And the winning blog post this year? *Drum roll by the little drummer boy* My China adventure! Thanks to all of my readers, twitter followers, Linkedin connections, friends and family for being there through thick and thin. As the end of the year is fast approaching it is rewarding to look back at your accomplishments during 2013. Happy holidays everyone!!!
  1. Staying grounded
  2. Continuous learning
    • Not only did I complete my MBA this year, but I read a record number of books! Really that's not saying much but I realized that I only wrote reviews on a fraction of them. Let me know if there are any books on this list that you'd like me to write about!
        1. Ready Player One
        2. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
        3. Lean In
        4. Bossypants
        5. Three Cups of Tea
        6. Success Built to Last
        7. What the Best CEOs Know
        8. How the Mighty Fall
        9. Good to Great
        10. The E-Myth Revisited
        11. Linchpin
        12. Enchantment
        13. The Power of Habit
        14. Made to Stick
  3. Staying positive
I look forward to another full year of blogging and sharing my thoughts with you. Post a comment below!
I am one "smart cookie"!

I'm planning a recessed lighting project in my living room and it can be a complicated question as to where each of the lights is installed. It is a bit tricky determining exactly how far away and at what angle you place a focused light on a piece of art, a couch, and general ambiance. This is where my inspiration comes from this week, light . Just like lights in a living room, how do highlight certain accomplishments and skills of your own?
  1. Direct accent light or promoting yourself
    • When looking for a new job or promotion, you are forced to "toot your own horn" during interviews and reviews. You have to strategically sell yourself and tell people "yes, I am the best person for the job and this is why". It may seem egotistical to self-promote, but honestly you are the only person that knows the exact input and output of your work. Others wouldn't know the six failed attempts before the finished product unless you tell them how tough a problem it actually was. When consciously and carefully done, placing yourself in the spotlight can be the right decision.
  2. Ambient light or subtle and passive marketing
    • General room lighting is like relying on your work to speak for itself, which is best for every day use. Without a doubt, your actions speak louder than your words and results are better than shamelessly promoting yourself. If done well, your team will be rock stars or shining stars and complement each other so everyone gets credit. We know we can't do it all by ourselves!
  3. Natural light or in other words, no endorsement
    • Although the sun does have all of that vitamin D that is so good for us, the sunlight that comes and goes every day is easy to forget about. We expect it, rely on it, and take it for granted. When your work becomes an afterthought, you aren't being remembered or recognized! Do not leave it to chance, luck, or time and be proud of your efforts. If you don't want to do it yourself, find an advocate (or a contractor in the case of the living room) to do this light work for you.
I will post pictures when/if my living room project is completed. In the mean time, do you struggle with bragging about your efforts? Are you your own light, or do you shine on others and praise their work? I think you should do both!
Happy Birthday to my boyfriend, my dad, and my grandpa! For our family holiday get-together this year, I did a clever combination of chocolate birthday cake and Thanksgiving pie: chocolate pie! It got me thinking, why can't we combine other things to simplify our lives? Two birds with one stone? Here are some ideas that you could implement every day!

  1. Walking meetings
    • Everyone has one-on-ones with their boss, lunchtime catch-ups with colleagues, or other smaller meetings in the office. If you don't need PowerPoint, why not take it outside? You get exercise AND your work done. And a bonus is the improved attitude that getting outside does to our motivation. Win-win-win!
  2. Audiobooks
    • Ever since I had a long evening commute, I started listening to audio-books in my car. I "read" a record 12 books this year. What a great use of time, to read AND travel at once? Being well-read makes you wise, happy, and creative. And the bonus? The traffic doesn't turn into road rage for you when you are in the middle of a book climax!
  3. Tweet
    • Any corporate event when you get a group of people together usually results in some good crowds and often in the name of charity too. Whenever you whip out that iPhone camera to snap a picture to document the occasion, tweet about it! It not only allows coworkers to see and save it, but it also promotes the culture at your company, which is definitely worth bragging about.
Do you combine two things into one at home or at work? Tell me about another way that you enjoy the little things by working smart, not hard.
There are few TV shows that I watch religiously every week and the one I always tune in to is the dashing Nathan Fillion in ABC's Castle. Even though the series has a too familiar plot cadence by now, I can't help falling in love with the bad jokes and serious life lessons. This week I was inspired by Beckett and Ryan and their resistance and fear to having kids. There is so much unknown and yet every action and decision affects a little life form! How do you know you are ready? Are you ever ready for those big life steps? Turning 40, taking a new job, getting married, or buying a house... these designated milestones are scary!

  1. Just do it
    • This Nike slogan is the way I deal with many difficult decisions. Take a deep breath, say "yes" and don't look back. Once you take the leap, you immediately stop worrying about "what if" and start dealing with the consequences instead! Then when you look back on the adventure, you feel proud of what you've accomplished.
  2. Say no
    • Maybe it is not for you. A "no" can be just as permanent an answer as any if you stick to it. It is strange that when you say "no", you are often met with a "why not?" and a "yes" answer is rarely questioned. Don't back down and be swayed. Stay true to yourself and know why you said the first answer. It will allow you to say "yes" to many other wonderful things instead!
  3. Don't avoid it
    • Whatever it is, make a conscious choice. Don't default out of it because even doing nothing is a decision that has implications. Make a pro and con list, consult friends and family, go with your gut feeling - all of these techniques can help you get off the fence and give a final answer.
Yes or no. Sometimes it is that simple. Breaking it down to a "will you, won't you" should make things easier. Share a time that you faced a huge step that you initially balked at and then moved on!
Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead
by: Sheryl Sandberg


