CoreCharacter: April 2006 Archives

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Apr29	Girls Girls Girls John Gratton April 29, 2006 Know More: The Saturday Sidebar Six of my seven children are girls. Daughters. Females. Women. Having grown up with five brothers, I was unprepared for so many daughters, and, although I love them and do what I can for them, I sometimes feel I fail them despite my best intentions and I don’t understand them. The first was born more than 25 years ago, and the youngest won’t leave home for another 10 years, and when that sad day comes, I’m sure I’ll feel cheated, that having them for only 35 years just wasn’t long enough. As I think about the girls today, they remind me of these words by Marion G. Romney: “Nothing is more beautiful, more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God who walks in virtue, who honors and respects her body as a thing sacred and divine, who cultivates her mind, who nurtures her spirit with everlasting truth.” And I got six. Thanks, girls. I love you. And your brother, too. Posted at 8:36 PM \| Permalink
Apr29	If You Will Hold My Hand John Gratton April 29, 2006 “If you will hold my hand, then I will hold my breath and cast my fate in the direction of my heart. I will put on hold my lesser dreams and reach for what is truly mine.” It is rare... Continue Reading Posted at 8:26 PM \| Permalink
	Fictions And Facts Of Fad Foods John Gratton April 29, 2006 Much of what we hear about what to eat and what not to eat is simply marketing rather than solid medical research. Here are a couple of examples from Charles Stuart Platkin, founder of Integrated Wellness Solutions. Fad: “Whole grain”... Continue Reading Posted at 8:17 PM \| Permalink
	We’re Not Talking Triathlon Here, But… John Gratton April 29, 2006 From Dr. Joseph Mercola: Swim (But Only In Fresh Water) “Swimming is one of the best exercises, working all the major muscles, but it poses the challenge of exposing you to the large amounts of chlorine that are in most... Continue Reading Posted at 8:10 PM \| Permalink
	Eat Well But More Often To Lower Cholesterol John Gratton April 29, 2006 “A person's cholesterol levels may depend not only on what he or she eats, but also how often,” according to a report in the British Medical Journal. “Researchers found that middle-aged and older adults who ate frequently throughout the day... Continue Reading Posted at 8:02 PM \| Permalink
Apr28	Warning To Shakespeare: That Whole Romeo/Juliet Thing, That Was My Idea John Gratton April 28, 2006 I’ve never met a Dan Brown book I didn’t like, and of course, The Da Vinci Code is his best so far. One measure of that book’s popularity, apart from selling more than 40 million copies hardcover, is the number... Continue Reading Posted at 9:50 AM \| Permalink
	Look To The Student Within You For Motivation John Gratton April 28, 2006 A sales person asked Jeffery Gitomer how to become motivated again. This is Gitomer’s response (from Sales Caffeine, Issue 32): “[T]he reason that you're slipping is that the student within you is failing you. Look at your present job. Do... Continue Reading Posted at 9:44 AM \| Permalink
	Good Times At Exxon, At Least John Gratton April 28, 2006 I shouldn’t complain, because a gallon of gas where I live is always about 15 cents per gallon cheaper than the national average, and U.S. drivers have paid less per gallon than most of the world for a long time.... Continue Reading Posted at 9:38 AM \| Permalink
	Do Don’t Do John Gratton April 28, 2006 Here are some favorite lines from an article by Ellen Rohr called Financial Dos And Don’ts Lead To Better Business: Do understand that you are in business for the money. Don’t be ashamed about that. Do whatever it takes to... Continue Reading Posted at 9:27 AM \| Permalink
	Tax Freedom Day: It’s All Yours Now John Gratton April 28, 2006 According to the Tax Foundation, Tax Freedom Day – the day when working Americans transition from working to pay taxes to working to support themselves – was earlier this week, April 26. So no more taxes for you. “Despite the... Continue Reading Posted at 9:20 AM \| Permalink
Apr27	Dave Coverly: The Lighter Side Of PETA John Gratton April 27, 2006 Dave Coverly is creator of Speed Bump. Read the rest of this interview: Intro, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. What brought about your involvement with PETA? I had always done animal cartoons, and most of them from the... Continue Reading Posted at 11:23 AM \| Permalink
	The Worst Customer Service I’ve Ever Had (Even Worse Than My Cell Phone Company) John Gratton April 27, 2006 I guess I’m still ticked, because thinking about the Everly Brothers in concert reminded me of this. I bought front-row seats, one 10 seats left of center for the afternoon show, one 10 seats right of center for the evening... Continue Reading Posted at 10:16 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	The Ultimate Question John Gratton April 27, 2006 Flipping through the latest issue of Accounting Today, I came across another book to add to the list. Don’t be confused - The Ultimate Question is not a sequel to any of the Douglas Adams books, but an “extraordinarily insightful”... Continue Reading Posted at 10:00 AM \| Permalink
	Expecting A Refund? Don’t Fall For This Phishing Scam John Gratton April 27, 2006 You’re expecting a refund, you get an e-mail presumably from the IRS – it has their logo - that says something like, "We have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of [X] dollars. To access the... Continue Reading Posted at 9:51 AM \| Permalink
	Anticipation John Gratton April 27, 2006 I like anticipation. I like the doing, too, but I like the anticipation of going to a Cardinals game as much as the game itself. I like the anticipation of an Everly Brothers concert. I’ve seen them five times and... Continue Reading Posted at 9:30 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Apr26	Dave Coverly: Just The Usual Lumps You Take On Your Way To A Career John Gratton April 26, 2006 Dave Coverly is creator of Speed Bump. Read the rest of the interview here, here, here, here, here, here and here. Is this your dream job? It is, in many ways. I love both writing and drawing and I wouldn't... Continue Reading Posted at 11:36 AM \| Permalink
	Time Management Tips For Workaholics John Gratton April 26, 2006 It’s too easy to work too much, too often, too long, to neglect life essentials that do not involve work. We’ve all done it. When you’re at work, focus on work, certainly, but give the same attention to other areas... Continue Reading Posted at 8:35 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	We Are Tormented By Our Potential John Gratton April 26, 2006 I had the book open anyway, so here's more from Tim Sanders, Love Is The Killer App: Bob Marley once said that he was tormented by his inability to fix everything. Sometimes that’s how we feel about our careers. We... Continue Reading Posted at 8:01 AM \| Permalink
	Rank, Status And Money – Fugetaboutit John Gratton April 26, 2006 Reader and fellow blogger Ryan Money recommended Love Is The Killer App, by Tim Sanders, and it is a remarkable concept. It teaches you how to become a lovecat. If you don’t know what that is, read the book. Here’s... Continue Reading Posted at 7:46 AM \| Permalink
	But John Gratton April 26, 2006 I was listening to Never Wrestle With A Pig this morning in the car. I can’t quote Mark McCormick word-for-word, but the gist of it is that we all have a big but, as in “Kenny is excellent at blank,... Continue Reading Posted at 7:38 AM \| Permalink
Apr25	Dave Coverly: Love Daydreaming And Work, Work, Work John Gratton April 25, 2006 Dave Coverly is creator of Speed Bump. The rest of the interview: Intro, Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. There's a "write your own caption" contest, too. Are the words and the illustration equal in difficulty, or is one easier for... Continue Reading Posted at 10:56 AM \| Permalink
	Way To Go, Kelly, Once More Into The Breach John Gratton April 25, 2006 I was surprised to see a friend’s photo in the paper today, in a letter to the editor. She was complaining – and rightly so – about how our school district handles the distribution of bad news, using small children... Continue Reading Posted at 10:34 AM \| Permalink
	If You’re Going To Haul, You May As Well Haul Long John Gratton April 25, 2006 “Whatever your dream might be, don’t worry that it is unrealistic. People achieve unrealistic goals every day. As Thomas Edison said, ‘If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.’” Jeff Keller You... Continue Reading Posted at 8:09 AM \| Permalink
	Get More Done! John Gratton April 25, 2006 From Done! How To Accomplish Twice As Much In Half The Time – At Home And At The Office, by Don Aslett. Getting more done is the most direct route to what you’re looking for. It’s the answer to most... Continue Reading Posted at 7:54 AM \| Permalink
	The Good News Is That Ramen Noodles Come In Many Invigorating Flavors John Gratton April 25, 2006 The percentage of Americans who will not have enough money for retirement is increasing. Jim Rohn says that we must learn to plant in the spring or learn to beg in the fall. So I guess we have to ask... Continue Reading Posted at 7:24 AM \| Permalink
Apr24	Not Rich, Not Unsexy, Not Bad For An Old Guy John Gratton April 24, 2006 “Every day I get up and look through the Forbes list of the richest people in America . If I'm not there, I go to work.” Robert Orben That’s a good plan. I am not on the Forbes list, having just missed... Continue Reading Posted at 11:48 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Coverly Caption Contest – Cool! John Gratton April 24, 2006 We interrupt the Dave Coverly interview for this news flash. Our friend Dave is offering us all a chance at fame and fortune, or at least some really cool prizes, by completing a caption for this cartoon: From his site: Last... Continue Reading Posted at 10:42 AM \| Permalink
	Michael Jordan Isn’t Chump Change, But… John Gratton April 24, 2006 I found this in a folder last night, printed off years ago, with no notation of the source. It goes something like this: With salary and endorsements, Michael Jordan makes about $2 a second, or $178,000 per day. Every day.... Continue Reading Posted at 9:09 AM \| Permalink
	“Never Wrestle With A Pig” John Gratton April 24, 2006 That seems like good advice in any situation, but in this case, it’s good advice come cheap. I was waiting for a daughter to make her purchases at one of our local “everything is one dollar” stores, and stumbled across... Continue Reading Posted at 8:52 AM \| Permalink
	Big Smith Nets One Daughter, And $100,000 For Charity John Gratton April 24, 2006 I saw only a couple of you there, but the crowd was large and I might easily have missed you. The Big Smith benefit concert earlier this month was terrific. The music was great, as always, but the good news... Continue Reading Posted at 8:46 AM \| Permalink
