Pop quiz! What did they call "multitasking" in the eighties?

Answer: "Lack of focus."

I don't mean to sound like an old fuddy-duddy (of course, using the term "fuddy-duddy" does tend to portray me as such), but like it or not, I am officially of a "certain age." More times than I care to admit, I have strutted with strong intention into the kitchen, and upon arrival, completely blanked as to why I was there. Or, finding myself looking for an item in the closet, I will be briefly distracted, and forget what I was looking for. I have, embarrassingly enough, "lost" my keys on the way to the door on more than one occasion.

My wife and I have entire conversations without ever using proper nouns...

To read the full post, follow this link. 

(Note: the videos are not embedded in this email. To view them, click on the picture and they'll take you to a location at my blog where you can view them.)

The bottom line?

Over the last few months, we're getting concerned again. Our collective attitude, although still trending positive, is declining on almost all levels.

The first two questions in the I3 are:

• How would you rate your attitude?
• How would you rate the attitude of those around you?

What's not surprising is that we always rate our own attitude higher than the attitude of those around us.  Also, what's not surprising is that both attitudes (our and other's) has been declining lately. (Note the dotted lines heading downwards. You can click on the image to make it larger.)  

If you take a look at what the top stories have been the last several months, it probably makes a lot of sense (keep in mind this data was compiled prior to the killing of Osama Bin Laden and the floods along the Mississippi River.)

It's important to be thankful, so at the end of my newsletter, I express it publicly.  With that in mind, just some of the people to whom I am grateful include: my local Mastermind Alliance; Humboldt Speakers; the Northcoast Small Business Development Center, Weight Watchers International; Jenn, Taylor, Tim, and Sally, who are now writing for and with me; the Municipal Clerks Association of New Jersey for the amazing reaction in Atlantic City; the same for the City Clerks Association of California for the reception in South Lake Tahoe; Grant County, WA for bringing me back next month (hopefully my plane will not get hit by lightning this time; Michelle Rankin and the California Conservation Corps for bringing me back this month; Amy Jester, the Humboldt Area Foundation, and NORCAN for the opportunity they gave me last month; Kathy Kendrix, the president of The Empowerment Group, my speakers bureau, for setting me up withe the showcase in Oregon next month; all my local clients, who continue to hire me; the folks who have signed up to be coached and supported by me on ThisTimeIMeanit.com; the editors of the newspapers that run my column and the websites that post it - as well as the people who read it; and of course to my family - especially my loving wife Mary Ann.

I am also very grateful to YOU dear reader, for allowing me into into your life.

What Do I Speak About?

My presentations are described as "a cross between attitude 101, group therapy, and a southern revival." They are extremely interactive, playful, motivational, and with a great deal of content that helps those in attendance:

• Improve Communication
• Reduce Conflict
• Lower Stress
• Increase Productivity
• Have Fun

If you would like to see a short video that outlines my style, you can click on the image below & it will take you to a 10 minute video. If you would like to see and read about my most-delivered topics, you can follow this link or click in the Quick Links section in the sidebar.

If you're interested in contacting me about a presentation for your organization for these dates and locations - or any others - click here.

(Please note, I have been known to do a presentation in exchange for great quality chocolate or enough french fries - but I'll vehemently deny it if asked.)

The Four Steps to Improved Communication A Humorous Approach

 

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To read our mission statement, vision statement, and principles, you can follow this link.