We look to tools and techniques to help us manage time.  And they can, to a certain extent.  They only work to the degree that we take a disciplined approach to their application.  The effectiveness of any time management tool is squarely in our hands.  To manage our time more effectively, we have to improve the way we manage […]

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Asking for and getting feedback is hard.  Most people never do it – even though conventional wisdom is that feedback makes us better and helps us achieve our goals.  To get the full advantage of feedback, it’s a good idea to think through the entire process — from asking to implementing. Let’s assume that you’ve asked for […]

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If you’re sitting at your desk, or standing at your workstation, doing the minimum, hoping the day will end soon, too bad!  You’re dying a slow death, and you’re contributing to the demise of your employer.  Anyone can have a temporary slump.  You just don’t have much energy and, in a way, you don’t even care.  You feel […]

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Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs teaches us that a sense of belonging is central. Given that basic human need, it’s not surprising that those who feel threatened by social and economic changes, like outsiders who are no longer central, are speaking out more and more.  When people feel ignored or undervalued, several things can happen. They might turn […]

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It’s hard to argue with the importance of getting enough sleep.  There are so many reasons we should get the amount of sleep mind and body require.  How much sleep differs person to person.  But you know when you haven’t had enough.  In addition to sleep contributing to good health, overall, sleep is important for learning new information.  So says a study […]

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During the Q&A, a participant said, “I’m always running late, and I don’t know why. I try to be on time, but it seems like I never am.” Then, she asked, “Why is that?” BIG question…profound question.

The answer appears to be obvious: plan better. Agreed?! Valid perspective; one that probably applies to many of us. But, this answer only scratches the surface. There’s more to uncover.

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    I don’t know a soul without bias of some kind.  Even the best intentioned among us harbor some degree of conscious or unconscious bias. It impacts workplace productivity and, as we’re reminded — seemingly daily — it determines the level of peace in our communities. In the workplace, and in every part of life, […]

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Whether I’m watching Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Nick Foles, Bryce Harper or Joel Embiid, I notice how they do what they do — the mechanical and mental aspects of their performance.     An important lesson — one many of us can learn from — is the resilience of those at the top of […]

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When you’re asked to give someone feedback, does it put you on edge?  Even when the request is made with genuine openness, do you feel afraid of being perceived as overly critical and being rejected because of what you share?  Trust me, you’re not alone.   Giving feedback is a scary proposition for most people.  Fear about giving feedback […]

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Your thoughts can make or break you. What you think affects how you feel.  Together, thoughts and feelings shape your life because they influence your behavior and determine what you see as possible.  The process you use to identify or recognize opportunities becomes a closed loop – life-defining and self-reinforcing.  Your imagination becomes more and more […]

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When someone asks how you are, do you launch into a litany of reasons that you’re crazy busy to overwhelmed?  Do you tick off the many competing priorities that keep you from catching your breath or relaxing?  Do you talk about being jealous of people who find time to exercise, entertain or garden?  Or how you’d do things differently if only […]

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No matter where we are in our company’s hierarchy, we all have someone to whom we answer. Most people report to a manager or supervisor, while those at the very top answer to a Board, stockholders or other key stakeholders. If you’re among the many with a boss, here are some tips to help you […]

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Living in the present sounds like such a simple goal – unless you’ve tried it.  If you have, you know how difficult fully experiencing NOW can be.  In our professional and personal lives, it seems like a luxury to stop and focus exclusively on what we’re doing right here, right now.  Too often, we devote too much time […]

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In an HR Magazine Q&A with Edward Hess, co-author of “Humility is the New Smart, Rethinking Human Excellence in the Smart Machine Age,” says, how well employees learn continuously and relate to others will become the great differentiator.   He points to increasing automation and cheap — or often free — access to information.  He says that the traditional […]

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There are many things in life that we can’t control.  But there are many things that we can. The key to better control is mindful living. Dr. Melanie Austin-McCain, an occupational therapist and Assistant Professor at New York Institute of Technology School of Health Professions, says that mindfulness can help us live a longer, more […]

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Who’s calling the shots in your life?  The answer may surprise you. The feeling of having lost control over ones time and energy utilization has reached epidemic proportions.  For many, it feels like someone else is in the driver’s seat…your job, your calendar, demands of family life, previous commitments that have taken on a life of their […]

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Steve Jobs once said, “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your inner voice.” Through early conditioning, most of us blind ourselves to the best of who we really are. We become untrusting, too busy, too intellectual, too committed to rules […]

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