It's Time to Celebrate the New Year so it's Time to Set New Goals!

“Goals. There’s no telling what you can do when you get inspired by them. There’s no telling what you can do when you believe in them. There’s no telling what will happen when you act upon them.”
Jim Rohn

Being that we are about to begin a New Year, many of us will be making New Year resolutions to try and better our selves in many different aspects of our lives. I saw recently in a news article that 92% of people who set New Year resolutions do not accomplish them. This is shocking, but I realize I have been among the 92% on more than one occasion. The following are some tips to help us stay the course and reach our goals once they have been set this coming year.

1. Develop a Plan.

Most goals take time and discipline to accomplish, thus we must develop a plan to reach these goals. If the goal is a long-range goal, think of steps you will need to achieve along the way and then set milestones that will allow you to monitor progress and give you a sense of accomplishment.

2. Create Accountability and Measure Progress

Hold yourself responsible for your goals and frequently measure your progress. Creating methods and setting aside time now for when you will measure your progress and evaluate how you are doing throughout the year is important. Additionally, determine strategies of how you will make up for and overcome setbacks and a lack of progress along the way. Doing this will help you stay focused and motivated to reach your goals.

3. Reminders

We all need reminders to help us keep our eye on the prize. Find ways that will keep your goals fresh on your mind and that will help motivate you on a daily basis. Some ideas may include writing your goals on your calendar each day, having a post-it note on your computer monitor, or taping a note card on your bathroom mirror. Think of easy and effective ways you can remind yourself on a daily basis of the goals you have set for the year.

4. Reward Yourself

Determine now how you will reward yourself for making progress and for ultimately achieving your goals. Each time you measure your goals and you find you are on track or even ahead of schedule, reward yourself. Also, decide how you will reward yourself when the goal is finally accomplished.

I encourage all to set aside some time to set goals during this time of year. These goals should include different parts of your life such as professional, family, and personal goals. Goals will help you be a better you this coming year, and following the above steps will assist you in achieving your goals—putting you among the 8% who actually realize their goals. It’s time to celebrate a new year so it’s time to set some new goals. You can do it! Have a wonderful, prosperous, and goal-oriented New Year!

Put Off Death and Help Save America

We must be the change we want to see in the world.”
Mahatma Gandhi

I’ve worked in the healthcare industry throughout my professional career and have been interested in health all of my life. Today obesity, laziness, convenience, time constraints, and a lack of self-discipline plague our society and really threaten to destroy it—in more ways than one. This problem of poor lifestyle choices has led to an increase in healthcare costs, disease, and a decrease in quality of life. It plagues many individuals, families, homes, and communities, and it robs them from the life they could enjoy. Learning how to avoid common poor lifestyle choices that are so prevalent in our society will help us put off death and live more fulfilling lives. In fact, it will even help save America!

America is sinking in healthcare costs and poor life style choices. Our national consumption of healthcare has skyrocketed over that last several years and will continue to grow if we as a society do not make changes. Likewise, many individuals, homes, families, and communities deal with health tragedies that are avoidable. These health problems result in a lack of confidence, increased depression, a loss of work, and many other negative outcomes that impact the person and those around them. It is time for us to make changes to our poor lifestyle choices and resolve to take two easy steps that will help us put off death and save America!

Depending on how you look at it, fortunately or unfortunately, there is really no secret formula to putting off death and saving America other than following two basic principles. The first is to exercise on a regular basis. This New Year, make a goal to find something you enjoy doing that requires cardiovascular exercise such as soccer, kickboxing, or anything that will increase your heart rate. For me personally I love basketball and swimming. At times of the year it is hard for me to find enough people to play basketball or a body of water warm enough to swim in so I’ve learned to do other activities such as running stairs and jump roping. Finding something you enjoy doing will certainly help motivate you, and in fact, it will even make exercise seem like, well, like it’s not exercise. Other simple things to help discipline yourself to exercise frequently include finding friends who enjoy the same physical activities you do and setting aside a designated time of each day to exercise.

The second is just as obvious as exercising and it is eating healthy. I love to eat, and I love to eat food that tastes good! I’ve learned though that sometimes we need to put a limit on the amount of unhealthy or fattening food we eat. I’ve also learned food that is good for you can also taste great! Limiting our trips to fast food restaurants, restricting the amount of sweets around our home, and trying to avoid constant snacking can usually help in eating a healthier diet. Another no-no in maintaining a good diet is to avoid an over consumption of soft drinks. Soft drinks have been proven to increase the chances of obtaining many terrible illnesses and diseases from diabetes to kidney stones to obesity. Learning to eat foods that are good for your body will postpone death and will allow you to live a longer and more enjoyable life.

I am not a doctor, but I’ve been around doctors much of my life and I’ve read enough books written by doctors to know that what really works in helping us maintain our health is following these two simple steps. There is no magic cure to putting off death, but following these two simple steps will help you put off death, increase your confidence, and allow you to enjoy life more fully. It’s been proven that these two simple steps work. Just try it, and see and feel the difference in your life today! Join me in helping us save America!

(A great book to read on this particular subject on how to overcome poor lifestyle habits, and live healthy is The Culprit and the Cure listed on my "Book" page.)

The Christmas Challenge

In complete contrast to most Christmas wishes these days, last year after all of the presents were opened, my mother announced to my siblings and I that the only Christmas present she wanted for the next year was for each of us to perform some kind of service to others and write about our experience to her in a letter. At the time, I did not realize how difficult this task would be.

From serving as an Assistant Scoutmaster to participating in many other church and community service activities, each time I thought I was giving my mother her wish, I felt guilty. The reason is because I misinterpreted my mother’s request as one of personal sacrifice and suffering for the good of another. In other words, I understood her wish to mean that I should give something up and not enjoy the service I was giving even though I was helping others. In my mind, I thought feeling good while performing the service would disqualify it from fulfilling my mother’s desire.

As the year progressed, each time I was certain my next act of service could qualify sufficiently to fulfill my mother’s wish, I always felt strongly that it could not count as I experienced special feelings of gratitude and happiness. Throughout the year, as I attempted to do something that would help others while not filling me with love, I failed. The unexpected cycle continued as I began to realize I had a big problem on my hands, for I began to comprehend that I may be unable to fulfill the simple wish of my dear mother.

Then December came and I started to panic. How could I tell my mother I hadn’t done anything to carry out her Christmas wish?! In this desperate state, I called my family together and we planned several service-oriented activities in December. But as we began doing these things, the same feelings came to me, and were in fact intensified because of the Christmas season. I wondered again how these acts of service could fulfill the wish of my mom for I was being blessed for giving to others.

Now on Christmas Eve, I’ve come to understand that I’ll never be able to serve others and not be rewarded inwardly for it. Thus, I don’t think I will ever be able to give my mother what I presumed she wanted—though I’m certain my presumption was wrong.

