There was a time when hard work was a celebrated virtue, PC meant computer, and face-to-face conversations weren’t made via phone. It was a time when airline travel was luxurious, politicians were considered role models, and celebrities were famous for the roles they took on, not … | Continue reading
Life isn’t about the number of ups and downs that you experience, but how you deal with them. Here are 7 ways to ride life’s ups and downs. | Continue reading
Wouldn’t it be great to live your life in reverse? That would enable you to benefit from all your life experiences. While I can’t make that happen, I can certainly share valuable lessons and encourage you to make the most of them. Please take 10 minutes to read this. It’ll blow y … | Continue reading
One of the mantras that you see all over social media is, “Be kind and considerate.” But should you need a reminder to behave that way? Although it’s easy to be considerate, some folks act like it’s a chore. They’re so focused on their own personal needs that they don’t even real … | Continue reading
If you care about someone and see them struggling, it’s only natural that you want to help them. The same can be said for someone with promise, but who’s falling short of their potential. Even though you want to help, your assistance isn’t always welcomed. In fact, it may be met … | Continue reading
There may be very little you can do to prevent tough times, but you can certainly prepare for them. Keep these 8 guideposts in mind. | Continue reading
When the subject of manners comes up, most people think about how to behave at the dinner table. Some behaviors that come to mind include chew with your mouth closed, refrain from reaching across the table, and leave your cell phone in another room. In addition, folks think about … | Continue reading
Did you ever face a problem so monumental that you felt like the world was caving in on you? You had no control over the situation, no one to help you, and you thought you’d never dig yourself out of the hole. Feelings of anger, fear, and hopelessness came over you. And you just … | Continue reading
What price does a leader pay for not having the trust and respect of his or her constituents? What does an employee lose by having a careless and unreliable reputation? And, what’s the downside of being a friend who’s known as a taker? The fact is that moral character can provide … | Continue reading
Don’t count your friends — count on them. Treat your friendships like a valuable treasure. Possessions wear out; relationships are forever. | Continue reading
Think of the people you idolize. Why do they impress you? Is it the possessions they’ve acquired, the power they’ve secured, or the fame they’re enjoying? Are you in awe of them because they’ve been able to achieve what most people can only dream about? On the other hand, when yo … | Continue reading
When was the last time you paused to acknowledge all the wonderful things in your life such as good health, a roof over your head, and people who love you? The fact is that most people are so busy chasing things they don’t have, that they fail to appreciate the things they do. Be … | Continue reading
Who contributes more to a household, the person who washes the dishes or the one who takes out the garbage? The person who cooks dinner or the one who does the laundry? The main breadwinner or the one who spends more time with the kids? If you think keeping score in any relations … | Continue reading
We live in an age of abundant information. You can search websites, read books and blogs, listen to podcasts, and examine research to become knowledgeable about almost every subject. But just because you get an answer doesn’t mean it’s accurate. As Richard Dawkins, the British au … | Continue reading
The power to achieve your goals is totally within your control. Here are 10 factors that may be holding you back. | Continue reading
If you want everyone to clear the bar, just lower it, right? Folks who embrace this fairy tale strategy won’t have a happy ending. They believe if you want to reduce complaints, don’t ask for feedback. If you want kids to have good self-esteem, offer praise — regardless of whethe … | Continue reading
When you request the status of something, some people respond by saying that they’ve assigned a lot of people to the effort, thrown tons of money at it, or they’ve already put in loads of time. Unfortunately, that doesn’t answer the question. It doesn’t matter how many hours they … | Continue reading
There are moments when you’re not at your best. You may be going through a tough time or having a bad day. I get it. But how do you behave the other 364 days of the year? Do you consider yourself a decent human being? We’re not talking about being a saint…just being a good... [Re … | Continue reading
People make promises at the drop of a hat: Politicians promise a better future, job applicants promise they’ll take the world by storm, and people like you and me promise to invest in our personal growth, take better care of ourselves, and even cut back on desserts. (Oh no!) When … | Continue reading
Achieving success doesn’t say as much about you as how you choose to wear it. Do you know the danger signs of an inflated ego? | Continue reading
With GPS, it’s so easy to find your way these days. I wish the same could be said for life’s journey. Some people give the journey of life considerable thought while others take each day as it comes. When we look back, we see how life unfolded and how we ended up at the finish... … | Continue reading
Some people think you learn the difference between right and wrong in some magical way. Others think schools or houses of worship are where morality and values should be taught. The truth is, if you don’t accept responsibility for shaping the moral character of the next generatio … | Continue reading
When you sail, you constantly maneuver to respond to changing wind conditions. That holds true in life. Although it’s great to have a plan, it’s equally important to roll with the punches to respond to an ever-changing world. As Mike Tyson, the former heavyweight boxing champion, … | Continue reading