Apr22	Daddy, You Should Post This! I’m A Good Writer, LOL John Gratton April 22, 2006 I got this far – “This is the 300th post on CoreCharacter” – then got up for some cold water. While I was in the kitchen, my daughter - and now, my first guest author - jumped on the computer:... Continue Reading Posted at 3:25 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Historic Sleepovers And Rocky Roads John Gratton April 22, 2006 Sleeping Through HistoryIf you like hotels with historic ambiance, check out one of the 208 independent hotels and resorts that are members of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Visit the web site and make reservations, or order the 2006... Continue Reading Posted at 3:08 PM \| Permalink
	Diets High In Processed Meats Linked To Colorectal Cancer John Gratton April 22, 2006 Sources: Science Daily, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Dr. Joseph Mercola: In a recent study, more than 1,500 patients suffering from colorectal adenomas (precancerous polyps of the colon) were given a survey about their diet. Several years later, they were... Continue Reading Posted at 3:01 PM \| Permalink
	Dreading $3 A Gallon Gas? Think About A Car That Runs On Air John Gratton April 22, 2006 From The Science Channel: One day, in the near future, we'll have the opportunity to make driving safer for our health and environment with options like the pollution-free Air Car, being readied for market by Spain-based Moteur Developpement Int. Based... Continue Reading Posted at 2:46 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Diabetes, Heart Disease Yield To Sugar And Spice And Everything Nice? John Gratton April 22, 2006 From Alan Mozes, HealthDay: Two new studies suggest that cinnamon and cloves boost insulin function while lowering cholesterol. One study reinforced previous research indicating that as little as a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon extract, taken two times a day, can... Continue Reading Posted at 2:04 PM \| Permalink
Apr21	Dave Coverly: Amalgamations Of Situations John Gratton April 21, 2006 Dave Coverly is creator of Speek Bump, one of the most popular cartoons in the country. This is Part 5, follow the links for an Intro, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4. Your subjects seem pretty human, pretty... Continue Reading Posted at 7:53 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	There’s No Right Way To Talk About Money, But Talk John Gratton April 21, 2006 I was talking to a friend about money and employment, and it touched in me an unexpected sore spot. Like many of us, money was a problem area in my marriage, and it is a problem now with my children,... Continue Reading Posted at 7:43 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	That’s One Small Book For My Library, One Giant Leap For My Kind John Gratton April 21, 2006 I said I would add to my library on the 15th of each month. I missed it by a few days because there were just too many tempting choices. The easiest way to avoid temptation is simply to give in... Continue Reading Posted at 7:37 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	One Too Many Millionaires For My Money John Gratton April 21, 2006 Two stories appeared next to each other in my local paper. One was about millionaires. There were more than 8.3 million households in the “with a net worth of $1 million or more” in 2005, a jump of more than... Continue Reading Posted at 7:27 AM \| Permalink
	Make Sure You Achieve Wily Veteran Status Before You’re Done John Gratton April 21, 2006 "It is necessary to try to surpass one's self always; this occupation ought to last as long as life." Queen Christina Last night was basketball night. I was too small to play in school, so I went to playgrounds. I’ve... Continue Reading Posted at 7:22 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Apr20	Dave Coverly: Pushed, Prodded And Taking His Humor Seriously John Gratton April 20, 2006 Dave Coverly is creator of Speed Bump. This is Part 4, and here are Part 3, Part 2 and Part 1. And an Intro. Who tried to talk you out of becoming something crazy like a cartoonist? No one! I've been... Continue Reading Posted at 11:26 AM \| Permalink
	You Will Be Seen John Gratton April 20, 2006 I mentioned that too much music in the car had damped my attitude. I turned to Zig Ziglar to dry it off, and now Jim Rohn is pumping it back up. Here are some thoughts: “You have a choice of... Continue Reading Posted at 10:30 AM \| Permalink
	It's Only Fear (Or What Would Mike Nesmith Do?) John Gratton April 20, 2006 “Often the difference between a successful man and a failure is not one’s better abilities or ideas, but the courage that one has to bet on his ideas, to take a calculated risk, and to act.” Maxwell Maltz That lack... Continue Reading Posted at 9:56 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	The Weirdest Job I Ever Had And Why I Was Single-Handedly Responsible For The Company’s Demise John Gratton April 20, 2006 I was asked to produce a monthly newsletter for a start-up software company, which became a full-time gig. After a couple of days I realized there were no programmers, no staff, just the owner, a vice president and a guy... Continue Reading Posted at 7:46 AM \| Permalink
	I Read Junk E-Mail And I Wonder If Someone’s Pants Really Are On Fire John Gratton April 20, 2006 I mentioned a couple of too-good-to-be true e-mails the other day. I get a lot of them, but out of habit I delete them as they come. Out of curiosity, I just let them pile up for a day. In... Continue Reading Posted at 7:32 AM \| Permalink
Apr19	Dave Coverly: "Hey, Maybe I'm Going To Pull This Off" John Gratton April 19, 2006 Not something you want to hear your doctor say, but it works for cartoonists. Dave Coverly is creator of Speed Bump. This is Part 3, and here are an Intro, Part 1 and Part 2. You’ve covered wanting to be... Continue Reading Posted at 10:51 AM \| Permalink
	Chutzpa Turning A Paper Clip Into A House John Gratton April 19, 2006 Here are three things you have to admire: initiative, creativity and chutzpa. I may be the only one who hasn’t heard of Kyle MacDonald, who, using the Internet, is somewhere in the process of trading an oversized red paper clip... Continue Reading Posted at 9:52 AM \| Permalink
	“Baseball Been Very Good To Me” John Gratton April 19, 2006 There is a story on MSN about Major League Baseball’s most overpaid and underpaid players. Of course, they’re all overpaid. Their meal allowance is more than most Americans earn in a day. But, comparing how much overpaid, say, Albert Pujols... Continue Reading Posted at 7:48 AM \| Permalink
	A Fun Workplace Is Becoming The Newest Business Trend John Gratton April 19, 2006 I read another article that says the same thing as yesterday, so it must be true. From Lynne Haggerman, Springfield Business Journal: Some organizations believe that if employees take time to have fun at work, reductions will be seen in... Continue Reading Posted at 7:40 AM \| Permalink
	Stephen King Has An Ideal Reader – Do You? John Gratton April 19, 2006 Stephen King writes for his wife. “I listen closely to Tabby, because she’s the one I write for, the one I want to wow. Call that one person you write for Ideal Reader. You’ll find yourself bending the story even... Continue Reading Posted at 7:28 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Apr18	Dave Coverly: Having Success With Fun Stuff John Gratton April 18, 2006 Dave Coverly is creator of Speed Bump. This is Part 2. Read Part 1. You've been cartooning for a long time. When did you realize you wanted to make a living at it? Hmm, good question. It's hard to be... Continue Reading Posted at 10:56 AM \| Permalink
	Good Time Management: Delegating, Planning, Qualifying, Self-Analyzing John Gratton April 18, 2006 Wasting time is such a major character flaw. Sharon Cunningham, columnist for Best’s Review, offers the following for insurance producers, but the principles apply to most of us: DelegateTop producers spend at least 30 percent of their time in new... Continue Reading Posted at 10:02 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Laughter Is Good Business John Gratton April 18, 2006 It should have been a fun job. The company was small, with talented people and good products, but no one liked each other, everyone was suspicious and knew if anyone left early or came in late. Personal phone calls were... Continue Reading Posted at 9:14 AM \| Permalink
	Remember When You Couldn’t Ride A Bike And Then You Could? John Gratton April 18, 2006 I don’t remember learning to ride a bike, but I must have, because I can do it now. I’ve taught several children to ride, and they’ve all been the same. They couldn’t ride, they tried and tried, then all of... Continue Reading Posted at 8:17 AM \| Permalink
	Beware Of Social Security E-Mail Scammers And Other Unscrupulous Ne’er-Do-Wells John Gratton April 18, 2006 Like you, I get two or three e-mails every day from one crooked outfit or another, promising me big bucks for being a secret shopper or winning some fabulous prize. The spam filter doesn’t catch them all, so we need... Continue Reading Posted at 7:33 AM \| Permalink
Apr17	Tougher And More Determined Than Pain John Gratton April 17, 2006 My fingers hurt. Specifically, the three fingers on my right hand that aren’t my pinky or my thumb hurt. I got my bass guitar on Friday night and spent the weekend playing with it (not to be confused with playing... Continue Reading Posted at 2:13 PM \| Permalink
	Explore Something New, Let Mistakes Happen John Gratton April 17, 2006 I’ve been a parent for more than 25 years, and it will be another 10 or so before the youngest leaves home, so I read articles on parenting. A good one came today, from Sarah Henry and MSN Lifestyle. What... Continue Reading Posted at 12:00 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	This Diversion Has Some Economic Value And Plenty Of Snoop Appeal John Gratton April 17, 2006 I’ve posted a couple of “desktop diversions” – monk-e-mail and movie clips, because all work and no play makes somebody something, I don’t remember but it’s bad. Here’s one that you can do for fun, but you also may find... Continue Reading Posted at 10:26 AM \| Permalink
	If We Went To A 14-Day Month, We Could Kiss April 15th Good-bye, But We Would Still Put Off Our Taxes John Gratton April 17, 2006 I shouldn’t admit this, but last night (April 16, 2006), reviewing the past week and planning the next, I realized that I had not done my taxes. That’s bad, but made worse because I work in an accounting office and... Continue Reading Posted at 9:34 AM \| Permalink
	Dave Coverly On Inspiration John Gratton April 17, 2006 Dave Coverly is creator of Speed Bump. What is your favorite cartoon or favorite cartoonist?I can't say I've got one favorite--I've had different favorites at different times of life. Who was your first inspiration?Growing up in the seventies, I spent... Continue Reading Posted at 7:46 AM \| Permalink
Apr15	What You May Need Is 13 More Foods That Will Transform You John Gratton April 15, 2006 From The Brain Garden Walnuts contain essential unsaturated fats that are good for the brain, reduces risk of stroke, especially in middle-age men. Cashews contain high levels of selenium, known to clear the head and improve mood, also prevent cancer,... Continue Reading Posted at 7:47 PM \| Permalink
	Find An Exercise Program And Stick To It John Gratton April 15, 2006 From Dr. Joseph Mercola Exercise is a critical component of good health, especially as you age. Exercise will help you sleep better, lose, gain or maintain weight, depending on your needs, improve your resistance to fight infections, lower your risk... Continue Reading Posted at 7:31 PM \| Permalink
