Thursday, September 29, 2016
How Do You Motivate Yourself?
We all experience many types of external motivation which can look nothing like a motivational pep talk.
Actually, most of the motivation we receive is not obvious. We rely on friends, books, family, luck, achievements and social pressures to tell us what to do and to keep us doing it.
Labels:
change
,
coach
,
encouragement
,
external
,
inspiration
,
internal
,
motivation
Friday, September 23, 2016
Do You Want Your Kids To Follow Your Example?
Whether we like it or not, our lives are mirrors to our children. Often their actions are a direct reflection of the example they see in us. When they say or do something that makes us smile inside, we know the message we have tried to instill in them has taken root.
Thomas' first day of school. I was surprised that four-year-olds now went to school for the WHOLE day.
Daughter Rochelle was at the bank with 4-year-old Thomas and baby Aubrie. As he does in every public place, Thomas introduced himself to the bank teller, who was a woman of color. In the small town where they live, Thomas rarely sees anyone with a different color of skin.
"Hi, my name is Thomas. What's yours?" Smiling the teller replied and Thomas proceeded to introduce the rest of his family....which he does every time.
"This is my mommy and my little sister, Brie." Then with an intent look at the teller, he continued. "Brie likes all people."
Anyone within hearing distance smiled and nodded.
Daughter Rochelle was at the bank with 4-year-old Thomas and baby Aubrie. As he does in every public place, Thomas introduced himself to the bank teller, who was a woman of color. In the small town where they live, Thomas rarely sees anyone with a different color of skin.
"Hi, my name is Thomas. What's yours?" Smiling the teller replied and Thomas proceeded to introduce the rest of his family....which he does every time.
"This is my mommy and my little sister, Brie." Then with an intent look at the teller, he continued. "Brie likes all people."
Anyone within hearing distance smiled and nodded.
Made My Month!
Labels:
example to children
,
grandkids
,
hand-sanitizers
,
kids
,
parenting
,
rodeo
,
thunderclap
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
What Are Your Top 11 Pet Peeves?
Pet Peeves. We all have them. They make us go GRRRRRR.
What is the difference between things we hate and pet peeves? An example: I hate to see people smoking in a car with a dog inside. I want to run over and smash their windows. It is now against the law to smoke with children in the car but not animals. Don't they have rights too?
A peeve leans more toward an annoyance experienced by many people.
We all have things in our lives that drive us nuts but we don't always want to admit it -- it sounds like we are whining.
It is difficult to put them in order of most annoying to least as pet peeves are usually equally annoying!
People Who are Always Late To be late once in awhile is acceptable. To be late every time. No. Excuse. NONE. Get a clock that works.
People who say "No Worries I have never figured this one out. A waitress can take your order and then say "No worries." Is she preparing me for something I may have to worry about? I hear it so often, it makes absolutely no sense. It only shows a lack of vocabulary. Or they will say "No worries" instead of "Thank you" or "You're welcome" What the heck does "No worries" MEAN?
People who say "like" all the time. Valley girls in the 80s said it; yet, some of them still like 'live' there. Drives me like bonkers. Take the word "like" out of their like vocabulary and they could like say their like piece in like half the time.
Slow people. It has nothing to do with being in a hurry, it is the inconsiderate behavior that makes me go insane. Driving in the left lane, too slow, and maintaining the same speed as the person in the right lane. Consequently, no one can pass on either side. They dawdle beside each other either completely oblivious to what is going on behind them or they just don't care.
The same scenario happens in hallways, grocery store aisles, or on the sidewalk. You want to pass the two people in front of you who are taking up the entire space and not allowing those behind them to pass. Oblivious? Rude?
Cashiers who say "Altogether that will be...." and you only bought one thing. Can they not count? I often want to say something but figure that if they can't count, they would not get it.
Answering a business phone with a long spiel -- "Good morning, you have reached AA Company, your home for all your xxx needs. We appreciate your business. My name is Carol. How may I help you?" When you call a business, you are obviously going to tell the person who answers the phone why you are calling and it really doesn't matter who answers as you will be redirected elsewhere anyway.
People who say OMG to everything I have made a conscious effort to never, ever say it.
SLOW cashiers. SLOW drivers. SLOW walkers. SLOW......
When people spend more time on their phone than interacting with you and you are sitting in front of them. People who spend ANY time on their phone when they are in a conversation with you. (Unless it is a phone call that can't wait)
And, drum roll please.....when you call a service provider such as your cell phone or credit card company and you have to go through a series of prompts for 5 minutes to find out they are CLOSED. Or, finally speaking to an agent who is in a foreign country who cannot understand you nor can you understand them.
Remember these are pet peeves which fit the description above for annoyances. Here is your chance to air those frustrations. I can't wait to read them.
photos courtesy of yugetripped.com, pinterest.com, download.cnet.com, ehamt.m.com
The Difference Between...
What is the difference between things we hate and pet peeves? An example: I hate to see people smoking in a car with a dog inside. I want to run over and smash their windows. It is now against the law to smoke with children in the car but not animals. Don't they have rights too?
A peeve leans more toward an annoyance experienced by many people.
We all have things in our lives that drive us nuts but we don't always want to admit it -- it sounds like we are whining.
