CoreCharacter: July 2006 Archives

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Jul31	The Subtle Difference Between Assault And Leadership John Gratton July 31, 2006 Know More: Attitude, Communication, Courage, Goals, Gratitude, Habits, Good And Bad, Motivation, Parenting, Patience, Philosophy, Preparation, Risk, Self-Discipline, Talent, Values "The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been." Henry A. Kissinger "The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers." Ralph Nader "You do not lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership.' Dwight D. Eisenhower "A leader must have the courage to act against an expert's advice." James Callaghan "The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority." Kenneth Blanchard "The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you." Max DePree Posted at 11:12 AM \| Permalink
Jul31	The Catalyst That Powers Ethical Behavior John Gratton July 31, 2006 "Integrity… is the catalyst that powers ethical behavior, enables consistency in thought and deed, and embraces a holistic approach to work and life. Without integrity, leaders cannot discern the proper organizational goals and determine how to pursue them. Neither organizations... Continue Reading Posted at 9:18 AM \| Permalink
	If Your Business Blogs, Make It Personal John Gratton July 31, 2006 From Blog Wild: A Guide For Small Business Blogging by Andy Wibbels: The immediacy of blogs goes a long way toward providing a raw, unedited, from-the-horses-mouth feel to a company's message. A business blog should not be famous for its... Continue Reading Posted at 9:12 AM \| Permalink
	You Are Getting Sleepy (Which Isn't Good When You're At Your Desk) John Gratton July 31, 2006 I fell asleep at my desk twice last week, once at home and once at the office. I banged my head on my monitor and still have a tender spot, but what really hurts is that because I am sleeping... Continue Reading Posted at 8:15 AM \| Permalink
	What Do You Give A Man Who Has Everything – Penicillin (Like You Haven't Heard That One Before) John Gratton July 31, 2006 From The Greatest Mistakes of All Time by Martha Brockenbrough: Penicillin is another famous example of a mistake turned good. In 1928, scientist Alexander Fleming noticed that mold spores had contaminated one of the bacteria samples he had left by... Continue Reading Posted at 7:42 AM \| Permalink
Jul29	Garbage In, Garbage Out, And Not A Computer Programmer In Sight John Gratton July 29, 2006 Back in May, I mentioned that for the past three years my cholesterol level has stayed between 200 and 235, but that after two months of being careful about what I ate and by exercising more often, my cholesterol dropped... Continue Reading Posted at 8:06 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Stop The World From Spinning (Of Course, Not Drinking So Much In The First Place Is The Better Idea) John Gratton July 29, 2006 Here's one last way to trick your body, by Kate Dailey, Men's Health: One too many drinks left you dizzy? Put your hand on something stable. The part of your ear responsible for balance - the cupula - floats in... Continue Reading Posted at 7:05 AM \| Permalink
	Don't Know Much About Geography* John Gratton July 29, 2006 From 1,000 Places To See Before You Die by Patricia Shultz: Question One:The drainage basin of South America's Amazon River, the second-longest river in the world, extends into all the countries below except for which one? BoliviaColombiaEcuadorUruguayVenezuela Question Two: Which... Continue Reading Posted at 6:05 AM \| Permalink
	Excess Carbohydrates May Be To Blame John Gratton July 29, 2006 From Dr. Joseph Mercola: If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, chances are very good that the excess carbohydrates in your body are, in part or whole, to blame: Excess weightFatigue and frequent sleepinessDepressionBrain fogginessBloating (not to be... Continue Reading Posted at 5:07 AM \| Permalink
	I Don't Remember What Prompted This Research, But There Are A Lot Of Words For Couch John Gratton July 29, 2006 Did I miss any? Divan, a large couch usu. without back or arms often designed for use as a bed. Couch, an article of furniture for sitting or reclining, where a patient reclines when undergoing psychoanalysis. Davenport, a large... Continue Reading Posted at 4:01 AM \| Permalink
Jul28	Contest Update: Still Time To Win With Poor Thoughts John Gratton July 28, 2006 Responses to our latest contest are great so far, at least six times the response to the previous contest. Two more came in just now. Thank you. The challenge is to complete this sentence: Poor thoughts will not produce prosperity... Continue Reading Posted at 3:30 PM \| Permalink
	Ford Facing Anti-Corporate Guerrilla Tactics John Gratton July 28, 2006 Just read a Wall Street Journal article about a company called Rainforest Action Network, "a scrappy group of liberal activists" who harass and otherwise pick on CEOs of major companies they deem to be threats to the world environment. They... Continue Reading Posted at 2:58 PM \| Permalink
	Oh My Freakin' Gosh... Is That Any Way To Challenge A Blogger's Integrity? John Gratton July 28, 2006 I received an anonymous comment from "Someone You Know." "You obviously do more than just 'flirt' with being less than honest. HA! You should know all about shame. But apparently it doesn't bother you." Two things. One, this... Continue Reading Posted at 2:32 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Daring To Come To Grips With Fear John Gratton July 28, 2006 "You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face... The danger lies in refusing to face the fear, in not daring to come to grips with it... You must... Continue Reading Posted at 1:57 PM \| Permalink
	Air Conditioning At Wal-Mart One Of Life's Simple Pleasures John Gratton July 28, 2006 It's hot where I live, upper nineties, humidity like walking through a warm bath. One of the nicest pleasures is entering air conditioned buildings – the office, Wal-Mart (WMT), home, where it is cool and crisp. Another simple pleasure is... Continue Reading Posted at 1:31 PM \| Permalink
Jul27	Are Happy People Born That Way, Or Do They Know Something Unhappy People Don't? John Gratton July 27, 2006 By Richard Turbo, Make Room For Happiness: Researchers now believe that our brains are hard-wired in ways that, to some degree, determine just how happy we're going to be. The left prefrontal cortex serves as the center for positive, optimistic... Continue Reading Posted at 1:05 PM \| Permalink
	Statistically, I Can’t Afford To Work Anymore John Gratton July 27, 2006 I found a $20 bill riding my bike to work. I continued to search for money along the four-mile stretch to the office, but found only a few pennies and a Wal-Mart (WMT) shopping card with a 20-cent balance. Here’s... Continue Reading Posted at 12:00 PM \| Permalink
	Write This Way To Better Health, Linking Mental Fitness To Physical Well-Being John Gratton July 27, 2006 From Dr. Joseph Mercola: Writing about stressful life events helped reduce symptoms of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis in patients with these chronic illnesses. The effects of the writing exercise were still evident four months later and resulted in clinically meaningful... Continue Reading Posted at 11:03 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Thanks To The Babe, Hammerin’ Hank And You John Gratton July 27, 2006 I stopped making note of every 100th post, because it isn’t a big deal. Our company tracks how many posts we do, so every time we log on we can see the number. This is post 715, which I am... Continue Reading Posted at 9:58 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Continental Airlines Does Right And Does It Right Away By Canning Pilot Suspected Of Intoxication John Gratton July 27, 2006 USAToday reported that "a Continental Airlines captain removed from a flight because another employee smelled alcohol on his breath was fired Tuesday…." Good for Continental Airlines (CAL). They took the correct action, and they were swift and decisive. And good... Continue Reading Posted at 4:06 AM \| Permalink
Jul26	Financial And Social Health Of Communities Is "Significant" To Grand Metropolitan And Many Others John Gratton July 26, 2006 "We measure performance by profitability and return on investment, but there is another significant measure – how we fulfill our responsibility to the communities from which our profits are derived…. It is not just sound business sense for us to... Continue Reading Posted at 8:42 AM \| Permalink
	The Ethical Trap Of Either/Or John Gratton July 26, 2006 From Shake That Brain by Joel Saltzman: [I]magine that a ship is sinking and that the lifeboat isn't big enough to accommodate all the survivors. Which survivors should be thrown overboard? This is a true story: In 1943, the SS... Continue Reading Posted at 8:09 AM \| Permalink
	If An Honest Man Is News, What Does It Say About Us? John Gratton July 26, 2006 A man in Detroit found $21,000 in savings bonds and returned them to the owner. The story is slightly more interesting because the man, Charles Moore, lives in a homeless shelter, and the bonds were found in a trash bin,... Continue Reading Posted at 7:06 AM \| Permalink
	Five Touchstones Of Leader/Group Relations John Gratton July 26, 2006 From Four-Dimensional Leadership by William P. Fischer and Christopher C. Muller: A leader must communicate with the inner core of his or her constituents. There are five touchstones that underpin the relationship of a leader to the group, and vice... Continue Reading Posted at 6:04 AM \| Permalink
	The Problem With Innovative Ideas John Gratton July 26, 2006 "We associate truth with convenience – with what most closely accords with self-interest and personal well-being or promises best to avoid awkward effort or unwelcome dislocation of life." John Kenneth Galbraith "I have learned throughout my life as a composer... Continue Reading Posted at 5:05 AM \| Permalink
Jul25	Integrity Has The Final Say In Whether We Rise Or Decline John Gratton July 25, 2006 From Inside Every Woman by Vickie L. Milazzo: The most trusted profession [is] nursing, which is 94 percent women. One of the least trusted professions, used car sales, is only two percent women. Women make up less than 6.9 percent... Continue Reading Posted at 11:14 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Businesses Like Microsoft Use Employee Feedback To Build Better Relationships John Gratton July 25, 2006 By Monte Enbysk: Should you seek out feedback from employees on your performance as a manager? You bet. It will engender loyalty, and likely make you a better boss. How do you solicit such feedback? Larger businesses, such as Microsoft... Continue Reading Posted at 10:37 AM \| Permalink