	Dry Brushing Beats Dental Plaque John Gratton April 15, 2006 From Prevention: "Dry brushing" - brushing teeth without toothpaste - may be a more effective plaque remover than brushing with paste, one expert says. This study found that 128 individuals who dry-brushed over a six-month period saw plaque deposits on... Continue Reading Posted at 7:19 PM \| Permalink
	More Tricks For Body Control John Gratton April 15, 2006 By Kate Dailey, Men's Health Experience Supersonic HearingIf you're stuck chatting up a mumbler at a cocktail party, lean in with your right ear. It's better than your left at following the rapid rhythms of speech, according to researchers at... Continue Reading Posted at 6:54 PM \| Permalink
	Why You Should Avoid Frozen Foods John Gratton April 15, 2006 From Karen Collins, R.D., MSNBC Health & Fitness: Those who use frozen diet meals sometimes argue that their portion-controlled nature makes them an easy way to get a healthy low-calorie meal. However, they are likely not your best option. Some... Continue Reading Posted at 6:47 PM \| Permalink
Apr14	Speed Bump Ahead: An Interview With Dave Coverly John Gratton April 14, 2006 I admire good writing. I love the effect the right words can have. “When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve…” Beautiful. The U.S. Pledge of Allegiance also is powerful writing. I also... Continue Reading Posted at 11:45 AM \| Permalink
	It’s Time To Lead With Integrity John Gratton April 14, 2006 From It Takes A CEO: It’s Time To Lead With Integrity by Leo Hindery. Does corporate culture have to be driven by greed? Or can you do good and still make good in the big business world? Should CEOs act... Continue Reading Posted at 9:07 AM \| Permalink
	Nine Keys To Leadership John Gratton April 14, 2006 Réal Michard was a convention speaker I heard last summer. The first story he told was of his trip to to oversee the final construction of his Lamborghini and then fly it home. He had everyone’s attention after that. Here... Continue Reading Posted at 9:00 AM \| Permalink
	Work Is Our Blessing, Not Our Doom John Gratton April 14, 2006 Work is the miracle by which talent is brought to the surface and dreams become reality. Nothing of real substance comes without work. Gordon B. Hinckley Do not wait; the time will never be ‘just right’. Start where you stand,... Continue Reading Posted at 8:36 AM \| Permalink
	Where Are We Going, And Why Are We In This Handbasket? John Gratton April 14, 2006 Have you seen that bumper sticker? Haven’t we all been there? And isn’t it great that we don’t have to stay there? First thing, get out of the handbasket. You don’t have to figure out why you are in it... Continue Reading Posted at 8:23 AM \| Permalink
Apr13	Mercury, Lennon, Segar vs. Rohn, Tracy, Williams John Gratton April 13, 2006 Driving home from an appointment, I realized I had been sluggish and frustrated and distracted all week, stuck in traffic mentally. But things are good and I should be peppy. Then, a favorite song came on the radio, Baba O’Riley... Continue Reading Posted at 3:42 PM \| Permalink
	Develop The Ability To Share John Gratton April 13, 2006 According to Jim Rohn, in The Art Of Exceptional Living, there are five key abilities we can develop to foster a more successful lifestyle. What follows is a paraphrase of Rohn’s ideas. Develop The Ability To Absorb Develop The Ability... Continue Reading Posted at 10:59 AM \| Permalink
	Life Is “Full Of Loneliness, Misery, Suffering And Unhappiness, And It’s All Over Much Too Quickly” John Gratton April 13, 2006 That’s Woody Allen in Annie Hall, and he is exactly right. Life is lonely and miserable, brimming with suffering and unhappiness, and too short, because life also is warm and inviting and joyous and overflowing with pleasure and satisfaction and... Continue Reading Posted at 10:52 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Speaking Of Money: Clearing Your Money Issues John Gratton April 13, 2006 From The Two Things People Do That Create Financial Lack And How To Stop Doing Them by Carol Tuttle. You have a relationship with money that YOU are creating. Money is a neutral resource to which you give power. Your patterns... Continue Reading Posted at 8:29 AM \| Permalink
	Only Two Things Are Infinite, The Universe And Human Stupidity John Gratton April 13, 2006 No matter how smart you are, you spend much of your day being an idiot. Scott Adams Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former. Albert Einstein The two most common... Continue Reading Posted at 8:06 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Apr12	A Little More Lawful Recreation John Gratton April 12, 2006 When you get bogged down in the details of what you do, a quick video diversion may be just what you need to clear your head and bring your productivity back. Try EVTV1 Watch It Now. Today, they are featuring... Continue Reading Posted at 10:23 AM \| Permalink
	Where Are You On The Royal Road To Happiness? John Gratton April 12, 2006 From William George Jordan in The Majesty of Calmness: There is a royal road to happiness; it lies in Consecration, Concentration, Conscience, and Conquest. Consecration is dedicating the individual life to the service of others, to some noble mission, to... Continue Reading Posted at 9:28 AM \| Permalink
	Still Time For Tax Savings, Barely John Gratton April 12, 2006 I’m no expert, but you may be able to reduce your 2005 taxes with a contribution to an IRA, and there still is time. Contact your income tax professional, quickly, to see if an IRA will help you. From ComplianceHeadquarters:... Continue Reading Posted at 9:22 AM \| Permalink
	Develop The Ability To Act John Gratton April 12, 2006 According to Jim Rohn, in The Art Of Exceptional Living, there are five key abilities we can develop to foster a more successful lifestyle. What follows is a paraphrase of Rohn’s ideas. Develop The Ability To Absorb Develop The Ability... Continue Reading Posted at 8:22 AM \| Permalink
	I Wonder What Meg Ryan Is Reading Today John Gratton April 12, 2006 Do you ever awake and just wonder what book Jessica Simpson is reading today, or what book has Michael Jackson’s attention? No, me neither. But it appears that Glenna Nowell does. Nowell is a retired librarian who for many years... Continue Reading Posted at 7:51 AM \| Permalink
Apr11	Michael Jordan And I Have So Much More In Common Than Just Big Hands John Gratton April 11, 2006 Yesterday, I answered a question from a reader who asked whether I believed what I wrote here. I said I do believe, and try to follow the principles, but that I had often failed and had many disappointments. As the... Continue Reading Posted at 11:58 AM \| Permalink
	The World At Your Finger Tips, Your Inbox And Your Library John Gratton April 11, 2006 I subscribe to several e-mail newsletters, and two arrived this morning. One is brand new to me, and this was my first issue. It is called Sales Caffeine: A Weekly Multimedia Sales Jolt by Jeffrey Gitomer, and has articles about... Continue Reading Posted at 11:28 AM \| Permalink
	Say, None Of You Are Cheating On Your Taxes, Are You? John Gratton April 11, 2006 The IRS and a dozen states are using personal and business data mining software to “sniff out scofflaws,” says Howard Gleckman at BusinessWeek.com. “As tax season nears its mid-April deadline, revenue agencies are reaching for a software tool kit that... Continue Reading Posted at 11:01 AM \| Permalink
	Develop The Ability To Reflect John Gratton April 11, 2006 According to Jim Rohn, in The Art Of Exceptional Living, there are five key abilities we can develop to foster a more successful lifestyle. What follows is a paraphrase of Rohn’s ideas. Develop The Ability To AbsorbDevelop The Ability To... Continue Reading Posted at 10:45 AM \| Permalink
	Ultimately, It’s Not About The Money, But This Is A Lot Of Money John Gratton April 11, 2006 I attended a sales convention in Las Vegas, about like all sales conventions, with the company’s best producers giving live testimonials about how they achieved their success. I like that kind of stuff. Introducing the first round of speakers, the... Continue Reading Posted at 10:31 AM \| Permalink
Apr10	Build Loyalty In Your Customer Base Through Excellent Service John Gratton April 10, 2006 As I said at the start, one of my three core philosophies is that, as Brian Tracy says, “the only reason to be in business is to create and keep customers.” Of course I’m not alone in this. It is foundational.... Continue Reading Posted at 10:34 AM \| Permalink
	Budgeting Time and Money John Gratton April 10, 2006 Here is part 12 of Napoleon Hill’s 17 Principles Of Personal Achievement. Budgeting Time and MoneySuccessful people know themselves, not as they think they are, but as their habits have made them: the use of time and money are the... Continue Reading Posted at 10:20 AM \| Permalink
	Home And Family, Not Money, Buy Our Best Shot At Happiness John Gratton April 10, 2006 We look everywhere for happiness, in work, in leisure and recreation, in meals, but the best place to look is at home. This shouldn’t be news, but long-term happiness is more likely to come when you focus on your family... Continue Reading Posted at 10:02 AM \| Permalink
	Are You Lying? A Most Fascinating (And Fair) Question John Gratton April 10, 2006 “Do you really believe all that you write on your blog?” As I contemplate the answer to this question from a friend, it occurs to me that a lesser person, ahem, might see the insult such a question implies, but... Continue Reading Posted at 9:44 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Develop The Ability To Respond John Gratton April 10, 2006 Part Two Of Jim Rohn’s Abilities For More Success According to Jim Rohn, in The Art Of Exceptional Living, there are five key abilities we can develop to foster a more successful lifestyle. What follows is a paraphrase of Rohn’s... Continue Reading Posted at 8:30 AM \| Permalink
Apr 8	Cholesterol We Eat Plays Little Role In Determining Cholesterol Levels John Gratton April 8, 2006 The last two or three times I’ve given blood, my cholesterol has been too high, 207 and 211. As I approach 50, that takes on more significance, so I started reading up. I came across this article which seems to contradict... Continue Reading Posted at 8:14 AM \| Permalink
	Protect Your Eyesight As You Age John Gratton April 8, 2006 By Dr. Joseph Mercola with Rachael Droege. Let’s first be clear that simply aging doesn’t mean that your eyesight will diminish. Here are some tips to help keep your eyes strong and in good health no matter what your age.... Continue Reading Posted at 7:57 AM \| Permalink
	Go To The Show, Watch A Good Movie, Have A Good Laugh John Gratton April 8, 2006 I took some young children to a matinee to see a children’s movie. I love being in the theater with a couple of hundred delighted school kids. They are so enthusiastic and genuine. They laugh unabashedly and often, they cheer... Continue Reading Posted at 7:41 AM \| Permalink
