.

Do you dread meetings or look at it as an opportunity to showcase your abilities?

How is your leadership "bench strength"?

How do you rate at a holiday and everyday dining situation?

Sure, everyone loves a party. But in the business world, these seemingly innocent gatherings can be a recipe for disaster.

Learn to get the best from people.

Funny thing about goals…  You have a much better chance of achieving them when first, you HAVE them, and second, you write them down.

These great tips by Marsha Egan will help you preserve and advance your career, despite a challenging economy.

No one writes handwritten notes anymore... Do it, and watch your relationships grow.

Want to build your network? Go to lunch!

Do you know when to say no? What are your boundaries? They're the key to your success!

How to get the important but not urgent stuff done? Make appointments - with YOURSELF!

Should you send email messages in the middle of the night? This article will open your sleepy eyes...

Life balance can help or hurt you. Are you in balance? Read this article for tips on how to assess your balance and make the most of your lilfe.

Spread too thin? Involved in too much? Read about The Peanut Butter Theory, and learn how to make sure your bread tastes great.