This year and especially during this Christmas Season, what I’ve come to accept from my mother’s challenge is that when we give of ourselves whether it is our money, time, talents, etc., we are nearly always rewarded more in return with feelings of happiness, peace, satisfaction, and joy. The more I served others, the better I felt.

My heart was filled with joy this year and so will yours this coming year as you take my mother’s Christmas challenge and find ways to serve others. I learned, or was reminded, the more we serve others, the more we actually receive in return. What a shrewd and wise mother who understands what happiness in this life is all about! I sincerely wish a Merry Christmas to all—but especially, I wish a Merry Christmas to you Mom!

A Christmas Story

As we near Christmas Day, I think it is important to reflect on what this Holiday season means to you and your family. I sincerely wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

The Strand I Could Not Fix
By Janet Perez Eckles

Like fog in the morning, the spirit of Christmas had vanished. Still, I shuffled in the garage. One by one, I retrieved the bins I’d stored the previous Christmas. While the aroma of sugar cookies wafted through the air and Silent Night played in the background, I began the decorating.

Placing the nativity scene as the focal point of our family room, I spread the rest of the decorations around the house: red and green candles, musical boxes with winter scenes, and bright red poinsettias framed with green garland adorned with burgundy, velvet bows. They all transformed our home into a lively winterland.

Next, I retrieved three stockings to fill the marked places above the fireplace; each embroidered with our sons’ names: Jason, Jeff, and Joe. Once Jason and Jeff’s were hung, with tears burning my eyes, I clutched Joe’s against my chest.

The empty stocking sears my heart. It’s been five years since the Lord called Joe home. Five years that Joe’s absence left an emptiness we can almost touch. And five years that God’s grace wiped away portions of the grief that flogged our hearts. But often, it’s the scorching pain that opens our eyes to a bigger picture.

Years ago, when our three sons, including Joe, were still young, I focused on providing a perfect Christmas; a perfect tree to wrap a perfect celebration. As a result, little things tended to roil in me such as a light strand that refused to shine because of a burned bulb. Annoyed at the glitch, I promptly set off to resolve it —I fussed, I rearranged, plugged and unplugged until frustration grew hot in me.

How foolish and silly. I focused on that one bulb, dismissing the glow of the star atop the Christmas tree. I’d done the same with light bulbs that burned in my life—from broken relationships to shattered plans. Exerting tons of energy trying to fix them, I missed the star-- the one that gave significance to my life.

When that void in our heart aches to be filled, it’s the star of comfort that makes it whole. When bitter sorrow robs the spirit of Christmas, it’s the star of His genuine love that whispers joy. When a health diagnosis shakes our world, it’s the star of reassurance that shines the certainty of new tomorrow’s. It’s the same star that never loses the brilliance of hope, incomprehensible hope, one we can only embrace when all strands of life burn out.

With eyes focused on the star, I hang Joe’s stocking along with his brothers’; not empty anymore—but filled with sweet memories--his wit, laughter, his hugs and kisses.

For that reason, God called it His "Morning Star" to dispel our darkness, dry our tears and repair strands we cannot fix.
You can visit the author’s website at www.janetperezeckles.com

The 3 Signs of a Miserable Job

“The opportunity for differentiation from competitors by building a culture of job fulfillment cannot be overstated.”
Patrick Lencioni

Have you ever had a miserable job? I think we all have! While reading The Three Signs of a Miserable Job by Patrick Lencioni, a light bulb went off in my head as I realized his simple message of how to avoid miserable work was very powerful and true as I’ve experienced both success and seen failure in business based on his three unambiguous signs. Managers who can have the discipline and tenacity to implement and follow the concepts found in this book will not only be able to run a highly successful business, but they will also be an effective leader in any aspect of life. Reading this book and taking it to heart is well worth the effort!

The book, The Three Signs of a Miserable Job, relates a story about a business leader who discovers three significant characteristics that contribute to miserable work. And though these three elements are fairly obvious and simple, the author argues that very few managers or companies try to avoid them. In this book, through an interesting and easy to read story, the value of organizational culture is exposed as the main character proves its value through leading three very different companies to success. Eliminating the three signs in the workplace will build and solidify an excellent organizational culture and will steer it clear of supplying miserable work to employees.

Sign #1—Immeasurement
Have you ever wondered if you are doing a good job at work? Removing immeasurement seems simple enough and many may even say all companies measure the progress of their workers—at least on an annual basis at a minimum. However, the author challenges organization to do much more. He suggests employees need to have completely objective daily measurements. In our instant feedback world, daily measurements allow employees to know every day whether they have done a good job. This daily measuring increases job satisfaction and productivity. As the book states, “People want measurables so that they can get an intrinsic sense of accomplishment.”

Sign #2—Irrelevance
Have you ever questioned whether your job matters and makes any difference? Taking away irrelevance out of a job helps employees feel valuable. Every job makes a difference to somebody and in particular, to that person’s boss. In fact, each day we influence our co-workers days for the better or for the worst, thus our jobs are important because we impact others. Helping employees understand how their job is relevant and important is key to avoiding miserable work. People need to feel they are making a difference in the world and a difference to someone else. Creating meaningful work destroys miserable work.

Sign #3—Anonymity
Have you ever felt underappreciated at work? Getting rid of the typical “business relationship,” is how to avoid miserable work. That’s right; we need to get to know one another on a personal level. In particular, a manager should know about the personal lives of their subordinates like how many kids they have, where they graduated from school, and what hobbies they have, as some examples. Human beings like to feel understood and unique—thus managers have a responsibility to help them feel this way. Treating people like people will help managers create a strong company culture.

Overcoming these three characteristics of a miserable job will lead a company to greater accomplishments and will help a leader gain greater results. As the book argues, success is a direct result of a bunch of people who love their jobs. Creating this love and developing this ideal organizational culture will certainly be worth the effort in the long run. So let’s put an end to miserable jobs!

The Art of Listening

“Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”
Stephen Covey

How many times have you felt frustrated because someone wasn’t listening to what you had to say? Now, how many times have people felt frustrated because you weren’t listening to them? Poor listening is an epidemic in business, in our communities, and in our families. Poor listening results in frustration, wasted time, and misunderstanding that can at times have catastrophic results and ruin relationships. Learning to listen well is well worth the effort.

Listening is an important skill that must be developed and practiced in all situations to become truly successful. Unlike simply hearing, listening requires actual understanding and internalizing of what is being said.

One study in a large organization discovered that employees felt angry, frustrated, unimportant, insulted, and dissatisfied when they thought others were not listening to them. On the other hand, the employees felt interesting, important, good, amazed, and appreciated when they felt someone had listened to them. Based on these results, employers can greatly enhance the satisfaction, motivation and productivity of their work force simply by listening better. This is a very cost effective way to improve an organization and to improve oneself!

Deep listening is not easy, because it takes effort. Listening is an active process that involves focus and attention. Luckily, good listening is a skill that can be practiced and learned through dedication and discipline. Consequently, we have control over choosing to be a good listener or not; there are no excuses!