	Five Foods Help Prevent Bad Breath John Gratton April 8, 2006 From Marin Gazzaniga for MSN Health & Fitness. Bad breath results from two key issues: oral hygiene and gastrointestinal health. The culprit in both cases is largely bacteria. Doctors will tell you that if you have bad breath, you should first... Continue Reading Posted at 7:33 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	A Dozen Foods That Can Change Your Life John Gratton April 8, 2006 From The Brain Garden: Dates reverse the progression of prostate cancer. Raisins have protective effect on heart, help sustain normal blood sugar levels. Oats lower risk of coronary heart disease. Sesame seeds reduce susceptibility to oxidative stress, a major contributor... Continue Reading Posted at 7:13 AM \| Permalink
Apr 7	Develop The Ability To Absorb John Gratton April 7, 2006 Part One Of Jim Rohn’s Abilities For More Success According to Jim Rohn, in The Art Of Exceptional Living, there are five key abilities we can develop to foster a more successful lifestyle. He doesn’t mention specifically that you should... Continue Reading Posted at 11:26 AM \| Permalink
	Become Married, Stay Married To Enjoy More Wealth John Gratton April 7, 2006 Having been married and not married, I heartily endorse marriage over other options, and money is just one of the reasons. This is from an article in Practical Accountant, April 2006, page17: A study by an Ohio State University researcher... Continue Reading Posted at 9:38 AM \| Permalink
	Lou Brock’s Shoes John Gratton April 7, 2006 When the opportunity arises, the time for preparation is past.* I grew up listening to Cardinals baseball. Reception was poor in the house, so we sat on the hood of dad’s Impala in the evenings, listening to Jack Buck on... Continue Reading Posted at 8:40 AM \| Permalink
	Stupid Squared John Gratton April 7, 2006 Two news items remind us that while stupidity is pretty common, it doesn’t have much long-term benefit. The first article is about two men passing through our county with more than 1,200 pounds of marijuana in their truck, and they... Continue Reading Posted at 8:29 AM \| Permalink
	No Blue Notes In A Healthy Self-Image John Gratton April 7, 2006 From Zig Ziglar in See You At The Top: To build a healthy self-image, there are some things you must avoid. Pornography is the primary one. Literally everything that goes into your mind has an effect and is permanently recorded.... Continue Reading Posted at 8:13 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Apr 6	Managing People Who Are More Talented And Make Much More Money Than You John Gratton April 6, 2006 I’m reading Three Nights In August, by Buzz Bissinger, the story of Tony LaRussa and the 2003 baseball season. In his introduction, LaRussa, who has managed baseball for a long time, laments the difficulty in managing players whose egos are... Continue Reading Posted at 1:28 PM \| Permalink
	All The Right Moves: Skills That Open New Doors John Gratton April 6, 2006 The metal slip cover from a floppy disk busted loose inside a coworker’s computer, and I was nominated to fix it. Talk about wishful thinking: I tipped the machine over, propped open the floppy drive door, and waited for the... Continue Reading Posted at 11:02 AM \| Permalink
	You Gotta Have Hope, It’s The Price You Gotta Pay* John Gratton April 6, 2006 “If it were not for hopes, the heart would break.” Thomas Fuller One small thought about hope. My past three or four years saw a divorce, alienation from two children and from friends, four moves, and a number of severe... Continue Reading Posted at 10:24 AM \| Permalink
	Charles Barkley For President, And Put O’Neal On The Ticket, Too John Gratton April 6, 2006 "These are my new shoes. They're good shoes. They won't make you rich like me, they won't make you rebound like me, they definitely won't make you handsome like me. They'll only make you have shoes like me. That's it."... Continue Reading Posted at 10:08 AM \| Permalink
	Shut Up And Don’t Stand Near Me John Gratton April 6, 2006 From Secrets Of The Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker: Complaining is the absolute worst possible thing you could do for your health or your wealth. The worst! Have you ever noticed that complainers usually have a though life? It... Continue Reading Posted at 9:51 AM \| Permalink
Apr 5	Note To Self: Don’t Tick Off The Blogger John Gratton April 5, 2006 I wrote about a former boss, who noticed a mistake and sent an e-mail. I fixed the mistake and posted a message about it. A good friend, noticing the immediacy of the exchange, e-mailed me: “How cool is it that... Continue Reading Posted at 9:52 AM \| Permalink
	I Like Myself, I Like Myself John Gratton April 5, 2006 If you like yourself, you are much less likely to do things you ought not to do, and much more likely to do that which you ought. If you like yourself, you will eat better, you will exercise more. If... Continue Reading Posted at 9:40 AM \| Permalink
	Do Not Do What You Would Not Have Known John Gratton April 5, 2006 This falls into the “do not do what you would not have known” category. The quote is from a well-known American who, I feel certain, would not want his name associated with this story. You can look it up if... Continue Reading Posted at 8:35 AM \| Permalink
	A Little Lawful Recreation John Gratton April 5, 2006 “The bow cannot always stand bent, nor can human frailty subsist without some lawful recreation.” Miguel de Cervantes This may not be what Miguel had in mind, but here’s something you might try for a little lawful recreation today.... Continue Reading Posted at 7:53 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Dead And Gone And Fading Fast John Gratton April 5, 2006 I remember the day Ronald Reagan was shot. I was at work at a well-known discount chain store, manning the electronics department. The whole gloomy afternoon was spent with customers crowding my televisions. What I didn’t remember was that the... Continue Reading Posted at 7:42 AM \| Permalink
Apr 4	Cheated Out Of A Ticket To Game Seven Of The 1982 World Series John Gratton April 4, 2006 “Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed.” Jenkins Lloyd Jones Jones was talking about marriage, and that is true enough, but it also applies... Continue Reading Posted at 11:56 AM \| Permalink
	Inaction Breeds Doubt And Fear, Action Breeds Confidence And Courage John Gratton April 4, 2006 “Your future is created by what you do today, not tomorrow.” Robert Kiyosaki “The act of taking the first step is what separates the winners from the losers.” Brain Tracy “Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage.... Continue Reading Posted at 11:33 AM \| Permalink
	Do You Hear What I Hear? One Good Reason To Go Video Tape Yourself John Gratton April 4, 2006 “If you want to hear the funniest thing you’ve ever heard in your life,” says Jeffrey Gotimer, “record yourself making a sales presentation. At first it’s painful, but in the end, it’s profitable.” My first recorded sales presentation wasn’t funny... Continue Reading Posted at 11:23 AM \| Permalink
	Bonaparte, Hill And Dynamite, Now There’s A Firm For You John Gratton April 4, 2006 Napoleon BonapartePublic instruction should be the first object of government. Napoleon HillMan, alone, has the power to transform his thoughts into physical reality; man, alone, can dream and make his dreams come true. “Napoleon Dynamite”Just tell them that their... Continue Reading Posted at 11:05 AM \| Permalink
	Storm Chasers Add Insult To Injury John Gratton April 4, 2006 More tornados and severe thunderstorms ripped through the weekend, leaving death and destruction in parts of several states. There really isn’t much we can do if we are in the path of one of these storm, just a few basic... Continue Reading Posted at 9:48 AM \| Permalink
Apr 3	Chalk One Up To Anamorphism John Gratton April 3, 2006 Usually, I can come up with some words, adequate, at least, for the situation, but I find myself nearly mute in the face of Julian Beever’s artistry, and perhaps just as much from his audacity.... Continue Reading Posted at 9:46 AM \| Permalink
	I’ve Finally Learned The Value Of Saving Money (I Saved $3,808 Just Today) John Gratton April 3, 2006 “Money doesn't make you happy. I now have $50 million, but I was just as happy when I had $48 million.” Arnold Schwarzenegger Everyone has always been on me to save more money, “a penny saved…” and all that. I... Continue Reading Posted at 9:32 AM \| Permalink
	Why Albert Einstein Should Have Been An Insurance Salesman John Gratton April 3, 2006 Dislike of television commercials isn’t enough to preclude watching NCAA basketball tournaments. Big-event TV brings out companies and industries that don’t advertise as much at other times, like financial services companies, many of whom are struggling with image these days.... Continue Reading Posted at 8:43 AM \| Permalink
	One Step At A Time John Gratton April 3, 2006 “The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance - and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning.” Oprah Winfrey After agreeing to write my first... Continue Reading Posted at 7:46 AM \| Permalink
	Predatory Clergy – Death Penalty Is Too Good For Them John Gratton April 3, 2006 “Roman Catholic Church faces costs of nearly $467 million more, new analysis data show.” That’s the sub-heading in an AP newspaper story by Rachel Zoll in my March 31, 2006 newspaper. Zoll reports that “new figures released Thursday by the... Continue Reading Posted at 7:38 AM \| Permalink
Apr 1	Something About My Mother John Gratton April 1, 2006 I was going to do some silly thing about kids and mothers, but I’ve decided on this, instead. I wrote it last year on Mother’s Day. It’s Mother’s Day, and my father is dying. Again. His first stroke was nearly... Continue Reading Posted at 11:15 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	What The Heck Is Acrylamide And Why Is It In My Bread? John Gratton April 1, 2006 More from Dr. Joseph Mercola, my favorite doctor since Doctor In The House. Acrylamide, a white, odorless but potentially cancer-causing chemical, has been found in many common foods such as potato chips, French fries, bread, rice and cereals. It appears... Continue Reading Posted at 11:03 AM \| Permalink
	Don’t Just Sit There, Do A Work Desk Work Out To Relieve Stress John Gratton April 1, 2006 Use a comfortable and ergonomically correct chair, adjust the armrests and seat height for optimal comfort. Put photos of family, friends and favorite places where you can see them often. Print motivational thoughts from your favorite blog and put those... Continue Reading Posted at 10:46 AM \| Permalink
	Wash And Store Vegetables Properly John Gratton April 1, 2006 From Dr. Joseph Mercola. Once vegetables are picked they begin to lose nutrients. While there is no way to avoid this loss – other than growing the vegetables yourself and eating them right from the vine – you can easily... Continue Reading Posted at 10:35 AM \| Permalink
	Nutrition Facts About Five Common Foods, Part 5 John Gratton April 1, 2006 Some foods naturally contain disease-fighting, health promoting properties, while others contain elements that may hinder your health goals. Pumpkin SeedsPumpkin seeds are high in zinc, which is good for the prostate and building the immune system. They also contain fatty... Continue Reading Posted at 10:20 AM \| Permalink

