August 11, 2017 STANDING ON THE ROOFTOP Perhaps some people enjoy getting up in front of friends, family, work associates, or even complete strangers, and speaking or performing? I’m guessing that those folks must be in the minority of the population. The majority of the rest of us, not so much, with some of us even exhibiting signs mimicking an actual heart attack at the mere thought of public speaking. Don’t be hard on yourself, though, as you appear to be in good company. Famous performers such as Adele, Barbara Streisand, Carly Simon, and even Sir Rod Stewart, all suffer some form of stage or performance anxiety….
April 3, 2017 Friends Who Stand the Tests of Time and Absence (DEDICATED TO OUR DEAR FRIEND G) There are many variables which can help determine the substance and nature of long-term relationships, both personal and professional. I remember my daughters’ pediatrician asking the girls during their annual check-ups, “Do you have one really close friend or lots of regular friends?” That always struck me as an important question, and one that I can answer unequivocally. I would much rather have a few very close friends than tons of plain acquaintances. As the years progress, I see that I live that mantra. Sometimes the close friends have been important since childhood (shout…
March 3, 2017 OPEN YOUR EARS, LET THE UNDERSTANDING BEGIN I guess I’m on a communications kick these days, so hear we go again (misspelling on purpose)! Is there a difference between what you hear and what the other person is saying? See my favorite, Gary Larsen, and his famous Farside cartoon. Is this how you are communicating, either hearing or speaking? Is your message getting lost in translation? And how will you know if your message has been received clearly or how can you be sure you heard someone else’s message as it was meant to be understood? For lack of a more elegant process, maybe repetition will work? If…