Listening is even more important in our personal lives than our professional lives. As we listen more carefully to our spouses, children, parents, friends, and loved ones, we demonstrate our love, respect, and appreciation for them. This in turn will have a profound positive effect on your personal and family relationships.

As we learn to listen better, we will be able to better understand and respond to others. Additionally, good listeners are better at completing tasks, helping settle disagreements, and building stronger relationships. Truly listening to others tends to soften the heart and create rapport and confidence. Becoming a better listener today will enhance your relationship skills and thus your leadership skills in addition to helping you become more effective in persuading and motivating others. Making a conscious attempt to be a better listener is well worth the effort. So, make a commitment today to be a better listener!

The Power to Change

“We must look at change as possibility, a chance to be more successful.”
Rick Pitino

Change is inevitable in our world today. From changes in technology to changes in the workplace, our communities, schools, and even our homes, things are constantly evolving. Change can be difficult to deal with, but it can also present wonderful opportunities and experiences to learn and grow as a person. So, how do you react to change? Do you shun it or embrace it? Or are you somewhere in-between? Making change work for you rather than against you is an important characteristic of a good leader, and it can help you have a more rewarding and successful life.

Often, we can be scared of change, because in most instances, we cannot control it. This lack of control and uncertainty over the effects of change can be distressing. However, it can also be exhilarating and motivating, and it can cause deep reflection, self-evaluation and ultimately excellence. Viewing change as an opportunity to learn and experience new things will help you through the transition of change. Facing change as a challenge and a springboard rather than a hindrance and a roadblock will help you be successful. The following are four basic ideas to help you not only cope but conquer change in your world.

1. Be Flexible and Prepared

To deal with change effectively, you must be prepared and be flexible. You must accept that things in this world are constantly changing, especially in our modern times. You also must understand things won’t always be the way they are right now, so you will need to learn to adapt and do things differently when the time comes. Remember, life is full of unexpected surprises, and how we choose to react to them will define us as a person. Additionally, it is impossible to shelter ourselves from change, because change is inevitable. So, be prepared, flexible, and willing to deal with change as it comes.

2. Be Positive

When dealing with a difficult change, try to remain positive. Though this can be tricky, look for ways the change may help you. Search for lessons you can learn from the change, and try to discover the meaning behind the change. Also, change often is good in the long run even though in the present it may seem anything but good. Remember, though the uncertainty change produces is unsettling, it can help shape you and drive you to become a better person. Having a positive attitude will greatly enhance your ability to deal with change effectively.

3. Be Confident

It is important to be confident with change. Often we fear change, because we are afraid that somehow we will be less successful or less capable because of the change. It is important to be confident that regardless of any type of change, you can be successful. It may take significant effort, but have the confidence and determination that if you’ve been successful before the change, you can surely be successful after it.

4. Live a Purpose Driven Life

Try to have a purpose in life that defines you as a person. Be true to yourself. This will help you deal with change, because it can provide a constant anchor amidst these tumultuous times of change. Being firm in who you are and what you believe in will help build your confidence, and it will give you something that is firm and solid--something that can only be changed by you. Living a purpose driven life will effectively help you in dealing with change.

Learning the power that lies in being able to change is essential in our world today. Many leaders fail because of their inability to accept and adapt to change. Don’t let change ruin who you are, what you feel, or how you view the world. As you learn to accept and embrace change, you will become a more effective leader, and you will be ready to have success in this very dynamic world we live in. It’s exciting!! So start developing your ability to deal with change effectively today!

Collaboration is Key!

Where there is convergence and focus, individual mediocrity may well sum up to collective brilliance. In their absence, individual brilliance may well sum up to collective mediocrity.”
Hamel & Prahalad, Competing for the Future

Collaboration is quickly becoming a “key” word not only in business but also throughout the world. As competition intensifies due to technology and globalization, businesses, countries, and even communities are fighting for precious resources and economic growth. Thus, leaders are starting to realize they must learn to collaborate with others to succeed. Leaders see that simply working harder isn’t enough anymore, but that they must also work smarter and together. What does this mean for us? This means we have to be not only willing but also an active participant in collaboration.

Becoming an active participant means we work with others in our businesses, schools, and communities to solve problems in the most efficient and effective way possible. This means communicating, effectively strategizing, compromising, and working with others to create win-win situations. This means putting aside any bad feelings, regret, hatred, discrimination, or negative perceptions we may have toward others. This does not mean we give up what we want in business, life, or in our community; but on the contrary it means we look for ways to support others wants and ideas while at the same time helping them to support us with ours. If we take what we are trying to accomplish seriously, to have the greatest outcome and to be the most effective, we must find ways to collaborate.

Often we are put in tough situations where what we are trying to accomplish is in contrast to what others are trying to accomplish. This often can lead to tension and uncomfortable situations that pit us against others. To handle these situations, be frank in discussing why what you are trying to accomplish is important, because often there is misunderstanding of what each party wants. From there, find similarities and common ground on what each group is working toward, and try to find ways to collaborate and work together. These will be perfect opportunities to find new and smarter ways for both groups to work towards their goals.

Also, as you work with others who are difficult, frequently use the words partner, teamwork, and collaboration in your conversations and written communication with them; it will surprise you how many doors this will open. As we collaborate together in our businesses, schools, and communities we will be able to have excellent outcomes, and we will be able to achieve our goals. By doing this we will remain afloat in our increasingly competitive world. Seek ways to collaborate today!!

Lastly, the following are some ideas of how to take a better and more collaborative approach to problems or issues:

*Set-up a brain storming session where all are able to express their opinions.
*List the pros and cons of each solution or idea.
*Offer to implement a solution for a certain time period, and then meet back to assess its usefulness.
*If you are able to and if necessary, leave the issue for a short time period before readdressing the issue.

Do You Believe?

“It is important to remember that we all have magic inside us.”
J.K. Rowling

This past weekend my family and I attended an interesting movie called Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium. Before the movie I really had no idea what to expect, and I knew very little about it. In fact, my only preconceived notion of the movie was it was a kid’s movie that my three children would enjoy. However, I was pleasantly surprised as the overall message of the movie was very powerful.

Mahoney, an unaccomplished pianist works as a manager for a very unique and successful toy store. She has been at this job for a while, has feelings she is getting older and needs to move on, and is interested in pursuing her music career. But, Mr. Magorium has other plans for her. You see, Mr. Mogoruim is very old and is dying, so he wants Mahoney to take over the store. Mahoney lacks the self-confidence that she can do it, because Mr. Magorium has done such a remarkable job. However, thanks to some help from some friends, when she believes in herself, the store is “magical” once again.

Now, my question to you is do you truly believe in all you are capable of?! Unfortunately, I think most of us lack confidence and the guts to pursue our dreams with our whole hearts. We often feel inadequate, and we question our own abilities and talents. Too often we listen to cynics and critics who would have us be less than what we have the potential to become. In the movie, we see doubt leads to disappointment and sadness as well as a very gloomy and dark toy store; however, when we believe in ourselves there is joy and hope, and the toy store is bright, alive, and magical. This message is one we all can take to heart and strive to learn.

