Change of Life

Years ago “Change of Life” meant one thing: a significant period of a woman's life. Then, it related to divorce, and later “wounded warrior,” significant, traumatic change. Now change in some degree relates to most us.

Has your life changed within the last year? What new challenges did you overcome? Maybe you are still struggling to overcome them. Has your business declined and caused you to lay - off employees? Have you lost a job you loved?

On the other hand, can you find something for which to be grateful? Maybe you have learned a new skill, perhaps even increased your pay, or moved to a new city. I watched "The Secret" again recently and Jack Canfield's description of his daily thankfulness caught my attention. Now I make it a habit to express my thanks first thing in the morning. I expect the day to go well! I recommend it to you. Jo

Motivation

Sabine Braun, is an amazing woman. She manages a major sheep ranch with her husband, Lee, in Australia. They suffered major droughts, just as some parts of the US have. Sabine also writes, inspires, teaches and coaches.

She composed an inspirational screen saver with beautiful and unusual landscapes and motivational messages written by many famous people. And she made it available to all of us. Just the thing to maintain a positive attitude! http://www.inspiredscreensaver.com/
Thanks, Sabine!

Ethics and Integrity Are Good for Business

With the Acorn and other scandals opening our eyes to corruption, the importance of ethics and integrity in business and government is at the forefront of America’s awareness. We hear the words “ethics” and “integrity” a lot, but what, exactly, do they mean?

Ethics are principles of right conduct. Integrity is the strict adherence to this set of principles, which does not waiver depending on the circumstances. For businesses, government, and individuals to operate at their fullest potential, both ethics and integrity need to be solidly in place.

“I would go so far as to predict that most new businesses and entrepreneurs who do not have a solid ethical foundation will fail within five years,” writes Peter Koestenbaum, author of The Philosophic Consultant. “Conversely, those who do behave ethically will thrive, both financially and in other ways. Every conscientious businessperson and government employee should make it a priority to explore what ethical behavior is, and how he or she can make ethical decisions.”

It’s no secret—whether you’re in a corporation or running your own business—that we’re all working to achieve the same common goal: to make money. But profit motive doesn’t need to overshadow the truth that, ultimately, business is about service. Service means making clients’ needs as important as the desire to increase profits.

“Ethics is empathy, which means service,” writes Koestenbaum. “It’s an attitude of love and compassion, of caring, of including people, of valuing them, of hearing them, of suffering when they suffer, and of being proud when they succeed.”
Ethical behavior must be expressed both in words and in behavior. If you’re saying one thing and doing another, you’re lacking integrity. Understanding this is even more important if you’re in a leadership position.

“At its core, integrity begins with a company leader who understands the qualities of integrity, which then filters down throughout the company into every department and every member’s approach and attitude,” says Robert Moment, author of It Only Takes a Moment to Score.

Below are some actions you can take to embrace ethics and integrity in an everyday way:
Decide which ethics are important in your business and personal life, put them in writing, and incorporate them into your mission statement. If you are not clear on these principles, they will be impossible to follow.
Make ethics a part of your training program and ongoing education, whether you work with a part - time assistant or an entire company.

 Make values a critical and integral aspect of your business plan.

 Don’t overemphasize profit motives at the cost of compromising integrity. Keep the focus on service.

 Practice ethical behavior. Talking and writing about ethics is not enough. If ethics are not practiced in action, they won’t exist in your workplace.

Operating with integrity on a personal and professional level means being willing to say no to people and situations that do not meet your ethical standards. That may mean saying no to more profit, if attaining it would mean working with people, or in situations, that would cause you to compromise your ethics or integrity. Compromising your integrity is a cost neither you nor your company can afford.

Author’s content used under license, © 2008 Claire Communications

Exceptional People

Monica Davis is an exceptional person. She is the Editor - in - Chief and Publisher of Exceptional People Magazine. In this bi - monthly online magazine she highlights celebrities, sports icons, and ordinary people who have done extraordinary things. http://www.exceptionalmag.com

She featured the First Lady on the most recent cover and packed the whole magazine with interesting and awesome personalities and ideas. I was especially intrigued by George Lutz, Sr. and his youngest son who designed a flag dedicated to men and women who have fallen in any war beginning with Vietnam. Another Lutz son was killed in Iraq in 2008. Their mission is:
To establish a tangible national symbol of gratitude, as a visible reminder to all Americans, that perpetually recognizes all military lives lost in defense of our national freedoms. http://www.honorandremember.org

Monica welcomes stories from businesses or entrepreneurs. Guidelines are in the magazine.
Monica's company, Atela Productions, and GoalMinds, Inc. have teamed up to bring you award winning technology training - an exceptional and FREE offer for the first 100 subscribers of Exceptional People Magazine. Learn Microsoft Office applications, Microsoft FrontPage, Adobe Photoshop and PageMaker, Visio, XP and many other technology applications including CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) You'll have unlimited access to hands - on self - study training for 30 days, available 24/7. Get on the fast track to a Microsoft Certification or take your career or business to the next level by taking advantage of a one year multi - user license.

We will be demonstrating the system at the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Northside location, 1100 NW Loop 410 at Blanco Rd. Suite 109, October 15, 10:30 AM to 12:00 Noon. Call and reserve a seat. Space is limited. Can't be with us?
See the capabilities at http://tinyurl.com/lmsbasic
order at http://tinyurl.com/saboc1 Call Jo for more
information: 210 595 - 1340

The Zen of Sarcasm

Compliments of Michael Wardinski, Ph.D.

At times we need to start our day with a bit of humor. Even in humor, however, a bit of irony can be found. 
 1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me alone.
 2. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else. 
 3. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.

 4. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.
 
 5. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is probably not for you.

 6. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably a wise investment.

 7. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.

 8. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket

 9. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.

10. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

Brain Food

What Americans Really Want . . . Really, by Dr. Frank Luntz
Have a Little Faith, by Mitch Albom  
101 Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills Instantly, 4th Edition, Bennie Bough, Ph.D. and Jo Condrill

Thanks for being with us. We look forward to having you with us next month when we consider how well we cope with change. Please join us.

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GoalMinds, Inc. Management Consulting, Coaching, and Training, P.O. Box 100903, San Antonio, TX 78201