	Positive Thoughts, Maybe, But Accomplishment Requires Work John Gratton July 25, 2006 From Don't Let Others Rent Space In Your Head by Gary Coxe: One of the most annoying solutions suggested by friends and experts alike was to simply think positive. I strive to look for tools that people can use to... Continue Reading Posted at 9:44 AM \| Permalink
	Simple Living: How Your Neighborhood Millionaires Got That Way John Gratton July 25, 2006 By Janet Luhrs [A]uthors Thomas Stanley and William Danko (The Millionaire Next Door) came up with seven common denominators among those who successfully build wealth: They live well below their means. They allocate their time, energy and money efficiently, in... Continue Reading Posted at 8:19 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Time Warner Inc./CNNMoney Says New York Is The Most Expensive Place To Have A $100,000 Income John Gratton July 25, 2006 CNNMoney, owned by Time Warner Inc. (TWX), reports that in New York City, it takes an income of $205,426 to replicate a $100,000 income. These numbers are gross salary, adjusted for cost of living experiences. Second on the list was... Continue Reading Posted at 4:13 AM \| Permalink
Jul24	First Annual Poor Thoughts Will Not Produce Prosperity Contes John Gratton July 24, 2006 This is a line from The One-Minute Millionaire, by Mark Victor Hansen and Robert G. Allen. It is an excellent book on not just making money, but making "enlightened money." This is one of my favorite lines: Poor thoughts... Continue Reading Posted at 8:03 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	What Is Your Code Of Honor? John Gratton July 24, 2006 From Blair Singer, SalesDogs: Successful people and groups have a very clear Code of Honor. The purpose of the Code of Honor is to create accountability and a feeling of support. It is a set of rules and guidelines that... Continue Reading Posted at 7:06 AM \| Permalink
	CPAs Are People, Too? You Cannot Be Serious John Gratton July 24, 2006 From BusinessWeek Online: Will accountants finally be known as the hipsters of the business world? Probably not, but thanks to Big Four accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers' recruiting web site, young CPAs can act their age. Interactive features, bright colors, stories from... Continue Reading Posted at 6:05 AM \| Permalink
	I Want Death To Find Me Planting Cabbages John Gratton July 24, 2006 From It's All In Your Head by Stephen Pollan and Mark Levine: If you embrace time, if you adopt the attitude that the passage of time is wonderful, your life will improve. If you think your career will keep improving,... Continue Reading Posted at 5:05 AM \| Permalink
	The Road Traveled Best John Gratton July 24, 2006 Isn't there a story about a king who sees who can travel a road the best, and everyone uses fancy chariots, and one guy comes at the end of the day with a bag of gold he finds under some... Continue Reading Posted at 4:00 AM \| Permalink
Jul22	Cherries Make Nice Gifts, But Also May Help Relieve Arthritis, Gout John Gratton July 22, 2006 I like cherries. I like their taste, their texture, their color, their name. I like them fresh, I like them cooked into foods, and I love then in ice cream. I like them on the cover of Paul McCartney albums.... Continue Reading Posted at 4:20 PM \| Permalink
	One Reason You’re Still Fat: You Inhale Food John Gratton July 22, 2006 From 8 Reasons You're Still Fat by Liz Ward, Men's Health: If you were a rat, you'd chow down for about 15 minutes, feel full, and stop eating. But you aren't. You probably eat so fast that your stomach hardly... Continue Reading Posted at 4:10 PM \| Permalink
	Where Else Can You Take Your Shoes – And Your Belt – Off In Public? John Gratton July 22, 2006 Everyone should travel for the cultural benefits and the emotional satisfaction, but we should reconsider the airport experience. I spent some time at Lambert – St. Louis International Airport yesterday, and could tell by looking that most people were making... Continue Reading Posted at 4:01 PM \| Permalink
	Some Dance To Remember, Some Dance To Forget John Gratton July 22, 2006 I'm listening to Hotel California by The Eagles. What a great song, from the achingly slow, 53-second bass intro to the haunting, colorful lyrics, it is a terrific song, a classic, a wonderful and mysterious short story. Like any good... Continue Reading Posted at 3:51 PM \| Permalink
	Things I Read Somewhere That Might Be True But Might Not Be True John Gratton July 22, 2006 I believe these to be true: The single most common chronic disability nationwide is hearing loss. 101 Dalmatians and Peter Pan are the only Disney cartoon features where both parents are present and neither die. The infinity sign is... Continue Reading Posted at 2:50 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Jul21	Run Devil Run* John Gratton July 21, 2006 I just got a spam e-mail for Christians to borrow money from other Christians. When I see anyone in business bragging about being Christian, trying to get business solely because they are Christian, I run run run. Why would anyone... Continue Reading Posted at 8:09 AM \| Permalink
	Whatever You’re Ready For John Gratton July 21, 2006 "It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed." Napoleon Hill "There are no shortcuts to any place worth going." Beverly Sills "Whatever you're ready for is ready for you." Mark Victor... Continue Reading Posted at 7:35 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Turn The Competition Into Allies John Gratton July 21, 2006 From The Art of Driving Your Competition Crazy by Guy Kawasaki: One way to get rid of your competition is to drive them out of business. I suppose this might be attractive to you, but a better way is to... Continue Reading Posted at 6:27 AM \| Permalink
	You Wear Levis Because Mr. Strauss Failed John Gratton July 21, 2006 From Good Morning by Brook Noel: Did you know that Levi Strauss was originally a tentmaker in the 1850s? He used a heavy-duty denim fabric he had invented to make tents. He failed at his tent endeavor. I wonder what... Continue Reading Posted at 5:38 AM \| Permalink
	The Thin Line Between Wrong And Illegal John Gratton July 21, 2006 "Taking advantage of investors the way these individuals did is wrong – and it’s illegal," said Robin Carnahan, referring to a couple found guilty of "making investment pitches to audience members" at their Branson theater. The couple, according to the... Continue Reading Posted at 4:29 AM \| Permalink
Jul20	Work, Work, Work Didn’t Work For Cinderelly, It Won’t Work For You John Gratton July 20, 2006 From Jake Steinfeld, I've Seen A Lot Of Famous People Naked: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." We have our own take on that: "If your work and your play aren't the same, you don't know... Continue Reading Posted at 4:02 PM \| Permalink
	Whether With Flowers, Cards, Poetry, Or Tattoos, Just Say It John Gratton July 20, 2006 Someone gave me flowers yesterday, 20 beautiful roses, thank you, and it reminds me of the slogan one of the florist companies used to use, "Say It…With Flowers." Flowers do convey a message on their own, a certain charm and... Continue Reading Posted at 10:40 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	The Integrity Factor: Simple And Effective John Gratton July 20, 2006 From The Power Of Focus by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Les Hewitt: This is a three-step formula to help you live with the utmost integrity. It's simple and effective. We challenge you to start using it every day.... Continue Reading Posted at 10:33 AM \| Permalink
	It's Only Utah And Idaho, But It's The Big, Wide World, Too John Gratton July 20, 2006 One of my younger daughters is going out of state for five or six weeks. I will miss her, I will worry, but I am excited for the opportunity before her, this chance to travel, to see places and people unfamiliar... Continue Reading Posted at 9:47 AM \| Permalink
	Make Progress Rather Than Excuses John Gratton July 20, 2006 "One of the most serious human defects in all ages is procrastination, an unwillingness to accept personal responsibilities now." Spencer W. Kimball "Keep your mind positive by accepting completer responsibility for yourself and for everything that happens to you. Refuse... Continue Reading Posted at 9:35 AM \| Permalink
	After They're Gone: Facing Parental Mortality John Gratton July 20, 2006 From Bob Greene, The Fifty-Year Dash: When you think about your parents' mortality, the thing that strikes you as being most important – the thing that is basic, at the top of the list of what counts in your life... Continue Reading Posted at 8:28 AM \| Permalink
Jul19	Don't Think Of Them As Numbers So Much As Years – And Dollar Signs John Gratton July 19, 2006 My mom turned 70 a few days before I turned 50, and my daughter is 20. Those are big numbers. I resist the idea of being part of a "generation" but my birth date marks me as a baby boomer.... Continue Reading Posted at 11:43 AM \| Permalink
	Four Of Brian Tracy's 21 Great Ways To Stop Procrastinating John Gratton July 19, 2006 From Eat That Frog: Make a decision to practice these principles every day until they become second nature to you. With these habits of personal management as a permanent part of your personality, your future will be unlimited. Consider the... Continue Reading Posted at 11:15 AM \| Permalink
	For Reasons I Cannot Explain There's Some Part Of Me Wants To See Graceland* John Gratton July 19, 2006 Traveling has been on my mind. Elvis has been on my mind. So when my daughter made a peanut butter and banana sandwich yesterday, I offered to fry it up, like Elvis, but she looked at me like I was... Continue Reading Posted at 10:33 AM \| Permalink
	When Achievement For Achievement's Sake Becomes The Goal John Gratton July 19, 2006 From Resonant Leadership by Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee: Learning does not (or at least should not) stop after school. Our world requires that we constantly change and adjust to new and radically different circumstances. And, after we get married... Continue Reading Posted at 9:50 AM \| Permalink
	Da Do Ron Ron Ron, Da Do Ron Ron John Gratton July 19, 2006 "I met him on a Monday and my heart stood still, da do ron ron ron, da do ron ron, somebody told me his name was Bill, da do ron ron ron, da do ron." * My daughter came home... Continue Reading Posted at 9:18 AM \| Permalink
Jul18	Integrity Can't Be Your Second Choice John Gratton July 18, 2006 "On a personal level, everyone must answer the following question: What is my highest aspiration? The answer might be wealth, fame, knowledge, popularity, or integrity. But if integrity is secondary to any of the alternatives, it will be sacrificed in... Continue Reading Posted at 11:49 AM \| Permalink
