I've just about finished reading Robert Cialdini's new book, Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade. While it's interesting and occasionally fascinating, I've gotten one big tip that is making a big difference in my life and you may find helpful, too. He calls it If/When-Then. And I've been trying it out with promising results. Connect Your Desired Behavior to Trigger Events The idea is to tie goals you have to triggering events that lead to … [Read more...]
My Silent Decry of “Idiot” Chased Her Away From the Table
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In the heat of the political season, I'm finding it difficult to talk with people who don't share my views. Even as I try to frame a comment or question in a non-judgmental way, my brain quietly inserts "You idiot" at the end of each sentence. For example, I found myself sitting across the table from a woman who supported Trump. We were both staying at the same Inn in Denver and six or seven of the guests were having breakfast around a big communal table. The subject … [Read more...]
Don’t Let Anyone Steal Your Joy
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If you've been reading this blog for a bit, you know that I walk most mornings at Saint Mary's Park in the South Bronx. Walking to the park on school days, I'm often struck by fathers and mothers dropping their small children off at school. The pride and love and hope are palpable. Perhaps this sense is so present because in a neighborhood like this, parents walk their children to school rather than dropping them off from a car. So for blocks around, you see mothers and … [Read more...]
Should You Be Flattered or Outraged by Unwanted Advances?
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The tape of Donald Trump and Billy Bush talking about groping women unlocked a flood of memories for me. Memories I had stashed into a dustheap of unwelcome thoughts. But this past weekend, they started rising up. These are stories from the time I was a college freshman and through the following decades. Here are just a few that come to mind. Unwanted Sexual Advances Take a Toll There was the college student at Princeton who invited me to visit for the football game and … [Read more...]
One Word Makes a World of Difference
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When I was growing up, I knew I was expected to go to college. Everyone I knew went to college. I understood early that going to college would be likely to shape my life. I would meet new people, learn new things, and when I got out, people would think of me differently. Here's the same paragraph with only one word changed: When I was growing up, I knew I was expected to go to prison. Everyone I knew went to prison. I understood early that going to prison would be likely … [Read more...]
IMPORTANT! It’s Time to STOP Undermining Hillary Clinton
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I'm scared. I'm truly scared that Donald Trump might become the next president of our country. I've been listening to what people are saying, and I find that even my liberal friends and associates have been brainwashed to undermine Hillary Clinton. They criticize her even though they plan to vote for her. The Time is Now It's time that those of us who believe in experience and commitment and passion for a country that celebrates inclusion gather ourselves together … [Read more...]
Plan Your Life with the Altitude Planning Framework
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Does September get your adrenaline pumping? I woke up this morning ready for school. I organized my pens, cleaned up my desk and even signed up for an on-line course. I felt like I should pack my lunch or organize my back pack! Ideas are swirling. Energy is pumping. And with a flood of morning lists and emails and project planning, my fall season of accomplishment has kicked-off. No more novels. It's time to get stuff done. To get control of my racing mind and … [Read more...]
Three E-Mail Offerings to Enrich Your Life
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Mostly reading email is a drudge. It's an efficient way to schedule meetings and share documents and get simple things done. But then there's the other stuff. The countless emails leading me to blog posts I become inured to. 3 Ways to Improve your ... The Magic Formula for Making More Money. How to Get the Most Out of ... I must confess to writing some of that nuts and bolts material for my business, Capital Campaign Masters. It serves a purpose and I do my best to make … [Read more...]
See Something, Say Something?
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On my way to Saint Mary’s Park at around 7 on Sunday morning, I had a troubling adventure. As I walked down a block on my usual route to the park, I looked up and saw 6 or 7 men walking toward me. Two or three were on the sidewalk and the others were walking in the street. As I continued toward them, I realized that two more men were entering the street from the playground behind me on my left heading toward the other men. The men paid me no attention. They were … [Read more...]
A Sobering Life Lesson: Don’t Wait Til It’s Too Late
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When my daughters were in their teens, they made big sign and hung it in the kitchen. It said: I have found that the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want to do and then advise them to do it. Turns out, that's a rather famous quotation from our 33rd president, Harry S. Truman. Given that our kids were in their teens and doing things we would rather they didn't, it was a bit of a stretch to take their sign seriously. But that idea … [Read more...]