Like Mahoney in the movie, you can accomplish great things when you believe, for believing is achieving. Believing will help you realize your goals and be successful. Truly Believing will allow you to attain anything you put your heart to. Just as Mahoney in the movie learned to believe in herself—that she could run a successful and magical toy store—so too can we learn we can be magical in our own lives. Anything is possible when you believe. Quoting from another kid’s movie, “there can be miracles when you believe”(Prince of Egypt), being believing will lead you to greatness!

5 Easy Steps to Help Build Your Confidence Today

“Adversity will usually start to resolve itself when you begin to take action.”
Rick Pitino

Confidence is an important part of anyone who is successful whether you are a teacher, a mechanic, a mother, or a business leader. Learning to deal with and overcome fear will allow you to build your confidence and face any challenge that may come your way. The following are five easy ways to begin to build your confidence today.

1. Think Positive

Your thoughts have a powerful affect on who you are and what you can become. If you think you are lacking self-confidence, you are probably right. On the other hand, if you think you are full of confidence, you are probably right also. Learning to have positive thoughts will help in boosting your confidence—thus when negative thoughts enter your mind, quickly push them away, and redirect them toward positive thoughts. As you learn and train yourself to do this, your confidence will significantly increase. This may seem easy, but it is not. It takes practice and effort, but it works.

Additionally, begin to envision what being confident will feel like and how your life will be different with increased confidence. Take a few minutes each day to imagine how you will act when you are full of confidence, and then try to live that way. As you dwell on these positive thoughts and begin to feel what confidence is like, you will begin to be more confident.

2. Identify your Successes

We all have talents, skills, success stories and obstacles we have overcome in life—so think about what they are, and reflect on them. It may be helpful also to write them down so you can review them when you feel you are lacking in confidence. Remembering what you’ve already achieved and conquered will help you build your confidence moving forward.

3. Exercise

How does exercise relate to confidence? Exercising raises your adrenaline and heart rate helping you to feel strong, healthy, and even happy. Exercising on a frequent basis will increase your confidence, because it helps you feel and look better. Also, exercising increases your energy level and will fuel your determination to reach your goals and work harder. Simple, consistent, and frequent exercise has many benefits and can increase your confidence quickly.

4. Eliminate Fear

People who lack confidence are often afraid of something. Eliminating fear or at least identifying it and channeling it towards good can help you achieve a greater level of confidence. So, to overcome fear you must control your thoughts and then do whatever it is that you are afraid of—facing the fear head on. For example, if you have a fear of speaking in front of others, challenge and force yourself to find every opportunity you can to speak in front of a crowd. Instead of letting fear hold you back, you need to use it as a motivator to push you forward. Try to view fear as a challenge or game to overcome. This may be frightening; so start with small steps and work your way up. In time, as you continue to challenge your fears, your confidence will grow and your fear will diminish. Don’t let fear be a hindrance or a deterrence but instead use it as a stepping-stone to building your confidence.

5. Don’t take yourself too seriously

One last suggestion to begin building your confidence today is by learning to not take yourself too seriously. Understand everyone makes mistakes, and making mistakes is an important step in learning and developing skills. Being afraid to make mistakes will only lead to a lack of confidence and fear. Accept the fact that making mistakes is okay. When mistakes are made, learn from them and simply think about how you can improve the next time; then move on. Don’t dwell on mishaps. Laughing out loud or listening to music you enjoy will help you relax and loosen up after a mistake or when you feel your confidence is shaky. And lastly, always take ownership for your mistakes. Fess up and commit to be better. As you do this, your confidence will grow.

Following these simple suggestions will help your confidence begin to increase almost instantly. As you gain confidence, you will enjoy life more, and you will have the ability to achieve great things as you more fully maximize your potential. Gaining confidence will help you be a successful leader and live a better life. Commit to building your confidence today!

The Right Approach

“Treat people with integrity and decency, and generally they will respond in kind.”
Unknown

In today’s society, the right approach can mean everything. Whether it is negotiating a deal, assigning a task to a co-worker, or even disciplining a child, the right approach is vitally important in all we do. Likewise, taking the right approach often defines a truly effective leader. After all, how many times has someone asked you to do something, leaving you feeling resentful, unmotivated, and bitter? The wrong approach is common and ineffective, and it often leads to unnecessary stress and contention at work or in the home. Thus, learning and developing the right approach is key to success in almost every circumstance.

Taking the right approach today may be much different than it was in the past. Yesterday’s approach of command and order is out the door, and it has been replaced with a more flexible and collaborative undertone. Using “you will, you have to, because I said so, because I’m in charge” needs to be replaced today with “will you, does that work for you, how about this, what do you think, and please and thank-you.” This collaborative and respectful approach will lead to greater results as you guide and shape those you lead.

Additionally, in years past the boss gave directions without question, but today’s boss must give more feedback to be effective. Most people today expect to know why they are doing what they are being asked to do, so tell them. Explain to them why what you are asking them to do is important and how it may benefit them as well. Tell them the positive consequences of following through and doing a good job. This does not have to be an elaborate spiel but simply a quick sentence or two. Giving a quick explanation will help others learn, develop, and understand why certain things must be done, and will encourage them to do it. In fact, with the right approach they will probably want to do it. This will build their self-confidence and satisfaction as well as their confidence in you. They will more readily follow.

Taking the right approach is not easy and takes discipline and practice. In you conversations, resist the urge to accuse, blame, ridicule, or belittle other’s responses, questions, opinions, accusations, or emotions. Instead remain calm and composed and listen to the input of others. This will allow you to more easily influence others to do what you’d like them to do.

Does this mean the right approach today must make you soft and give in to others? Absolutely not, and in fact, it can mean just the opposite, as it will give you more power and control over the situation. Though staying calm and polite is important, having the right approach also means you remain true to your convictions and talk openly, candidly, and honestly about your opinions and views. It means you are firm on the issue at hand but not on the person. You can disagree with grace and remain in control. As you take this approach, people will mirror your behavior and also want to work together rather than against one another. Taking the right approach will motivate others.

Today, successful people need to be professional and smart in all of their approaches to be strong leaders and persuasive within their roles. Doing this is important in any situation; so take a few minutes when confronted with difficult circumstances, and stop and think about how you will take the right approach to reach the best possible outcome. Taking the right approach will greatly enhance your ability to lead and make you a better person. Strive today to take the right approach in all of your interactions!

4 Things to Avoid Doing at Work!

I thought today I would lighten things up a little bit with some funny and embarrassing personal stories. All of us make mistakes at work and sometimes really stupid ones. Below are 4 stupid mistakes I hope you can avoid at work. If not, its okay; learn to laugh them off and do better the next time.