	Let Gratitude Power Your Day John Gratton July 18, 2006 From Mike Robbins: One of the best things we can do for ourselves is to start our day off with a deep sense of gratitude. Focusing our attention on what we already have and what we are grateful for puts... Continue Reading Posted at 11:00 AM \| Permalink
	Sticklers, Unite – Punctuation Really Does Matter John Gratton July 18, 2006 From Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach To Punctuation by Lynne Truss, one of my favorite books: [Punctuation] was first used by Greek dramatists two thousand years ago to guide actors between breathing points. Words strung together without... Continue Reading Posted at 10:32 AM \| Permalink
	Which Comes First, The Feelings Or The Words? John Gratton July 18, 2006 From Speaking Up by Mark Ruskin: In day-to-day encounters, persuasion is far more often a function of feeling than of full-blown logical discourse. Browbeat your boss with "good reasons," and eventually you will numb her into ignoring you altogether. Speak... Continue Reading Posted at 10:00 AM \| Permalink
	Save The Beatles John Gratton July 18, 2006 I saw another commercial with a Beatles song in it. I hate that. Associating Beatles music with tennis shoes and corn chips and who knows what else is immoral, a sacrilege. It ain't right. It's time we did something... Continue Reading Posted at 9:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Jul17	Confession Of A Frustrated Blogger John Gratton July 17, 2006 This blog is "a discussion about business ethics, character traits, integrity and values," which is good. But I have a hard time writing about bad ethical decisions, about bad characters with low integrity. The Fannie Mae "improper accounting" affair, for... Continue Reading Posted at 9:55 AM \| Permalink
	Either You Can Do Something About It Or You Cannot John Gratton July 17, 2006 I reestablished contact with other old and dear friends over the weekend, a couple who were instrumental in supporting and guiding me when I was in my early 20s. They have been a comfort and strength for a long, long... Continue Reading Posted at 9:21 AM \| Permalink
	Creating Balance Rules The Day John Gratton July 17, 2006 From Coming Up For Air by Beth Sawi: Creating a balanced life requires challenging old rules and being willing to accept new notions that may or may not be comfortable to you. Old Rule 1: Your boss and the responsibilities... Continue Reading Posted at 6:09 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	The VICE Site John Gratton July 17, 2006 I've hired a marketing firm to help me boost readership, and I must say I'm impressed. Their idea is to rearrange, slightly, the focus of the site. Tell me if you like their idea. Instead of "business ethics, character traits,... Continue Reading Posted at 5:09 AM \| Permalink
	Talk To The Animals John Gratton July 17, 2006 From Lipstick On A Pig by Torie Clarke: The higher one makes it in the corporate or public world, the more tenuous the grip on reality. That's a problem. I think every CEO should try to interact with real people... Continue Reading Posted at 4:05 AM \| Permalink
Jul15	Sleep Your Way To Weight Loss John Gratton July 15, 2006 From MSN Health: As millions of Americans move through life weary and sleep-deprived, scientists are uncovering more and more evidence that insufficient slumber may cause hormonal shifts that boost both hunger and appetite - particularly for fat-laden carb catastrophes like... Continue Reading Posted at 8:42 AM \| Permalink
	I’ve Been To Cold Stone Creamery And Ordinary Ice Cream Will Never Be The Same Again John Gratton July 15, 2006 I like ice cream. When I treat myself for having accomplished a goal, it is almost always with ice cream. When I am really stressed, distressed or depressed, I can find solace in a large bowl of the cold stuff.... Continue Reading Posted at 7:44 AM \| Permalink
	Have A Great Day At Discovery Cove (Wish I Was There) John Gratton July 15, 2006 From Wikipedia: Discovery Cove is an Orlando, Florida theme park where guests can interact with a variety of marine animals, most notably bottlenose dolphins. Discovery Cove guests can interact with exotic birds, tropical fishes, sharks, rays and land mammals. The... Continue Reading Posted at 6:48 AM \| Permalink
	An Old Friendship Renewed John Gratton July 15, 2006 "Have you ever wondered why things always seem better after you talk to a good friend? It turns out that friendship is as good for your health as it is for your spirit. Having good friends helps lower blood pressure,... Continue Reading Posted at 5:47 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Mosquitoes Suck John Gratton July 15, 2006 By Sally Farhat for MSN Health & Fitness: Besides the fact that mosquito bites itch like crazy, there’s a slight chance you could catch West Nile virus. So be careful. How to prevent them: Get rid of any standing water... Continue Reading Posted at 4:44 AM \| Permalink
Jul14	He Comes From A Rich Family – He's Worth $50,000, Dead Or Alive John Gratton July 14, 2006 It's an old joke. But there are a lot of rich families in America, a lot of millionaires, with more on the way. According to the Wall Street Journal, "the House voted 269-156 to exempt the first $5 million of... Continue Reading Posted at 10:30 AM \| Permalink
	Long-Term Perspective Produces Superior Thinking John Gratton July 14, 2006 From Brian Tracy in Eat That Frog: The mark of the superior thinker is the ability to accurately predict the consequences of doing or not doing something. The potential consequences of any task or activity are the key determinants of... Continue Reading Posted at 10:03 AM \| Permalink
	Too Short For Shortcuts, Life Deserves Your Best John Gratton July 14, 2006 "Life is too short to seek instant gratification; rather work for long-term rewards." Dee Dee Sadler Now there is a brilliant mind at work. Having reached the milestone (millstone?) of 50 years, I look back and can see that shortcuts... Continue Reading Posted at 9:30 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Belief In The Plan Depends On Belief In The Planner John Gratton July 14, 2006 From Management Mess-Ups, by Mark Eppler: Norman Schwarzkopf, the charismatic general who led coalition forces in Desert Storm, once defined leasdership as a potent combination of strategy and character. "If you have to be without one," he said, "be without... Continue Reading Posted at 9:00 AM \| Permalink
	Power, Love, A Sound Mind John Gratton July 14, 2006 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 God has given us power. It is irresistible if we use it correctly. We are agents unto... Continue Reading Posted at 8:23 AM \| Permalink
Jul13	Help Me Not Take My Treasures For Granted (I Will Beg If I Have To) John Gratton July 13, 2006 In what seems like another lifetime, I spent several months on foot or on a bike. Everything where I live is uphill from me, and I often thought that when I got a car again, I would never take for... Continue Reading Posted at 12:52 PM \| Permalink
	You Can't Sit Around Waiting For Children To Act With Integrity John Gratton July 13, 2006 "Very high on any wise list of dreams for our children is the hope that they develop a conscience, that they are confident in their intuition, that they become people of integrity. But integrity is not simply a result of... Continue Reading Posted at 12:18 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Fatigue Management: Where Do You Lie On The Afternoon Nap Issue? John Gratton July 13, 2006 From The Ten Faces Of Innovation by Tom Kelley: Luminaries from Thomas Edison to Winston Churchill have sworn by the rejuvenating powers of a good nap. Albert Einstein said that naps "refreshed the mind" and helped make him more creative.... Continue Reading Posted at 11:35 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	If You Could Buy Freedom, What Would You Pay? John Gratton July 13, 2006 Random quotes from David Bach, Start Late, Finish Rich: When all is said and done, the way you get your freedom is to buy it. You don't lease it. You don't wish for it. You buy it, and then you... Continue Reading Posted at 11:19 AM \| Permalink
	Having No Substance Of Its Own, Fear Leads To Emptiness John Gratton July 13, 2006 How weird is it to open an e-mail and read exactly what you were already thinking but hadn’t formed into actual words? This was my Nightingale-Conant Motivational Quote Of The Day: "Emptiness is a symptom that you are not living creatively.... Continue Reading Posted at 10:28 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Big Paper Clip = Small House John Gratton July 13, 2006 Well, the kid did it, traded a big red paper clip for a $45,000 house. If you missed it, Kyle MacDonald swapped the paper clip online for something better and better and better, over and over, until at last MacDonald... Continue Reading Posted at 9:10 AM \| Permalink
Jul12	Saying There Are Too Many Onions In Your Meatloaf Is Only A Reflection Of My Tastes, Not A Personal Attack On You John Gratton July 12, 2006 How honest should you be? You know the famous question: does this dress make me look fat? There are several ways to answer, none of which will end well. If a new spouse makes dinner and asks whether you like... Continue Reading Posted at 12:01 PM \| Permalink
	Pork Chops Or Turkey, Who Can Say Which Is Better John Gratton July 12, 2006 Kyra Sedgwick says, "I only make two things pretty well, pork chops and turkey." John Travolta says, "Which is this?" It's a pretty good line in a pretty good movie, Phenomenon. Knowing the one or two things we do best... Continue Reading Posted at 10:09 AM \| Permalink
Jul10	Not A Milestone So Much As A Starting Place John Gratton July 10, 2006 Life is such a wonderful gift of continual renewal. Every morning, Monday, first of the month, and New Years allows us to begin again. Kelly AnthonyI just had a birthday, and it just happened to be the one after 49,... Continue Reading Posted at 10:22 PM \| Permalink
	Perhaps The Biggest, Most Significant Moral, Ethical And Personal Decision We Will Make John Gratton July 10, 2006 From It’s All In Your Head by Stephen Pollan and Mark Levine:Accept yourself and embrace the passage of time. You are better today than you were yesterday, and you will be better yet tomorrow. You may not have the body... Continue Reading Posted at 10:17 PM \| Permalink
	“I’m Sorry” (Brenda Lee Had It Right) John Gratton July 10, 2006 From Mark McCormack, Never Wrestle With A Pig:People take too long to apologize when they’re wrong. Then as it dawns on them that they are to blame for hurting someone, they are slow to make amends. They procrastinate (because apologizing... Continue Reading Posted at 10:12 PM \| Permalink