Honestly, I didn't read this book right away because I am already an active feminist. My passion for teaching girl students about STEM, increasing the number of women in technical careers, and supporting women for executive roles is something that I fully advocate for frequently. I know most of the staggering statistics and feel that sharing them with others is important. This is why I love Sheryl Sandberg and what she speaks for. I first heard her at the Grace Hopper Conference and would highly recommend her book if you haven't gotten on board with the lean in movement yet. Hopefully as a man or woman, at home or at the office, it will help you realize what society can gain from challenging the societal gender norms.
  1. Bibliography
    • Even though Sandberg is really only half way through her career, she felt her life story was worth sharing. I love the personal experiences that she shared about meeting the Speaker of the House, making lunches for her kids, and just dealing with her rising fame. It humanizes her to a level that you understand, can sympathize with, and learn from.
  2. Men and Women
    • The hard truth is that women are different from men but we both have our natural strengths. Helping each other and utilizing these gender strengths will get any organization, family, or relationship to grow faster and further then it could on its own. Its been proven. So men, do the dishes and women, sit at the table and stretch yourself to be more.
  3. Solutions
    • You can't do it all. When you are willing to admit to yourself that, then you can make conscious choices and prioritize the things that matter. It is going to be different for everyone so you can't compare your life to theirs. Relax and do your best and be satisfied with your best.
I wrote a post summarizing her keynote back in 2011 and I thought it was worth adding below. These five snippets of advice sum up her book well.
  1. Believe in yourself
    • Women underestimate themselves whereas men overestimate. Women should believe they are the cause of their accomplishments. Quit giving all the credit to your peers – you are awesome.
    • Lean forward. Example: when speakers only take 2 more questions, women’s hands go down after 2 questions, men’s don’t.
  2. Dream big
    • Stereotypes can become true. More women in CS is a reciprocating problem that is cause and effect for more women in CS so dream to make a difference.
  3. Find a life partner
    • This decision is the most important decision of your career. Statistically, women take on more responsibility at home and for kids than men. Consider same sex marriage to equalize the accountability?
  4. Don’t leave before you leave
    • Little decisions that you make in preparation of big decisions later in life mean you've already made those big decisions. You’re not going to go to work and leave the kids at home if you don’t feel valued and that value is usually determined before you have kids. 
  5. Start talking about this
    • Women strive for balance and don’t want to take on new things until they’re ready and feel comfortable. Don’t wait, lean forward and take chances now.
Usually when you are trying to achieve perfection it is an endless road. You keep adding, you keep reading, you keep editing. If you are trying to produce results then it is not a good habit to get into because you will finish nothing. Striving for perfection however, does help you realize some particulars in how you work. Take a step back and assess WHY you are still working on that one piece of work.
  1. Identify your passions
    • If you spend 42 hours on writing an article and then only 8 hours organizing the newsletter format to meet the publication deadline, it might be a sign. You must love to write and despise the other stuff. Hopefully someone other than you notices your talents, but regardless it will let you know that you probably shouldn't accept that raise to become "Editor in Chief" because you will hate it!
  2. Are you putting off other things?
    • Perfection is a form of procrastination. If you are spending too much time on one thing that actually doesn't need that much attention, there might be another reason for your needless editing. Are you regretting starting another task? This might mean that you need to find a way to time yourself and create a new routine so you can check everything off your list. Start doing the hard and not-fun task first!
  3. Ask for advice
    • Sometimes the only reason you keep working at something is to impress someone. If you don't want to disappoint a boss, you might do more research than needed. This isn't always bad, but you may simply be afraid of not producing work at 110%. The problem is that you don't know what 110% is for your boss so it might be better to take a break and ask them to evaluate your progress for you. You might be surprised!
I've done this with emails to external clients before. I second guess myself, rewrite it, reread it, and rewrite it again. No spelling errors. No repeat ideas. No missing links. For me, I had to brush off the fear of rejection and just send it! And, instead of anger I got praise from a few readers. What a great feeling! What have you don't that you've gotten stuck on? What did you do to get past it?
I enjoy a good movie, but usually from the comfort of my couch at home, not a movie theatre. At home there is a dog, a beer, and slippers that will make even C-rated movies watchable. So the fact that I even went to a theatre to watch this movie is a feat. I have read the books by Orson Scott Card and loved the SciFi story, and am happy to report that the movie was good too. Like any good movie, you can't help getting sucked into the emotional turmoil that Ender feels at the end. It got me thinking about when I've felt like that and what could better the situation. In business, we don't always know the answers or have all of the information, so how can we deal with that? Here's some thoughts:
  1. Know what you can and cannot change
    • The best advice in business is to "know what you don't know". Know when to sit back, know when to speak up, and know the difference between the two. For me, I get frustrated when I know that I don't have all the facts but I have to relax a bit and do the best with what I have and still drive to deliver results. You are only one piece of the puzzle but you can do a lot with that one piece.
  2. Trust your teammates to make the best choices
    • It is tough sometimes to hand over the reigns. Whether a manager or a new hire, if someone else is responsible for summing up a team's work, you have to feel comfortable that they can do a good job. Respect is not something to expect with a position or title but instead should be something you work with your team to earn. By proving your abilities in small projects, when you get in a tough spot your followers will stand behind you because you stood up for them previously.
  3. Accept the hard truth
    • The Dodo bird is extinct. The Lehman Brothers went bankrupt. Yes, you did eat that cookie at lunch when you shouldn't have. By not living in denial, you can systematically look at the situation, the outcome, and move on. Take the lessons learned and look forward rather than trying to redo the past, blame someone else, or attempt to reason your way through your mistakes.
What were your thoughts on the movie? On the book? Have you ever found yourself surprised and faced with a hard reality at work or at home and what did you do about it? Tell me your story!
The best advice I can give to someone wanting to improve their interview skills is to sit on the other side of the table. When your team is the one that needs another team player, always, always volunteer to be a part of the interview process. If you are going to work with them daily, you should contribute your personal opinions to finding the best candidate. Here are a few tips to try and "meet the real candidate" beneath the "suit and tie" mask.
  1. What is your proudest achievement (work related or not) and why? What did you do to reach this achievement?
    • I think you learn more from the positive questions than the "overcoming your greatest failure" questions because you can see what gets them excited rather than what makes them nervous. Pride shines in this one and knowing what makes someone arrive early and stay late is great to get the most out of them. If their answer has skills in it that you need, it could be a perfect match!
  2. What do you do for fun in your free time?
    • I love asking this questions because half the time it throws people off to "get personal". This is not a weird (or discriminating) question and whether they run marathons or watch movie marathons, love their pets or love to travel, you will see a spark of passion. How people passionately describe things will loosen them up and you might see some good (or bad) habits that simply let you know if you want to work with them or not.
  3. Describe your dream job.
    • If what they describe is not something that this position entails, they won't be staying long and you shouldn't hire them. If they describe the work that is a team weakness, they will compliment you well and be a great asset to hire. Be a bit wary if the answer is exactly like the job description because you may not be getting an honest answer - so ask this one towards the end of the interview after you've built up some trust.
The best thing you can do as an interviewer is to manage your time and leave time for the interviewee to ask questions. What they ask shows how much they listened, what is important to them, and how they share information. Some people come prepared with pre-written questions, some ask specific job-related questions, and some want to get to know you personally. Good luck!
This week I thought I would do a double perspective and share my favorite questions to ask during an interview based upon what side of the table you are sitting at. An interview is like a date in which neither person knows if things should proceed to a second date/interview. A few great articles suggest taking someone to a meal instead of a formal interview and another that recommends visiting their apartment/house without the person in question there. You can learn a lot about someone from watching them interact with servers, their kids/pets, or their furniture and dishes. Interviews, just like dates, tend to be lies where both parties put on their best dress and best attitude. What questions can you ask to draw out the real person, team, and company spirit?
  1. What do you think your direct reports think about your manager? Why?
    • Transparency is important in helping teams work together and a company is built up of many integrated teams. Good communication up and down the chain of command reduces duplicate work, aligns goals, and increases confidence in those around you.
  2. Is there any reason you believe I wouldn't be able to do this job successfully?
    • One of my mentors passed this interview sinker on to me. You rarely get feedback if you didn't get the job and if there is something that is preventing you from getting the job, this question allows you to have one last chance to address it.
  3. What is the biggest challenge your team will face within the next year?
    • If they don't know the answer, they may not know why they are hiring you. If they have a good answer, you can describe directly how your strengths can solve those needs. You and the hiring manager both want to be enthusiastic about your first 6 months and be ready to contribute to the team right away.
A few additional good questions can be specific to the position if it is a new or back-fill. What did the previous person do successfully/unsuccessfully? What makes your team stand out in your organization? What is your favorite thing about working here every day? And don't forget to ask how to follow-up and when you can expect status updates!
Whenever I meet new people in business situations whether at a conference, virtual meeting, or interview, there is one thing that I base my interest on seeing them again on: "fun". If you are going to be a bore, a stickler, or a show-boater, I have no reason to want to have another conversation with you or work on another project with you. Having a fun attitude, smiling, and attacking problems with gusto makes me want to work or play with you again. Here are three things to explain what I mean:
  1. Work turn into play
    • Every one knows the saying "work hard, play hard" but why don't we simply propose having work become fun? We turn chores into games for our kids so why don't we do that ourselves? I bet you can't finish that spreadsheet in 20 minutes because it usually takes you 90. Every time you respond to an email request eat an M&M. You can't refill your coffee until you complete that PowerPoint presentation. It might sound childish but doesn't it sound just a bit enticing and like an environment you'd want to work in?
  2. Creativity improves
    • Remember galloping around the grocery store like a horse and not caring if customers laughed? The imaginations of kids are full of stupid and silly ideas that makes you jealous of their spontaneity and carefree spirit. Well, why not be like that?! Yes, sometimes saying the crazy "out-of-the-box" ideas during a meeting might get you laughed at, but it also might spark the conversation that turns into a great idea. Adults are smart enough to know applying yourself turns challenges into results so be willing to take more chances and be silly!
  3. Reduces stress
    • There are proven statistics about laughter increasing productivity and decreasing stress levels. Kids like simplicity and the equation of Laughter + Work = Better Results is easy to understand and easy to do. Try telling a joke before every monotonous team meeting or try smiling at individuals during presentations. It will brighten their day and yours!
A few ways to get that kid mentality flowing is to go back to using crayons to write notes, crazy colored trapper keepers to store files, and daily calendar puzzles to fill those writer's block moments. These things don't take away from your actual work tasks - they just make those tasks a bit special. If you need some ideas, here is a fun article to read or a great video to watch. What do you think about bringing the fun into the workplace?
Seriously, I can't believe Congress's failure to act and keep the country running. Don't they understand the implications of their closed-mindedness? There are so many better ways to argue with a broken record, the birds from Finding Nemo, or terminators. Replace it, ignore it, or try another way. So here is some advice for congressman and congresswomen that I hope they heed.