It is difficult to put them in order of most annoying to least as pet peeves are usually equally annoying!
People Who are Always Late To be late once in awhile is acceptable. To be late every time. No. Excuse. NONE. Get a clock that works.
People who say "No Worries I have never figured this one out. A waitress can take your order and then say "No worries." Is she preparing me for something I may have to worry about? I hear it so often, it makes absolutely no sense. It only shows a lack of vocabulary. Or they will say "No worries" instead of "Thank you" or "You're welcome" What the heck does "No worries" MEAN?
People who say "like" all the time. Valley girls in the 80s said it; yet, some of them still like 'live' there. Drives me like bonkers. Take the word "like" out of their like vocabulary and they could like say their like piece in like half the time.
Slow people. It has nothing to do with being in a hurry, it is the inconsiderate behavior that makes me go insane. Driving in the left lane, too slow, and maintaining the same speed as the person in the right lane. Consequently, no one can pass on either side. They dawdle beside each other either completely oblivious to what is going on behind them or they just don't care.
The same scenario happens in hallways, grocery store aisles, or on the sidewalk. You want to pass the two people in front of you who are taking up the entire space and not allowing those behind them to pass. Oblivious? Rude?
Cashiers who say "Altogether that will be...." and you only bought one thing. Can they not count? I often want to say something but figure that if they can't count, they would not get it.
Answering a business phone with a long spiel -- "Good morning, you have reached AA Company, your home for all your xxx needs. We appreciate your business. My name is Carol. How may I help you?" When you call a business, you are obviously going to tell the person who answers the phone why you are calling and it really doesn't matter who answers as you will be redirected elsewhere anyway.
People who say OMG to everything I have made a conscious effort to never, ever say it.
SLOW cashiers. SLOW drivers. SLOW walkers. SLOW......
When people spend more time on their phone than interacting with you and you are sitting in front of them. People who spend ANY time on their phone when they are in a conversation with you. (Unless it is a phone call that can't wait)
And, drum roll please.....when you call a service provider such as your cell phone or credit card company and you have to go through a series of prompts for 5 minutes to find out they are CLOSED. Or, finally speaking to an agent who is in a foreign country who cannot understand you nor can you understand them.
And Last But.......
People who don't know which way to hang the toilet paper on the roller! C'mon, people - really! There is only one way.
Now, It Is Your Turn.....
photos courtesy of yugetripped.com, pinterest.com, download.cnet.com, ehamt.m.com
Friday, September 16, 2016
16 Reasons or More to Enjoy This Season
What is your favorite season? To me, Spring is scary because it means summer is not far behind and I LOATHE summer.
"Why?" you ask. "What's to like?" I answer. Click here to read 10 Reasons to Skip Summer or....5 Reasons Why I hate Spring.
Before you start screaming at me about how crazy and delusional I may be, read my reasons and you may even agree with some of them.
But, I digress. Let's talk about Autumn. I love this time of year. The dreaded summer has passed, winter is close at hand (YAY) and it is time to wear clothes again. Real clothes. Sweaters. Long sleeves. Pants. And jackets. Dark colors instead of pastels. YES!
I realize we (hubby and me) are a bit weird. Living on the West coast of America is perfect for us. We ALMOST never turn the heat on in our home. When it is really blistering cold outside -- well, it rarely gets too cold in this climate -- we turn on the fireplace in the morning and maybe keep it on for a few hours. But come early evening, it gets turned off and we sleep with windows open and a fan on to keep the air flowing. Of course, this is much healthier and provides for a better sleep.
"Why?" you ask. "What's to like?" I answer. Click here to read 10 Reasons to Skip Summer or....5 Reasons Why I hate Spring.
Before you start screaming at me about how crazy and delusional I may be, read my reasons and you may even agree with some of them.
But, I digress. Let's talk about Autumn. I love this time of year. The dreaded summer has passed, winter is close at hand (YAY) and it is time to wear clothes again. Real clothes. Sweaters. Long sleeves. Pants. And jackets. Dark colors instead of pastels. YES!
I realize we (hubby and me) are a bit weird. Living on the West coast of America is perfect for us. We ALMOST never turn the heat on in our home. When it is really blistering cold outside -- well, it rarely gets too cold in this climate -- we turn on the fireplace in the morning and maybe keep it on for a few hours. But come early evening, it gets turned off and we sleep with windows open and a fan on to keep the air flowing. Of course, this is much healthier and provides for a better sleep.
Don't Laugh - I've Considered It |
Labels:
autumn
,
hate summer
,
love autumn
,
seasons
,
summer heat
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Customer Service Sells - Make it Work for You
Many of us have lived long enough to see a decline in customer service. When I was growing up and even as a young adult, serving a customer was more important than the sale itself. It was common knowledge that if you made a customer happy, he would return, again and again. Remember when you went to the service station to get gas? You got SERVICE. Someone filled your gas tank, cleaned your windshield, rear window and side windows. Your oil was checked and your tires were checked as well. You were offered the free item of the week, usually drinking glasses or coffee mugs.
Labels:
customer service
,
encouragement
,
free stuff
,
humor
,
inspiration
,
L.L. Bean
,
sells
,
service
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)