Group Dynamic

In an earlier post, I wrote of the value of picking up the phone to ask for help, information, or other assistance from fellow professionals.

What do you do when you get that call?

Share.  Abundantly.

In my former Read the rest of this entry »

A few weeks ago, I shared an unusual incident involving an appliance installer, and the Facebook discussion after I shared it online.

After the post, there was a bit more discussion, and I also finally offered my thoughts on the issue.  This week, I’ll Read the rest of this entry »

We’re just a few days past the Winter Solstice, the shortest darkest day of the year. A contrast to the holiday season, it can exacerbate hidden internal sadness in those around us.

I love Christmas music.  But not all of it at the same level of love.  I prefer minor keys, obscure pieces, and bleak moods that reflect peace and/or sadness.  ”God Rest Ye Merry” is a good one, as is “‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime.”  Lots of good stuff in the French tradition.

My two favorite Christmas music albums are “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “If on a Winter’s Night…”  The latter comes from Sting, who hits on a major theme of this time of year in the liner notes:

…I have an ambivalent attitude towards the celebration of Christmas.  For many, it is a period of intense loneliness and alienation… Winter is a time of darkness and introspection… [and] the gravitational pull of home that Christmas exerts on the traveller.

Walking amid the snows of Winter, or sitting entranced in a darkened room gazing at the firelight, usually evokes in me a mood of reflection, a mood that can be at times philosophical, at other wildly irrational; I find myself haunted by memories.

This can be a joyful and jolly time of year; so many lights and happy music and gatherings. But many folks are like Sting; haunted by memories of sadness exacerbated by the short dark days and the contrast with the flaunting of joy.

Enjoy the season – the lights, music, gatherings, festivities – but please stay sensitive. And allow yourself to feel the melancholy, too.  That can add to the beauty.

Happy New Year.

Yesterday, while working in my home office, workers from a local store came to install a new appliance.  I overheard a shocking conversation that struck me as inappropriate.  I selected a typical excerpt, and posted it on my personal Facebook page to see what conversation would ensue.  I was not disappointed. This was an interesting exchange that touched on Read the rest of this entry »

Part two of two (did you read last week’s post?)

As you can see from last week’s picture, my daily list fits into the narrow confines of the column on the left hand side of each day’s page in my planner. Sometimes, life becomes so hectic, and the to-do list gets so long, that it’s time to Read the rest of this entry »

If we are effective, we are probably quite busy. Many of us have tried different ways to stay organized, including electronic gadgets, pen and paper planners, whiteboards, etc. Today and next week I will share two ways that have worked for me. I’m sharing them here because others who have adopted them have found quite useful. Both of them go the pen and paper route, so if you’re looking for ways to incorporate Outlook or Evernots or iCal or GoogleSomething, then check out another blog, like the awesome lifehacker.com.

Each of my two methods has a time and place. The first is for one life is normal, and the second is for when it is overwhelming.

When things are at their normal level of hectic, I use a technique Read the rest of this entry »

This is the final installment of my summer “Top Five + One” series of blog “greatest hits.”

Most people who read this blog do so for thoughts on effective leadership. There are some, however, who Read the rest of this entry »