Some people attempt to gain influence by calling attention to themselves–things they have accomplished, places they have been, things they own, people they know and so forth. While such behavior comes naturally, it does little to improve your standing with those around you because most people resent such behavior. What does improve your standing is…
Good listeners are extremely popular because they give the people they’re listening to the very thing they’re longing for—an opportunity to tell their story. Good listeners understand that no one wants to hear their story. On the other hand, everyone else is dying to tell their story to someone who cares. So, if you take…
When it comes to impacting people’s lives, nothing is more powerful than kindness. As Albert Schwietzer once said: “Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust and hostility to evaporate.” Leo Buscaglia put it this way: “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a…
Regina Brett is an author, inspirational speaker and popular newspaper columnist. Prior to turning 50, she was diagnosed and successfully treated for breast cancer. To celebrate turning 50, she wrote a column about the 45 lessons life had taught her which appeared in the Plain Dealer. One of these lessons really caught my attention: Burn the…
Over the years, I’ve had several people tell me that life is a game of “give and take.” While that phrase may sound perfectly logical, it’s simply not true. Instead, life is about giving and receiving. The reason for this is that none of us like “takers.” Takers are all about themselves and they’re out…
A friend emailed this story to me. I have no idea who wrote it or even if it’s true, but the lesson it contains is appropriate given today’s stressful environment. “One day I hopped into a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black…
USA Today reviewed a book written by psychiatrist Dr. Stuart Brown titled Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination and Invigorates the Soul. According to Dr. Brown, play is extremely important during periods of prolonged stress like now when we’re not sure when the pandemic we’re in is going to end. Play energizes us, refreshes us…
The secret to getting another person to hang on your every word is simple — talk to them about them. If you talk about them, they will listen to you all day. Always keep in mind, the other person is dying to tell his or her story but doesn’t care about hearing yours. The minute…
The pursuit of happiness is alive and well according to an article written by Taffy Brodesser-Akner that appeared in Spirit Magazine. As it turns out, the benefits of happiness are well worth the pursuit. The article states that there are at least 225 studies which tell us that once we become a happy person, we’re…
When you share with those around you that you’re getting ready to follow your dream–change careers, start your own business, go back to school—don’t expect them to tell you to go for it. Instead, expect them to say negative things like, “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” Or, “You’re taking an awfully big…