« March 2006 | Main | May 2006 »

Apr29	Girls Girls Girls John Gratton April 29, 2006 Know More: The Saturday Sidebar Six of my seven children are girls. Daughters. Females. Women. Having grown up with five brothers, I was unprepared for so many daughters, and, although I love them and do what I can for them, I sometimes feel I fail them despite my best intentions and I don’t understand them. The first was born more than 25 years ago, and the youngest won’t leave home for another 10 years, and when that sad day comes, I’m sure I’ll feel cheated, that having them for only 35 years just wasn’t long enough. As I think about the girls today, they remind me of these words by Marion G. Romney: “Nothing is more beautiful, more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God who walks in virtue, who honors and respects her body as a thing sacred and divine, who cultivates her mind, who nurtures her spirit with everlasting truth.” And I got six. Thanks, girls. I love you. And your brother, too. Posted at 8:36 PM \| Permalink
Apr29	If You Will Hold My Hand John Gratton April 29, 2006 “If you will hold my hand, then I will hold my breath and cast my fate in the direction of my heart. I will put on hold my lesser dreams and reach for what is truly mine.” It is rare... Continue Reading Posted at 8:26 PM \| Permalink
	Fictions And Facts Of Fad Foods John Gratton April 29, 2006 Much of what we hear about what to eat and what not to eat is simply marketing rather than solid medical research. Here are a couple of examples from Charles Stuart Platkin, founder of Integrated Wellness Solutions. Fad: “Whole grain”... Continue Reading Posted at 8:17 PM \| Permalink
	We’re Not Talking Triathlon Here, But… John Gratton April 29, 2006 From Dr. Joseph Mercola: Swim (But Only In Fresh Water) “Swimming is one of the best exercises, working all the major muscles, but it poses the challenge of exposing you to the large amounts of chlorine that are in most... Continue Reading Posted at 8:10 PM \| Permalink
	Eat Well But More Often To Lower Cholesterol John Gratton April 29, 2006 “A person's cholesterol levels may depend not only on what he or she eats, but also how often,” according to a report in the British Medical Journal. “Researchers found that middle-aged and older adults who ate frequently throughout the day... Continue Reading Posted at 8:02 PM \| Permalink
Apr28	Warning To Shakespeare: That Whole Romeo/Juliet Thing, That Was My Idea John Gratton April 28, 2006 I’ve never met a Dan Brown book I didn’t like, and of course, The Da Vinci Code is his best so far. One measure of that book’s popularity, apart from selling more than 40 million copies hardcover, is the number... Continue Reading Posted at 9:50 AM \| Permalink
	Look To The Student Within You For Motivation John Gratton April 28, 2006 A sales person asked Jeffery Gitomer how to become motivated again. This is Gitomer’s response (from Sales Caffeine, Issue 32): “[T]he reason that you're slipping is that the student within you is failing you. Look at your present job. Do... Continue Reading Posted at 9:44 AM \| Permalink
	Good Times At Exxon, At Least John Gratton April 28, 2006 I shouldn’t complain, because a gallon of gas where I live is always about 15 cents per gallon cheaper than the national average, and U.S. drivers have paid less per gallon than most of the world for a long time.... Continue Reading Posted at 9:38 AM \| Permalink
	Do Don’t Do John Gratton April 28, 2006 Here are some favorite lines from an article by Ellen Rohr called Financial Dos And Don’ts Lead To Better Business: Do understand that you are in business for the money. Don’t be ashamed about that. Do whatever it takes to... Continue Reading Posted at 9:27 AM \| Permalink
	Tax Freedom Day: It’s All Yours Now John Gratton April 28, 2006 According to the Tax Foundation, Tax Freedom Day – the day when working Americans transition from working to pay taxes to working to support themselves – was earlier this week, April 26. So no more taxes for you. “Despite the... Continue Reading Posted at 9:20 AM \| Permalink
Apr27	Dave Coverly: The Lighter Side Of PETA John Gratton April 27, 2006 Dave Coverly is creator of Speed Bump. Read the rest of this interview: Intro, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. What brought about your involvement with PETA? I had always done animal cartoons, and most of them from the... Continue Reading Posted at 11:23 AM \| Permalink
	The Worst Customer Service I’ve Ever Had (Even Worse Than My Cell Phone Company) John Gratton April 27, 2006 I guess I’m still ticked, because thinking about the Everly Brothers in concert reminded me of this. I bought front-row seats, one 10 seats left of center for the afternoon show, one 10 seats right of center for the evening... Continue Reading Posted at 10:16 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	The Ultimate Question John Gratton April 27, 2006 Flipping through the latest issue of Accounting Today, I came across another book to add to the list. Don’t be confused - The Ultimate Question is not a sequel to any of the Douglas Adams books, but an “extraordinarily insightful”... Continue Reading Posted at 10:00 AM \| Permalink
	Expecting A Refund? Don’t Fall For This Phishing Scam John Gratton April 27, 2006 You’re expecting a refund, you get an e-mail presumably from the IRS – it has their logo - that says something like, "We have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of [X] dollars. To access the... Continue Reading Posted at 9:51 AM \| Permalink
	Anticipation John Gratton April 27, 2006 I like anticipation. I like the doing, too, but I like the anticipation of going to a Cardinals game as much as the game itself. I like the anticipation of an Everly Brothers concert. I’ve seen them five times and... Continue Reading Posted at 9:30 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Apr26	Dave Coverly: Just The Usual Lumps You Take On Your Way To A Career John Gratton April 26, 2006 Dave Coverly is creator of Speed Bump. Read the rest of the interview here, here, here, here, here, here and here. Is this your dream job? It is, in many ways. I love both writing and drawing and I wouldn't... Continue Reading Posted at 11:36 AM \| Permalink
	Time Management Tips For Workaholics John Gratton April 26, 2006 It’s too easy to work too much, too often, too long, to neglect life essentials that do not involve work. We’ve all done it. When you’re at work, focus on work, certainly, but give the same attention to other areas... Continue Reading Posted at 8:35 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	We Are Tormented By Our Potential John Gratton April 26, 2006 I had the book open anyway, so here's more from Tim Sanders, Love Is The Killer App: Bob Marley once said that he was tormented by his inability to fix everything. Sometimes that’s how we feel about our careers. We... Continue Reading Posted at 8:01 AM \| Permalink
	Rank, Status And Money – Fugetaboutit John Gratton April 26, 2006 Reader and fellow blogger Ryan Money recommended Love Is The Killer App, by Tim Sanders, and it is a remarkable concept. It teaches you how to become a lovecat. If you don’t know what that is, read the book. Here’s... Continue Reading Posted at 7:46 AM \| Permalink
	But John Gratton April 26, 2006 I was listening to Never Wrestle With A Pig this morning in the car. I can’t quote Mark McCormick word-for-word, but the gist of it is that we all have a big but, as in “Kenny is excellent at blank,... Continue Reading Posted at 7:38 AM \| Permalink
Apr25	Dave Coverly: Love Daydreaming And Work, Work, Work John Gratton April 25, 2006 Dave Coverly is creator of Speed Bump. The rest of the interview: Intro, Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. There's a "write your own caption" contest, too. Are the words and the illustration equal in difficulty, or is one easier for... Continue Reading Posted at 10:56 AM \| Permalink
	Way To Go, Kelly, Once More Into The Breach John Gratton April 25, 2006 I was surprised to see a friend’s photo in the paper today, in a letter to the editor. She was complaining – and rightly so – about how our school district handles the distribution of bad news, using small children... Continue Reading Posted at 10:34 AM \| Permalink
	If You’re Going To Haul, You May As Well Haul Long John Gratton April 25, 2006 “Whatever your dream might be, don’t worry that it is unrealistic. People achieve unrealistic goals every day. As Thomas Edison said, ‘If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.’” Jeff Keller You... Continue Reading Posted at 8:09 AM \| Permalink
	Get More Done! John Gratton April 25, 2006 From Done! How To Accomplish Twice As Much In Half The Time – At Home And At The Office, by Don Aslett. Getting more done is the most direct route to what you’re looking for. It’s the answer to most... Continue Reading Posted at 7:54 AM \| Permalink
	The Good News Is That Ramen Noodles Come In Many Invigorating Flavors John Gratton April 25, 2006 The percentage of Americans who will not have enough money for retirement is increasing. Jim Rohn says that we must learn to plant in the spring or learn to beg in the fall. So I guess we have to ask... Continue Reading Posted at 7:24 AM \| Permalink
Apr24	Not Rich, Not Unsexy, Not Bad For An Old Guy John Gratton April 24, 2006 “Every day I get up and look through the Forbes list of the richest people in America . If I'm not there, I go to work.” Robert Orben That’s a good plan. I am not on the Forbes list, having just missed... Continue Reading Posted at 11:48 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Coverly Caption Contest – Cool! John Gratton April 24, 2006 We interrupt the Dave Coverly interview for this news flash. Our friend Dave is offering us all a chance at fame and fortune, or at least some really cool prizes, by completing a caption for this cartoon: From his site: Last... Continue Reading Posted at 10:42 AM \| Permalink
	Michael Jordan Isn’t Chump Change, But… John Gratton April 24, 2006 I found this in a folder last night, printed off years ago, with no notation of the source. It goes something like this: With salary and endorsements, Michael Jordan makes about $2 a second, or $178,000 per day. Every day.... Continue Reading Posted at 9:09 AM \| Permalink
	“Never Wrestle With A Pig” John Gratton April 24, 2006 That seems like good advice in any situation, but in this case, it’s good advice come cheap. I was waiting for a daughter to make her purchases at one of our local “everything is one dollar” stores, and stumbled across... Continue Reading Posted at 8:52 AM \| Permalink
	Big Smith Nets One Daughter, And $100,000 For Charity John Gratton April 24, 2006 I saw only a couple of you there, but the crowd was large and I might easily have missed you. The Big Smith benefit concert earlier this month was terrific. The music was great, as always, but the good news... Continue Reading Posted at 8:46 AM \| Permalink