1. Never crash the company car (especially in front of your boss!)

When I was a young and ambitious operations manager I had one of the most embarrassing experiences in my life. I was driving in a company car in a client’s parking lot looking for a place to park when I saw my boss and the client walking across the lot. I quickly tried to get their attention and wave to them when boom, I crashed into a parked truck. My boss looked the other way acting like he didn’t know me, and the client just shook his head wondering who was this dim-witted person crashing into parked cars. Needless to say, I learned my lesson to keep both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road even when other vehicles are not moving!

2. Don’t send emails while conversing on the phone

I once was writing my boss an email about one of our clients. In the email I wrote about who I thought were the gatekeepers in the organization and whom we needed to win over in order to be successful. When I was just about finished writing the email my phone rang. I picked up the phone and began conversing while proceeding to finish composing the email, and then I hit send while still on the phone. A few minutes later I received a response from the client I had written about in the email. I realized at that time I had sent the email not to my boss but to the client!! The email response simply stated, “Thanks.” As expected, my relationship with this client was a little awkward for a little while after this incident.

3. Don’t forget to knock before opening the restroom door

This may seem strange as most restrooms at work have a lock on them and people tend to use them, but one day I learned the value of knocking on a restroom door before opening it at work. On one occasion, when nature called I headed to the bathroom. When I opened the door—to my surprise—there was a co-worker of the opposite sex using the proverbial hot seat. Some how in her haste she had forgotten to lock the door. As you can guess, our relationship has never been the same since.

4. Don’t call the wrong person the wrong name

I hope I’m not the only one who calls people the wrong name from time to time. In fact, growing up in a large family with many siblings and then having multiple kids myself it seems almost natural. I’ve learned however calling the wrong person the wrong name can be very painful.

One time when I was working for a hospital as a contracted employee, my boss was visiting. I was telling him how we had made an immediate impact on our client as we had successfully built many strong relationships with many key people within the hospital. While we were walking around I was introducing him to people. As I approached the Director of Patient Relations I introduced her as Mary to my boss. This apparently was not her name as she quickly corrected me and stormed off down the hallway. My earlier spiel about my relationship building to my boss quickly lost all credibility.

I hope you enjoyed (and can relate to) some of these stories. Making mistakes is part of life, and learning to overcome them can be challenging. In my own life, in the past, I’ve let mistakes linger and haunt me for too long. Learning to apologize, take responsibility, laugh them off, and let them go will make life much easier and more enjoyable. Remember that everyone makes mistakes from time to time. Learn your lesson when you make a mistake and move forward with a determination to do better the next time!

The World Is Flat

Though once believed to be round, thanks to modern technology, the world is flat once again. This flattening effect can either hurt us or help us depending on how we react to it. Our future lies in our own ability to take advantage of the flat world. Are we ready to compete in this type of environment?

The World is Flat is a book written to snap our country back to reality and take careful notice that our world is flattening. Though this can be somewhat unsettling, the books main message is not one of panic or doom but rather of hope, education, and imagination. Learning and continuing to innovate and compete—which are hallmarks of our country—will lead to continued success even as the landscape of the playing field continues to change significantly.

Today, many “American” jobs are being outsourced at an unprecedented pace leaving our country’s boundaries for others such as India and China, but is this bad for America? From preparing taxes to taking orders at your local drive thru restaurant, jobs are being outsourced throughout the world. However, contrary to what many believe, the author shows how the more efficient companies become, the more jobs they are able to create for all.

Likewise, technology from web conferencing, to cell phones and companies such as Google and Apple, are all greatly contributing to making the world truly a small place and providing opportunities for all, not just the U.S.

As Americans, we must realize the competitive landscape of our economy is changing. At one time competition was between a person and his neighborhood. It then grew to a person and his town, then his region, then state, nation, and now the world. We are living in a world that is rapidly becoming flat in terms of competition, as technology allows jobs and businesses to operate from anywhere around the globe. Additionally, small companies are able to compete against large companies, and large companies are able to act small. Equally, what was once competition between American companies, schools, and students has changed to global competition. No longer are our students competing against only one another for jobs, they are now also competing against millions and millions of Indians, Chinese, and Russians who are all hungry for the chance to compete, earn money, be successful, and win. Americans need to remember the world is competitive and to remain on top, we must work smart and work hard.

Thus, one primary and important message from this book is that America needs to wake up and refocus on education. Too many other countries are passing us in terms of educational ability, and it seems we are quickly forgetting what has helped us reach the top. American’s sense of entitlement needs to be put in check, and our interest in the inconsequential needs to be eliminated and replaced with the desire to learn, compete, and win.

Another message from the book is resources are dwindling while more and more people around the world are demanding them. This means we must be smart with the resources we have, and we must develop new ways to replenish them instead of only depleting them.

Another message is that collaboration is key. Rather than fighting the flattening of the world, we should embrace it. Though somewhat scary, the flat world will provide wonderful opportunities and experiences for Americans and the world. Choosing to fight against the flat world or building unnecessary walls will only hinder our progress. We must find ways to cooperate and collaborate with all. The author solidifies this point in the book using examples of many foreign countries economies that are soaring due to their acceptance of the flat world such as India and China. These countries have embraced new technology and have used it to their advantage. Countries that are stagnant or that continue to struggle with little hope for change are those countries that are fighting against or are ignoring the flat world. These are countries that try to build walls and isolate themselves from others rather than collaborate and partner together. Countries that accept this new world platform will find success. In addition, the author of this book argues that it is possible for every country to improve simultaneously without having to take away from one country in order to add to another.

Lastly, as one of the chapters of the book is titled, “This is not a test!” As America moves forward, we must understand and accept the ideas and concepts found in this book to succeed. Do we realize the world is flattening all around us, and do we accept the fact that we will need to be more educated, more skilled, more capable, and more imaginative to maintain our place in it? America can do it, but it will take the best effort from each and every one of us. It is time for us wake up and remember our place in the world must be earned. It is time for us to prove our abilities and live up to our heritage. It is time for us to excel, it is time for us to be American!

An Attitude of Gratitude

"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has."
Epictetus

In a recent study, hundreds of people were divided up into three groups. Every group was assigned to begin writing a daily diary, but the subject matter each group was to write about was very different. The first group was simply to write about their daily events. The second group was to write about everything bad that happened to them throughout the day, and the third group wrote about all the things they were thankful for that day. After a short time, the study found those who wrote down what they were thankful for experienced much higher levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, optimism, and energy with less depression and stress than the other groups of writers. Also, the group writing what they were thankful for was more likely to help others, exercise, and achieve personal goals. In addition, the study found gratitude triggers a reciprocal cycle of kindness—meaning one act of gratitude almost always encourages another. (http://www.acfnewsource.org/religion/gratitude_theory.html)

Based on this study and the reciprocal affect of kindness produced by gratitude, this Thanksgiving Thursday must mean more to us than simply being thankful and eating a large meal with family and friends. Thanksgiving this year must be about developing an attitude of gratitude!! This attitude of gratitude will better our life physically, emotionally, and mentally as well as touch and help the lives of others.