  1. Plan one step ahead of the other team
    • Don't all of these esteemed politicians have tons of people working for them including someone in charge of their schedule? You win when you keep your eyes on both short and long term goals rather than flailing around last minute. Procrastination only leads to stressful situations that you created for yourself.
  2. Know your priorities
    • Know when to accept you've lost and know which battles you can lose. Seriously, choosing to lose, learning from the mistake, and better preparing for the next one is better than sending wave after wave of nonsense at the wall. Not making a decision is still a decision and so extending the time of that decision-making has consequences too. Prioritize your actions and you will win
  3. Take it outside
    • Sometimes what comes out of the mouth of the opposing side just makes your blood boil. When you honestly can't relax and let it go, then take your stress out in other ways. Expelling that negative energy in a healthy way will let you respond more intelligently when it really matters. Here are some ideas: lasertag, pillow fight, chalk fight, or pie throwing (see below).
Oh, and take those "bullies" from the other side with you.

Source: http://thegreatrace.webs.com/behindthescenes.htm
Scene from "The Great Race"
Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?
by: Seth Godin


Can you be irreplaceable even if you aren't a genius? This book argues that with the right attitude, yes, you can. Linchpins are not born they are made and not by following a map or a recipe. There is no defined process of "how to" become indispensable; you have to create your own path.