Apr22	Daddy, You Should Post This! I’m A Good Writer, LOL John Gratton April 22, 2006 I got this far – “This is the 300th post on CoreCharacter” – then got up for some cold water. While I was in the kitchen, my daughter - and now, my first guest author - jumped on the computer:... Continue Reading Posted at 3:25 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Historic Sleepovers And Rocky Roads John Gratton April 22, 2006 Sleeping Through HistoryIf you like hotels with historic ambiance, check out one of the 208 independent hotels and resorts that are members of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Visit the web site and make reservations, or order the 2006... Continue Reading Posted at 3:08 PM \| Permalink
	Diets High In Processed Meats Linked To Colorectal Cancer John Gratton April 22, 2006 Sources: Science Daily, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Dr. Joseph Mercola: In a recent study, more than 1,500 patients suffering from colorectal adenomas (precancerous polyps of the colon) were given a survey about their diet. Several years later, they were... Continue Reading Posted at 3:01 PM \| Permalink
	Dreading $3 A Gallon Gas? Think About A Car That Runs On Air John Gratton April 22, 2006 From The Science Channel: One day, in the near future, we'll have the opportunity to make driving safer for our health and environment with options like the pollution-free Air Car, being readied for market by Spain-based Moteur Developpement Int. Based... Continue Reading Posted at 2:46 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Diabetes, Heart Disease Yield To Sugar And Spice And Everything Nice? John Gratton April 22, 2006 From Alan Mozes, HealthDay: Two new studies suggest that cinnamon and cloves boost insulin function while lowering cholesterol. One study reinforced previous research indicating that as little as a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon extract, taken two times a day, can... Continue Reading Posted at 2:04 PM \| Permalink
Apr21	Dave Coverly: Amalgamations Of Situations John Gratton April 21, 2006 Dave Coverly is creator of Speek Bump, one of the most popular cartoons in the country. This is Part 5, follow the links for an Intro, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4. Your subjects seem pretty human, pretty... Continue Reading Posted at 7:53 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	There’s No Right Way To Talk About Money, But Talk John Gratton April 21, 2006 I was talking to a friend about money and employment, and it touched in me an unexpected sore spot. Like many of us, money was a problem area in my marriage, and it is a problem now with my children,... Continue Reading Posted at 7:43 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	That’s One Small Book For My Library, One Giant Leap For My Kind John Gratton April 21, 2006 I said I would add to my library on the 15th of each month. I missed it by a few days because there were just too many tempting choices. The easiest way to avoid temptation is simply to give in... Continue Reading Posted at 7:37 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	One Too Many Millionaires For My Money John Gratton April 21, 2006 Two stories appeared next to each other in my local paper. One was about millionaires. There were more than 8.3 million households in the “with a net worth of $1 million or more” in 2005, a jump of more than... Continue Reading Posted at 7:27 AM \| Permalink
	Make Sure You Achieve Wily Veteran Status Before You’re Done John Gratton April 21, 2006 "It is necessary to try to surpass one's self always; this occupation ought to last as long as life." Queen Christina Last night was basketball night. I was too small to play in school, so I went to playgrounds. I’ve... Continue Reading Posted at 7:22 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Apr20	Dave Coverly: Pushed, Prodded And Taking His Humor Seriously John Gratton April 20, 2006 Dave Coverly is creator of Speed Bump. This is Part 4, and here are Part 3, Part 2 and Part 1. And an Intro. Who tried to talk you out of becoming something crazy like a cartoonist? No one! I've been... Continue Reading Posted at 11:26 AM \| Permalink
	You Will Be Seen John Gratton April 20, 2006 I mentioned that too much music in the car had damped my attitude. I turned to Zig Ziglar to dry it off, and now Jim Rohn is pumping it back up. Here are some thoughts: “You have a choice of... Continue Reading Posted at 10:30 AM \| Permalink
	It's Only Fear (Or What Would Mike Nesmith Do?) John Gratton April 20, 2006 “Often the difference between a successful man and a failure is not one’s better abilities or ideas, but the courage that one has to bet on his ideas, to take a calculated risk, and to act.” Maxwell Maltz That lack... Continue Reading Posted at 9:56 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	The Weirdest Job I Ever Had And Why I Was Single-Handedly Responsible For The Company’s Demise John Gratton April 20, 2006 I was asked to produce a monthly newsletter for a start-up software company, which became a full-time gig. After a couple of days I realized there were no programmers, no staff, just the owner, a vice president and a guy... Continue Reading Posted at 7:46 AM \| Permalink
	I Read Junk E-Mail And I Wonder If Someone’s Pants Really Are On Fire John Gratton April 20, 2006 I mentioned a couple of too-good-to-be true e-mails the other day. I get a lot of them, but out of habit I delete them as they come. Out of curiosity, I just let them pile up for a day. In... Continue Reading Posted at 7:32 AM \| Permalink
Apr19	Dave Coverly: "Hey, Maybe I'm Going To Pull This Off" John Gratton April 19, 2006 Not something you want to hear your doctor say, but it works for cartoonists. Dave Coverly is creator of Speed Bump. This is Part 3, and here are an Intro, Part 1 and Part 2. You’ve covered wanting to be... Continue Reading Posted at 10:51 AM \| Permalink
	Chutzpa Turning A Paper Clip Into A House John Gratton April 19, 2006 Here are three things you have to admire: initiative, creativity and chutzpa. I may be the only one who hasn’t heard of Kyle MacDonald, who, using the Internet, is somewhere in the process of trading an oversized red paper clip... Continue Reading Posted at 9:52 AM \| Permalink
	“Baseball Been Very Good To Me” John Gratton April 19, 2006 There is a story on MSN about Major League Baseball’s most overpaid and underpaid players. Of course, they’re all overpaid. Their meal allowance is more than most Americans earn in a day. But, comparing how much overpaid, say, Albert Pujols... Continue Reading Posted at 7:48 AM \| Permalink
	A Fun Workplace Is Becoming The Newest Business Trend John Gratton April 19, 2006 I read another article that says the same thing as yesterday, so it must be true. From Lynne Haggerman, Springfield Business Journal: Some organizations believe that if employees take time to have fun at work, reductions will be seen in... Continue Reading Posted at 7:40 AM \| Permalink
	Stephen King Has An Ideal Reader – Do You? John Gratton April 19, 2006 Stephen King writes for his wife. “I listen closely to Tabby, because she’s the one I write for, the one I want to wow. Call that one person you write for Ideal Reader. You’ll find yourself bending the story even... Continue Reading Posted at 7:28 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Apr18	Dave Coverly: Having Success With Fun Stuff John Gratton April 18, 2006 Dave Coverly is creator of Speed Bump. This is Part 2. Read Part 1. You've been cartooning for a long time. When did you realize you wanted to make a living at it? Hmm, good question. It's hard to be... Continue Reading Posted at 10:56 AM \| Permalink
	Good Time Management: Delegating, Planning, Qualifying, Self-Analyzing John Gratton April 18, 2006 Wasting time is such a major character flaw. Sharon Cunningham, columnist for Best’s Review, offers the following for insurance producers, but the principles apply to most of us: DelegateTop producers spend at least 30 percent of their time in new... Continue Reading Posted at 10:02 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Laughter Is Good Business John Gratton April 18, 2006 It should have been a fun job. The company was small, with talented people and good products, but no one liked each other, everyone was suspicious and knew if anyone left early or came in late. Personal phone calls were... Continue Reading Posted at 9:14 AM \| Permalink
	Remember When You Couldn’t Ride A Bike And Then You Could? John Gratton April 18, 2006 I don’t remember learning to ride a bike, but I must have, because I can do it now. I’ve taught several children to ride, and they’ve all been the same. They couldn’t ride, they tried and tried, then all of... Continue Reading Posted at 8:17 AM \| Permalink
	Beware Of Social Security E-Mail Scammers And Other Unscrupulous Ne’er-Do-Wells John Gratton April 18, 2006 Like you, I get two or three e-mails every day from one crooked outfit or another, promising me big bucks for being a secret shopper or winning some fabulous prize. The spam filter doesn’t catch them all, so we need... Continue Reading Posted at 7:33 AM \| Permalink
Apr17	Tougher And More Determined Than Pain John Gratton April 17, 2006 My fingers hurt. Specifically, the three fingers on my right hand that aren’t my pinky or my thumb hurt. I got my bass guitar on Friday night and spent the weekend playing with it (not to be confused with playing... Continue Reading Posted at 2:13 PM \| Permalink
	Explore Something New, Let Mistakes Happen John Gratton April 17, 2006 I’ve been a parent for more than 25 years, and it will be another 10 or so before the youngest leaves home, so I read articles on parenting. A good one came today, from Sarah Henry and MSN Lifestyle. What... Continue Reading Posted at 12:00 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	This Diversion Has Some Economic Value And Plenty Of Snoop Appeal John Gratton April 17, 2006 I’ve posted a couple of “desktop diversions” – monk-e-mail and movie clips, because all work and no play makes somebody something, I don’t remember but it’s bad. Here’s one that you can do for fun, but you also may find... Continue Reading Posted at 10:26 AM \| Permalink
	If We Went To A 14-Day Month, We Could Kiss April 15th Good-bye, But We Would Still Put Off Our Taxes John Gratton April 17, 2006 I shouldn’t admit this, but last night (April 16, 2006), reviewing the past week and planning the next, I realized that I had not done my taxes. That’s bad, but made worse because I work in an accounting office and... Continue Reading Posted at 9:34 AM \| Permalink
	Dave Coverly On Inspiration John Gratton April 17, 2006 Dave Coverly is creator of Speed Bump. What is your favorite cartoon or favorite cartoonist?I can't say I've got one favorite--I've had different favorites at different times of life. Who was your first inspiration?Growing up in the seventies, I spent... Continue Reading Posted at 7:46 AM \| Permalink
Apr15	What You May Need Is 13 More Foods That Will Transform You John Gratton April 15, 2006 From The Brain Garden Walnuts contain essential unsaturated fats that are good for the brain, reduces risk of stroke, especially in middle-age men. Cashews contain high levels of selenium, known to clear the head and improve mood, also prevent cancer,... Continue Reading Posted at 7:47 PM \| Permalink
	Find An Exercise Program And Stick To It John Gratton April 15, 2006 From Dr. Joseph Mercola Exercise is a critical component of good health, especially as you age. Exercise will help you sleep better, lose, gain or maintain weight, depending on your needs, improve your resistance to fight infections, lower your risk... Continue Reading Posted at 7:31 PM \| Permalink
