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7 Symbols of Communication

by at 10:48 pm 5 Comments

1 butterfly on lilac bush closeupDear Fellow Humans:

It’s Springtime and with the holidays of Passover and Easter upon us, I offer you my random thoughts on holiday symbolism—and how they connect to our communication and attitudes.  All from a place of kindness.

1. We all have a cross to bear.

2. If you drop one egg (make a mistake), don’t beat yourself up and drop the other 11. Carry on.

3. Give your dreams and goals ample time to rise —not like the unleavened bread.  What’s the rush?

4. When you open the door to welcome Elijah, open the door of your heart as well.

5.  Each of us has the opportunity to rise again.

6.  Just because you wear a bonnet or skullcap doesn’t mean your head is on straight. Be clear in your thinking and values.

7.  If you ask “The Four Questions” to your elders, be sure to stick around for the answers.

Happy Spring, fellow humans.

Filed Under: Business, Communication, Interpersonal Relationships, listening, Motivation, Random, Success Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

7 essentials for your communications toolbox

by at 10:10 pm 6 Comments

Hammer

When I first met my husband Andrew in 1987, he lived in a studio apartment on Avenue Z in Brooklyn, NY. One day we wanted to hang up a picture and he pulled out his toolbox. I was mortified.

Inside were two items: A kiddie circus light on a tattered string and a rusted butter knife. For Andrew, this was fine. He had grown up in apartments and never lived in a private home.  A few years later, we got married and were doing the suburban house thing in New Jersey.

Soon, Andrew had an oversized toolbox that I could barely lift. He spent time browsing for drill bits at Home Depot. He even worked with a friend and learned how to finish our basement.  He finally had the right tools to make the job seem easy.  We couldn’t hang that picture in Brooklyn with a circus light or butter knife. Poor Andrew; he needed a hammer. That day he sang to me: ”If I had a hammer, I’d hammer in the morning…”

Tools of the trade are critical for success. Are you equipped with the communication tools and skills needed to blow the doors off of the New Year? 

Here are 7 essentials I recommend for your communications toolbox:

1. Your voice. Obviously you have one, but are you using it in an assertive way?

2. Your identity. Do your marketing materials, business cards, and website convey the results you deliver for clients? Focus on the value you bring and not your job title. No one cares about you, silly. They don’t care about me. People want to know how you can help solve their problems.

3. Your view. Do you look for fresh perspectives and angles to solve problems and spark creativity? Or are you stuck in a rut? If you’re wallowing, you are communicating negativity and poison. It’s up to you to break the cycle and develop a positive mindset. Take a day off and commit to seeing and communicating with a fresh set of eyes and an open mind.

4. Your business cards. Business development and networking is 24/7. Always have your calling card, book , or postcard to share with others. Be ready, as you may need these items while at the playground with your kids, a concert, or in the airport. Brainstorms and opportunities have no boundaries. Consider how many people scribbled down an idea on a cocktail napkin and went on to build their dream business and make millions. Be prepared for victory.

5. Your face. Yes, your face belongs in your toolbox. It’s a showcase and reflection of your attitude. Communicate a relaxed and pleasant expression that’s a mirror of your demeanor and style. Leave the scowl, judgments, and criticism for others, like your competition.

6. Your words. What words do you have in your communications toolbox? It may be time to expand your vocabulary. Do your spoken and written words (including in social media circles) convey a professional voice that provides value, a helping hand, and an upbeat mood?  Whenever possible, flip the negative into a positive.

7. Your heart. When your heart is open and you come from a place of good intention, you will not have to brag or tell people you are open and generous. They will immediately sense it in everything you say and do. In other words, you will be seen as a “mensch” — a person of solid character and integrity.

Communication and self-confidence are the cornerstones to achievement. Is your communications toolbox filled with the skills you need to succeed?

 

(Photo Credit: Good Millwork)

Filed Under: Business, Communication, Interpersonal Relationships, Marketing, Random, Success, Writing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

The Most Important Second

by at 12:13 pm 7 Comments

Crashing waves Pt Pleasant“Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week.”—Spanish Proverb

Much has been written about time and procrastination. We often forget how precious time is until we are faced with a crisis, usually a health or mortality issue. We spend obscene amounts of time watching mindless movies and TV shows, reviewing our past mistakes, and worrying about future problems that will never come to pass. Many of us read books and attend presentations on time management and productivity.

The Clock

And here we are preparing for New Year’s Eve when everyone is keenly aware of the time. We  think back on how our year was. We look ahead to our goals and dreams for the next 12 months. We stay up until midnight, count down the seconds, and watch festivities on TV. We kiss our loved ones. That one second seems so important. Then it’s gone. In that split second of the clock striking 12, the calendar page turns and…here we are.

What’s really changed? Most of us go back to the same patterns and habits that frustrated us last year. We fail to take on new challenges and opportunities to learn, grow, and change. We’re stuck in a comfort zone of living and communicating mediocrity.

You don’t need a clock or resolution to become a better person and discover your gifts and talents. you simply need to decide that it’s time.  You can decide in February, July or September. Don’t procrastinate on living your life and reaching your potential.

Here’s the bottom line:  The most important second is not on New Year’s Eve. It’s right now. Enjoy, and plan to kick some serious butt!!!