I agree with Seth's philosophy but honestly I thought the book was lacking. There were no stories of successful people and how they applied themselves to their jobs in new ways. And because there aren't any good stories you could get the same value out of the book by just reading the 200+ chapter headings. Godin almost argues with himself trying to convince the doubters that his movement of thinking differently works. Regardless, the book was fairly motivating and can be summarized in three key points about moving from a white collar button-pushing worker to someone that people talk about and count on.
  1. Make art
    • Artists create and share art which Godin describes as "anything that's creative, passionate, and personal [that] resonates with the viewer, not only with the creator." Rather than paint on a canvas, art can be the way you negotiate a sale or design a business model. If you aren't reading a script and have a reason to share something new, you are an artist and artists are linchpins.
  2. Give gifts
    • Real gifts are given with no intent to receive reciprocation. Gifts are usually thoughtful and purposeful and whether that is your talents, wisdom, or something tangible, gifts make others special. Making others feel that emotional pull without obligation is rare, meaningful, and worth remembering. Indispensable people are not those that rack up a IOU list, they are people that are well connected because they honor the skills of others.
  3. Ship it
    • This book also encourages people to not second guess themselves and to not wait for the perfect moment. The hardest part about creating something new is fighting the urge to take the safe route and wait for someone else to do it first, approve it, or love it before you stick your neck out. Don't let your "lizard brain" fear get the best of you! To be a linchpin you have to not be afraid of mistakes. Pick up the phone, press "send" on that email, stamp the UPS package with your first rev of a product and just do it!
In my opinion you can say you are creative all you want but you need to show it for it to be true and the book could have done a better job in demonstrating who a linchpin is rather than attempting to explain it abstractly. No two linchpins are alike so aren't there tons of examples that we can look up to? Who is someone that you look up to that is an example of a forward thinker that doesn't "go by the book"?
Wedding season is in full swing! I went to two weddings in the last week and they were both beautiful! And, ironically I am celebrating an anniversary of sorts this week too because this blog was started a year ago. That means there are lots of reasons to celebrate!
  1. Don't make promises you can't keep
    • Marriage is a life-long commitment to someone else and of course you want to promise them the best future they could ever have. You can't possibly foresee the challenges and changes that you will go through so I felt very encouraged to see such honesty in the vows at the weddings. In business you need to also be honest such as when you are telling a customer of whether their requests will be fulfilled in an upcoming product release. If you can't see that far into the future, don't try to guess and instead simply promise to continue to communicate!
  2. Make new friends, but keep the old
    • This is good, solid advice from a girl scout song. Weddings are filled with old high school friends to reminisce with and new friends you see every day at work or the gym. The advice here is to not take either of them for granted! This means stay in touch and ask about their lives. It equally means expanding your network so you can have a breadth of connections to rely on in any future situation.
  3. A reason's a reason, no matter how small
    • One of my favorite things at weddings is the dance to celebrate all married couples. It is heart warming to see the ones that have been together for 20, 30 or even 50+ years. It gives you hope that you can make it too. I think everyone should celebrate the small and big wins on a business project, company culture change, or personal relationship. Whether the milestone is only a month or a 5-year plan, any reason is reason enough to celebrate and it will keep you motivated to get to the next one.
Congratulations to the happy newlyweds!
Diverging a bit from my regular blog posts, this month I'd like to share a few personal stories that have been my INspiration lately. This week, it is about my, well, politely said, "opportunity in disguise". The hard truth is that I was laid off last week due to company downsizing. It is a shock and a little bit of a emotional roller-coaster but I'm staying positive in that something better will come out of this. It has only been a week and so I don't have a lot to report but it definitely is consuming my energy. So far, whenever I'm on the brink of tears I just remind myself of these 3 things and then I'm fine again.
  1. Lean on your support system
    • Don't be afraid to rely on the people around you. That is why they are there and they love you. They will help get you through this. This is hard for me to do because I am a very self-sufficient person and proud of it but when I came home to dinner and wine that night it made me feel special. It helps to feel that you don't have to do it all, all the time. Let the people that love you remind you of that and let them take care of you for a bit.
  2. Find a new routine
    • The first thing I did was sign up for a gym class during the day that I've always wanted to try. Yes, it costs money but having something to regularly get myself out of the house is really important to stay moving and motivated. We all strive for control so if you are the one making decisions and choosing to do new and unfamiliar things, you will find strength to conquer it.
  3. Just keep swimming
    • Like Dory in Finding Nemo, the best way to deal with the fear of the unknown is to trigger your muscle memory bank and keep going with familiar habits. For me, that is setting my alarm every morning and keeping a weekly to-do list just like I do on the job. Staying organized and self-motivated is more important now than ever and your attitude will show when you have those next job opportunities.
I think everyone that has survived a layoff wears it as a badge of honor. I intend to do the same after I'm through with this "battle". Have you been through a layoff? What advice do you have for me and others going through this?

Edited: Read about my advice after the fact in my 4 part blog post on unemployment.

I appreciate the fact that I can read the news and watch the highlights of the VMA 2013 in 1/10th the time the next day. As always, there are the critics, but I feel there are lessons hidden in some of the good and bad performances. Here are my thoughts.
  1. Do More with Less
    • Miley Cyrus: more skin does not automatically equate to sexier. The same is true in business in that the longer a report is does not make it better. Art and sales take finesse and patience because your audience determines its success. Your customer is more likely to buy if you tell a story and take your time getting to the punch line.
  2. Remember Your Roots
    • Justin Timberlake: the connections you make early follow you. The nod to N*SYNC was admirable and I appreciate that Justin didn't steal the spotlight or burn bridges. Respect is something that is earned and therefore takes time. Therefore, be careful taking the next step in your career without looking back or reaching a hand back. Your friends and followers say more about you than any sparkly headline you wrote yourself.
  3. Change takes time
    • Lady Gaga: Be true to yourself because no matter how you dress it up, the inside is what counts. Four wig changes during a performance might seem extreme but changing your appearance didn't change you or the song. I think this is symbolic of how slow we actually change. Our character and social habits are just like a new fitness routine in which you don't see results for some time. It also makes me think of the quote "4 weeks for you to notice a difference, 8 weeks for your friends to notice, and 12 for the rest of the world!"
Do you see similar performances from your co-workers that you would rather un-watch? Maybe there is a lesson they should be learning as well that you can help them realize. Share a story in the comments!
I was inspired this week by the title of a post called "Are you Acting Your Wage?" by the Daily Worth and it got me thinking about job titles and salaries. My title is "Technical Program Manager"; what in the world does that mean? What type of program? How big a program? How new a program? What part of the program do I manage? There are so many programs and program components, do you really know what I do based on just my title? Is the salary range really a good indicator to base your expectations? No and uh, no. So if you are looking for your next career move (internally or externally) how can you prove to people that you are worth the high end of that spectrum?
  1. Dress up
    • Most tech companies have a relaxed dress code with employees wearing jeans on more than just casual Fridays. But even if that is the case, take the advice I was given once and "dress for the job you want not the job you have". And take it a step further: dress up the other components of your image and improve the way you sit in meetings, your email signature, and the way you bring problems to your boss.
  2. Elevator up
    • When meeting people for the first time, you need to be able to rehearse a polished elevator pitch that clarifies who you are and what you do. Whether it is the CEO, a competitor, a customer, or an old classmate, you want to impress them all. The best way to elevate your job is to show results through numbers and a cause-and-effect equation. "I do X for program Y so that my company sees Z." Make sure you know what you'll say and don't get stuck tongue-tied; then you won't be worth much at all!
  3. "Sheryl Sandberg" up (or Man up)
    • Don't be afraid to get in people's faces about your efforts and goals. If you want a raise there are designated times they can happen and if you ask for it today I can bet you won't get it. You need to be in the running well before and so you need to speak up for yourself and advocate for your self worth. Ask to do more. Ask for feedback. Ask for the promotion. And if you're not convinced, maybe these stories will convince you.
Denver doesn't seem all that safe of a place at night. In fact, if you regularly read the news it seems like there is nowhere that is safe. It can make some people (including me) uneasy. So I did something about it and over the weekend, I attended a class on RAD (Rape, Aggression, Defense) held by the Denver Police Department. It was an invigorating experience and when I say I practiced kicking the crap out of men, I mean literally, kicking the crap out of 3 250+ lbs. 6'4" men. What better way can you learn to gain the confidence of doing something when the circumstances require it than actually doing it? It got me thinking of all the other learning experiences I've had that made that much of a memorable impact on me and why.
  1. Nothing teaches better than the real thing (or near real thing)
    • When I turned 15 (waaaay back then!) my parents signed me up for Masterdrive. The most memorable thing was the 20 minutes of skid pad practice to simulate hydroplaning. The loss of control is scary! And then you can slowly work past the fear and survive. It was the same thing at RAD class: if someone grabs you, first you scream and freeze; but then you bust out your muscle memory and hit them! I don't think all of the textbook knowledge in the world can teach you how to react in those situations other than practicing the actual thing.
  2. A majority of participants have to be really into it
    • With over 25 attendees all shouting at the top of their lungs "NO!", there was no doubt in my mind of the skills we were gaining. The confidence in our defense skills grew because the attendees had a desire to be there. Not every class is like that (you've all probably experienced rolled-eyes or intentionally long breaks) and so I encourage everyone to be that classroom initiator. Physically and vocally display your reason for spending your weekend learning an optional skill.
  3. The passion starts with the instructors
    • The teachers at Masterdrive and RAD are doing this for a reason and they deserve to see #2. They truly believe that preparedness is the best way to stay safe and so they train people to be self-sufficient. It is the same philosophy of giving a fish or teaching to fish. I'm thankful for those that are passionate enough to pass along their wisdom and commit to doing these activities on their days off.
If you want to take a RAD class, look up one near you. Or take these lessons and apply it to your next experience in which you are hesitant to sign up and learn a scary but necessary skill. What experience have you had like this? Maybe skydiving is next...

