Prioritize your values
"Why didn't you tell me that wasn't a good way to spend my money?" my daughter asked me when we were having a discussion on why she was...
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1 min read
Accept help
When I go to baby showers and the hostess asks us to write down advice for the mom-to-be, I share two thoughts: (1) Sleep when the baby...
2 min read
Read the room
"So, are you doing something fun today?" the phlebotomist asked my daughter. Mind you, Lily had a look of terror on her face. She had...
3 min read
Assume positive intent
“You screwed up.“ Ouch. That’s a rough way to start an email. I wasn’t the recipient, yet I was feeling defensive. I didn't even know the...
2 min read
Improve your questions
"How are you?" "Good. How are you?" "Good, thanks." Now what? Lots of conversations start that way and quickly go nowhere. You haven't...
2 min read
Write your obituary
My mom is the sixth child in a family of twelve, so my grandparents' fiftieth wedding anniversary many years ago was quite an...
2 min read
Be clear about what you want
What mother tells her children that what she really wants for Mother's Day is to be by herself? This one. I had mentioned wanting time to...
2 min read
Apologize sincerely
"I messed that up. I'm sorry." Those six words are powerful, aren't they? Presumably, you've been both the victim and the perpetrator of...
1 min read
Go with the flow
I spend a lot of time trying to convince others not to argue with reality, because it's a fight they'll never win. I've repeatedly urged...
2 min read
Accept the compliment
You are beautiful. You are smart. You are kind. Anyone bristle at those words? Anyone's mind go right to, "No I'm not! How could you say...
2 min read
Get the facts
It's happened to most of us... You hear something, you believe it, you repeat it, and then you find out it isn't true. And you either...
1 min read
Catch yourself
I start most mornings out by myself. But recently I went for an early-morning walk with my husband. I knew he needed to get out of the...
2 min read
Request feedback
Which question would you be more likely to answer honestly? "Is there anything I could done better?" or "What could I have done better?"...
2 min read
Give the gift of feedback
I was a member of Toastmasters for several years. There were various roles to play at each meeting, and one of my favorites was the role...
2 min read
Receive the feedback
Do you believe that feedback is a gift? I do. But wow, it is a gift that's hard to receive sometimes, isn't it? I recently received...
2 min read
Face it
At our company holiday party, we brought in teachers who helped us stencil some of our favorite quotes onto pieces of wood. The beautiful...
2 min read
Stop talking about yourself
I'm so embarrassed. My best friend just became a grandmother. I am beyond excited for her! Yet somehow in our text conversations while...
3 min read
Make a plan
"So... what's the plan for today?" I hear those words and simultaneously smile and roll my eyes. It drives me crazy when my kids ask me...
3 min read
Create accountability
If you absolutely, no-matter-what had to get something finished by the end of the week, who could you call on to help make sure you got...
2 min read
Get over yourself
Still frustrated that your friend/client/prospect/pastor/neighbor didn't reply to that email you sent last month? Afraid to unsubscribe...
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