Developing an attitude of gratitude simply means being grateful and showing appreciation for others as often as possible. Showing thanks will allow us to build rapport and esteem with those we interact with on a daily basis and give credibility to us as a good friend, family member, and leader. Indeed, giving sincere thanks and appreciation often defines great leaders. Developing an attitude of gratitude this Thanksgiving—that we carry with us throughout the year—will help us build relationships and live a more satisfying life.

So, think of those who are influential in your life or who are always helping you, and find ways to show more appreciation towards them. Be grateful and full of thanks by expressing your gratitude freely. By doing this, your fire will burn. Be more than just being grateful this Thanksgiving! Determine now to develop a life-long commitment to having an attitude of gratitude!

About the Author

Tim Burningham is the author of the content on this site. Tim has many years of management and professional business experience and has had the blessing to work with lots of successful organizations and professionals during his career. He is an expert in business and leadership development and business strategy. He currently serves as a CEO for a growing healthcare company. Tim is an MBA honors graduate.

Tim has a passion for leadership and personal development and believes each person and each organization has the potential to be great. He also has a love and enthusiasm for life that is contagious. Although Tim loves inspiring and coaching others and although he has enjoyed a successful career, Tim’s greatest satisfaction in life comes from being a husband and father. He has five children who he loves to spend time with. Indeed, in many ways, the content on this site is written for them.

If you’d like to contact Tim, please email him at burntham@gmail.com.

Contact Me

I want to hear from you! If you have any suggestion on how I can improve this site, please email me your ideas or comments to burntham@gmail.com.

Quotes

The Quotes section of the site is designed to provide meaningful and motivational thoughts to you quickly. Many times I will begin my blogs with a quote. These quotes have significance to me, and they have helped to fuel my inner fire or ignite my fire when it’s burning very low. So check them out when your fire is burning strong or when it is only a spark, and see if they can’t ignite or add fuel to your fire!

Another reason for the Quotes section is because often at work and in other activities I’m called on to give presentations, speeches, or talks. These quotes can help in preparing these presentations, and they can add power and validation to the message. When you have a similar assignment, see if a quote can’t add more punch to your project.

Lastly, as I’m constantly reading, I’m always finding new quotes I like. Thus, the list will continue to grow. Check back occasionally to see if there are any new quotes that may be of inspiration or importance to you; and keep that fire burning!

Additionally, if you have a quote you think should be added to my list, please send me an email at burntham@gmail.com.

Inner Fire

I believe each person has a special and unique fire within them. This fire pushes each of us to be different, to reach our potential, and to achieve great things if we allow it to. However, on a daily basis we are also surrounded by negativity, sorrow, regret, indulgence, crime, and filth as portrayed through the media. With technology, these messages are entering our homes constantly and with great ease. Hence, as the media surrounds our lives through the Internet, television, music, movies, and other outlets, it is impossible for us not to be persuaded by its messages. Too often these messages influence us to be less than what we can and ought to be--they interfere with us reaching our potential. They sway us to believe morals are not important, that self-respect is lost, and that indulgence is the only way of life. This plethora of negativity and deception can result in us giving in to mistakes, hopelessness, anger, misery, and sadness—essentially quenching our inner fire.

We can overcome these messages, because although we are often surrounded by negativity, positive messages do exist in our world; we just have to seek them out. We can nourish this inner fire by seeking out things that are uplifting, admirable, inspiring, and good. Discovering methods that work for you in adding to your inner fire is extremely important. Likewise, it is crucial as you navigate through life you spend some time each day nourishing your inner fire. As you constantly feed your inner fire, your life will be more rewarding and enjoyable, and you will be amazed at what you can accomplish and how good you feel. Adding fuel to your inner fire is what will help you overcome and rise above the negativity that surrounds you.

Burnt-Ham is about providing an option and an outlet for you to add to your inner fire through uplifting messages, good books, and motivating quotes. The items on this site have inspired me and have helped drive me to be a better person. Though a businessperson by trade, many of my “business messages” and material can help people in their personal lives. I believe every interaction is an opportunity to impact people in a positive way, and my hope is that the messages on this website will impact you. Take time to visit this site to receive a daily boost! Find other ways that will add fuel to your inner fire, that will drive you to rise above mediocrity, and that will help you make a difference in this world. Push yourself to success and feel the fire burn. Rise above the negativity, and add daily fuel to your inner fire!!

If there are topics you would like me to consider writing about in a blog, please email me at burntham@gmail.com.

Books

Reading good books is a sure way to add fuel to your inner fire. I especially enjoy books with uplifting messages, motivational material, or insightful and/or original lessons that can be applied to my life. The Book Rankings section of my site is designed to assist book readers in finding books that will add value to their lives. There are millions of books to choose from and this section of the site helps you determine which books you should read and which you can skip over. The book reviews posted also give you insight into what the book is about thus helping you determine if a book interests you or not. All books that are rated 3 stars and above on the site I would definitely recommend, as they’ve added value, insight, and/or inspiration into my life. These books help add fuel to the inner fire and often teach lessons that can improve both your professional and personal life.

Looking at the Book Rankings, you can see I read a variety of books though many are business oriented. However, not all of them are. For example, Three Weeks With My Brother is a memoir on the author’s life and has little to do with business though its messages can be applied to the many different parts of your life. Additionally, many of the business oriented books such as Leadership and Self-Deception can have just as much meaning—if not more—in your personal life. So, please read through the reviews to determine which books might interest you most, and select those books that will help add fuel to your inner fire.

Additionally, I try to be a fairly critical judge of the books I read to ensure my readers select only books that will truly inspire or help them in some meaningful way. The reviews are based on my personal opinion, and your opinion may vary. However, I believe almost anyone would enjoy most of the books with a 3 star rating and above. A few exceptions may be books such as Good to Great or Competing for the Future since they may mostly interest business minded individuals. Look for more detailed reviews of some of the books on the home page under the book reviews category in my blogs, as I often write more detailed reviews about books I’ve recently read.

New books will be posted fairly frequently as I am constantly reading. Please check back whenever you are in need of finding an interesting book or are curious about a book you’ve heard about to see if I’ve read it. Occasionally you may find books posted on the site without a review. This means I’m in the process of reading the book, and I am probably almost done. As soon as I complete the book, a review will be posted.

Good books are a great way to fuel your inner fire and overcome the negativity that surrounds us. Books can teach us wonderful things and drive and inspire us to reach our full potential. Find books that have meaning to you, and take time to read a little bit each day. If you don’t know where to find good books, I recommend reading the books with a 3 star rating and above on my website. As you take the time to read good books, your fire will burn.

If there are books you would like me to read and review that are not found on my site, please email me at burntham@gmail.com.