I'm prepared to knee, kick, and punch some "aggressors"!

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
by: Charles Duhigg

Did you know that Target knows when you are pregnant? Or that the memory loss victims in the movie 50 FIRST DATES could psychologically create new habits? This book breaks down the way our brains react to habits and cause us to do things methodically. We do every day things without thinking like the route you drive home, when (or if) you eat breakfast, or what you say when you hang up the phone. Our brains strive to create habits out of everything we do because then it frees up our brain to think about other things. In fact, 40% of what we do is habitual!

Duhigg talks through the habit loop that consists of a cue, a routine action or behavior, and a reward. There are tons of examples in the book, but one of my favorites was the story of how Febreze became a popular product by studying the habit loop of the house cleaning process. Taking habits a step further Duhigg applies the same concepts to noticing cultural patterns such as marketing techniques for selling shampoo. The bubble-filled orgasms in shampoo commercials are actually appealing to our neurological expectation that suds (cue) equates to clean (reward).

If you are like me, you have many bad habits that you want to get rid of. For me, those top 3 are: hitting the snooze button, nail biting, and the non-stop excuses for exercising. This book doesn’t suggest a step-wise solution to start/stop a new/old habit but it does cause you to be a bit more aware of the way you do things every day. I recommend this read: The Power of Habit!


Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace … One School at a Time
by: Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

How can you change the world? You start by finding something worth changing. This biography of the Eastern adventures of Greg Mortenson sometimes caused me to sit in my car in the parking lot to keep listening to the audiobook. It is an amazing tale of bringing education to rural villages in Taliban territories in the 1990’s and 2000’s. Education can truly change a life and whole societies as noted in my review of Half the Sky. You can hear the passion in Greg’s story of a mountaineer turned entrepreneur in three ways:

  1. It comes from within
    • No two dreams could be more different than walking into Pakistan to climb K2, the world’s second highest mountain, and walking out promising to build a school. Sometimes chance encounters change you for the better and take you to the next step of your life like it did for Greg. Nothing else was causing him to take this challenge except himself and that is the most powerful motivator.
  2. He sacrifices everything
    • Greg has the drive to keep going through every loss I know. He gives up his mountaineering passion; he loses his career, his friends, his love, and pretty much every penny to his name. It is just a heart-wrenching story that keeps you rooting for Greg like a hero.
  3. It strikes a chord with his followers
    • Sometimes you fight alone, but slowly people start listening. When there is a cause worth fighting, all it takes is just one person that is influenced (as Greg learned presenting at an empty auditorium on more than one occasion). That one person then repeats the story to his/her network. It becomes contagious and soon Greg is running a multi-million dollar organization!

