Our values inform our decisions; they create our vision, shape our goals. Our values establish our beliefs and make us who we become. What are your 5 most important values? The first time I wrote my answers—over 20 years ago—was

General Rules: Put pen to paper. There are no wrong answers. We’re creating, not judging. Step 1: Write your challenge, problem, issue, or opportunity, in the form of a question. Be specific as possible. Example: How do I increase cash

I believe in the stuff I am handing out, in the firm I am working for, and in my ability to get results. I believe that honest stuff can be passed out to honest men by honest methods. I believe

Too many of us think that once we learn something, we own it forever. It’s just not true, it’s not “one and done.” Here’s the process: We learn. We unlearn. We relearn. When we concentrate on it and use it,

They say: Of course I’m serious about achieving my goals! No one says otherwise. Nevertheless, if you are serious, you’ll behave in a manner that proves it. It’s not enough to say it, you’ve got to take steps to move closer

If you’re a leader, or aspire to be one, I have a recommendation: Never use the excuse, “I didn’t get it done because I didn’t have the time.” That’s BS and everybody knows it! You’re the leader; if that’s your

When I was much younger I thought: If anyone can do it all, it’s gonna be me. I was wrong and not just about I couldn’t do everything, I learned that nobody can. Until I grasped this universal law, I scattered my

Watson and Crick, the discoverers of DNA—the secret of life—were asked why, with all the other brilliant scientists pursuing the answer, they were the ones who found it. After giving 4 or 5 expected “Aw, shucks…” answers, Watson observed: “We were not

We’ve been told: Experience is the best teacher. I disagree. Experience provides the opportunity to learn. We may learn by reflecting on our experience—learning from it, not by it, an important distinction. We’ve been told: Doing the same thing over

Three clients requested help with negotiation skills. It’s one of my favorite topics and here’s why. No matter who you are and what you do, you’re constantly negotiating. You’re trying to move others to your viewpoint, your activity, your belief.

I was speaking with a client the other day about a project I wanted to get going. When he asked me what my target date was for completion, I started to hem and haw and justify why I couldn’t give

What is Zero-based thinking? It’s a creative thinking exercise used to solve problems. It was developed by financial experts to analyze how business could improve its performance. It’s not so much what it’s called as what it can do for

Striving for perfection is self-defeating. Anytime you set an unachievable goal, you guarantee failure. Because it’s not achievable (therefore, not believable), we procrastinate, we start and never finish, and we beat ourselves up for not completing our task. We feel

I’ve been learning from Brian Tracy for decades. In his book, Maximum Achievement, he writes about the realities of the human condition. I first read this more than 20 years ago; I’ve read it often since. It got my attention.

Often I meet with people who are dissatisfied with their lives, their accomplishments, themselves. When I ask what they should do about it, every one of them knows the answer. Asked if they will, many waver, then backtrack. They explain in

I’m reflecting on the courage it must take to go into battle. I’ve never been in one. I don’t know how I would perform. Would I be courageous? I don’t remember where I first heard what follows. I don’t know

What do your co-workers expect of you? What do you expect of them? Of yourself? Understanding what’s expected is a key for professional development, for decision-making, for team-building, and for any significant achievement. “I know what she expects, I’ll do

Harvard Business Review asked Dr. Robert Cialdini expert on persuasion: Why does getting it in writing matter? His response? People live up to what they write down.* People live up to what they write down. It’s the reason for written,

How to excel at anything? For real? It takes three things. Balls, that’s two (and non-gender, thanks). And trainability makes three. Guts. Courage. Cojones. The willingness to struggle, to fight, to carry on. To get there, to not give up,

It’s easy to overlook the little things. But are they so little? It seems often they’re what can make or break a relationship. They’re dangerous, those little things—like not acknowledging others, their ideas, their contributions, them. A smile and “thank

The simple, elegant message of this little book is right on the inside cover: Be impeccable with your word.Don’t take anything personally.Don’t make assumptions.Always do your best. It’s direct and self-explanatory. Miguel Ruiz tells us to say what we mean. Words

I coach successful people. I deliver some hard truths. They don’t always like what they hear. I don’t always package it as well as I should. Many have the power to fire me instantly, and, at least, make my working

Don’t lecture us, remind us. The lectures just annoy. We’ve heard them so many times. Another one doesn’t help. But please remind me. Gently, if possible (I’m sensitive about my shortcomings). But I need that; I even want it.  Reminders

Talking to my client this week:He: I’m just not comfortable doing that.Me: I get it. Do it anyway. It’s the right thing. You’ll get more comfortable with it. We desire personal growth. Professional growth. Business growth. To grow means to

Why worry so much about what others think about you? Most often, you’re not in their thoughts. They’re thinking about themselves and the additional 50,000 thoughts they’ll have that day, just like you are. Sure, they think of you occasionally, but

Dan Pink, in his relevant book, To Sell Is Human, writes: One of nine workers in the USA is in direct sales. The other 8 are “non-sales” sellers who use persuasion to move others to give up something they’ve got for

Be careful what you allow, what you tolerate, what you accept. Often, it seems such a little thing, like telling a white lie. A white lie, seeming insignificant, is still a lie. When does a “little” lie become a “big”