	Success In Business Depends On Positive Human Interaction John Gratton July 10, 2006 Levard Wilkins, a man who befriended me when I was 18, died over the weekend. He was a positive influence when I really needed one, and was a friend ever since. I appreciated him, and now he’s gone. I sent... Continue Reading Posted at 10:00 PM \| Permalink
	The Dreaded Monthly Visit To My Cell Phone Provider Has A Pretty New Twist John Gratton July 10, 2006 Going to pay my cell phone bill is a chore that takes 20 to 40 uncomfortable minutes. I dread it, not just for the wait, but for the exposure to the surly staff, and the uneasy tension of remembering who's... Continue Reading Posted at 9:49 PM \| Permalink
Jul 8	Hmmm, Coconut Oil, Antiviral, Antibacterial And Antifungal, And It Rejuvenates Skin John Gratton July 8, 2006 From Dr. Joseph Mercola: Coconut oil is truly the healthiest oil you can consume. It is rich in lauric acid, which is known for being antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal, contains no trans fat (even olive oil has some trans fat),... Continue Reading Posted at 8:05 AM \| Permalink
	Love Wimbledon John Gratton July 8, 2006 Wimbledon is on regular TV. Since I gave up sports, I don't get sports channels, but it is pleasing to see Wimbledon. Some of my favorite memories are of watching guys like Laver and Smith and Ashe and Nastase. From them... Continue Reading Posted at 7:03 AM \| Permalink
	Believe It Or Not (I Don't), Here's Another Recommendation To Use Sunscreen John Gratton July 8, 2006 From MSN Health: Most of us have been sunburned at some point and know how painful that can be—not to mention, the increase risk of skin cancer. How to prevent it: Wear at least a 15 SPF sunscreen, advises the... Continue Reading Posted at 6:06 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Stop Your Nose From Bleeding Then Go To A Party John Gratton July 8, 2006 By Kate Dailey, Men’s Health: Stanch Blood With A Single FingerPinching your nose and leaning back is a great way to stop a nosebleed – if you don't mind choking on your own O positive. A more civil approach: Put... Continue Reading Posted at 5:07 AM \| Permalink
	Use The Buddy System On Your Jet Ski John Gratton July 8, 2006 By MayoClinic.com: Water-related tragedies can happen in the blink of an eye. Playing it safe will help you return safely to shore. Whether you have your own personal watercraft or you're renting one for the day, the same safety guidelines... Continue Reading Posted at 4:03 AM \| Permalink
Jul 7	You Cannot Live Forever, So Just Live Today Well John Gratton July 7, 2006 "Do not try to live forever. You will not succeed." George Bernard Shaw I don't want to live forever, I just want to live the next ten years really well. Tom Hanks and I turn 50 on Sunday. I don't... Continue Reading Posted at 11:10 AM \| Permalink
	The Miracle Of The Snickerdoodles John Gratton July 7, 2006 As far as cookies go, snickerdoodles are simple. Well, ordinary snickerdoodles are pretty simple. But I am, even as I write this, eating a snickerdoodle (okay, three) that is exceptional, bursting with truly remarkable taste and texture. They are beautiful,... Continue Reading Posted at 10:22 AM \| Permalink
	Cooperation: You Grab That End, I'll Grab This End, Lift On Three, And It's Your Turn To Walk Backward John Gratton July 7, 2006 Here is the 16th of Napoleon Hill’s 17 Principles Of Personal Achievement: Cooperation - Harmony based on definitive motive, cooperation is the medium through which great personal power may be attained; the willing cooperation and coordination of effort to achieve... Continue Reading Posted at 9:29 AM \| Permalink
	Make Good By Doing Good John Gratton July 7, 2006 We used to give away bananas at business fairs and 10K runs and golf tournaments. You walked by, you got a banana. Sure, it was good advertising for our healthy cooking center, and yes, we let people sign up for... Continue Reading Posted at 8:51 AM \| Permalink
	I Dunno, What Do You Want To Do? John Gratton July 7, 2006 Life is not long, and too much of it must not pass in idle deliberation how it shall be spent. Samuel Johnson Few women and fewer men have enough character to be idle. E.V. Lucas The idle man does not know... Continue Reading Posted at 4:00 AM \| Permalink
Jul 6	A Good Father, A Good Example, A Good Man (He Put The Happy In Happy Birthday) John Gratton July 6, 2006 "One way to steer your life toward happiness is simply to count your blessings. People who pause each day to reflect on the positive aspects of their lives (health, friends, family, education, jobs, chocolate, freedom) are more likely to experience... Continue Reading Posted at 10:19 AM \| Permalink
	Like A World Cup Of Scandals, European Companies Beating U.S. In Accounting Fraud John Gratton July 6, 2006 From Accounting Today: In May, a Dutch court handed down fines over the Royal Ahold supermarket accounting fraud – which reached $30 billion. Investigations continue into Great Britain's Equitable Life Assurance Society (ELAS), where a policy scandal nearly brought down... Continue Reading Posted at 9:45 AM \| Permalink
	Cheap Laughs (An Exercise In Better Health) John Gratton July 6, 2006 I'm tired but can't sleep, so a movie is on in the background. An actor I like says to an actress I don't much like, "I try not to get involved with women when the World Series is about to... Continue Reading Posted at 9:00 AM \| Permalink
	Good Manners Give You (And Your Business) The Advantage John Gratton July 6, 2006 From Ellen Rohr, one of my favorite business writers: It comes down to manners. If mama taught you good manners while you were growing up, you are at a decided advantage in relationships – personally, in the workplace and in... Continue Reading Posted at 8:04 AM \| Permalink
	Somewhere Between One And Fifty John Gratton July 6, 2006 From Lydia, pretending to be me: (Ha ha, you don't have to use this. It is corny and it makes you sound greedy. But I was just bored and remember you said ''if you’re bored, do something like blog.'' So... Continue Reading Posted at 7:27 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Jul 5	Plagiarism Is Bad, Everyone Says So John Gratton July 5, 2006 I have friends who teach. One of them was sick and asked me to sub this morning, which I am thrilled to do. It is such a kick walking into a classroom unprepared. You have so little time to capture... Continue Reading Posted at 12:26 PM \| Permalink
	Maybe I'm Being Scammed, Bilked AND Hoodwinked John Gratton July 5, 2006 I've gotten two e-mails from a company attempting to lure me into what appears to be a scam. The first said that all I have to do is collect some "regional donation" checks for charity, put them all in my... Continue Reading Posted at 10:20 AM \| Permalink
	Bloggers Paid To Promote Products: One More Thing I’d Never Thought Of John Gratton July 5, 2006 Apparently, there are businesses now "that pay bloggers to write nice things about corporate sponsors - without unduly worrying about whether or not bloggers disclose these arrangements to readers." And, according to businessweek.com, "a scan of relevant blog searches strongly... Continue Reading Posted at 6:05 AM \| Permalink
	Integrity: A Sense Of Wholeness John Gratton July 5, 2006 From Stephen L. Carter, Integrity: The word integrity comes from the same Latin root as integer and historically has been understood to carry much the same sense, the sense of wholeness: a person of integrity, like a whole number, is... Continue Reading Posted at 5:01 AM \| Permalink
	Great Leaders And Good Managers Know That People Come First John Gratton July 5, 2006 Strange as it sounds, great leaders gain authority by giving it away. James B. Stockdale The good ones among managers … do not talk to their subordinates about their problems, but they know how to make the subordinates talk about... Continue Reading Posted at 4:04 AM \| Permalink
Jul 4	Sane, Creative And Compassionate Parenting Is Consistently Rooted In The Practice Of Integrity John Gratton July 4, 2006 From Right From Wrong: Instilling A Sense Of Integrity In Your Child by Michael Riera and Joseph Di Prisco: Integrity begets integrity – and in very down-to-earth ways. Sane, creative, and compassionate parenting is consistently rooted in the practice of... Continue Reading Posted at 9:47 AM \| Permalink
	Frustration Squared: A Second Run-In Today With My Cell Phone Service Provider John Gratton July 4, 2006 They wouldn't answer the phone, so I had to make the dreaded trip to store. There are worse things than visiting my cell phone service provider in person, but there are things I would rather do. Eat ticks, for... Continue Reading Posted at 9:01 AM \| Permalink
	Swift Is The Soul And Jubilant The Feet And Truth Is Marching On John Gratton July 4, 2006 Is anything more powerful than well-chosen words? Sometimes even familiar words just grab you. They hold on to your heart and your mind and they change the way you feel and the way you think. I was moved unexpectedly yesterday,... Continue Reading Posted at 8:05 AM \| Permalink
	Give My Regards To Broadstreet John Gratton July 4, 2006 My friend Robb is in a band called Final Indecision. They appear on GarageBand.com, so I subscribe to the GarageBand.com newsletter. The most recent one had this (I mention it here because it is the right thing to do): It's... Continue Reading Posted at 4:10 AM \| Permalink
	We Hate You, Drop Dead, And Please Tell Your Friends About Our Service John Gratton July 4, 2006 It's Monday before the Fourth of July, which is a big holiday where I live. I am at work, but mine is one of only seven or eight cars in the parking lot. It is a slow day, a slow... Continue Reading Posted at 3:07 AM \| Permalink
Jul 3	Focal Points John Gratton July 3, 2006 After 618 posts, it's time to focus, or refocus. I began with the premise that "the only reason to be in business is to create and keep customers." Of course, that line is from Brian Tracy, and I believe that.... Continue Reading Posted at 8:08 AM \| Permalink
	Doing What You Love Love Love John Gratton July 3, 2006 From Jake Steinfeld, I've Seen A Lot Of Famous People Naked: I can't reach into your heart and adjust the horizontal and vertical. So before we get started, you've got to make sure you've got a clear picture of... Continue Reading Posted at 7:06 AM \| Permalink
	You Can't Fix Stupid John Gratton July 3, 2006 A comment from Cathy M. concluded with the words, "you can't fix stupid." Zig Ziglar said that if you motivate an idiot, all you get is a motivated idiot. I understand what they're saying but am not convinced it is true. The... Continue Reading Posted at 6:07 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Creating Balance In Your Life John Gratton July 3, 2006 The one fact I would cry from every housetop is this: The good life is waiting for us here and now. B.F. Skinner From Coming Up For Air by Beth Sawi: Can anyone create a balance life for him- or... Continue Reading Posted at 5:05 AM \| Permalink
