Handling Criticism
QUESTION: My youngest son has been particularly prickly recently. Even when I try to express my suggestions in a positive way, he interprets it as criticism. When he bridled at some comments I made about interrupting people, he really became upset. Any suggestions? RESPONSE: Being...
The Two-Minute Rule
We’re all familiar with the Nike slogan, “Just do it.” If we apply this motto/suggestion/saying to anything that can be accomplished in two minutes or less, we will be using the “Two-Minute Rule.” Here is how it works. If you decide that an action can...
Think in Terms of More or Less Effective
Cognition can not be separated from emotion. What we think precedes what we feel, and often what we think triggers our emotions. Thinking in terms of “right” or “wrong” is especially dangerous because people become emotionally involved with these concepts. It...
Three Techniques for Influencing
There are three time-tested approaches for putting your ideas across to arouse interest and enthusiasm. The first is to use a fishing pole. Since it is very difficult to ram a hook into a fish’s mouth, the fisherman casts his pole temptingly near the fish. The fish is then enticed...
Reactions to Problems
Epictetus (pronounced Epic-TEE-tus) lived and taught in both Rome and Greece in the first century. Like stoic philosophers that preceded him, he dealt with logic, physics, and ethics. Epictetus taught that adversity introduces a person to oneself. On the occasion when a situation...
Comparing Yourself with Others
Do you compare crayons? Comparing is such a natural activity that we become a victim of its effects. Every time you compare yourself with another and think lesser of yourself, you fall into the abyss of a useless activity. Your feelings fall with you, and you have gained nothing. On...
Priorities and Time Management
If you truly want to manage your time effectively, stop thinking in terms of amount and start thinking in terms of priority. If you truly want to manage your time effectively, stop thinking in terms of amount and start thinking in terms of priority. Divide priorities into musts and...
Two Word-Tip
I share with you the greatest two-word tip of all time. I share with you the greatest two-word tip of all time. These two words are the single, best advice in improving your effectiveness in any endeavor. I encourage you to write these two words down and perhaps tape them to your...
Persistence
President Calvin Coolidge said, “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. President Calvin Coolidge said, “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not;...
Brain and Body Connection
“I think; therefore, I am” is perhaps the most famous statement in the history of philosophy. The statement by Rene Descartes, penned in 1637, still has a significant influence on our thinking in the 21st century. The statement is the foundation of Cartesian dualism...