Thank You, Elizabeth
Rest in peace, Elizabeth Edwards…if anyone earned eternal peace from the pain of runaway cancer or worse, torn-apart relationships whether from death or human screw-ups, you did. I write this post because of you, the woman….not the attorney or former wife of ….. Elizabeth, your first book, Saving Grace, resonated to my soul. Thank you. [...]
How to Stay Young (checklist by George Carlin)
HOW TO STAY YOUNG (George Carlin) 1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctor worry about them. That is why you pay him/her. 2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. 3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. [...]
Mental Health & Toxic People
Guarding our mental health in today’s challenging times is often easier said than done. One mental health goal toward which we should all be striving, however, is a significant reduction of time spent around toxic, negative, unpleasant, rude, bullying, thoughtless and/or chronically grouchy people. That, unfortunately, is not always possible (think workplace and relatives!). [...]
What Fish and Animals Can Teach Us About How We Manage Stress
Just found a fairly quick reading and thought-provoking article on evaluating our stress styles on Kat Tansey’s blog titled: What’s your Stress Style: Hamster, Salmon, or Cat? . After reading this, I can honestly say that for years now I have been striving to be more like the cat described in this article….although if I’m [...]
Verbal Violence & Bullying in the Workplace
Click here for one of my articles on these two runaway problems in today’s law firms and other offices. Workplace bullying and verbal violence poison (dilute at best) any other steps taken to reduce office stress and they are serious productivity and morale thieves. Sadly, too many leaders allow these destructive behaviors to continue without [...]
Law Firm Leadership
By clicking here, you’ll pull up a copy of one of my articles on effective law firm leadership – an often talked about subject, but not as often practiced. This article also includes my simplistic self-audit for privately evaluating our own leadership characteristics. And, I suggest an easy way to immediately start honing any leadership [...]
Morale Busters and Boosters
Many things can bring workplace morale spiraling downward. Some all-too-common Morale Busters in law offices (and other offices as well) include: Rules applied sporadically and unfairly among employees (e.g. starting time, length of lunch breaks, # of vacation days) An ongoing frantic pace — day after day — caused primarily by a supervisor’s poor planning [...]
Celebrating Great Holiday Moments … Ignoring the Not-So-Good!
Some of the best advice I ever received was to cherish the good moments during the holidays. In other words, instead of our lamenting over the presence of a loud, obnoxious relative or your grumpy ol’ Uncle’s sour outlook on life, celebrate the one or two moments they actually laughed, shared a rare hug or [...]
Avoiding Vacation Procrastination
My husband and I recently returned from our first extended vacation in 11 years. Embarrassing to admit because if you’ve been to one of my workshops, you know how strongly I advocate for and teach the importance of making time for regular mini and extended vacation breaks. I remind all clients and seminar audiences that [...]
True Friends ~ Treasures to Be Nurtured
True friendships are the treasured, incredibly beautiful, multi-colored roses amidst the many thorns of our lives. And like the colorful blossoms of a beloved flowerbed, a friendship neglected for too long will fade quietly away. (nbj) Just thinking today about easy it is some times to take our closest friends for granted. If you’re guilty [...]
Law Office Mental Health Policies for Well Known & Our "Other" Addictions
Alcoholism, substance abuse and depression; these three afflictions usually receive the most attention at CLE programs and in legal publications. This makes sense in light of the continuing (and alarming) rise in the numbers of attorneys suffering with these impairments. What we don’t hear as much about, statistically or otherwise, are the more subtle impairments [...]
Reducing Our Personality "Fireworks" In & Out of the Office!
Just posted this “RT” on Twitter: RT@TulsaBankruptcy Wishing you a happy & safe 4th of July. How about some Recession Fireworks? http://tinyurl.com/lbzqqo Great cartoon although the painful truth behind it is sad. I wish you and yours a 4th of July weekend that’s full of fun, good times with family and friends and a safe [...]
Vacation Policies Mirror a Law Firm's/Company's Culture
Vacation policies and management’s attitudes toward employee vacations, personal or sick leave say everything about an office’s morale, culture and quality of leadership. Click here for my Lawyers USA column on this subject….written originally in 2002, but still so very true and relevant in today’s business climate. Bottom line…atttorneys, business owners, managers, and employees who [...]
Think we're too busy to do those things we REALLY want to do?
Ran across the quote below today and OUCH!….really made me think about things I’ve been putting off because I’ve been saying “I’m just too busy.” Don’t know about you, but Mr. Brown’s words below have inspired me to get in touch with the real reasons I’ve been putting a few things off because I no [...]
Savoring the Treasures In Our “Backyards”…Good for the Ol’ Soul!
Hello and Happy Monday (almost!) Yet another all-too-quick weekend has come and gone and an exciting work week awaits us….hope your weekend was a great one from start to finish. Mine was special for many reasons including some rare, beautiful hours cruising solo along the glorious Blueridge Parkway which we’re lucky to have almost in [...]