	Dry Brushing Beats Dental Plaque John Gratton April 15, 2006 From Prevention: "Dry brushing" - brushing teeth without toothpaste - may be a more effective plaque remover than brushing with paste, one expert says. This study found that 128 individuals who dry-brushed over a six-month period saw plaque deposits on... Continue Reading Posted at 7:19 PM \| Permalink
	More Tricks For Body Control John Gratton April 15, 2006 By Kate Dailey, Men's Health Experience Supersonic HearingIf you're stuck chatting up a mumbler at a cocktail party, lean in with your right ear. It's better than your left at following the rapid rhythms of speech, according to researchers at... Continue Reading Posted at 6:54 PM \| Permalink
	Why You Should Avoid Frozen Foods John Gratton April 15, 2006 From Karen Collins, R.D., MSNBC Health & Fitness: Those who use frozen diet meals sometimes argue that their portion-controlled nature makes them an easy way to get a healthy low-calorie meal. However, they are likely not your best option. Some... Continue Reading Posted at 6:47 PM \| Permalink
Apr14	Speed Bump Ahead: An Interview With Dave Coverly John Gratton April 14, 2006 I admire good writing. I love the effect the right words can have. “When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve…” Beautiful. The U.S. Pledge of Allegiance also is powerful writing. I also... Continue Reading Posted at 11:45 AM \| Permalink
	It’s Time To Lead With Integrity John Gratton April 14, 2006 From It Takes A CEO: It’s Time To Lead With Integrity by Leo Hindery. Does corporate culture have to be driven by greed? Or can you do good and still make good in the big business world? Should CEOs act... Continue Reading Posted at 9:07 AM \| Permalink
	Nine Keys To Leadership John Gratton April 14, 2006 Réal Michard was a convention speaker I heard last summer. The first story he told was of his trip to to oversee the final construction of his Lamborghini and then fly it home. He had everyone’s attention after that. Here... Continue Reading Posted at 9:00 AM \| Permalink
	Work Is Our Blessing, Not Our Doom John Gratton April 14, 2006 Work is the miracle by which talent is brought to the surface and dreams become reality. Nothing of real substance comes without work. Gordon B. Hinckley Do not wait; the time will never be ‘just right’. Start where you stand,... Continue Reading Posted at 8:36 AM \| Permalink
	Where Are We Going, And Why Are We In This Handbasket? John Gratton April 14, 2006 Have you seen that bumper sticker? Haven’t we all been there? And isn’t it great that we don’t have to stay there? First thing, get out of the handbasket. You don’t have to figure out why you are in it... Continue Reading Posted at 8:23 AM \| Permalink
Apr13	Mercury, Lennon, Segar vs. Rohn, Tracy, Williams John Gratton April 13, 2006 Driving home from an appointment, I realized I had been sluggish and frustrated and distracted all week, stuck in traffic mentally. But things are good and I should be peppy. Then, a favorite song came on the radio, Baba O’Riley... Continue Reading Posted at 3:42 PM \| Permalink
	Develop The Ability To Share John Gratton April 13, 2006 According to Jim Rohn, in The Art Of Exceptional Living, there are five key abilities we can develop to foster a more successful lifestyle. What follows is a paraphrase of Rohn’s ideas. Develop The Ability To Absorb Develop The Ability... Continue Reading Posted at 10:59 AM \| Permalink
	Life Is “Full Of Loneliness, Misery, Suffering And Unhappiness, And It’s All Over Much Too Quickly” John Gratton April 13, 2006 That’s Woody Allen in Annie Hall, and he is exactly right. Life is lonely and miserable, brimming with suffering and unhappiness, and too short, because life also is warm and inviting and joyous and overflowing with pleasure and satisfaction and... Continue Reading Posted at 10:52 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Speaking Of Money: Clearing Your Money Issues John Gratton April 13, 2006 From The Two Things People Do That Create Financial Lack And How To Stop Doing Them by Carol Tuttle. You have a relationship with money that YOU are creating. Money is a neutral resource to which you give power. Your patterns... Continue Reading Posted at 8:29 AM \| Permalink
	Only Two Things Are Infinite, The Universe And Human Stupidity John Gratton April 13, 2006 No matter how smart you are, you spend much of your day being an idiot. Scott Adams Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former. Albert Einstein The two most common... Continue Reading Posted at 8:06 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Apr12	A Little More Lawful Recreation John Gratton April 12, 2006 When you get bogged down in the details of what you do, a quick video diversion may be just what you need to clear your head and bring your productivity back. Try EVTV1 Watch It Now. Today, they are featuring... Continue Reading Posted at 10:23 AM \| Permalink
	Where Are You On The Royal Road To Happiness? John Gratton April 12, 2006 From William George Jordan in The Majesty of Calmness: There is a royal road to happiness; it lies in Consecration, Concentration, Conscience, and Conquest. Consecration is dedicating the individual life to the service of others, to some noble mission, to... Continue Reading Posted at 9:28 AM \| Permalink
	Still Time For Tax Savings, Barely John Gratton April 12, 2006 I’m no expert, but you may be able to reduce your 2005 taxes with a contribution to an IRA, and there still is time. Contact your income tax professional, quickly, to see if an IRA will help you. From ComplianceHeadquarters:... Continue Reading Posted at 9:22 AM \| Permalink
	Develop The Ability To Act John Gratton April 12, 2006 According to Jim Rohn, in The Art Of Exceptional Living, there are five key abilities we can develop to foster a more successful lifestyle. What follows is a paraphrase of Rohn’s ideas. Develop The Ability To Absorb Develop The Ability... Continue Reading Posted at 8:22 AM \| Permalink
	I Wonder What Meg Ryan Is Reading Today John Gratton April 12, 2006 Do you ever awake and just wonder what book Jessica Simpson is reading today, or what book has Michael Jackson’s attention? No, me neither. But it appears that Glenna Nowell does. Nowell is a retired librarian who for many years... Continue Reading Posted at 7:51 AM \| Permalink
Apr11	Michael Jordan And I Have So Much More In Common Than Just Big Hands John Gratton April 11, 2006 Yesterday, I answered a question from a reader who asked whether I believed what I wrote here. I said I do believe, and try to follow the principles, but that I had often failed and had many disappointments. As the... Continue Reading Posted at 11:58 AM \| Permalink
	The World At Your Finger Tips, Your Inbox And Your Library John Gratton April 11, 2006 I subscribe to several e-mail newsletters, and two arrived this morning. One is brand new to me, and this was my first issue. It is called Sales Caffeine: A Weekly Multimedia Sales Jolt by Jeffrey Gitomer, and has articles about... Continue Reading Posted at 11:28 AM \| Permalink
	Say, None Of You Are Cheating On Your Taxes, Are You? John Gratton April 11, 2006 The IRS and a dozen states are using personal and business data mining software to “sniff out scofflaws,” says Howard Gleckman at BusinessWeek.com. “As tax season nears its mid-April deadline, revenue agencies are reaching for a software tool kit that... Continue Reading Posted at 11:01 AM \| Permalink
	Develop The Ability To Reflect John Gratton April 11, 2006 According to Jim Rohn, in The Art Of Exceptional Living, there are five key abilities we can develop to foster a more successful lifestyle. What follows is a paraphrase of Rohn’s ideas. Develop The Ability To AbsorbDevelop The Ability To... Continue Reading Posted at 10:45 AM \| Permalink
	Ultimately, It’s Not About The Money, But This Is A Lot Of Money John Gratton April 11, 2006 I attended a sales convention in Las Vegas, about like all sales conventions, with the company’s best producers giving live testimonials about how they achieved their success. I like that kind of stuff. Introducing the first round of speakers, the... Continue Reading Posted at 10:31 AM \| Permalink
Apr10	Build Loyalty In Your Customer Base Through Excellent Service John Gratton April 10, 2006 As I said at the start, one of my three core philosophies is that, as Brian Tracy says, “the only reason to be in business is to create and keep customers.” Of course I’m not alone in this. It is foundational.... Continue Reading Posted at 10:34 AM \| Permalink
	Budgeting Time and Money John Gratton April 10, 2006 Here is part 12 of Napoleon Hill’s 17 Principles Of Personal Achievement. Budgeting Time and MoneySuccessful people know themselves, not as they think they are, but as their habits have made them: the use of time and money are the... Continue Reading Posted at 10:20 AM \| Permalink
	Home And Family, Not Money, Buy Our Best Shot At Happiness John Gratton April 10, 2006 We look everywhere for happiness, in work, in leisure and recreation, in meals, but the best place to look is at home. This shouldn’t be news, but long-term happiness is more likely to come when you focus on your family... Continue Reading Posted at 10:02 AM \| Permalink
	Are You Lying? A Most Fascinating (And Fair) Question John Gratton April 10, 2006 “Do you really believe all that you write on your blog?” As I contemplate the answer to this question from a friend, it occurs to me that a lesser person, ahem, might see the insult such a question implies, but... Continue Reading Posted at 9:44 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Develop The Ability To Respond John Gratton April 10, 2006 Part Two Of Jim Rohn’s Abilities For More Success According to Jim Rohn, in The Art Of Exceptional Living, there are five key abilities we can develop to foster a more successful lifestyle. What follows is a paraphrase of Rohn’s... Continue Reading Posted at 8:30 AM \| Permalink
Apr 8	Cholesterol We Eat Plays Little Role In Determining Cholesterol Levels John Gratton April 8, 2006 The last two or three times I’ve given blood, my cholesterol has been too high, 207 and 211. As I approach 50, that takes on more significance, so I started reading up. I came across this article which seems to contradict... Continue Reading Posted at 8:14 AM \| Permalink
	Protect Your Eyesight As You Age John Gratton April 8, 2006 By Dr. Joseph Mercola with Rachael Droege. Let’s first be clear that simply aging doesn’t mean that your eyesight will diminish. Here are some tips to help keep your eyes strong and in good health no matter what your age.... Continue Reading Posted at 7:57 AM \| Permalink
	Go To The Show, Watch A Good Movie, Have A Good Laugh John Gratton April 8, 2006 I took some young children to a matinee to see a children’s movie. I love being in the theater with a couple of hundred delighted school kids. They are so enthusiastic and genuine. They laugh unabashedly and often, they cheer... Continue Reading Posted at 7:41 AM \| Permalink