Greg’s life story is a true story of overcoming the odds and never giving up. His frugality and perseverance were admirable traits that made his efforts successful. It is hard to imagine how he staying positive through all the difficulties and naysayers. This book left me with a new drive to demonstrate the same passion in my own efforts to “change the world”; no matter what comes my way.
Happy Fourth of July! I hope you all enjoyed a little break and some time in the sun over the holiday weekend, as did I. I find it kind of ironic that most of us dawn our red, white, and blue pride only a few times a year. What about pride for your company? Do you ever dress for success complete with insignia as a loyal employee? Maybe it is a fashion statement, or maybe you have one foot out the door...
  1. Loyalty doesn't stop on the weekends
    • Are you a workaholic? Why? Is it because you believe in your work, a task (any task!), or trying to escape another problem elsewhere. On the other hand, you could be biting at the bullet at 4:30 waiting for the clock to skip by the minutes. Believing in your work means you put your full time in and deliver results that matter, even sometimes above other things.
  2. Pride doesn't choose its company
    • If you are with coworkers, home with friends and family, or at a conference abroad, true pride shouldn't waver. If you are proud of what you do and what your company stands for, than the message should never change.
  3. It is a long term commitment
    • There is usually a reason you became enamored with a company, cause, or person the first time. But once the honeymoon phase wears off, true commitment is what is left. Loyalty usually means you are in it for the long haul and will stick it out through a few ups and downs.
Many people show their US patriotism by joining the armed forces; some just vote every year. What keeps you coming back for more? Is there someone you know that is extremely committed to a company or a cause and isn't afraid to show it often?
There is a circulating theme this month that may have stemmed from Google no longer hiring based on GPA (which I fully support) and one of my favorite blog posts about how being stupid is a good thing. There are many opportunities that we give and receive information: school, news, parenting, on-the-job, conferences,  etc. Which would you rather be, the smartest one or the dumbest one? Here are three arguments as to why it might be better to be the latter.
  1. They Ask First
    • If you don't think you are smart enough to answer something on your own, you usually ask a lot of questions. Whether for understanding, clarification, or just to know what your boss really wants, asking is the fastest way to the answer. Smart people usually figure it out on their own and that means you might get a different conclusion, it might take longer, or you have to redo work!
  2. They Offer to Help
    • One of the best ways to become smarter is to learn is from someone else. Watching someone that is an expert and being a copycat is a fast way to get better at a new task. Even if you aren't very smart, you still seek recognition and therefore offering to help work on projects that the experts are running gets your name out there. These people become friendly and reliable colleagues rather than introverts working solo.
  3. They Are Kind
    • I find that those that aren't proving to the world that they are super smart are happier and supportive people. They give words of encouragement, congratulations, and praise. For example, "Wow, that's a great idea!" because they genuinely wouldn't have thought of it themselves. Instead of trying to share your knowledge with the world and argue with those that disagree, having less smarts means you receive advice all the time, listen to it, and appreciate it.
What are you a "smarty pants" or a "geek" about? Do you notice other people around you with these characteristics? What about when you are the "stupid" one. Think about an area of weakness in which you look to others for advice. Do you share these characteristics during those times?
It takes a while to readjust after an amazing 2 week trip to China with 15 of my MBA classmates. Touring to Beijing, Shenyang, and Shanghai, I learned some fascinating things about the Chinese culture, companies, and emerging market opportunities. I have not really been out of the country before, and so I had no expectations going in and I had a wonderful time. Here is a short synopsis of fun facts, traveling advice, and professional information that hopefully give you some insight into China.
  1. Socialism is very visible in China. You can see the economic and social standards are very controlled and respected by each citizen. The Chinese are very nice to each other and foreigners. Taxi drivers are the safest drivers, no road rage even with 3,000 new vehicles a day in Beijing and frequent blaring of car horns and constant traffic. There are street vendors everywhere and thus lots of bartering on anything from fruit to jewelry. Everything is clean and there is little crime. You see street sweepers with homemade brooms everywhere. Street vendors track you down for a sale and to give you the correct change. Taxi drivers are patient and safe so they don’t lose their license. The subway systems are very impressive! Past government mandated exercises are still practiced by older women in the streets of Shanghai regularly.
  2. The most interesting part of socialism is the public healthcare system which we learned a lot about by visiting multiple new hospitals. No matter your income, age, or illness you must stand in line all day for 2 minutes with a doctor. Thus, many Chinese gain immunities due to overdose prescriptions. Private healthcare for those that can afford it is just now entering the market and is a great opportunity for domestic and foreign investors.
  3. Another interesting government control is limiting the movement between cities. Each citizen has a location card which ties them to a region and it is near impossible for paperwork to be approved to move into a big city from a rural area. In response, the government is developing Tier 3 cities into Tier 2 and Tier 2 cities into Tier 1. These tiers are based upon population and Shenyang is a smaller Tier 2 with “only” 9 million people. The amount of construction in Shenyang versus Beijing and Shanghai (both Tier 1 cities) was very evident. And apparently all construction projects must be completed within 3 years which also contributes to the fast industrial growth since the Cultural Revolution only 20 or so years ago (1979). It will be interesting to return in a decade and see how the country has dealt with the challenges of development.
  4. I seek out the green spaces in the busy cities and each of the tourist attractions had tons of shady, evergreen trees. The Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, and Beiling Park were definitely the places to play chess or go on a date. I found it surprising that even the campus of Bao Steel has 60% trees. The Ring Roads in Beijing and The Bund in Shanghai each had tons of roses lined along the way. It didn’t quite balance out the smog that stuck to all of the tall buildings and your nose though.
  5. The food in general is definitely not like Americanized Chinese food and honestly you had few options since every restaurant had similar items.  However, the jiaozi (also known as gyoza, pot-stickers, or dumplings) are delicious and I highly recommend ordering them anywhere. There is no difference between meals: breakfast, dessert, dinner, all any time of day. On a regular basis you could get food from street vendors who had Durian fruit, lots of melon, candy-covered strawberries on a stick, and grilled squid. You could get “Hot Pot” meals similar to fondue. And of course Peking Duck in Beijing is a do not miss treat! If you need your American fix while in China, KFC is the most common followed by Pizza Hut and McDonalds.
Me at Badaling, The Great Wall of China
General Q&A:

Q1: What was the weirdest thing you ate?
A1: Donkey. And raw duck brain.
Q2: What was the most surprising thing about the Chinese?
A2: Kids don't wear diapers. Nope. They just have slits in their pants so they run around in cheeky pants and sometimes you'll find one figuring out how their little peepee works in the middle of a public street...
Q3: What was your favorite thing?
A3: The Great Wall. I’ve visited Mayan temples and it is a similar piece of history but stretched out over rolling mountains. It was gorgeous, strenuous, and exciting.
Q4: What was your favorite food?
A4: That’s a tough one. I’d probably pick “moon pies” which are large shortcake-type cookies stuffed with pineapple, red bean, or green tea paste. Yum!
Q5: What was your best purchase?
A5: I am still enjoying the green tea that I brought back and I enjoyed the buying experience in the store that pours it out for you to smell. I bought some other fun souvenirs such as a jade necklace, silk tablecloth, and a plate. You can buy knockoff items too but honestly I didn’t bother.
Q6: What typical Chinese activities did you do?
A6: For someone’s birthday we went to private room karaoke. We took an elevator up to a hallway and 15 of us enjoyed drinking whiskey with iced tea while singing badly. Fun for all ages! The most American activity? A Kung Fu show because the audience was 90% white and it was in English.
Q7: Any advice for traveling?
A7: Find a local grocery store early on and buy bottled water (12 pack for 8 yuan) rather than the hotel shop (1 for 12 yuan). Written Chinese is the best for communicating with taxi drivers to or from your hotel. The subway though is super cheap and easy to use so I’d recommend if it is before 10:30 pm, use it!
Q8: Any “do not miss” spots in Beijing?
A8: Peking University was really cool but it is a closed campus. There is a lake, lots of student biking, and the buildings have old external designs but internally very modern. You definitely need a full day for the Summer Palace which I think is prettier than the Forbidden City except for the unique Nine Dragon Wall (extra cost). The same dragons were in the Old Forbidden City in Shenyang though which was 1/12 the size but just as beautiful.
Q9: Any “do not miss” spots in Shanghai?
A9: The Aquarium was really neat with the longest underwater tunnel in the world and a huge wall of jellyfish. Also, the Yuyuan Gardens in Old City of Shanghai are neat because in that area you get lots of people, beautiful architecture, and shopping all in one place.
Q10: Would you go back?
A10: Yes! If I go back I would expect it to be for business and would like to learn the language since little to no English is spoken in China. I was glad I was not traveling alone on my trip even though everyone was friendly and Beijing felt safer than Denver.

Thank you China, for a wonderful visit!
The formality in the workplace hinders a supportive environment that helps teams and companies achieve success. Principals treat everything like a report card, pink slip or detention, and rehearsed full school assemblies. Everything is by the book and everyone, even staff, fears being "sent to the principal's office". This method is unhealthy if applied to a work environment. If your boss thinks he is entitled to his/her respect, they are acting like a principal. Instead, coaches are much more effective. If your boss cheers for you, trains you, and wants to see you (and subsequently him/herself) succeed they are acting like a coach. Can you still achieve the results if you use a flexible coach approach to being a boss? YES!

