People instinctively push buttons. I am not sure why. Perhaps we marvel at the results. But relationships can suffer. Our fascination with buttons starts innocently enough. Toddler toys sport buttons of all sorts. Animal heads pop up, sounds abound and giggles burst forth. We move on to doorbell buttons, pushing them repeatedly until Mommy yells. I was born […]
We’ll Have Fun, Fun, Fun ‘Til They Take Our Allowance Away!
The human life cycle is ironic. We start out in diapers; we end up in diapers. We eat soft foods as we cut our teeth; we eat soft foods as we lose our teeth. We need caregivers as newborns; we often need caregivers in our last days. My theory is that during the years between […]
That Darn Dead Cottonwood Tree
One surefire morale buster in the workplace is expecting your team to perform tasks without providing them the proper tools. Ask any auto mechanic. Without the right tools, a repair is more difficult, takes more time and frustrates the most patient of grease monkeys. So too in home repair. Ditto corporate departments. Frustration begets anger, […]
Another Asinine Assumption
Miscommunication is epidemic in our society. In past posts we have explored technology as a culprit. But we can never exonerate ourselves, as we choose to communicate unwisely via virtual means. We also sometimes communicate based upon assumptions. The trite saying regarding what happens when we ass-u-me is unfortunately spot on. But must that truth […]
Measured Irreverence is Key!
Life throws down many a gauntlet. We enter this world with a spanking and angst begins. On balance, life’s wine glass is half full, but there are hard days on the planet. You know. Ours is an equal opportunity experience. Basking in the pleasant is instinctive. The challenge lies in breaking through the tackling dummies […]
What if we look for the humor?
Levity begets longevity. Medical research has long corroborated such. Physical benefits of humor include the exercising of muscles and organs, increased oxygen and blood flow, and release of those God-given antidepressants we call “endorphins.” Physicians also assert that humor relieves stress, which is healthy. I am no doctor, but I do know these three things: • Humor […]
Communication from Afar — Is Anybody Out There?
I loved cartoons when I was a child. Still do. Have you ever noticed how simple communication appears in an animated world? I suppose that’s part of the make-believe magic. The Jetsons were as much a Saturday morning staple in my house as Malt-O-Meal. I loved watching George walk Astro on the moving sidewalk or […]
Please Spit Out Your “Um”! — Pauses Pack a Punch!
The proverb “silence is golden” makes me ponder, what is gold worth today? Well, at the time of writing this post, gold was priced at $1,659.54 per ounce (see above image). Ergo, a moment of silence – but a pause – can have great value. Much happens within a few-seconds’ pause – The rich audible […]
The NERVE of Some Words! (Communication Derailed – Part 2)
Tony Jeary has said, “Life is a series of presentations.” Indeed, we spend most waking hours attempting to influence or persuade our friends, children, spouses, bosses, coworkers, clients, opponents, even strangers. In our quest, we quickly learn that not any old communication will suffice. Persuasion hinges on credibility. Butchering the English language will gut our […]
Communication Derailed — Usage of Incorrect Words / Phrases
Annoying distractions derail communication. One of the most abrupt communication stoppers in my view is a misused word or phrase. Such sends my mind into joke-writing mode every time. Obviously, I am then no longer listening to the speaker’s intended message. Here are a few true examples, which I have experienced: EXAMPLE 1: One of […]