1 1/2 Stars: Would Not Recommend

Freakonomics is a somewhat interesting book with some interesting insight into why we do the things we do. From gangs in Chicago to naming your child, the author illustrates some meaningful statistics that attempt to explain why people do what they do. For me, the main message of the book is everything we do is driven by incentives. It is difficult however to decide if the author had a true purpose or main theme for the book as chapters jump around too much and do not always tie together. I also feel I did not learn anything of real value—thus I give this book 1 ½ stars out of 4 and only recommend it to those who are searching for a new book to read because they’ve read everything else on their list. (One interesting note however is I’ve found statisticians and accountants tend to really enjoy this book more than others.)

I recently finished reading Stop Paddling & Start Rocking the Boat by Lou Pritchett. The author is a retired Proctor and Gamble Executive who shares many of his business and life “lessons learned” by sharing experiences during his many years of service in the corporate world. Though some of his stories are interesting and unique, and some of his points are very true and helpful, I feel most of them are not fully developed or presented well. The book also has a heavy emphasis on life in the weighty corporate world and fails to relate to others in less corporate heavy, or non-traditional business environments. Throughout the book there is also somewhat of an egocentric undertone that turned me off a bit. In the end, though the author has some good thoughts, I would not recommend this book and give it 1 ½ stars.

I’m sure you can guess what 1001 Ways to Reward Employees by Bob Nelson is all about, and the book did truly provide what its title promised Though being reminded of the many ways to recognize staff members, the book did not provide the inspiring, creative, homerun, sure-fire ideas I was hoping for. Also, it did not provide the research, proof, and evidences of what really works that I was thinking I’d find. Many of the ideas listed in the book are common and well known, while many others are off the wall and unique. Another drawback is many very similar ideas are repeated over and over again throughout the book, making the content repetitive and at times a little boring. The lessons I was reminded of are that rewarding employees really does depend on each individual and there are no sure answers. So, if you are stuck without any idea on how to reward your employees, this is the book for you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t highly recommend reading this book. I give it only a 1 ½ star rating out of 4.

2 Stars: Somewhat Recommend

Now Discover Your Strengths is a follow-up to First Break all the Rules, and it builds on the ideas of how to engage your employees at work and capitalize on their talent. The book provides an interesting insight into talents and strengths and provides an actual assessment tool that allows you to determine your own strengths. The book also lists and discusses many different “strength” categories. Though the self-assessment test was very interesting, I found the overall content to not be nearly as valuable as First Break all the Rules nor quite as entertaining. I would recommend the book to those who are interested in learning more about their own strengths and others, but I give the book 2 out of 4 stars, as I had much higher expectations for the book.

In Search of Excellence, Lesson From America's Best-Run Companies by Thomas J. Peters and Robert H. Waterman Jr. was insightful and provided some very good points that I believe if practiced, can help each business, organization, or person find excellence in life. A Bias for Action, Staying Close to the Customer, and Productivity through People are a few of the useful points made throughout the book that excellent companies seemed to possess while others did not. In fact, based on the research from the authors they identified 8 specific things that set excellent companies apart from others and I believe most if not all of them are very valid and true. I did find however the book to be drawn out, poorly written in spots, and somewhat uninteresting because of the repetitive nature of some of the material. I also believe the book’s content was not organized well for maximum learning and clarity so though many of the points and stories I enjoyed, I only can give it 2 stars.

The Tipping Point is an interesting book about how little things can cause something to become an epidemic in our society. From crime in New York City, to drugs in Baltimore, this book explores what really happens that cause normal events to “tip” and change so dramatically, seemingly overnight. Overall, the book is interesting, but it lacks a true message or core teaching other than little things can make a huge difference. Discovering what these little things are is the hard part. Though the content is very interesting at times, I give this book a 2 star rating out of 4.

It's Your Ship is a leadership book written by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff and is based on his experiences in the navy with a focus on his leadership practices as the captain of the USS Benfold. The Captain shares many interesting experiences including some about his time spent in the Persian Gulf during Desert Storm and applies them to leadership and business. Some of his main points include simplicity, empowerment, and praise as effective leadership skills and tools. I did find the book to be somewhat simplistic without a lot of new insights or depth to the ideas being shared however many of the stories were interesting. Thus I give the book 2 stars.

Through stories of his experiences as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks, Pat Riley teaches us some of life’s most important lessons on how to be successful--regardless of our position in life in his book The Winner Within. Three of the most important lessons for me highlighted in the book are the importance of teamwork, resiliency and belief. Pat Riley’s experiences as a basketball coach are perfect for elaborating on these important lessons. Although it is a good read, there are some things I did not enjoy about the book. For me, I felt the book was not written extremely well, and many of the stories are now outdated or are somewhat irrelevant to the points he was trying to make. Overall, I give the book 2 stars.
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I had high expectations, but I was very disappointed by How to Become an Employer of Choice by authors Herman and Gioia. I was hoping for innovative, creative, and proven solutions based on experience, testing, extensive research, and results, but I did not find that in this book. What I found was a very basic overview of how to create a good organizational culture based on simple ideas and common thoughts. Along with these were unique ideas from specific companies, however most often they were not very practical or applicable across business lines. The overall message of the importance and positive impact of creating a great organizational culture is good, and I did appreciate the end of the book that focused on measurement, application, and success, however, in the end I can only somewhat recommend this book with a weak 2 stars.

2 1/2 Stars: Recommend

The Innovator's Solution by Clayton M. Christensen is an intelligent book about seeing and overcoming the risks associated with new ventures and lines of business. Often companies fail in this regard which can lead to the total elimination of an established, successful company. From competing against non-consumption and resource allocation, to selecting the right people for the job and developing strategies, the book takes a good look at how new ventures are often handled or rather mishandled in current organizations and how to learn how to handle them well. The book does become very repetitive and is written with an academic approach and gets a little boring at times however the concepts and ideas are thought-provoking and helpful for business professional facing such decisions. Overall I give the book a 2 ½ start rating.

I hate it when people complain (though I’m sure I do my fair share) so I thought I’d enjoy the bookThe No Complaining Rule by Jon Gordon. Though the substance of the book was not as full and complete as I had hoped, there were a few concepts which I enjoyed including the main idea of the book which is the choice is our whether we complain or not and that complaining brings negative energy to us as individuals as well as those we interact with. If we can avoid complaining and bring positive energy instead, it will have a dramatic impact on our results. Though I was hoping for more, the book was a pretty good quick read. I give it 2 ½ stars.

What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith is an interesting book about how changing even little behaviors or habits can make all the difference in becoming an even more successful person. The whole premise of Goldsmith’s book is based on the importance of obtaining feedback. The book also identifies 21 typical behavioral flaws of successful people giving readers an opportunity to self-assess and evaluate themselves. The book also provides different ideas and strategies on how and from whom to seek feedback, how to become more successful than you already are, how to change destructive flaws that are identified, and how to successfully help others notice the changes you are making enabling you to be a better leader. The book is written specifically to those who have already been successful in life and who are seeking to be even better and after much thought, I believe it merits a very strong 2 ½ star rating.