Everyone knows that you can learn a lot from an exemplary role model. But despite that, you can learn from a lousy role model too. While outstanding role models showcase what you’re supposed to do, terrible role models demonstrate what not to do. What can you learn from someone w … | Continue reading
To My Readers: I’m honored to republish, with permission, Ideas to Transform You from Good to Better to Best by Rodger Dean Duncan, which first appeared in the June 29, 2023, issue of Forbes. In it, he interviewed me about issues that make the biggest difference in relationships … | Continue reading
We all know folks who sit on the couch with a beer in one hand and chips in the other screaming at the TV. They lambast the coach for the play that was called, as if they’re in a better position to know what to do. It’s so easy to second-guess decisions, criticize people for... [ … | Continue reading
Here’s to the superstars who epitomize the good in the world. They’re ordinary folks who make a difference in extraordinary ways. | Continue reading
Do you know how to inspire greatness in people? Here are 15 guideposts to consider. (FREE downloadable poster) | Continue reading
Most people start to think about their future in their 20s. They formulate their dreams of achieving wealth, power, and fame…and try to balance their professional goals with a rewarding life outside of work. But, if you reached those goals, would that constitute a meaningful life … | Continue reading
Leadership by Example: Be a role model who inspires greatness in others If behavior is contagious, is yours worth catching? Role models don’t have to be rich, powerful, or famous. They don’t have to be the most attractive, wear the fanciest clothes, or drive the most expensive ca … | Continue reading
Sometimes when people do bad things, alarm bells go off. Other times the act flies under the radar — because the only person who knows about the deed is the person committing it. They oftentimes dismiss the incident as unimportant because they didn’t get caught — and think that m … | Continue reading
Generally, when you make a mistake, you learn from it and move on. In other cases, however, poor choices become deeply ingrained as habits — which can lead to a lifetime of regret. Here are 25 choices that can change your life forever… Do you: Surround yourself with top-notch peo … | Continue reading
Do you know people who are phony? Two-faced hypocrites quickly give themselves away by their behavior. Here are 23 ways to spot one. | Continue reading
Why is it important to set achievable goals? When you set ambitious goals, it’s exciting, exhilarating, and if you hit your targets, you’ll receive well-deserved positive recognition. On top of that, thinking big and reaching for the stars is a no-lose proposition. If you achieve … | Continue reading
Are you living the life that you’re meant to live? Don’t just look. See. Don’t just hear. Listen. Don’t just be available. Be present. | Continue reading
Some people confuse giving with sacrificing. They think when they give something away, they’re giving something up — one minute you have it and the next minute you don’t. But the truth is, if you don’t want anything in return for your kind gesture, you gain as well. The recipient … | Continue reading
What turns customers off? Are you or your organization guilty of any of these twelve actions (or inactions)? | Continue reading
Do you want some great advice? I’ll give it to you, even though you probably won’t listen. That’s because if you’re like most people, you receive advice almost every day, and even though it’s sound, you don’t act upon it. Mind you, it comes from folks with excellent qualification … | Continue reading
Life is about trade-offs. After all, you can’t spend money like a drunken sailor and simultaneously build a substantial nest egg, nor can you stuff your face with junk food and expect to lose weight. (At least I haven’t found a way.) This principle applies to most choices in life … | Continue reading
When most folks hear the word selfish, they think of Scrooge-like people who won’t part with money or their highly prized possessions. True. But being selfish is not always about money. In fact, some of the greatest gifts don’t have any monetary value. To put it simply, you don’t … | Continue reading
Are you honorable or afraid of getting caught? Determine if the following 15 points are clear in your mind. | Continue reading
Everyone knows someone who’s a terrible role model. Some folks have character flaws; they’re rude, selfish, entitled, mean-spirited, or deceitful. Others exhibit poor behavior; they treat people like dirt, break promises at the drop of a hat, and refuse to accept responsibility f … | Continue reading
Did you ever attend a party where one person dominates the conversation? They think they’re on stage, performing for an audience. Similarly, have you ever attended a meeting where one person rambles on and on and on? I assume they’re trying to make a point, but for the life of me … | Continue reading
It can be lonely to stand up for what’s right. Quite frankly, it’s hard to remain true to your values when you’re pressured to abandon them, call out bad behavior when everyone looks the other way, and tell the truth when you know you’ll become the object of scorn. You may get bu … | Continue reading
How much of what you hear or read from friends, colleagues, leaders, and so-called experts is accurate, objective, fair, and comprehensive? | Continue reading
When times are good, people are upbeat. They think the sky’s the limit and good times will last forever. On the other hand, when times are tough, people get anxious, gloomy, and even lash out at others. They think, “Why Me?” Then, they proceed to blame the world for their circums … | Continue reading
It’s great to have strong convictions and believe in yourself — to a degree. But there comes a point at which people become so wedded to their ideas, that they never consider, much less admit, that they just might be wrong. I guess that’s human nature. But it’s a colossal mistake … | Continue reading
What would happen if everyone did the bare minimum? Essentially, you wouldn’t have to work hard, and you’d live a pressure-free life. On the other hand, you’d have food served to you on dirty plates, salesclerks who’d gossip with coworkers rather than help you, and people who’d s … | Continue reading