How to Be Grateful – Remember Your Current Situation is Someone’s Dream

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your life someone's dream

My friend shared this quote with me over lunch today.  I love its simplicity.  “Your current situation is someone’s dream!”  What a great reminder to be grateful.

I don’t know about you.  I think it’s almost a national pass time to focus on looking up and comparing ourselves to someone who has a bigger house,  more luxurious car, or more skills etc…  This is especially true for us over-achievers who are trained to look for where we are still lacking – what is it that we are still not good at? ...  read more

Great Way to Start 2018 – Summary of Insider Tips for Every Career Situation

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stack the deck

Whatever your career situation is today, I can help you “Stack the deck” in your favor.  Job search and work are never fair.   It will favor those who know how to play the game.  I am here to help you with insider tips on how to play the game to your advantage in any career situation.  If you are in any of the four situations below, I can point you to the insider tips I have gathered in the last 20 years, so you can work smart, get what you want in your career, and live more. ...  read more

Want to Get a Mini-MBA in 8 Hours – Read this Book

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best leadership book

Happy New Year!  Welcome to 2018…  I hope you had a chance to spend time with family and friends.  During the holidays, I have been obsessed with this book.  I have been listening to it while running, driving, and before I go to bed.   It’s the only business book I have ever finished to the last page in the last 10 years.

Whether you already has an MBA or want one, read this book.    I am not paid to endorse it.  I am simply inspired by what it shares.   “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek is filled with real life case studies and talks about

  • Leadership – how to inspire everyone to take action
  • Marketing – how to use the law of diffusion to build a $B company
  • Strategy – how certain companies like Apple, Southwest, Harley Davidson have been able to consistently innovate and beat their competition
  • Operations – How Continental was able to recover from bankruptcy with a new CEO and whole new way to operate
  • Career path – How we can navigate our own career based on understanding why – what really drives our passion and get us up in the morning

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    The Power of Words – Speak Wisely at Work and at Home

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    My husband sent me this video last week and I was blown away by its message.  It Is < 5 minutes, but carries a powerful reminder for us all – the power of our words and why we should speak wisely.  Here is the video and what it meant for me.   I look forward to hearing your reactions.

    It’s ironic.  We often focus so much on wanting to be heard that we forget we are already heard by many today.  Below is what this video meant for me.

    Reminder 1: Speak wisely to my kids – be patient and be there.   I have two girls – 6 and 9 years olds.  I am blessed that they still think mommy is awesome.  I love my kids but I know I can be more patient with them.  This video reminds me that a hard day at work is no excuse to yell at my kids even if they are fighting yet again.  They are so impressionable at this age.  It is my responsibility to nurture their growth with care as well as set a good example.

    What was shared in the video about Nassar is so sad. Many of us may not be that heartless, like his father, but lesser actions can still have a big impact on our kids.  There are two things I always tell my kids

  • When they accomplish something great, “I ask them how they feel?” instead of just tell them I am proud of them.  This help them build self confidence. A good friend shared this tip with me a few years ago.
  • I also tell them “you can tell me anything no matter what happens.” It’s easy now as the worse trouble they can get into is still so innocent.  I have to remember to honor that promise and their choices when they are tennagers and young adults.   What I can best hope for is that they talk to me when they are confused and especially in trouble.   I must be there for them first and foremost without judgement.

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    Are You on the Right Career Path? Ask Yourself These 4 Questions

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    right career path

    I just found out a close friend has cancer.  I was shocked by the news.  Although her cancer is highly treatable, it was a complete surprise.  She will need to go through 6 months of chemo and hell to recover.  I share this with you to help you step back from the daily grind and see the big picture.  Life is short and finite.

    • Are you on the right career path?
    • Are you doing what you are suppose to be doing?
    • If you were told you have cancer today, would you make different choices in your career and life?

    Our life is a gift.  Don’t wait until you have shocking news in your life to reexamine.  It’s never too early to reassess or take a different direction altogether.   Today, I want to help you answer these questions.

    Many of us work long hours, forgo time with family, friends, and skip vacations, so we can get ahead in our career.    But do we know why we do it?  The superficial answer is to make more money, or get promoted, or be recognized.   But I would argue none of that really help us feel fulfilled.

    Our career path must have a deeper meaning for it to be worth the effort and the time away from our families.   That meaning will also help ground us if we receive sad unexpected news like this from a friend or from a doctor about our own health.

    Here are 4 questions to help you examine your current career path and trajectory?

    Question 1: Does my job & career make a difference somehow?  I have shared the definition of success before.  It’s not about material status, and much more about our level of contribution to others.  Making a difference comes in all forms.   For example, it can be about

  • earning money so I can support my family and my kids’ education
  • making a positive impact to the customers my company serves (whether with a new product I launch or solving service issues painlessly)
  • coaching those on my team so they can learn from my experience and skills

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