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The business philosophy of this book’s title,Employees First, Customers Second written by Vineet Nayar, I’ve seen yield great results and the author proves it through his story as CEO of HCL Technologies. In this book he shares his story and how this philosophy lead to great success in his organization. Though the book was different than I had anticipated, I loved many of the ideas found in it including the role of management. This book also offers other ideas on how to put employees first such as increasing transparency, focusing on the need for constant change, looking in the mirror, and improving communication. The book wasn’t as compelling as I had hoped and lacked some depth but I think the author was very sincere and showed once again how being emphatic about a few simple things can make a dramatic impact on an organization that eventually leads to great results. In the end I think every organization should espouse this philosophy and this book can provide some insights and an example of how to get there so I give it 2 ½ stars.

Start-Up Nation by Dan Senor and Saul Singer is a book written about Israel’s incredible economic growth and how it has survived and thrived despite the many seemingly obstacles such as size, lack of natural resources, and surrounding enemies. The book shares true examples of some of Israel’s top entrepreneurs and businesses to make certain points on why and how Israel has succeeded. Through these stories we learn some of the strategies, ideas, and concepts used to help spark Israel’s economy—things that I believe can be applied in our individual lives to help us reach our own success. The book is interesting yet not super entertaining but definitely does add some value to the careful reader. I give it 2 ½ stars.

Have you ever felt at home or at work that you are at war against the very people who you thought were supposed to be on your side?! This issue of “internal fighting” is at the heart of the book Silos, Politics, and Turf Wars by Patrick Lencioni. Too often organizations are greatly hindered or even sometimes destroyed by people who seem at times to be unwilling to work together. This book offers clear ideas and a specific method on how to help combat and eliminate this epidemic. This book is a good read for anyone in a leadership position as the author believes leaders are most often at fault and thus have the greatest opportunity to eliminate this problem in their respective organizations. Though helpful, I did feel this books ideas were not quite up to Lencioni’s normal high standards and lacked some “meat” to it. Though good, for this reason I give it only 2 ½ stars.

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Built to Last by Jim Collins is a good business book that includes a study of many companies who have had success over a very long period of time. In the book, the author talks about the similarities between the companies he studied and shares what he believes to be the common themes among them that have helped them achieve lasting success. From persevering the core to unleashing the power of the ‘AND’ the book contains many insightful and interesting concepts to help both businesses and individuals be successful. In the end however, though parts of the book are very, very good and insightful, I believe the book in its entirety pales in comparison to Jim Collins more famous book Good to Great. Thus, even though I found parts of the book to be excellent, overall I give it 2 ½ stars.

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The Seven Miracles That Saved America by Chris and Ted Stewart is a book about our great nation and how it has been preserved by divine providence to stand as the example of liberty and freedom to all the world. The book specifically talks about 7 miracles that allowed our nation to succeed and prosper when it looked as if our democracy was doomed for failure. The end of the book contains perhaps the most important message which is one of hope, faith and optimism for the future of our nation. This book helps us remember why we should all be truly grateful to be Americans! I believe this book had a lot of potential that wasn’t fully maximized by the authors but regardless it is a good book. I give it 2 ½ stars.

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Journey to the Emerald City by Roger Connors and Tom Smith is an interesting book about organizational culture. The premise of the book is based on the fact that organizational culture is a result of experiences that people have that determines their beliefs about the organization. These beliefs typically translate into actions which in turn produce results. Thus, to truly change culture in an organization, one must start with changing beliefs through experiences. The book offers strategies for helping us understand beliefs and experiences and how we can shape them along with some “accelerators” to culture change such as feedback and alignment. I did think the Wizard of Oz correlation was very poor and some points were not fully developed and others were repeated again and again. In the end, the main message of the book is that as leaders, we must manage our organizational cultures or it will manage us. Overall I thought the book was worth reading and would recommend it to those interested in the material--2 ½ stars.

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The Power of Adversity by Al Weatherhead is an inspirational and motivating book that challenges us to not only overcome our adversity but also to tap into its unique capacity to make us better people. Through many personal stories, the author provides many strategies to effectively handle adversity such as thinking positively, putting others first, and having the right attitude. I found nearly all of the information and stories in the book to be meaningful and helpful to those struggling with adversity. It is a good book and my only complaint is I feel it could have been improved with better organization and structure to it. Overall though, I would recommend the book and give it 2 ½ stars.

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Blink is a fascinating book about our unconscious behaviors, “mind-readings”, and quick judgments we constantly make as human beings each day. Through many interesting studies, the author tries to help readers learn when to trust their instincts and when to slow down and make a more deliberate decision. Though the content is very interesting, the information is not extremely uplifting nor the message profound—thus I give Blink a 2 1/2 star rating out of 4, but would encourage others to read it.

Road Rules by Andrew J. Sherman uses the analogy of how simply driving on the road can teach us life’s most important lessons. Some of these lessons include sharing the road, being guided by our navigational system, and being an all weather driver. Often, the analogy is quite clever, helpful and creative, but at other times it feels like a bit of a stretch. I wish the author could have expounded upon some points more effectively as well to enhance the analogy of the road and life. Some chapters in the book are outstanding and I really enjoyed them such as 9 & 10 but a few others were just ok. Because of this lack of consistency throughout the book, I’ve decided to give it 2 ½ stars.

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The Culprit and the Cure was a good change of pace for me, and it is an interesting book about fitness and health. The main message is that eating right and exercising regularly will save lives and save America. Though not as dramatic as it may sound, the book gives valuable insight into eating and exercising right, and it will give you motivation to live a healthier life style. Though not extremely entertaining, I would recommend the book to any who are interested in health and exercise and give it a 2 ½ star rating out of 4.

What Your Clients Won’t Tell You and Your Managers Don’t Know is a short book about client retention. The book encourages attitude and action in retaining clients, and it reminds us that retaining clients is much easier than seeking new ones. Communication and mutual trust are very important in the client/contractor relationship, and it is emphasized throughout the book. Though most of its content is not extremely unique or revolutionary, this book is a nice little refresher on smart strategies for retaining clients. I give the book 2 ½ stars out of 4.

Though Moving Forward by Dave Pelzer is not one of my favorite books, reading it can certainly add value to anyone’s life. The two most important reminders from this book are that we must believe in ourselves and that when we do, we can overcome and accomplish anything! The author also challenges readers to be leaders by staying true to their values and beliefs despite what others might think, say, or do. I did think parts of the book could have been improved and perhaps presented in a more effective manner, but overall, the book has a positive and motivating message--thus I give it 2 ½ out of 4 stars.

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Social Intelligence by Daniel Goleman is an interesting book that explores the need and importance of interaction as social beings. In this book, the author explains how we are all connected and how we influence and impact each other more strongly than we may realize. The book also places emphasis on nurturing and kind relationships, and it discusses how we often treat others as objects rather than people. The book also offers insights and tips for business owners, families, parents, educators, and the government on how acting with social intelligence can result in better and more successful outcomes. Though some of the topics are a little unsettling and at times the book is a little slow, the book definitely adds valuable insights into life and is worth reading. I give this book 2 ½ stars.