Today a guy at the grocery store checkout waved me through ahead of him because I only had two items. I understand that in the whole scheme of life, it wasn’t a big deal but it did do a lot to lift my spirits, particularly as when I thanked him, he shrugged and said, “It’s nothing at all really, it’s just the right thing to do.”

Innocuous as it was, the exchange made me think that as we enter a new year, “doing the right thing” is a worthy resolution each of us could make. Let’s simply resolve to… More Posted on 01-09-11

Road to Joy

While I expected the holidays to be quiet, this year it was almost too quiet.

Everyone within my networks seemed to kick back and relax in a major way. It was almost as if we took a collective deep breath and decided we needed a break from daily stress, a lack of free time, and work that too often is a main priority. For the first time in years, emails were almost non-existent as most of us seemed to have stepped away from our computers.

While traditionally the holidays have been a signal to buy more, seek distraction, and… More Posted on 01-02-11

It Might Be Crazy But Its My Crazy

There’s something incredibly sweet about coming home for the holidays after you’ve been away for awhile. Even though things are crazy, it’s all good because it’s your crazy.

Crazy for my husband and I this year involved flying into Toronto at 6:30 am Christmas day and then being wonderfully caught up in multiple family celebrations over three days that spread from Mississauga to Niagara and back again.

All was well but not necessarily calm. But, it was certainly chaotic and fun.

While many traditions remained the same, there were new and interesting twists that enhanced the old. It… More Posted on 12-27-10

Slow Down if You’re Moving Too Fast

Yesterday a good friend recounted how she had recently taken a tumble while heading into the Toronto subway. Thank goodness she was close to the bottom of the stairs as it could have been much worse. As it was, she still managed to sprain both her ankles as well as one of her wrists. As she recounted her mishap, I found myself cringing with more empathy than would be typical as it brought back memories of my own ankle injury that took place a number of years ago. Teaching at Niagara College at the time, I was heading home with… More Posted on 12-19-10

The Power and Potential of Women of a Certain Age

A good friend of mine, recently divorced, decided she would like, but did not necessarily need, a relationship. Consequently, she decided to explore a number of dating services, both on and off line.

During her most recent adventure, she ended up at a dinner for eight men and eight women between the ages of 50 and 60. Although not an especially well organized event, she enjoyed the conversations with both the men and the women.  It was especially important for her to learn that the majority found her work to be fascinating – especially the men. I’m guessing that… More Posted on 12-11-10

Four Priorities for Coaches

My sister Nicki did something none of her older, and supposedly wiser, four siblings managed to do the first time round. She found her ideal spouse.

Dan is a fabulous husband and father who is kind, thoughtful, artistic, and hardworking. Oh and did I mention he is six foot four and good looking to boot? An involved father who not only serves as their two sons’ Scout leader, he has also recently taken on the role of coaching their hockey team.

Prior to the hitting the ice for their first scheduled practice this year, Dan decided the kids… More Posted on 11-28-10

Want Tourists? Take Your Cue from What the Locals are Already Doing

What do old cars, scuba diving, and a recreational canal have in common?

In my hometown of Welland, Ontario, they’re being combined to attract tourists. And, according to the experts, it might just be the way to go.

A number of years ago, I served as a volunteer appointed by City Council to the Welland Recreational Canal Corporation. Our job was to serve as “stewards” of the waterway, and to improve, develop, and protect the waterway and its surrounding lands. It was there that I first learned about the potential attraction of the canal to scuba divers as we… More Posted on 11-07-10

Integrity is a Choice Not an Obligation

The negativity of the television commercials for the US midterm elections is depressing. All they seem to be doing is attacking each other’s credibility. If I were an American I’m not sure I’d even want to vote. But, it has reminded me about an amazing woman, named Dr. Betty Siegel, who I met about five years ago while attending a Niagara College management retreat. 

Siegel taught and served in a variety of leadership positions at the university level, including serving as president of Kennesaw State in Atlanta from 1981 until July 2006. Although supposedly retired, she still serves as… More Posted on 10-31-10

Conversations, Connections, and Community Building

I’ve just returned from an exciting conference where I sat through three days of sessions delivered by great presenters, heard two fabulous keynote speakers, and collected piles of reports and brochures providing terrific resources. As enjoyable as it was, if I were to be really honest, the most useful information was collected from my colleagues during the coffee breaks. 

Something like this happened to American management consultant Harrison Owen back in 1983. He spent a year of his life immersed in the details of organizing a large, international symposium. The day finally came and went, hailed as a triumph.

I sure do feel crummy. My throat hurts, my head aches, and I’m craving chicken soup.

I don’t do sick. In fact, I can‘t remember the last time I was ill as it’s been years. While I often credit my good health with my strong, Ukrainian peasant genes, it is probably due just as much to the fact that I’m pretty happy, don’t like being sick, and enjoy my quality of life. 

I’m blessed and grateful to have an excellent quality of life. If I was pressed to explain exactly what that means, I’m not sure I could do… More Posted on 10-17-10

Can Pajamas Increase Productivity?

I swear I heard a collective sigh of relief this past Friday as people geared up for the long Thanksgiving weekend. Everyone seemed to be anticipating the extra time away from work that would allow them to unwind and focus on fun, family, and giving thanks. At least, that seemed to be the ideal.

However, somewhere along the line, I realized that my long weekends weren’t as relaxing and fun as they used to be. When I stopped to reflect, it occurred to me that it was because, for the most part, I telecommute and work from a home office.… More Posted on 10-11-10

Shifting Our Thinking About Shaping Up

It happened quite gradually so I’m not exactly sure when things changed. What I do know is that over the last few months I’ve actually found myself looking forward to exercise.  Never thought I’d see the day, but most weeks I find myself planning, anticipating, and enjoying my workouts.  It is somewhat surprising for me because while I have always known fitness fanatics, I have never been one of them. For me, exercise has always been a necessary evil for keeping the creeping pounds and the effects of gravity at bay.

Six months ago I made a decision to… More Posted on 10-03-10

Alpha, Beta or Both?

It’s hard not to notice the alpha males among us or, in some cases, the alpha females. By that I mean those who are attractive, confident, assertive, and usually holding the highest ranking position of authority.

As one who typically hasn’t had those qualities, I used to envy their swagger as well as their ability to get things done by wielding their power and control.

Today, I’m not as convinced being an alpha is a good thing, or even something I aspire to be. It seems to me that an alpha persona might just come with a lot of… More Posted on 09-26-10

Just Google It Daddy

It wasn’t a secret sauce but there was a secret in the sauce.

This past weekend a high school student from Warsaw, Ontario named Alyson Bell, won a prestigious Manning Young Canadian Innovation Award for her project called “Another Tale My Grandfather Told Me”.

Her water filter used oregano to clean bacteria from contaminated water. She came up with the idea of using oregano to filter water as the result of testing her Grandfather’s spaghetti sauce.  Bell always wondered how her Grandfather’s spaghetti sauce could last over three weeks in the fridge without spoiling. Thinking it might be due to… More Posted on 09-20-10

Ambiguity Impacts Action

Yesterday I overheard a customer ask a young sales clerk about her plans for school. She replied that she was majoring in arts until she could get a handle on what she wants to do with her life.

With a deep sigh the young woman went on to say, “There are just so many options”.

While I don’t plan to go back to school this year, I too often flounder as the result of the many options that present themselves to me each day on my never ending to-do list. Even though I know it is somewhat irrational,… More Posted on 09-12-10

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