  1. Play your own game
    • Just as a soccer coach can't play the game for you, your boss cannot do your work for you either. You need to put the effort in the see results. You don't learn from watching your boss play the game but a coach is there to apply his expertise to your technique. Everyone doesn't kick the ball the exact same way but it still makes it into the goal and coaches know that. Principals expect you to learn it "my way or the highway" if you want to fit in.
  2. Watch for cues
    • A conductor (coach) cannot make each instrument play the right notes at the right time. The best he/she can do is direct you when, where and what to play. If you miss the cue, you are at fault and it means you might need to practice on your own more than what is expected to make the grade. Principals would simply replace you because upholding the reputation is more important than giving you a second chance.
  3. Be a player on the team
    • Coaches know that a game cannot be won with one good player, it is a collective. Coaches will pair you with others that have different strengths and weaknesses than you. You might not be the star that makes the winning score but your efforts assisted and a coach knows that. Principals only care about results and do not see the people behind it whether one or many.
Sports analogies are strong in the workplace. Do you have examples of when your boss has acted like a coach hyping you up for a "big game" or "big deadline"? Or is your boss angry when you don't use the corporate PowerPoint template and acting like a principal?
How can you start making a dent in your "to do" list when you only have 10 minutes? Today, I was motivated by this post by Project Eve and my friend Miranda's recommendation of the book Switch. When you feel overwhelmed with too much to do, you don't know where to begin! I think daily my boyfriend says he is "too busy" to help clean the house. The point of today's post is that a little goes a long way. Here are some ideas:
  1. Just start it
    • If you remember my post on resolutions, starting a good habit is harder than stopping a bad habit. So if you can hold yourself accountable to take the first step and not worry about the second, you'll be surprised how much you'll get done. My workout trainer says "you can do anything for 30 seconds" and I think the same is true for when it is "only 10 minutes".
  2. Add it up
    • The funny thing about 10 minutes is that you only get 3 of them in a half hour. Any amount of time can be broken up into smaller, doable chunks. Then at the end of the day, or hour, you can add it up and be surprised with what you accomplished. Why do you ever procrastinate when you can be this successful in 10 minutes? It's just like penny fundraiser drives that end up building a brand new school playground (true story!) - every little bit matters.
  3. Finish the unfinished
    • Some people have trouble finishing what they started and applying yourself for only 10 minutes can solve this problem too! Having something to show for efforts is a ego boost and you deserve that virtual pat-on-the-back, don't you? Pick the low hanging fruit at the bottom of your priority list and spend 10 minutes closing it out.
So, how do you think I wrote this blog post today? Exactly this! Picking a topic is the hard part and then I did one bullet at a time, one foot in front of the other. I started early and was surprised by how much time in my day I still had left to accomplish the other things still on my list. Try it today!
Do you occasionally suffer from road rage? Are you a Colorado driver that doesn't know how to merge using the full 1/2-mile merge lane? Do you speed every day or do you stop for a full and legal 3-seconds at stop signs? Drivers rarely fully adhere to the traffic laws that stop signs try to enforce. But why? Here are some thoughts on how poorly traffic signs grab our attention and some marketing tactics you can use to avoid these mistakes.
  1. Look for one, find two
    • What do stop signs and Coca-cola have in common? They both have white writing on a red background and whether they successfully grab your attention depends little with marketing abilities and more to do with the environment. Is there a cop watching the intersection? What did the car in front of me do? Is it convenient to stop by the vending machine or the drive-thru on your way out? Whether you order a Coke over Pepsi depends more upon what the restaurant has to offer and whether your friends are drinking soda or water or beer. Tactic: Choose and control your placement around your competition. 
  2. Associated impressions
    • No one likes capital letters. STOP is like using all caps in an internet argument to tell other how IMPORTANT this sentence is! Symbols are more effective: European signs, the Apple computer symbol, etc. Do you recognize an octagon shape immediately and image it colored red? Tactic: Use colors and symbols for quick recognition.
  3. Surprising alternatives
    • Paper or plastic? Twitter or Facebook? Sometimes having an option makes users do a double take. If you are given options or meet abnormal substitutions, it makes you stop and think. Instead of stop signs, traffic controls use roundabout or yield signs because they can be more effective in reducing accidents in certain locations. Can you offer alternatives that keep your audience on their toes causing them to willing consider your product? Tactic: Be your own challenger and have options.
Are there other every day signs that you miss because you are inundated with advertisements  rules, and blinking lights drawing your attention? What can you do to make your idea stand out?
Last week I published a review of Made to Stick. I think this book is read not only by marketing professionals but really anyone that wants to add a little creative spice to their work. What I've found though when talking to people is that not many people (except explicit artists), consider themselves to be "creative". Well, throw all that thinking away because I am here to say YOU ARE.
"If you're a great spotter, you'll always trump a great creator. Why? Because the world will always produce more great ideas than any single individual, even the most creative one." -Made to Stick

