The Minimum You Accept Is The Maximum You Get

Life is a compromise – we all know that – no one gets everything they want (sorry to disappoint you, idealists, out there). I, for one, want to compromise the least and have the fewest regrets about the compromises I make. What is my strategy?

Make smart, well informed, well thought out decisions, considering all the facts as I know them and anticipating the consequences of each option. A principle I apply that impacts consequences is the minimum you accept is the maximum you get. This suggests that where you compromise in life, whatever level or amount, quantity or quality you settle for, life rarely comes along and gives you more.

read more

How It Happens Lingers Longer Than What Happens

During the heyday of downsizing in corporate America, I worked as a trainer for a career consulting company and taught managers how to terminate employees with respect and dignity. It’s one of the most difficult duties a manager will ever perform; those who have done it will confirm that. I would tell managers how it happens lingers longer than what happens.

Long after separated employees have picked up their lives and moved on to new jobs their most vivid memories will not be that they were let go, but how they were let go – how the manager and the company treated them during the process.

read more

The Easiest Path To Career Success

You are special! Those are powerful words for sure. I’m sure you’ve heard them before; at least I hope you have. I’m not sure in what context, though, because there are many.

  • If your mother says it to you, she’s probably sharing her love for you and stroking your ego (which is perfectly within her motherly rights to do, I might add!).
  • If your friends say it with emphasis on the word special, they are probably giving you a hard time.
  • If you say it to yourself, you might be implying you deserve extra privileges.

But when I say it to you, and I am, I mean something totally different.

I believe that each one of us is special in our own way. I’m convinced there is something you do really, really well. As a matter of fact, you do it better than most people, and you easily do it better than most people. Do you know what it is? I hope so, and I hope you’ve found a way to express it in your life, because when you do, you and everyone around you benefits.

read more

Power Phrases For Your Interview

This week’s tip is for anyone who makes presentations, facilitates meetings, addresses people in formal settings, or wants to be more effective in casual conversation. Several factors affect the successful delivery of a message; today’s tip is how to speak powerfully using impact words.

Has the following ever happened to you? You listen to two speakers deliver essentially the same message, one following the other. The first speaker puts you to sleep and the second one grabs your attention and keeps you riveted to every word.

read more

How To Create More Excitement In Your Life

Want more enjoyment and excitement in your life, but can’t find the time or the space? If so, you are not alone, lots of people do. Interestingly enough, there’s one barrier that keeps most people at bay. When you identify what it is and remove it, wonderful things can happen.

By the way, the busier you are the more you’ll benefit by this message.

A couple of days ago I was in my doctor’s office. My doctor is fabulous and if you have a 10 o’clock appointment, nine out of ten times at 10 o’clock he’s sitting right in front of you. This day he was running late. The nurse came in and said, “Craig, I want to apologize, we’re running late. I’ll do my best to get you out of here on time.” I responded, “Take your time; I’m not in any particular hurry.” That shocked her, and she replied, “Thank you very much for that because it seems like just about everybody else is.”

read more

How A Challenging Employee Can Make You A Better Leader

Dear Leader, are your difficult folks driving you crazy? Do you have any bad apples that are wearing you out? You remember what they say about bad apples; one bad apple spoils the bunch. What they also say is that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

So, how do you turn your bad apples into lemonade?

If you find yourself tasked with managing a challenging person, you’re not alone; it’s very common. It’s also natural to wish you had a team of top performers, and to hope your bad apple magically improves or decides they would be happier somewhere else.

read more

6 Easy Steps To A Happier YOU

When life isn’t going the way you want, wouldn’t it be great to turn it around in your favor; to tilt the world your way a bit?! The good news is that everyone has a Recipe For Success; life ingredients, that when mixed together in the proper proportions reward us with fulfillment, happiness, and success. They make life exciting again.

A sad fact is that only certain people know their recipe well enough to access it when they most need it. Lots of people could be happier than they currently are. Knowing your Recipe For Success allows you to quickly transform a marginal situation into a memorable one.

read more