	Why Bosses Sometimes Hate Their Employees John Gratton July 3, 2006 Would you hire you? This is from Start Late, Finish Rich by David Bach: The don't do their job.They don't do what they say they will do.They come to work late.They come to work with personal problems.They wait to... Continue Reading Posted at 4:04 AM \| Permalink
Jul 1	Getting Eight Moon Pies When You Thought There Were Only Four In The Box And Other Small Surprises John Gratton July 1, 2006 Life's like that. You wake up, go to the kitchen to get a Saturday morning Moon Pie and realize there are eight in the box instead four. Or you rent a movie you've never heard of and it turns out... Continue Reading Posted at 4:00 PM \| Permalink
	World Team Tennis Is Coming To Town (Thanks Again Billie Jean King) John Gratton July 1, 2006 July used to be my favorite month because I always read Lonesome Dove in July. Now July is my favorite month because the World Team Tennis season begins – and ends – in July. Tennis is a great game in... Continue Reading Posted at 3:30 PM \| Permalink
	Preserve Brain Function With Turmeric And Curcumin John Gratton July 1, 2006 From MSN Health: Kicking your food up a notch with spices could preserve brain function and keep your brain sharp and strong as you age. Take turmeric, a spice that lends curries their yellow tint. It can curb mental decline... Continue Reading Posted at 3:02 PM \| Permalink
	Prepare For A Successful Flight John Gratton July 1, 2006 From 1,000 Places To See Before You Die Calendar by Patricial Shultz: Before You TravelMake two copies of all your important documents – passports, visas, credit cards, travelers' checks, itinerary and plane tickets. Take one copy on the road with... Continue Reading Posted at 2:30 PM \| Permalink
	Getting Adventurous In The Water John Gratton July 1, 2006 By MayoClinic.com: Water-related tragedies can happen in the blink of an eye. Playing it safe will help you return safely to shore. Want to try windsurfing, parasailing or another water sport? Safety still rules. - Choose activities you're confident you... Continue Reading Posted at 1:56 PM \| Permalink

« June 2006 | Main | August 2006 »

Jul31	The Subtle Difference Between Assault And Leadership John Gratton July 31, 2006 Know More: Attitude, Communication, Courage, Goals, Gratitude, Habits, Good And Bad, Motivation, Parenting, Patience, Philosophy, Preparation, Risk, Self-Discipline, Talent, Values "The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been." Henry A. Kissinger "The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers." Ralph Nader "You do not lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership.' Dwight D. Eisenhower "A leader must have the courage to act against an expert's advice." James Callaghan "The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority." Kenneth Blanchard "The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you." Max DePree Posted at 11:12 AM \| Permalink
Jul31	The Catalyst That Powers Ethical Behavior John Gratton July 31, 2006 "Integrity… is the catalyst that powers ethical behavior, enables consistency in thought and deed, and embraces a holistic approach to work and life. Without integrity, leaders cannot discern the proper organizational goals and determine how to pursue them. Neither organizations... Continue Reading Posted at 9:18 AM \| Permalink
	If Your Business Blogs, Make It Personal John Gratton July 31, 2006 From Blog Wild: A Guide For Small Business Blogging by Andy Wibbels: The immediacy of blogs goes a long way toward providing a raw, unedited, from-the-horses-mouth feel to a company's message. A business blog should not be famous for its... Continue Reading Posted at 9:12 AM \| Permalink
	You Are Getting Sleepy (Which Isn't Good When You're At Your Desk) John Gratton July 31, 2006 I fell asleep at my desk twice last week, once at home and once at the office. I banged my head on my monitor and still have a tender spot, but what really hurts is that because I am sleeping... Continue Reading Posted at 8:15 AM \| Permalink
	What Do You Give A Man Who Has Everything – Penicillin (Like You Haven't Heard That One Before) John Gratton July 31, 2006 From The Greatest Mistakes of All Time by Martha Brockenbrough: Penicillin is another famous example of a mistake turned good. In 1928, scientist Alexander Fleming noticed that mold spores had contaminated one of the bacteria samples he had left by... Continue Reading Posted at 7:42 AM \| Permalink
Jul29	Garbage In, Garbage Out, And Not A Computer Programmer In Sight John Gratton July 29, 2006 Back in May, I mentioned that for the past three years my cholesterol level has stayed between 200 and 235, but that after two months of being careful about what I ate and by exercising more often, my cholesterol dropped... Continue Reading Posted at 8:06 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Stop The World From Spinning (Of Course, Not Drinking So Much In The First Place Is The Better Idea) John Gratton July 29, 2006 Here's one last way to trick your body, by Kate Dailey, Men's Health: One too many drinks left you dizzy? Put your hand on something stable. The part of your ear responsible for balance - the cupula - floats in... Continue Reading Posted at 7:05 AM \| Permalink
	Don't Know Much About Geography* John Gratton July 29, 2006 From 1,000 Places To See Before You Die by Patricia Shultz: Question One:The drainage basin of South America's Amazon River, the second-longest river in the world, extends into all the countries below except for which one? BoliviaColombiaEcuadorUruguayVenezuela Question Two: Which... Continue Reading Posted at 6:05 AM \| Permalink
	Excess Carbohydrates May Be To Blame John Gratton July 29, 2006 From Dr. Joseph Mercola: If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, chances are very good that the excess carbohydrates in your body are, in part or whole, to blame: Excess weightFatigue and frequent sleepinessDepressionBrain fogginessBloating (not to be... Continue Reading Posted at 5:07 AM \| Permalink
	I Don't Remember What Prompted This Research, But There Are A Lot Of Words For Couch John Gratton July 29, 2006 Did I miss any? Divan, a large couch usu. without back or arms often designed for use as a bed. Couch, an article of furniture for sitting or reclining, where a patient reclines when undergoing psychoanalysis. Davenport, a large... Continue Reading Posted at 4:01 AM \| Permalink
Jul28	Contest Update: Still Time To Win With Poor Thoughts John Gratton July 28, 2006 Responses to our latest contest are great so far, at least six times the response to the previous contest. Two more came in just now. Thank you. The challenge is to complete this sentence: Poor thoughts will not produce prosperity... Continue Reading Posted at 3:30 PM \| Permalink
	Ford Facing Anti-Corporate Guerrilla Tactics John Gratton July 28, 2006 Just read a Wall Street Journal article about a company called Rainforest Action Network, "a scrappy group of liberal activists" who harass and otherwise pick on CEOs of major companies they deem to be threats to the world environment. They... Continue Reading Posted at 2:58 PM \| Permalink
	Oh My Freakin' Gosh... Is That Any Way To Challenge A Blogger's Integrity? John Gratton July 28, 2006 I received an anonymous comment from "Someone You Know." "You obviously do more than just 'flirt' with being less than honest. HA! You should know all about shame. But apparently it doesn't bother you." Two things. One, this... Continue Reading Posted at 2:32 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Daring To Come To Grips With Fear John Gratton July 28, 2006 "You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face... The danger lies in refusing to face the fear, in not daring to come to grips with it... You must... Continue Reading Posted at 1:57 PM \| Permalink
	Air Conditioning At Wal-Mart One Of Life's Simple Pleasures John Gratton July 28, 2006 It's hot where I live, upper nineties, humidity like walking through a warm bath. One of the nicest pleasures is entering air conditioned buildings – the office, Wal-Mart (WMT), home, where it is cool and crisp. Another simple pleasure is... Continue Reading Posted at 1:31 PM \| Permalink
Jul27	Are Happy People Born That Way, Or Do They Know Something Unhappy People Don't? John Gratton July 27, 2006 By Richard Turbo, Make Room For Happiness: Researchers now believe that our brains are hard-wired in ways that, to some degree, determine just how happy we're going to be. The left prefrontal cortex serves as the center for positive, optimistic... Continue Reading Posted at 1:05 PM \| Permalink
	Statistically, I Can’t Afford To Work Anymore John Gratton July 27, 2006 I found a $20 bill riding my bike to work. I continued to search for money along the four-mile stretch to the office, but found only a few pennies and a Wal-Mart (WMT) shopping card with a 20-cent balance. Here’s... Continue Reading Posted at 12:00 PM \| Permalink
	Write This Way To Better Health, Linking Mental Fitness To Physical Well-Being John Gratton July 27, 2006 From Dr. Joseph Mercola: Writing about stressful life events helped reduce symptoms of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis in patients with these chronic illnesses. The effects of the writing exercise were still evident four months later and resulted in clinically meaningful... Continue Reading Posted at 11:03 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Thanks To The Babe, Hammerin’ Hank And You John Gratton July 27, 2006 I stopped making note of every 100th post, because it isn’t a big deal. Our company tracks how many posts we do, so every time we log on we can see the number. This is post 715, which I am... Continue Reading Posted at 9:58 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Continental Airlines Does Right And Does It Right Away By Canning Pilot Suspected Of Intoxication John Gratton July 27, 2006 USAToday reported that "a Continental Airlines captain removed from a flight because another employee smelled alcohol on his breath was fired Tuesday…." Good for Continental Airlines (CAL). They took the correct action, and they were swift and decisive. And good... Continue Reading Posted at 4:06 AM \| Permalink
Jul26	Financial And Social Health Of Communities Is "Significant" To Grand Metropolitan And Many Others John Gratton July 26, 2006 "We measure performance by profitability and return on investment, but there is another significant measure – how we fulfill our responsibility to the communities from which our profits are derived…. It is not just sound business sense for us to... Continue Reading Posted at 8:42 AM \| Permalink