  1. Borrow it
    • Honestly, borrowing someone else's genius idea is genius too. You recognize it is something awesome that can be repeated. Remember being kids in paint class yelling "No copying!" Well copying is a form of flattery... and really, did your fish's blue stripes ever look the same as the original? It is creative to borrow great ideas because you make them great again!
  2. Recycle it
    • You can easily recycle a old idea and reuse it in a new situation. There are tons of ideas of Pinterest that come up with unique ways to use old jeans, binder clips, and wine bottle corks. Just clear out a closet, find something you bought and never used, and actually use it! That is being creative because you are using it for a purpose you didn't originally intend it for!
  3. Combine it
    • Creative doesn't mean you have to come up with a brand new idea that no one has ever thought of before. Creativity is also combining any number of "regular" ideas and making them into something new. Facebook is a hit because it combines technology and the little black book. Even a poster slogan or website design can be a combination of ordinary already used ideas that turn into another singular creative masterpiece.
For a fun twist on creativity, I also highly recommend this TED talk by IDEO CEO on Creativity and Play. So now answer the question: Are you creative?
Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Other Die
by: Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Did you know that “Nice guys finish last” was a misquote from a baseball manager? A “sticky” idea, no matter if it was intended or not, can help you be SUCCESsful – as long as it still communicates your core values and message. The book gives 5 ways that, combined, can give you the best chance of creating an idea that is made to stick.
  • Simple – How can you tell if something is simple enough to stick? “Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Define and describe your core message in as few words as possible, maybe with alliteration or something catchy, to find its essence. The authors gave the example: Alien is Jaws on a spaceship. Genius!
  • Unexpected – A great way to surprise your audience is to do a twist on an already sticky and popular quip like “The only constant is change…” (Isaac Asimov). Knowing the knowledge base of your audience is key to surprising them. Humans know what the color blue is and what bubblegum tastes like so when a girl in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory turns blue from roast beef flavored gum, we remember it!
  • Concrete – To be concrete you need to keep to the facts. A goal of being the “best” or “most efficient” can mean different things to different people. Using words like “bigger than Google” or “99 cents cheap” however creates common ground. Many times putting yourself in someone else’s shoes helps you understand what concrete data means the most to your customers or your manager.
  • Credible – Being specific with statistics is not always enough. To get people to believe that your story applies to them and their situation, you need to break down the facts into something that can be grasped. The authors recommend the Sinatra Test of “If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere.” So give one plausible example, whether negative or positive, that makes the audience believe your credentials are true for any situation.
  • Emotional – We are all too familiar with the “What’s in it for me?” question so make it a habit to get them to care before they ask for it. This was an interesting chapter because it rejected Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Money is not always a motivator and neither is self-interest so evoking a memorable feeling may be more difficult than you think!
  • Stories – Everyone knows the Jared and Subway story and knows how a powerful story is worth repeating. The authors provide 3 types of plots that work well: challenge (near impossible “David and Goliath”), connection (building an unusual “Romeo and Juliet” relationship), and creativity (involve the listener in solving an “Indiana Jones” puzzle).
Not only is this a great book with decent recommendations of how to make something stick, but the book itself is a great example of something sticky. The book is filled with a simple “sticky” concept, capable applications, well-known brand examples, heartfelt questions, and stories in every chapter. I’d recommend this book to anyone seeking something to spruce up a presentation, document, or task.

I enjoyed reading this article by Brad Hoover this week about the most dangerous word being "try" because it "simply shows a lack of belief, passion, commitment, and confidence". It is hard to disagree with this claim, but I'm going to argue that "tomorrow" is the most dangerous word to use. Such as in the statement "I'll do it tomorrow", tomorrow is not a three-letter-word but I think it one of the worst words you can use.
  1. Procrastinating
    • Maybe "later" or "never" is more accurate? The "I'll do it tomorrow" just rolls off the tongue and is so easy to discard and forget until a later date. You don't really mean tomorrow, you just mean "not today".
  2. Not admitting fear
    • Usually when we use the word tomorrow we are referring to starting something or finishing something. You may want to take a harder look at how often you hear this and if there is a trend. Is the assignment itself what you are avoiding? Or is it simply a bad habit you have formed that stands between you and success?
  3. Avoiding action
    • It can be even more serious if it is when you are waiting for someone else to do it entirely. It is like blaming your bad day on luck or hoping to win the lottery to relieve your credit card debt. You don't believe you have any control and simply wait around for someone to come change it for you or that the problem will just disappear on its own. Bad idea! Take charge!
Try means you are admitting failure before you even start and not giving full effort whereas tomorrow means you are waiting for someone else to point out your failure!

And can you image the combination of these two!?! "I'll try to get to that tomorrow." How horrendous! Approach each day and each task with a purpose and intention and you will see huge improvement. What is a word you wish you never had to hear at work or at home?
Brocade got a new CEO this week! A big welcome to Lloyd Carney and the coming growth of Brocade, SDN technology, and the networking industry. One of the best things in my opinion that Lloyd said about joining is his first order of business is to listen and learn. I completely respect that - how can you change for the better if you don't know what you are changing? It might be something that was better before you touched it! How can you prevent "bad change" from happening in your life?
  1. Ask
    • Listen and learn can be done through silent observation or a fully engaged rampage of questions. Asking questions is a better way to showing others respect and that you are open-minded. Oh, and smile! :-)
  2. Share
    • In most instances, our first impressions and gut-feelings have some serious control our ultimate final decisions. (Recommended read: Blink by Malcolm Gladwell) If you ever want to be convinced otherwise by real evidence, you need to talk aloud about your thoughts and ideas. Then you can learn if it's already been done before, if it has unforeseen road blocks, or there are modifications to your intended actions that can make the change even better than initially!
  3. Be accountable
    • Say what you mean and do what you say. Trust and respect is earned not given and even a stunning track record, a seasoned expert, or you, need to start on the right foot on Day 1 like it is Day 1. Otherwise, no matter what change you wish to implement it won't be accepted or executed.
I'd like to share one of my favorite quotes with you:
Change and rising expectations are the only constants in life.
(Peter Sheahan)
Do you agree with this? Do you think change is always good?
I made some changes! The title and description is now more about the INK part of an ink blot rather than the BLOT part. I feel like it better represents what topics the blog covers. Inspiration comes from the source rather than the result. I hope you continue to enjoy my blog and that it starts conversations rather than finishes them. What do you think?!
The last few days I've been contemplating on my own blog post How to Make the Best New Year's Resolutions this past week. It is hard to stay upbeat and positive when trying to determine your faults, slow down your dreams to reality, return to the struggles at work, (and deal with a sick boyfriend at home). I will say I have not done well with my own resolutions of waking up early to exercise in the new year yet and well, it has only been 7 days. So what do you do? Well, there is only one thing to do: keep starting over.

  1. Forgive but don't forget
    • You will keep failing if you keep holding grudges against yourself. Pick your favorite quote about not reliving the past, but make sure you don't leave the lessons learned in history too. We all make mistakes and the only way to do better next time is to fail a different way.
  2. Praise and punishment
    • One usually works better than the other, and if you've tried one and still failed, try the other. But regardless of whether you shower compliments or turn into a drill sergeant make sure your heart listens. Many times we stare at ourselves in the mirror and make promises that we don't believe ourselves. Trust yourself to know when to use the carrot or the stick and trust yourself to act on those threats and celebrations.
  3. Play with the band
    • There is no reason to go solo! It's pretty easy to find these teams too if you follow the hot trends. Talk about your resolutions with someone else - blog about it, talk to a mentor about it, tell a significant other about it, or a team of friends (new or old). Staying accountable and doing the first 2 items is easier with cheerleaders that are on the same side as you.
Who keeps you challenged? How do you stay motivated? What do you do to try, try, try, try again?

About Me



So if you want to be happy at work like I am, then thanks for being a reader! I am a consultant that travels constantly and is always working with new people. I love what I do! I'm formally trained with an MBA and BS Engineering. At home and in my free time, I like to drink beer, travel, garden, read, hike with my dog, and play board games.

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