	Five Foods Help Prevent Bad Breath John Gratton April 8, 2006 From Marin Gazzaniga for MSN Health & Fitness. Bad breath results from two key issues: oral hygiene and gastrointestinal health. The culprit in both cases is largely bacteria. Doctors will tell you that if you have bad breath, you should first... Continue Reading Posted at 7:33 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	A Dozen Foods That Can Change Your Life John Gratton April 8, 2006 From The Brain Garden: Dates reverse the progression of prostate cancer. Raisins have protective effect on heart, help sustain normal blood sugar levels. Oats lower risk of coronary heart disease. Sesame seeds reduce susceptibility to oxidative stress, a major contributor... Continue Reading Posted at 7:13 AM \| Permalink
Apr 7	Develop The Ability To Absorb John Gratton April 7, 2006 Part One Of Jim Rohn’s Abilities For More Success According to Jim Rohn, in The Art Of Exceptional Living, there are five key abilities we can develop to foster a more successful lifestyle. He doesn’t mention specifically that you should... Continue Reading Posted at 11:26 AM \| Permalink
	Become Married, Stay Married To Enjoy More Wealth John Gratton April 7, 2006 Having been married and not married, I heartily endorse marriage over other options, and money is just one of the reasons. This is from an article in Practical Accountant, April 2006, page17: A study by an Ohio State University researcher... Continue Reading Posted at 9:38 AM \| Permalink
	Lou Brock’s Shoes John Gratton April 7, 2006 When the opportunity arises, the time for preparation is past.* I grew up listening to Cardinals baseball. Reception was poor in the house, so we sat on the hood of dad’s Impala in the evenings, listening to Jack Buck on... Continue Reading Posted at 8:40 AM \| Permalink
	Stupid Squared John Gratton April 7, 2006 Two news items remind us that while stupidity is pretty common, it doesn’t have much long-term benefit. The first article is about two men passing through our county with more than 1,200 pounds of marijuana in their truck, and they... Continue Reading Posted at 8:29 AM \| Permalink
	No Blue Notes In A Healthy Self-Image John Gratton April 7, 2006 From Zig Ziglar in See You At The Top: To build a healthy self-image, there are some things you must avoid. Pornography is the primary one. Literally everything that goes into your mind has an effect and is permanently recorded.... Continue Reading Posted at 8:13 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Apr 6	Managing People Who Are More Talented And Make Much More Money Than You John Gratton April 6, 2006 I’m reading Three Nights In August, by Buzz Bissinger, the story of Tony LaRussa and the 2003 baseball season. In his introduction, LaRussa, who has managed baseball for a long time, laments the difficulty in managing players whose egos are... Continue Reading Posted at 1:28 PM \| Permalink
	All The Right Moves: Skills That Open New Doors John Gratton April 6, 2006 The metal slip cover from a floppy disk busted loose inside a coworker’s computer, and I was nominated to fix it. Talk about wishful thinking: I tipped the machine over, propped open the floppy drive door, and waited for the... Continue Reading Posted at 11:02 AM \| Permalink
	You Gotta Have Hope, It’s The Price You Gotta Pay* John Gratton April 6, 2006 “If it were not for hopes, the heart would break.” Thomas Fuller One small thought about hope. My past three or four years saw a divorce, alienation from two children and from friends, four moves, and a number of severe... Continue Reading Posted at 10:24 AM \| Permalink
	Charles Barkley For President, And Put O’Neal On The Ticket, Too John Gratton April 6, 2006 "These are my new shoes. They're good shoes. They won't make you rich like me, they won't make you rebound like me, they definitely won't make you handsome like me. They'll only make you have shoes like me. That's it."... Continue Reading Posted at 10:08 AM \| Permalink
	Shut Up And Don’t Stand Near Me John Gratton April 6, 2006 From Secrets Of The Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker: Complaining is the absolute worst possible thing you could do for your health or your wealth. The worst! Have you ever noticed that complainers usually have a though life? It... Continue Reading Posted at 9:51 AM \| Permalink
Apr 5	Note To Self: Don’t Tick Off The Blogger John Gratton April 5, 2006 I wrote about a former boss, who noticed a mistake and sent an e-mail. I fixed the mistake and posted a message about it. A good friend, noticing the immediacy of the exchange, e-mailed me: “How cool is it that... Continue Reading Posted at 9:52 AM \| Permalink
	I Like Myself, I Like Myself John Gratton April 5, 2006 If you like yourself, you are much less likely to do things you ought not to do, and much more likely to do that which you ought. If you like yourself, you will eat better, you will exercise more. If... Continue Reading Posted at 9:40 AM \| Permalink
	Do Not Do What You Would Not Have Known John Gratton April 5, 2006 This falls into the “do not do what you would not have known” category. The quote is from a well-known American who, I feel certain, would not want his name associated with this story. You can look it up if... Continue Reading Posted at 8:35 AM \| Permalink
	A Little Lawful Recreation John Gratton April 5, 2006 “The bow cannot always stand bent, nor can human frailty subsist without some lawful recreation.” Miguel de Cervantes This may not be what Miguel had in mind, but here’s something you might try for a little lawful recreation today.... Continue Reading Posted at 7:53 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Dead And Gone And Fading Fast John Gratton April 5, 2006 I remember the day Ronald Reagan was shot. I was at work at a well-known discount chain store, manning the electronics department. The whole gloomy afternoon was spent with customers crowding my televisions. What I didn’t remember was that the... Continue Reading Posted at 7:42 AM \| Permalink
Apr 4	Cheated Out Of A Ticket To Game Seven Of The 1982 World Series John Gratton April 4, 2006 “Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed.” Jenkins Lloyd Jones Jones was talking about marriage, and that is true enough, but it also applies... Continue Reading Posted at 11:56 AM \| Permalink
	Inaction Breeds Doubt And Fear, Action Breeds Confidence And Courage John Gratton April 4, 2006 “Your future is created by what you do today, not tomorrow.” Robert Kiyosaki “The act of taking the first step is what separates the winners from the losers.” Brain Tracy “Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage.... Continue Reading Posted at 11:33 AM \| Permalink
	Do You Hear What I Hear? One Good Reason To Go Video Tape Yourself John Gratton April 4, 2006 “If you want to hear the funniest thing you’ve ever heard in your life,” says Jeffrey Gotimer, “record yourself making a sales presentation. At first it’s painful, but in the end, it’s profitable.” My first recorded sales presentation wasn’t funny... Continue Reading Posted at 11:23 AM \| Permalink
	Bonaparte, Hill And Dynamite, Now There’s A Firm For You John Gratton April 4, 2006 Napoleon BonapartePublic instruction should be the first object of government. Napoleon HillMan, alone, has the power to transform his thoughts into physical reality; man, alone, can dream and make his dreams come true. “Napoleon Dynamite”Just tell them that their... Continue Reading Posted at 11:05 AM \| Permalink
	Storm Chasers Add Insult To Injury John Gratton April 4, 2006 More tornados and severe thunderstorms ripped through the weekend, leaving death and destruction in parts of several states. There really isn’t much we can do if we are in the path of one of these storm, just a few basic... Continue Reading Posted at 9:48 AM \| Permalink
Apr 3	Chalk One Up To Anamorphism John Gratton April 3, 2006 Usually, I can come up with some words, adequate, at least, for the situation, but I find myself nearly mute in the face of Julian Beever’s artistry, and perhaps just as much from his audacity.... Continue Reading Posted at 9:46 AM \| Permalink
	I’ve Finally Learned The Value Of Saving Money (I Saved $3,808 Just Today) John Gratton April 3, 2006 “Money doesn't make you happy. I now have $50 million, but I was just as happy when I had $48 million.” Arnold Schwarzenegger Everyone has always been on me to save more money, “a penny saved…” and all that. I... Continue Reading Posted at 9:32 AM \| Permalink
	Why Albert Einstein Should Have Been An Insurance Salesman John Gratton April 3, 2006 Dislike of television commercials isn’t enough to preclude watching NCAA basketball tournaments. Big-event TV brings out companies and industries that don’t advertise as much at other times, like financial services companies, many of whom are struggling with image these days.... Continue Reading Posted at 8:43 AM \| Permalink
	One Step At A Time John Gratton April 3, 2006 “The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance - and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning.” Oprah Winfrey After agreeing to write my first... Continue Reading Posted at 7:46 AM \| Permalink
	Predatory Clergy – Death Penalty Is Too Good For Them John Gratton April 3, 2006 “Roman Catholic Church faces costs of nearly $467 million more, new analysis data show.” That’s the sub-heading in an AP newspaper story by Rachel Zoll in my March 31, 2006 newspaper. Zoll reports that “new figures released Thursday by the... Continue Reading Posted at 7:38 AM \| Permalink
Apr 1	Something About My Mother John Gratton April 1, 2006 I was going to do some silly thing about kids and mothers, but I’ve decided on this, instead. I wrote it last year on Mother’s Day. It’s Mother’s Day, and my father is dying. Again. His first stroke was nearly... Continue Reading Posted at 11:15 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	What The Heck Is Acrylamide And Why Is It In My Bread? John Gratton April 1, 2006 More from Dr. Joseph Mercola, my favorite doctor since Doctor In The House. Acrylamide, a white, odorless but potentially cancer-causing chemical, has been found in many common foods such as potato chips, French fries, bread, rice and cereals. It appears... Continue Reading Posted at 11:03 AM \| Permalink
	Don’t Just Sit There, Do A Work Desk Work Out To Relieve Stress John Gratton April 1, 2006 Use a comfortable and ergonomically correct chair, adjust the armrests and seat height for optimal comfort. Put photos of family, friends and favorite places where you can see them often. Print motivational thoughts from your favorite blog and put those... Continue Reading Posted at 10:46 AM \| Permalink
	Wash And Store Vegetables Properly John Gratton April 1, 2006 From Dr. Joseph Mercola. Once vegetables are picked they begin to lose nutrients. While there is no way to avoid this loss – other than growing the vegetables yourself and eating them right from the vine – you can easily... Continue Reading Posted at 10:35 AM \| Permalink
	Nutrition Facts About Five Common Foods, Part 5 John Gratton April 1, 2006 Some foods naturally contain disease-fighting, health promoting properties, while others contain elements that may hinder your health goals. Pumpkin SeedsPumpkin seeds are high in zinc, which is good for the prostate and building the immune system. They also contain fatty... Continue Reading Posted at 10:20 AM \| Permalink

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