Slow Down to Speed Up

When we are feeling harried or like we’re falling behind, our typical response is to try and move faster, to accelerate. And sometimes this can work. But more often, in our rush to catch up, we get sloppy. We miss critical details and overlook the obvious. At a previous job, I worked with a guy who…

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Ask for What You Want

Most people are bad at asking for what they want. Instead of just saying what it is they really want, they beat around the bush. They hem and haw or skirt the issue. Perhaps they are afraid appearing demanding, or are desperate to avoid potential conflict. Whatever the reason, the end result is they don’t…

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Identify Your Single Most Effective Action

The Pareto Principle, or “80/20 Rule”, is a common term in the business and achievement worlds. Simply stated, 20% of efforts typically account for 80% of results. For example: 20% of our product line accounts for 80% of sales. Think Coke Classic and Diet Coke compared against Coke’s myriad flavor spinoffs. 20% of our focused work…

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Speak Your Book Idea Into Existence

We humans love to talk. A lot. Most people are absolutely in love with the sound of their own voice—myself included, truth be told. So why not put this to good use in your writing project? Depending on the source, the average woman speaks upwards of 20,000 words per day. Men, about 7,000. A typical first…

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What Are You Making?

There is an old story about a man who sees three stone cutters working in a rock quarry. To the first man he asks, “What are you making?” The man answers, “I’m making ten coppers a day.” He asks the same question to the second man. The man replies, “I’m making stones for a new cathedral.”…

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