Have a Guilt-Free Vacation This Summer
“I hate vacations. There’s nothing to do.” – David Mamet For at least 20 years running, I hardly took time off at all — and when I did, I spent at least half the day working. In retrospect, I see the error of my ways. By indulging the notion…
READ MOREIs Your Competitive Behavior Sabotaging Your Future?
“Man has risen so far above all other species that he competes in ways unique in nature. He fights by means of complicated weapons; he fights for ends remote in time.” – Charles A. Lindbergh Yes, horrible people sometimes succeed in business . . . but it’s not their meanness…
READ MORE5 Ways to Convince Your Boss that He Made a Big Mistake By Not Giving You A Raise
Most of the people I’ve ever turned down for a raise simply sulked and disappeared. But a few of them took the experience as a wake-up call and fought back. They didn’t see themselves as losers, and they weren’t going to let me view them that way either. Arguing with…
READ MOREMind Your Manners
“Rudeness is the weak man’s imitation of strength.” – Eric Hoffer Winning friends is a good way to create a supportive network — but it’s not the best way to influence your employees. The best leaders I know don’t concern themselves with being liked. Their focus is squarely on the…
READ MOREWhy Forcing Your Will On Others Usually Doesn’t Work
It’s so hard to accomplish something great. And it’s made more difficult when you have to rely on others to succeed. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to fix every problem, straighten out every hitch, and achieve all your goals by mandate? To say, “Just do it or else!” In the flux…
READ MOREThe Untold Truth About Mentors
“I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging the future but by the past.” – Patrick Henry In the early years of my business career, I searched for the perfect mentor to guide…
READ MOREHow to Free Yourself From a Business Bully
“Bullies are always cowards at heart and may be credited with a pretty safe instinct in scenting their prey.” – Anna Julia Cooper The secret power of the business bully is his charm. If he were simply pushy, you would keep him at bay. He would never work his way…
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A Workaholic’s Secret to a Happy Marriage
Choosing the wrong spouse can be “deadly to your career and to your happiness,” and you should know that not all expectations will be met.
READ MOREImitation Is Not Just a Form of Flattery, It’s Good Business
To Mark Pincus, a 37-year-old Silicon Valley entrepreneur profiled in a recent issue of Forbes Small Business, being a copycat can be a virtue. As the magazine puts it, Pincus has made a lucrative career out of “lurking behind the leaders in the hot high-tech sector.” Though a few of…
READ MOREHow to Impress the Heck Out of Potential Clients
In Message #1109, I told the story of a friend of mine who, in my opinion, blew her chance to promote her self-published book (which was not available in most bookstores) on Oprah’s show. She didn’t sell any books as a result of her appearance, because she never checked to…
READ MORESuccessful Business Meetings Begin Long Before They Are Scheduled
“One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” – Arthur Ashe Like it or not, every business meeting is a forced performance. You are on stage. The people you are meeting with are your audience. What you do, how you act, what you…
READ MOREThe Easiest Way to Immediately Advance Your Career
Dear ETR Reader, Today, I’d like to tell you about the easiest way to immediately advance your career–no matter what field you work in. In fact, you could add anywhere from $25,000 to $50,000 to even $100,000 a year to your salary right now – and it wouldn’t involve changing…
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