No matter if our work space is at home, office, or in the kitchen, it reflects our state of mind. Have you ever noticed that when you are distracted and feel disorganized, things are everywhere?

This is how dramatic the impact of a work space can be—I was talking to a stock broker friend of mine who has a huge clientele. His firm just moved him into a large corner office with new furniture and an incredible view. He has noticed a marked increase in his investment returns.

In bringing the inside and the outside of us into alignment in service of the life we want, lets remember to include our work spaces. It will make a difference.

What is your work space like?

I am listening …

This blog became a reality when I met Brian, the amazing blog meister.  Brian has reinforced in me a business success principle I want to share.

Being a novice blogger, I had no idea how to create one, but I knew I had much to say.  I shared my dream of having one with Brian and he created this blog.  When we work together, now mostly by e-mail and phone, if i need something done he often tells me how to do it and I get it done myself.  I have learned much under his tutelage. I feel empowered!

The success principle – “Give it away and it will return ten fold”.  Brian gives away his knowledge. The benefits for him in my case is that I am less dependent on him so he doesn’t have to deal with the little details which I take care of myself now; he keeps me as an ongoing client; by making me more self-sufficient he creates time in his schedule to go after new business; and, best of all, he has captured me as a loyal referral source - nothing like a very satisfied customer to carry your story forward.  I would highly recommend Brian to anyone.  However, get in line, he is quite busy.  No surprise there!  

What knowledge do you give away?

I am listening …

People are so caught up with technology, focused on performance, results, or themselves that the simple art of manners, a key component in successful human interaction, is forgotten much of the time.  Saying ”thank you” when someone does something for us, “please” when asking for a favor, or “sorry” when we made a mistake.  Simple, isn’t it.  Have you ever done a favor for a friend and they never even thanked you?  Then there are those who use this amazingly simple energetic equalizer as a power play, not saying sorry shows who is seemingly in control.  Does your boss apologize for his mistake when he caused the problem?

What if the cover of Vogue Magazine said:  “Manners are back!”   It would get our attention, wouldn’t it?  Well, they never really left,  just became an after-thought!  Saying thank you, please, or sorry, completes the circle of interaction, nothing remains pending.  

Everything has energy, including the energy captured by incompletions no matter how small they may be - take for example the constant thinking about the thank you note you have intended to send for two weeks.

How are your manners?

I am listening …

I asked my friend Dolores, who used to write resumes profesionally to give us some key pointers. Here is her response:

- First impressions are lasting – remember to check your resume for grammatical, formatting and spelling errors

-Your resume should be no more than 1-2 pages in length

-Tell a “story” in your resume: Describe a situation your were faced with, the action you took to resolve it, and the result for the company (preferably monetarily)

-Make your resume easy for a “resume screener” to select – remember that the person looking at your resume may not understand the position you are applying for and skills needed the same way you do – tailor your resume to the description of the job you are applying for

-For more resume tips check out: http://www.roberthalffinance.com/ResumeWriting

Now a tip from me:    keep you resume updated, the full of it, regardless of the number of pages it takes. This way you won’t have to scramble through your files or try to remember what you did when if a new opportunity presents itself. You can then simply tailor it as needed.

Do you have a question?

I am listening …

Marketing has come up several times in my work with clients lately, the need to market a practice, increase sales, get more clients, etc. There are a lot of marketing courses one can take, books to read and so on. Yet, the first step starts at home.

When solving a problem with a client, one exercise I like to do is to ask them to throw all the facts on the wall. Italians test the readiness of the spaghetti by throwing it on the wall, if it sticks it’s ready. I like the analogy. Throw all thoughts about the situation on the wall. Be wild, bold. Download your brain, thoughts, emotions, feelings, considerations, etc. Throw anything that comes up on the wall, no holding back, no organized lists, just the wall. My walls have been white boards, black boards, post it notes on plain walls… anything as long as it is a wall and it is free flowing.

When you least expect it, the wall begins to talk to you. Try it. What is it saying?

I am listening …

I define energy leaks as those things in life that keep our minds away from the present moment, preoccupied or tied up somehow. These energy leaks can be short lived, like the work problem we can’t stop thinking about. Or, it can last for years, like a difficult family situation that represents a constant stress. Either scenario zaps our energy. We can get used to operating at half capacity but why would we want to. Why not have all our energy at our disposal in support of our dreams and goals. If it is a problem with work, do your best while there then leave it behind when you go home. Or if it something of a personal nature seek professional help if necessary. Bottom line: Get your energy back and get it working for you to support your dreams and your life.

Do you have energy leaks?

I am listening …

Give someone you work with legitimate praise today. Watch what happens. They grow taller, more confident and it gives them a glimpse of the great beings they actually are, we all are. Then watch what happens inside you.

I used to have a boss who thought that if he praised me he would have to give me a raise. Don’t laugh. There are a lot of work environments where praise is a scarce commodity, its even a scarce commodity among friends sometimes. On the other hand you complain or grumble, people get involved right away, they start taking sides, having opinions, tell you what to do, etc. Praise is like wild salmon, rare and always swimming against the current.

People are afraid to give praise, afraid of losing something if someone else is recognized for their accomplishment. Quite the contrary. Everyone gains!

Praise someone today. Note who gives you praise. How do you feel?

I am listening …

I watched the sunset from the beach today. I gave my mind a rest, got away from the computer and took a walk with a friend.

Inserting the unexpected into the day is my way to stay in balance. There was a time in my life when taking a working day to play would have bothered me. My mind would be filled with the things I should be doing or what had been left undone. Do you ever do this to yourself, take a day off but your mind is still at work or on some problem that needs solving? Might as well be back at the office or at home. I learned long ago that honoring the small voice inside me was the most important thing I could do to bring my energy and my perspective back into alignment. Today the voice inside me said: “take a break”.

What is the small voice inside you saying?

I am listening …

My dear friend Gerry, a very smart software engineer, sent me this to share with you.

“If you have an idea, whether it’s a product, service, or a way to express your thoughts, and you want a Website to house this idea, choose a domain name that conveys the nature of your idea.

The domain name extension, “.COM” is a popular extension to get; but it’s okay to settle for “.NET”, “.ORG”, or “.US” for that matter. Be creative in your domain name.

Also, when it comes to designing your Website make sure you don’t clutter it with “stuff”. I have come across many Websites where so much “eye-candy” littered the home page that the user literally becomes frustrated and moves on. Simplicity is more. When developing your Website make sure your site has a fine balance of text and graphics while being able to grab the user’s attention and instill in their mind what you’re trying sell, share, etc….

Years ago it was expensive to host a Website. Now you can host a Website for under $5.00 a month. I would suggest GoDaddy for all your hosting needs; I’ve been with GoDaddy for 6 years and maintain 5 hosting accounts with them. They have very reasonable prices and their domain names cost about $10.00 a year. Good luck and happy Websiting…. ”

Do you have a useful tip to share? Drop me an e-mail.

I am listening …

Do you have a daily affirmation, or a question you ask of life? Today mine was: “What am I to learn today?” Invariably when I ask, answers come, sometimes through a sweet moment or connection, other times through not so easy moments. I practice anyway. I do have days that are one big blur, like speeding through life. Asking and listening keeps me conscious and present. My question sometimes changes to an affirmation, whatever seems right at the time. Through this process I open myself up so life can speak to me.

What is your question?

I am listening …