The Pride Trap...

Has pride hurt your career or your relationships?  Sometimes it can be easy to let the ego call the shots and determine your actions.

But consider taking a different path.  Listen to feedback, be it positive or negative, with an open mind.  Remember, it's very likely that most growth in your life came out of some kind of challenge.  

Try to disconnect yourself from ego and then give yourself the same advice that you'd give a friend in that situation.  Isn't it funny how we tend to give others better advice than we give ourselves.

Let the new year signal an end to limiting beliefs.  If you're still not sure if you're ready to make that leap, then you should listen to this short audio clip:

If you can't see the clip, click here.

7 Secrets of the Nutcracker

Get the inside scoop before you see The Nutcracker.  Dazzle your friends with the trivia you'll learn.  There's also a lesson here in perseverance as a show that once was called a flop went on to become a worldwide sensation.

Not Resolutions But Thoughts for the New Year

Now is the time that so many of us look back on the past year and consider changes that we can make in 2010.  I like to focus on certain areas where I know I can improve. Here's some food for thought for the coming year:

 

1.  Be more patient.  Patience is really a gift that you give to someone.

 

2.  You can always be a better listener.  How many things have you missed because you were not paying attention?

 

3.  Ask more questions.  You'll learn more, make fewer mistakes, and make someone else feel like "the expert."

 

4.  If you receive feedback, act on it.  Sure you may not like hearing about your deficiencies but don't be afraid to change. 

Magic Words for Retail

In my TV news days, I did a lot of stories about holiday shopping. (One year my holiday meal consisted of a order of natchos shared in a smelly live truck but that's a story for another day.)

I remember well an interview I did with a Target Team Leader (otherwise known as store manager).  I asked him what the key was for a good holiday season.  His response: Keep the shelves stocked and the floors clean.

While I'm sure there were other elements involved in planning a successful holiday season like loss leaders, staffing, and store hours, I thought it was great that the company plan could be boiled down into one sentence.

How many of us can do the same in our business?  And if we can't, why not?  Sometimes a simple message or mission is the best way to communicate your vision to your team so that everyone can enjoy mutual success.