	The Ethical Trap Of Either/Or John Gratton July 26, 2006 From Shake That Brain by Joel Saltzman: [I]magine that a ship is sinking and that the lifeboat isn't big enough to accommodate all the survivors. Which survivors should be thrown overboard? This is a true story: In 1943, the SS... Continue Reading Posted at 8:09 AM \| Permalink
	If An Honest Man Is News, What Does It Say About Us? John Gratton July 26, 2006 A man in Detroit found $21,000 in savings bonds and returned them to the owner. The story is slightly more interesting because the man, Charles Moore, lives in a homeless shelter, and the bonds were found in a trash bin,... Continue Reading Posted at 7:06 AM \| Permalink
	Five Touchstones Of Leader/Group Relations John Gratton July 26, 2006 From Four-Dimensional Leadership by William P. Fischer and Christopher C. Muller: A leader must communicate with the inner core of his or her constituents. There are five touchstones that underpin the relationship of a leader to the group, and vice... Continue Reading Posted at 6:04 AM \| Permalink
	The Problem With Innovative Ideas John Gratton July 26, 2006 "We associate truth with convenience – with what most closely accords with self-interest and personal well-being or promises best to avoid awkward effort or unwelcome dislocation of life." John Kenneth Galbraith "I have learned throughout my life as a composer... Continue Reading Posted at 5:05 AM \| Permalink
Jul25	Integrity Has The Final Say In Whether We Rise Or Decline John Gratton July 25, 2006 From Inside Every Woman by Vickie L. Milazzo: The most trusted profession [is] nursing, which is 94 percent women. One of the least trusted professions, used car sales, is only two percent women. Women make up less than 6.9 percent... Continue Reading Posted at 11:14 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Businesses Like Microsoft Use Employee Feedback To Build Better Relationships John Gratton July 25, 2006 By Monte Enbysk: Should you seek out feedback from employees on your performance as a manager? You bet. It will engender loyalty, and likely make you a better boss. How do you solicit such feedback? Larger businesses, such as Microsoft... Continue Reading Posted at 10:37 AM \| Permalink
	Positive Thoughts, Maybe, But Accomplishment Requires Work John Gratton July 25, 2006 From Don't Let Others Rent Space In Your Head by Gary Coxe: One of the most annoying solutions suggested by friends and experts alike was to simply think positive. I strive to look for tools that people can use to... Continue Reading Posted at 9:44 AM \| Permalink
	Simple Living: How Your Neighborhood Millionaires Got That Way John Gratton July 25, 2006 By Janet Luhrs [A]uthors Thomas Stanley and William Danko (The Millionaire Next Door) came up with seven common denominators among those who successfully build wealth: They live well below their means. They allocate their time, energy and money efficiently, in... Continue Reading Posted at 8:19 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Time Warner Inc./CNNMoney Says New York Is The Most Expensive Place To Have A $100,000 Income John Gratton July 25, 2006 CNNMoney, owned by Time Warner Inc. (TWX), reports that in New York City, it takes an income of $205,426 to replicate a $100,000 income. These numbers are gross salary, adjusted for cost of living experiences. Second on the list was... Continue Reading Posted at 4:13 AM \| Permalink
Jul24	First Annual Poor Thoughts Will Not Produce Prosperity Contes John Gratton July 24, 2006 This is a line from The One-Minute Millionaire, by Mark Victor Hansen and Robert G. Allen. It is an excellent book on not just making money, but making "enlightened money." This is one of my favorite lines: Poor thoughts... Continue Reading Posted at 8:03 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	What Is Your Code Of Honor? John Gratton July 24, 2006 From Blair Singer, SalesDogs: Successful people and groups have a very clear Code of Honor. The purpose of the Code of Honor is to create accountability and a feeling of support. It is a set of rules and guidelines that... Continue Reading Posted at 7:06 AM \| Permalink
	CPAs Are People, Too? You Cannot Be Serious John Gratton July 24, 2006 From BusinessWeek Online: Will accountants finally be known as the hipsters of the business world? Probably not, but thanks to Big Four accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers' recruiting web site, young CPAs can act their age. Interactive features, bright colors, stories from... Continue Reading Posted at 6:05 AM \| Permalink
	I Want Death To Find Me Planting Cabbages John Gratton July 24, 2006 From It's All In Your Head by Stephen Pollan and Mark Levine: If you embrace time, if you adopt the attitude that the passage of time is wonderful, your life will improve. If you think your career will keep improving,... Continue Reading Posted at 5:05 AM \| Permalink
	The Road Traveled Best John Gratton July 24, 2006 Isn't there a story about a king who sees who can travel a road the best, and everyone uses fancy chariots, and one guy comes at the end of the day with a bag of gold he finds under some... Continue Reading Posted at 4:00 AM \| Permalink
Jul22	Cherries Make Nice Gifts, But Also May Help Relieve Arthritis, Gout John Gratton July 22, 2006 I like cherries. I like their taste, their texture, their color, their name. I like them fresh, I like them cooked into foods, and I love then in ice cream. I like them on the cover of Paul McCartney albums.... Continue Reading Posted at 4:20 PM \| Permalink
	One Reason You’re Still Fat: You Inhale Food John Gratton July 22, 2006 From 8 Reasons You're Still Fat by Liz Ward, Men's Health: If you were a rat, you'd chow down for about 15 minutes, feel full, and stop eating. But you aren't. You probably eat so fast that your stomach hardly... Continue Reading Posted at 4:10 PM \| Permalink
	Where Else Can You Take Your Shoes – And Your Belt – Off In Public? John Gratton July 22, 2006 Everyone should travel for the cultural benefits and the emotional satisfaction, but we should reconsider the airport experience. I spent some time at Lambert – St. Louis International Airport yesterday, and could tell by looking that most people were making... Continue Reading Posted at 4:01 PM \| Permalink
	Some Dance To Remember, Some Dance To Forget John Gratton July 22, 2006 I'm listening to Hotel California by The Eagles. What a great song, from the achingly slow, 53-second bass intro to the haunting, colorful lyrics, it is a terrific song, a classic, a wonderful and mysterious short story. Like any good... Continue Reading Posted at 3:51 PM \| Permalink
	Things I Read Somewhere That Might Be True But Might Not Be True John Gratton July 22, 2006 I believe these to be true: The single most common chronic disability nationwide is hearing loss. 101 Dalmatians and Peter Pan are the only Disney cartoon features where both parents are present and neither die. The infinity sign is... Continue Reading Posted at 2:50 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Jul21	Run Devil Run* John Gratton July 21, 2006 I just got a spam e-mail for Christians to borrow money from other Christians. When I see anyone in business bragging about being Christian, trying to get business solely because they are Christian, I run run run. Why would anyone... Continue Reading Posted at 8:09 AM \| Permalink
	Whatever You’re Ready For John Gratton July 21, 2006 "It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed." Napoleon Hill "There are no shortcuts to any place worth going." Beverly Sills "Whatever you're ready for is ready for you." Mark Victor... Continue Reading Posted at 7:35 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Turn The Competition Into Allies John Gratton July 21, 2006 From The Art of Driving Your Competition Crazy by Guy Kawasaki: One way to get rid of your competition is to drive them out of business. I suppose this might be attractive to you, but a better way is to... Continue Reading Posted at 6:27 AM \| Permalink
	You Wear Levis Because Mr. Strauss Failed John Gratton July 21, 2006 From Good Morning by Brook Noel: Did you know that Levi Strauss was originally a tentmaker in the 1850s? He used a heavy-duty denim fabric he had invented to make tents. He failed at his tent endeavor. I wonder what... Continue Reading Posted at 5:38 AM \| Permalink
	The Thin Line Between Wrong And Illegal John Gratton July 21, 2006 "Taking advantage of investors the way these individuals did is wrong – and it’s illegal," said Robin Carnahan, referring to a couple found guilty of "making investment pitches to audience members" at their Branson theater. The couple, according to the... Continue Reading Posted at 4:29 AM \| Permalink
Jul20	Work, Work, Work Didn’t Work For Cinderelly, It Won’t Work For You John Gratton July 20, 2006 From Jake Steinfeld, I've Seen A Lot Of Famous People Naked: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." We have our own take on that: "If your work and your play aren't the same, you don't know... Continue Reading Posted at 4:02 PM \| Permalink
	Whether With Flowers, Cards, Poetry, Or Tattoos, Just Say It John Gratton July 20, 2006 Someone gave me flowers yesterday, 20 beautiful roses, thank you, and it reminds me of the slogan one of the florist companies used to use, "Say It…With Flowers." Flowers do convey a message on their own, a certain charm and... Continue Reading Posted at 10:40 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	The Integrity Factor: Simple And Effective John Gratton July 20, 2006 From The Power Of Focus by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Les Hewitt: This is a three-step formula to help you live with the utmost integrity. It's simple and effective. We challenge you to start using it every day.... Continue Reading Posted at 10:33 AM \| Permalink
	It's Only Utah And Idaho, But It's The Big, Wide World, Too John Gratton July 20, 2006 One of my younger daughters is going out of state for five or six weeks. I will miss her, I will worry, but I am excited for the opportunity before her, this chance to travel, to see places and people unfamiliar... Continue Reading Posted at 9:47 AM \| Permalink
	Make Progress Rather Than Excuses John Gratton July 20, 2006 "One of the most serious human defects in all ages is procrastination, an unwillingness to accept personal responsibilities now." Spencer W. Kimball "Keep your mind positive by accepting completer responsibility for yourself and for everything that happens to you. Refuse... Continue Reading Posted at 9:35 AM \| Permalink
	After They're Gone: Facing Parental Mortality John Gratton July 20, 2006 From Bob Greene, The Fifty-Year Dash: When you think about your parents' mortality, the thing that strikes you as being most important – the thing that is basic, at the top of the list of what counts in your life... Continue Reading Posted at 8:28 AM \| Permalink
