Communication – Personal Development – Business

When it’s your Birthday in our family, you can do and eat anything you want.  So in celebrating my husband’s special day, he immediately requested The Waffle House.  Visions of clogged arteries, expanding waistlines and indigestion quickly filled my head.

Upon arrival to the local Waffle House, we were greeted by a friendly smile and enthusiastic, real welcome. There was one small booth left in the crowded eatery, so we hurriedly took it.  Franny was immediately at our table asking for beverages, and made a pleasant comment about my husbands Tennessee ball cap. And there it started.

I had never been in a Waffle House and can guarantee that within five minutes, my judgment of a “depressing greasy spoon” was erased because it was about the attitude and joy experienced.  Every employee was engaged, laughing and helping each other.  Without hesitation or asking, they dove into whatever needed to be done.

Self-leadership lessons:
1.    Lighten up and give everyone a sincere greeting.
2.    If you don’t like your job – get out. If you don’t like them, they probably don’t like you.
3.    Pitch in and help whenever needed – without being asked.
4.    Engage in some small talk.  Show that you are interested in the person and the job.
5.    Be authentic. Be yourself. Be kind. Be gracious.

Any thoughts?  What do you think?

Tags: job success by Marsha
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I’ve decided to change up the way I gather my energy.  Yes I love my Wii Fit and it gives me my morning kick off of vigor.  But in the last few weeks I’ve decided to put a little spice into my morning routine and I now am running/walking over 3 miles in the morning. (Check out the Sunrise picture and the Self-Portrait.) Then I do my Wii Fit for about 15 minutes. Breaking up your routine pumps up your oomph!

Yikes! Self Portrait

Scottsdale Sunrise

I believe this is where you snap your decision-making skill into action. I understand that my platform as a professional speaker and writer is helping people take personal responsibility for their outcomes. So in order for me to be credible, I must do it for myself first.

Not only do I feel better, this change has made me more productive, cleared my mind for new opportunities and increased my energy.  I am noticing that this is rubbing off on others too. We are experiencing increased productivity and that helps everyone feel more accomplished.

So whether you are working with toxic people, want to increase employee productivity or are looking for some leadership skill development, ask yourself these questions and answer them: How do you create energy?  Does it overflow to others?  What part of your routine will you change?

Email me for the Ten Commandments of Cooperation for a little KITA!

Tags: Energy, change by Marsha
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I made the jury today in Scottsdale and I know this will be shocking – I was the foreman. We found the defendant guilty. My take? Break the law, go to jail. I really felt sorry for this guy but he made a bad choice and got caught. Now he will pay the consequence.

He is now a felon and will pay dearly. Sound familiar? Make bad choices, pay the consequences! You always have three choices. Take it. Leave it. Or change it. How are your choices?

Tags: accountability, choices by Marsha
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The definition of this little used word is “confused.” With so much going on in the world, and work it’s easy to become discombobulated.  The Milwaukee Airport has taken this tongue twister and made clearing security fun. Usually airport security and fun are not used in the same sentence.

After stripping off my shoes, belts and anything metal, tearing the electronics and computer from their well fitting cases, and holding my boarding pass in my teeth,  I was waved through the detector. Then, I drug all my disorganization that had been tossed in the lovely gray plastic bins over to a bench.  Looking up I saw this sign — “Recombobulation Area.”

Certainly we all understand the importance of security, after all, I’m the one getting on a plane with a bunch of people I don’t know, but so many times, the security zone is surly, cranky and down right angry. It reminded me of the need to add levity when we can.  Take personal responsibility for your mental conflict resolution. Don’t take yourself too seriously and you too can become a personal development expert!

This reminds me of life.  When surrounded with difficult people, toxic behavior and disorganization take personal responsibility and make the best of it.  Be careful not to get sucked into other people’s ugliness.  This is easy because we have learned the behavior of being sheep. Take action today to:
1. Dump the toxic people in your life.
2. Take personal responsibility for everything.
3. Change yourself, and stop trying to change other people.
4. Get organized. And that comes in a variety of packages.

By the way, the dictionary defines recombobulation as  “Something being put back the way it was, or into proper working order and also gathering one’s thoughts or composure.  Where will you start?

Tags: complaining, responsibility by Marsha
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