My husband’s grandparents emigrated from Finland to a small farm near Chisholm. Northern Minnesota was rugged country in those days. Timber wolves and bears were plentiful; they found domestic livestock easy prey. To protect their animals, everyone carried a rifle when they left the house. My husband’s five uncles were skilled shooters; they passed that ability on to their young
No Whining Allowed
We all know people who whine. I don’t want to do this. It’s too hard. How come I have to do all the work? Whining wears everyone down. Worse, it does no good! It spreads like wildfire; sending negative energy everywhere. It’s contagious too. Everyone in an office is happy, then the complainer starts; in no time, everyone has caught
Are you blind to possibilities?
Do you occasionally feel stuck? Bored? Frustrated? Do you wonder if there are missed opportunities: a new connection, a more profound sense of purpose, a new adventure? The truth is new possibilities are always within your reach. Every day, the decisions you make can open new possibilities. Some choices may seem inconsequential, some profound. It’s easier to stay in your
Oreo Cookie Performance Reviews
Oreo Cookie performance reviews sound like a good idea. When discussing a performance issue with an employee, you NEVER start with the issue itself. Instead you start with a compliment: Hey Monica, the summary report you do at the end of each month is a great way to keep tabs on what you’re accomplishing. Then share the less positive feedback:
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain
In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy had just one wish, to get back to Kansas. Her journey was interrupted many times, by witches, a scarecrow, a cowardly lion and a tin man. She had to overcome numerous challenges on her quest. But even fields of poppies and flying monkeys could not sidetrack Dorothy.
Picky, picky, picky
Mark saw his bosses’ reaction to his project and knew he was in trouble. “She’s so picky. Why does everything have to be done exactly her way?” Karen, Mark’s boss had the opposite reaction, “Why can’t he just do exactly what I tell him? Why does e have to improvise?” Bosses are usually good at what they do, that’s why
Will You Do What You Have To Do To Get Results?
Our 50th state is full of people who know how to get things done. I heard the legend of one determined community on our recent vacation. Ferry, Alaska is a remote community, population 32 (11 households). It has the dubious distinction of being located across both banks of the Nenana River. Until recently, only a railroad bridge connected the two
When Was the Last Time You…?
There are lots of ways to end this question: cried at a movie took a trip read a book got angry ate cotton candy But other questions are more thought provoking.
Run Full Tilt
I was watching Kurt play fetch with his new puppy, Max. Kurt would throw a ball as far as he could, Max would race after it, never slowing down until he had it in his mouth. Sprinters call this “running through the tape”. Have you’ve ever watched as some runners near the finish line and slow up in the final
Four Powerful Questions
For several years I did a show called “Talking Business” on a local radio station. (Thank you Neighborhood National Bank for sponsoring it!) One of the most popular shows was “Four questions business owners should ask themselves every day.”