Jul19	Don't Think Of Them As Numbers So Much As Years – And Dollar Signs John Gratton July 19, 2006 My mom turned 70 a few days before I turned 50, and my daughter is 20. Those are big numbers. I resist the idea of being part of a "generation" but my birth date marks me as a baby boomer.... Continue Reading Posted at 11:43 AM \| Permalink
	Four Of Brian Tracy's 21 Great Ways To Stop Procrastinating John Gratton July 19, 2006 From Eat That Frog: Make a decision to practice these principles every day until they become second nature to you. With these habits of personal management as a permanent part of your personality, your future will be unlimited. Consider the... Continue Reading Posted at 11:15 AM \| Permalink
	For Reasons I Cannot Explain There's Some Part Of Me Wants To See Graceland* John Gratton July 19, 2006 Traveling has been on my mind. Elvis has been on my mind. So when my daughter made a peanut butter and banana sandwich yesterday, I offered to fry it up, like Elvis, but she looked at me like I was... Continue Reading Posted at 10:33 AM \| Permalink
	When Achievement For Achievement's Sake Becomes The Goal John Gratton July 19, 2006 From Resonant Leadership by Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee: Learning does not (or at least should not) stop after school. Our world requires that we constantly change and adjust to new and radically different circumstances. And, after we get married... Continue Reading Posted at 9:50 AM \| Permalink
	Da Do Ron Ron Ron, Da Do Ron Ron John Gratton July 19, 2006 "I met him on a Monday and my heart stood still, da do ron ron ron, da do ron ron, somebody told me his name was Bill, da do ron ron ron, da do ron." * My daughter came home... Continue Reading Posted at 9:18 AM \| Permalink
Jul18	Integrity Can't Be Your Second Choice John Gratton July 18, 2006 "On a personal level, everyone must answer the following question: What is my highest aspiration? The answer might be wealth, fame, knowledge, popularity, or integrity. But if integrity is secondary to any of the alternatives, it will be sacrificed in... Continue Reading Posted at 11:49 AM \| Permalink
	Let Gratitude Power Your Day John Gratton July 18, 2006 From Mike Robbins: One of the best things we can do for ourselves is to start our day off with a deep sense of gratitude. Focusing our attention on what we already have and what we are grateful for puts... Continue Reading Posted at 11:00 AM \| Permalink
	Sticklers, Unite – Punctuation Really Does Matter John Gratton July 18, 2006 From Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach To Punctuation by Lynne Truss, one of my favorite books: [Punctuation] was first used by Greek dramatists two thousand years ago to guide actors between breathing points. Words strung together without... Continue Reading Posted at 10:32 AM \| Permalink
	Which Comes First, The Feelings Or The Words? John Gratton July 18, 2006 From Speaking Up by Mark Ruskin: In day-to-day encounters, persuasion is far more often a function of feeling than of full-blown logical discourse. Browbeat your boss with "good reasons," and eventually you will numb her into ignoring you altogether. Speak... Continue Reading Posted at 10:00 AM \| Permalink
	Save The Beatles John Gratton July 18, 2006 I saw another commercial with a Beatles song in it. I hate that. Associating Beatles music with tennis shoes and corn chips and who knows what else is immoral, a sacrilege. It ain't right. It's time we did something... Continue Reading Posted at 9:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Jul17	Confession Of A Frustrated Blogger John Gratton July 17, 2006 This blog is "a discussion about business ethics, character traits, integrity and values," which is good. But I have a hard time writing about bad ethical decisions, about bad characters with low integrity. The Fannie Mae "improper accounting" affair, for... Continue Reading Posted at 9:55 AM \| Permalink
	Either You Can Do Something About It Or You Cannot John Gratton July 17, 2006 I reestablished contact with other old and dear friends over the weekend, a couple who were instrumental in supporting and guiding me when I was in my early 20s. They have been a comfort and strength for a long, long... Continue Reading Posted at 9:21 AM \| Permalink
	Creating Balance Rules The Day John Gratton July 17, 2006 From Coming Up For Air by Beth Sawi: Creating a balanced life requires challenging old rules and being willing to accept new notions that may or may not be comfortable to you. Old Rule 1: Your boss and the responsibilities... Continue Reading Posted at 6:09 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	The VICE Site John Gratton July 17, 2006 I've hired a marketing firm to help me boost readership, and I must say I'm impressed. Their idea is to rearrange, slightly, the focus of the site. Tell me if you like their idea. Instead of "business ethics, character traits,... Continue Reading Posted at 5:09 AM \| Permalink
	Talk To The Animals John Gratton July 17, 2006 From Lipstick On A Pig by Torie Clarke: The higher one makes it in the corporate or public world, the more tenuous the grip on reality. That's a problem. I think every CEO should try to interact with real people... Continue Reading Posted at 4:05 AM \| Permalink
Jul15	Sleep Your Way To Weight Loss John Gratton July 15, 2006 From MSN Health: As millions of Americans move through life weary and sleep-deprived, scientists are uncovering more and more evidence that insufficient slumber may cause hormonal shifts that boost both hunger and appetite - particularly for fat-laden carb catastrophes like... Continue Reading Posted at 8:42 AM \| Permalink
	I’ve Been To Cold Stone Creamery And Ordinary Ice Cream Will Never Be The Same Again John Gratton July 15, 2006 I like ice cream. When I treat myself for having accomplished a goal, it is almost always with ice cream. When I am really stressed, distressed or depressed, I can find solace in a large bowl of the cold stuff.... Continue Reading Posted at 7:44 AM \| Permalink
	Have A Great Day At Discovery Cove (Wish I Was There) John Gratton July 15, 2006 From Wikipedia: Discovery Cove is an Orlando, Florida theme park where guests can interact with a variety of marine animals, most notably bottlenose dolphins. Discovery Cove guests can interact with exotic birds, tropical fishes, sharks, rays and land mammals. The... Continue Reading Posted at 6:48 AM \| Permalink
	An Old Friendship Renewed John Gratton July 15, 2006 "Have you ever wondered why things always seem better after you talk to a good friend? It turns out that friendship is as good for your health as it is for your spirit. Having good friends helps lower blood pressure,... Continue Reading Posted at 5:47 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Mosquitoes Suck John Gratton July 15, 2006 By Sally Farhat for MSN Health & Fitness: Besides the fact that mosquito bites itch like crazy, there’s a slight chance you could catch West Nile virus. So be careful. How to prevent them: Get rid of any standing water... Continue Reading Posted at 4:44 AM \| Permalink
Jul14	He Comes From A Rich Family – He's Worth $50,000, Dead Or Alive John Gratton July 14, 2006 It's an old joke. But there are a lot of rich families in America, a lot of millionaires, with more on the way. According to the Wall Street Journal, "the House voted 269-156 to exempt the first $5 million of... Continue Reading Posted at 10:30 AM \| Permalink
	Long-Term Perspective Produces Superior Thinking John Gratton July 14, 2006 From Brian Tracy in Eat That Frog: The mark of the superior thinker is the ability to accurately predict the consequences of doing or not doing something. The potential consequences of any task or activity are the key determinants of... Continue Reading Posted at 10:03 AM \| Permalink
	Too Short For Shortcuts, Life Deserves Your Best John Gratton July 14, 2006 "Life is too short to seek instant gratification; rather work for long-term rewards." Dee Dee Sadler Now there is a brilliant mind at work. Having reached the milestone (millstone?) of 50 years, I look back and can see that shortcuts... Continue Reading Posted at 9:30 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Belief In The Plan Depends On Belief In The Planner John Gratton July 14, 2006 From Management Mess-Ups, by Mark Eppler: Norman Schwarzkopf, the charismatic general who led coalition forces in Desert Storm, once defined leasdership as a potent combination of strategy and character. "If you have to be without one," he said, "be without... Continue Reading Posted at 9:00 AM \| Permalink
	Power, Love, A Sound Mind John Gratton July 14, 2006 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 God has given us power. It is irresistible if we use it correctly. We are agents unto... Continue Reading Posted at 8:23 AM \| Permalink
Jul13	Help Me Not Take My Treasures For Granted (I Will Beg If I Have To) John Gratton July 13, 2006 In what seems like another lifetime, I spent several months on foot or on a bike. Everything where I live is uphill from me, and I often thought that when I got a car again, I would never take for... Continue Reading Posted at 12:52 PM \| Permalink
	You Can't Sit Around Waiting For Children To Act With Integrity John Gratton July 13, 2006 "Very high on any wise list of dreams for our children is the hope that they develop a conscience, that they are confident in their intuition, that they become people of integrity. But integrity is not simply a result of... Continue Reading Posted at 12:18 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Fatigue Management: Where Do You Lie On The Afternoon Nap Issue? John Gratton July 13, 2006 From The Ten Faces Of Innovation by Tom Kelley: Luminaries from Thomas Edison to Winston Churchill have sworn by the rejuvenating powers of a good nap. Albert Einstein said that naps "refreshed the mind" and helped make him more creative.... Continue Reading Posted at 11:35 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	If You Could Buy Freedom, What Would You Pay? John Gratton July 13, 2006 Random quotes from David Bach, Start Late, Finish Rich: When all is said and done, the way you get your freedom is to buy it. You don't lease it. You don't wish for it. You buy it, and then you... Continue Reading Posted at 11:19 AM \| Permalink
	Having No Substance Of Its Own, Fear Leads To Emptiness John Gratton July 13, 2006 How weird is it to open an e-mail and read exactly what you were already thinking but hadn’t formed into actual words? This was my Nightingale-Conant Motivational Quote Of The Day: "Emptiness is a symptom that you are not living creatively.... Continue Reading Posted at 10:28 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Big Paper Clip = Small House John Gratton July 13, 2006 Well, the kid did it, traded a big red paper clip for a $45,000 house. If you missed it, Kyle MacDonald swapped the paper clip online for something better and better and better, over and over, until at last MacDonald... Continue Reading Posted at 9:10 AM \| Permalink
