Dear Teressa, I currently work part time in education and I absolutely LOVE IT!!! But I’m working a full time job I totally dislike. How does a single mother with two children, break into a career that she absolutely loves, even after exhausting her “network”, applying to numerous jobs in the education field, extremely active on […]

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Q: Dear Teressa, I have a burning desire and drive for making my Motivational Speaking business a huge success. It is important to mention that I discovered my purpose (Motivational Speaking) in 2010 but I started speaking at school during my spare time in 2007.  I am a full time employee at a public institution working […]

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I voluntarily had myself videotaped twice in the last few weeks. One taping was of a keynote address, the other of a golf lesson.  Both were incredibly instructive.  I picked up specific behaviors, many of them subtle, that I could only fully understand by watching myself in action.  Pictures really speak thousands of words, but […]

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Every week, the content of my Office Talk Report is based on a real-life scenarios – ones I’ve experienced as a facilitator, executive and personal growth coach, keynote speaker, as well as a manager and leader. Unresolved challenges at work and in life often get in the way of productivity and personal satisfaction. They cause us to question ourselves and the value of contributions we make.  Issues at […]

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The relaxed pace of summer is, essentially, behind us. Fall is nearly here. Hard to believe, but true. It’s time to refocus on “work” – whatever your age and stage in life. For the kids, its back to school. If you’re in the responsible adult category, you may feel called to re-engage with the particular […]

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In the late 70s, Teddy Pendergrass sang a song titled, “You Can’t Hide from Yourself.” The lyrics went on to explain, “You Can’t Hide from Yourself, because everywhere you go, there you are.”  How true! You are the one constant in your life.  So, it’s very important for you to be in charge of you.  […]

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I’ve been searching the web trying to figure out who first said, “Done is better than perfect.”  Long before it became synonymously attached to “Lean In” author Sheryl Sandberg, it was a phrase that perfectionists and endless tweakers used to break them of crippling, obsessive behavior. If you know who first said it, please shoot […]

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Do you know the work of Seth Godin?  Seth calls himself a writer, speaker and  change of agent.  Everyday, he produces and publishes thought-provoking ideas at sethgodin.typepad.com.  It’s the kind of content that make the reader say, “Hmmm, interesting.” Recently, he wrote a post about the impact of language called, “Words are hooks, words are […]

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“I hear and I forget.  I see and I understand.  I do and I remember.” Though Confucius spoke those words long ago, they remain relevant, today. We’re approaching the beginning of the new school year for children and adults who’ve returned to school or who are continuing through the advance degree process.  But even if […]

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Recently I heard a quote that got right to the heart of conflict and how to resolve it.  I’m paraphrasing, but it was along the lines of “conflict does not rise out of a clash of good and bad, it arises out of a clash of good and good.”  In other words, each conflicting party […]

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One of my favorite comic strips is set in a bookstore.  In one corner of the store, there is a section with a sign that reads, “Self Help. ” Right next to it, there’s a sign for the “Fixing Others” section.  The “Self-Help” section has one person in it while the “Fixing Others” section is […]

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“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.” Those were the tried and truthful words of late Apple founder Steve Jobs in his speech to Stanford University’s class of 2005. Through conditioning we blind ourselves to the best of who we really […]

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A recent Forbes article took a fresh look at what it takes to be an inspiring leader.  The six qualities described go beyond charisma and give proof that successful leadership not a one-size-fits-all equation. Do you possess the qualities that make others want to follow you? Are you a visionary – someone who provides a […]

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A coaching client, whose husband was teaching their son how to drive, told me a story that reinforces an important fact.  She said, one day, as her husband, once again, admonished their son for not using his right turn signal, their son pulled over, stopped the car, looked his dad in the eyes and said, […]

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For many, being assertive is difficult and the reasons are varied.  Maybe you don’t want to hurt feelings or come off as cocky and aggressive.  Or it could be that you don’t have confidence in your own opinion and fear that others will prove you wrong if you speak up. Assertiveness is about confidence.  It’s about belief […]

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Do you ever feel like you just want to whine and complain about your job, your boss, your company, your partner, your life?  We all do.  It’s normal, but there might be good buried beneath the bad feelings on the surface. While we call these feelings negative, they actually hold positive potential.  Don’t ignore them.  […]

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It’s that time of year again when newly-minted college graduates are hitting the pavement in search of that career-launching job.  This year’s outlook for graduating seniors is showing slight improvement over last year, but there’s still every reason to stack the deck in favor of success. Many job hunting techniques have changed over the years, but […]

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I was horrified by the Boston Marathon bombings, as was everyone with whom I spoke.  Recently, I received an email from my dear friend Bonnie St. John, who has been working directly with those who were unalterably affected.  An amputee since the age of 5, Bonnie is one who surmounts the LIES  that, too often, limit others.  Today, […]

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