Filed Under: Business, Motivation, Random, Success Tagged With: , , , , ,

Santa’s Top 12 Communication Pitfalls

by at 5:39 pm 1 Comment

Santa upside downYes, even Santa Claus can encounter communication challenges while on the job. And you thought you had problems??

1. The “Gen Y” Elves continually beg Santa to remove ”Ho Ho Ho” from his signature line in e-mails

2. Naughty comes before Nice in the dictionary

3. His new Virtual Assistant mistakenly thought “Jingle Bells” should be deleted as the ringtone on Santa’s new I-Phone

4. Chocolate chip cookies are fine but Santa really should have asked for what he wanted: a Grande Mocha Frappuchino, not milk

5. “Have you been a good little boy?” translates into “Load me up with gadgets”

6. The new sleigh isn’t a Hybrid because Mrs. Claus forgot to tell the dealer some of the details during the “Cash for Clunkers” purchase

7. Santa left out part of his address at the North Pole when he wrote to the President requesting money from the economic stimulus package to keep his operation running smoothly

8. Jolly Saint Nick didn’t realize how effective his brand really was until he waited in line for an autograph at a book signing with Sarah Palin and “Going Rogue”

9. The Elves brought hoof sanitizer with them this year after Santa e-mailed a company memo about the new H1N1 policy during the busy season

10. Donner and Blitzen felt much better this year because Santa brought Mrs. Claus along, and she always asks for directions

11. Santa misunderstood the word “Poken” when he was at a Verizon holiday party, and was quickly escorted from the building

12. As they leave the North Pole, Santa overhears the reindeer shouting ”Next stop, Ronkonkoma”

Hope you had an amazing Holiday!


(Photo Credit: Bakerella)

Filed Under: Business, Communication, Marketing, Random Tagged With: ,

Communication, Employee Morale and Teamwork Take Root in a Vegetable Garden

by at 5:01 pm 4 Comments

vegetable gardenMany companies around the United States are turning to vegetable gardens to improve communication, employee morale and teamwork. Strange training tool you may be thinking. Let’s take a closer look.

A small business owner in Bloomington, IN invested a few hundred dollars to start a vegetable garden in the yard of their office building. As a result, interesting things have happened.

1. The employees have a common goal with overwhelming participation.

2. The dynamics of their office hierarchy have disappeared. As the project began, the team quickly discovered some administrative people who may not be well-educated are teaching the CEO about soil, rainy weather and bean sprouts.  Ego’s are checked at the gate of the garden.

3. Communication skills are polished. Communication plays a key role in the garden because the  team has to agree on what vegetables to plant, the size of the garden, the purchase of supplies, how to best prepare the soil, plant the seeds and nurture the ground. Regardless of the responsibility or salary of the employees, some simply had more experience in certain areas.  The team discussed, negotiated and listened.

4. Each person has ongoing responsibilities to ensure the success of the garden. They developed schedules for watering, soil maintenance and picking the vegetables. More communication, negotiation and flexibility.

5. Someone keeps track of the vegetables that are grown and given to each employee. The reason for this is linked to the recession. Employees began reviewing their grocery receipts and have been able to determine how much money they save each week and month by not having to purchase items such as tomato, basil, peppers, squash and eggplant. A periodic cost analysis is done. They wanted to see their Return on Investment.

To me, the ROI is priceless. The garden is so much more than vegetables.Relationships have been enriched. The mindset of improved communication, morale and teamwork extends beyond the garden and back into the office.

Human resource experts agree with one entrepreneur in Minneapolis who started a garden for his 30 employees. He said it has created a “water cooler effect” and a sense of real camaraderie. Yes, we do need communication skills for water cooler talk.

You may want to suggest a vegetable garden for your company or department. Not only will you look like a creative genius, you will be planting  positive seeds for success.


(Photo Credit: Shelley & Dave)

Filed Under: Business, Communication, Leadership, Random Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Lessons Learned

by at 5:51 pm Leave a Comment

Mountain Adventure - 02I wanted to share some random life lessons and insights I have picked up during my 46 years on this planet. They are in no particular order. Your thoughts?

1- Use an electrical outlet when one is available. Battery power should be Option #2.
2- Observe others around you before you speak.
3- Keep something to read with you at all times (in your car, briefcase & travel bag)
4- Keep your car clean.
5- Express gratitude on a daily basis.
6-When in doubt, dress “up”, not down.
7- Walk into a room Tall, Strong and Proud.
8- Develop the fine art of Charisma.
9- Be able to laugh at yourself.
10-Don’t blame anyone, and don’t ever blame yourself.
11- Think you can.
12- Respect everyone, especially those older than you, and children.
13- Remember where you came from.
14- Understand that the people who seem to need the least amount of love, usually need the most.
15- Know a good clean joke.
16- Expect good things to happen.
17- Know how to quiet your mind, especially in stressful times.
18- Keep a journal.
19-Know that there are no accidents or coincidences. The world is unfolding exactly as it’s supposed to be.
20- Always leave a tip.
21- Never say never.
22- Read, read, read.
23- Eat chocolate occasionally.
24- Surround yourself with successful people.
25- Live with integrity. Put your head down on your pillow each night knowing you did your best.

(Photo credit: Afternoon)

Filed Under: Random Tagged With: , , , , , , ,