Jul12	Saying There Are Too Many Onions In Your Meatloaf Is Only A Reflection Of My Tastes, Not A Personal Attack On You John Gratton July 12, 2006 How honest should you be? You know the famous question: does this dress make me look fat? There are several ways to answer, none of which will end well. If a new spouse makes dinner and asks whether you like... Continue Reading Posted at 12:01 PM \| Permalink
	Pork Chops Or Turkey, Who Can Say Which Is Better John Gratton July 12, 2006 Kyra Sedgwick says, "I only make two things pretty well, pork chops and turkey." John Travolta says, "Which is this?" It's a pretty good line in a pretty good movie, Phenomenon. Knowing the one or two things we do best... Continue Reading Posted at 10:09 AM \| Permalink
Jul10	Not A Milestone So Much As A Starting Place John Gratton July 10, 2006 Life is such a wonderful gift of continual renewal. Every morning, Monday, first of the month, and New Years allows us to begin again. Kelly AnthonyI just had a birthday, and it just happened to be the one after 49,... Continue Reading Posted at 10:22 PM \| Permalink
	Perhaps The Biggest, Most Significant Moral, Ethical And Personal Decision We Will Make John Gratton July 10, 2006 From It’s All In Your Head by Stephen Pollan and Mark Levine:Accept yourself and embrace the passage of time. You are better today than you were yesterday, and you will be better yet tomorrow. You may not have the body... Continue Reading Posted at 10:17 PM \| Permalink
	“I’m Sorry” (Brenda Lee Had It Right) John Gratton July 10, 2006 From Mark McCormack, Never Wrestle With A Pig:People take too long to apologize when they’re wrong. Then as it dawns on them that they are to blame for hurting someone, they are slow to make amends. They procrastinate (because apologizing... Continue Reading Posted at 10:12 PM \| Permalink
	Success In Business Depends On Positive Human Interaction John Gratton July 10, 2006 Levard Wilkins, a man who befriended me when I was 18, died over the weekend. He was a positive influence when I really needed one, and was a friend ever since. I appreciated him, and now he’s gone. I sent... Continue Reading Posted at 10:00 PM \| Permalink
	The Dreaded Monthly Visit To My Cell Phone Provider Has A Pretty New Twist John Gratton July 10, 2006 Going to pay my cell phone bill is a chore that takes 20 to 40 uncomfortable minutes. I dread it, not just for the wait, but for the exposure to the surly staff, and the uneasy tension of remembering who's... Continue Reading Posted at 9:49 PM \| Permalink
Jul 8	Hmmm, Coconut Oil, Antiviral, Antibacterial And Antifungal, And It Rejuvenates Skin John Gratton July 8, 2006 From Dr. Joseph Mercola: Coconut oil is truly the healthiest oil you can consume. It is rich in lauric acid, which is known for being antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal, contains no trans fat (even olive oil has some trans fat),... Continue Reading Posted at 8:05 AM \| Permalink
	Love Wimbledon John Gratton July 8, 2006 Wimbledon is on regular TV. Since I gave up sports, I don't get sports channels, but it is pleasing to see Wimbledon. Some of my favorite memories are of watching guys like Laver and Smith and Ashe and Nastase. From them... Continue Reading Posted at 7:03 AM \| Permalink
	Believe It Or Not (I Don't), Here's Another Recommendation To Use Sunscreen John Gratton July 8, 2006 From MSN Health: Most of us have been sunburned at some point and know how painful that can be—not to mention, the increase risk of skin cancer. How to prevent it: Wear at least a 15 SPF sunscreen, advises the... Continue Reading Posted at 6:06 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Stop Your Nose From Bleeding Then Go To A Party John Gratton July 8, 2006 By Kate Dailey, Men’s Health: Stanch Blood With A Single FingerPinching your nose and leaning back is a great way to stop a nosebleed – if you don't mind choking on your own O positive. A more civil approach: Put... Continue Reading Posted at 5:07 AM \| Permalink
	Use The Buddy System On Your Jet Ski John Gratton July 8, 2006 By MayoClinic.com: Water-related tragedies can happen in the blink of an eye. Playing it safe will help you return safely to shore. Whether you have your own personal watercraft or you're renting one for the day, the same safety guidelines... Continue Reading Posted at 4:03 AM \| Permalink
Jul 7	You Cannot Live Forever, So Just Live Today Well John Gratton July 7, 2006 "Do not try to live forever. You will not succeed." George Bernard Shaw I don't want to live forever, I just want to live the next ten years really well. Tom Hanks and I turn 50 on Sunday. I don't... Continue Reading Posted at 11:10 AM \| Permalink
	The Miracle Of The Snickerdoodles John Gratton July 7, 2006 As far as cookies go, snickerdoodles are simple. Well, ordinary snickerdoodles are pretty simple. But I am, even as I write this, eating a snickerdoodle (okay, three) that is exceptional, bursting with truly remarkable taste and texture. They are beautiful,... Continue Reading Posted at 10:22 AM \| Permalink
	Cooperation: You Grab That End, I'll Grab This End, Lift On Three, And It's Your Turn To Walk Backward John Gratton July 7, 2006 Here is the 16th of Napoleon Hill’s 17 Principles Of Personal Achievement: Cooperation - Harmony based on definitive motive, cooperation is the medium through which great personal power may be attained; the willing cooperation and coordination of effort to achieve... Continue Reading Posted at 9:29 AM \| Permalink
	Make Good By Doing Good John Gratton July 7, 2006 We used to give away bananas at business fairs and 10K runs and golf tournaments. You walked by, you got a banana. Sure, it was good advertising for our healthy cooking center, and yes, we let people sign up for... Continue Reading Posted at 8:51 AM \| Permalink
	I Dunno, What Do You Want To Do? John Gratton July 7, 2006 Life is not long, and too much of it must not pass in idle deliberation how it shall be spent. Samuel Johnson Few women and fewer men have enough character to be idle. E.V. Lucas The idle man does not know... Continue Reading Posted at 4:00 AM \| Permalink
Jul 6	A Good Father, A Good Example, A Good Man (He Put The Happy In Happy Birthday) John Gratton July 6, 2006 "One way to steer your life toward happiness is simply to count your blessings. People who pause each day to reflect on the positive aspects of their lives (health, friends, family, education, jobs, chocolate, freedom) are more likely to experience... Continue Reading Posted at 10:19 AM \| Permalink
	Like A World Cup Of Scandals, European Companies Beating U.S. In Accounting Fraud John Gratton July 6, 2006 From Accounting Today: In May, a Dutch court handed down fines over the Royal Ahold supermarket accounting fraud – which reached $30 billion. Investigations continue into Great Britain's Equitable Life Assurance Society (ELAS), where a policy scandal nearly brought down... Continue Reading Posted at 9:45 AM \| Permalink
	Cheap Laughs (An Exercise In Better Health) John Gratton July 6, 2006 I'm tired but can't sleep, so a movie is on in the background. An actor I like says to an actress I don't much like, "I try not to get involved with women when the World Series is about to... Continue Reading Posted at 9:00 AM \| Permalink
	Good Manners Give You (And Your Business) The Advantage John Gratton July 6, 2006 From Ellen Rohr, one of my favorite business writers: It comes down to manners. If mama taught you good manners while you were growing up, you are at a decided advantage in relationships – personally, in the workplace and in... Continue Reading Posted at 8:04 AM \| Permalink
	Somewhere Between One And Fifty John Gratton July 6, 2006 From Lydia, pretending to be me: (Ha ha, you don't have to use this. It is corny and it makes you sound greedy. But I was just bored and remember you said ''if you’re bored, do something like blog.'' So... Continue Reading Posted at 7:27 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Jul 5	Plagiarism Is Bad, Everyone Says So John Gratton July 5, 2006 I have friends who teach. One of them was sick and asked me to sub this morning, which I am thrilled to do. It is such a kick walking into a classroom unprepared. You have so little time to capture... Continue Reading Posted at 12:26 PM \| Permalink
	Maybe I'm Being Scammed, Bilked AND Hoodwinked John Gratton July 5, 2006 I've gotten two e-mails from a company attempting to lure me into what appears to be a scam. The first said that all I have to do is collect some "regional donation" checks for charity, put them all in my... Continue Reading Posted at 10:20 AM \| Permalink
	Bloggers Paid To Promote Products: One More Thing I’d Never Thought Of John Gratton July 5, 2006 Apparently, there are businesses now "that pay bloggers to write nice things about corporate sponsors - without unduly worrying about whether or not bloggers disclose these arrangements to readers." And, according to businessweek.com, "a scan of relevant blog searches strongly... Continue Reading Posted at 6:05 AM \| Permalink
	Integrity: A Sense Of Wholeness John Gratton July 5, 2006 From Stephen L. Carter, Integrity: The word integrity comes from the same Latin root as integer and historically has been understood to carry much the same sense, the sense of wholeness: a person of integrity, like a whole number, is... Continue Reading Posted at 5:01 AM \| Permalink
	Great Leaders And Good Managers Know That People Come First John Gratton July 5, 2006 Strange as it sounds, great leaders gain authority by giving it away. James B. Stockdale The good ones among managers … do not talk to their subordinates about their problems, but they know how to make the subordinates talk about... Continue Reading Posted at 4:04 AM \| Permalink
Jul 4	Sane, Creative And Compassionate Parenting Is Consistently Rooted In The Practice Of Integrity John Gratton July 4, 2006 From Right From Wrong: Instilling A Sense Of Integrity In Your Child by Michael Riera and Joseph Di Prisco: Integrity begets integrity – and in very down-to-earth ways. Sane, creative, and compassionate parenting is consistently rooted in the practice of... Continue Reading Posted at 9:47 AM \| Permalink
	Frustration Squared: A Second Run-In Today With My Cell Phone Service Provider John Gratton July 4, 2006 They wouldn't answer the phone, so I had to make the dreaded trip to store. There are worse things than visiting my cell phone service provider in person, but there are things I would rather do. Eat ticks, for... Continue Reading Posted at 9:01 AM \| Permalink
	Swift Is The Soul And Jubilant The Feet And Truth Is Marching On John Gratton July 4, 2006 Is anything more powerful than well-chosen words? Sometimes even familiar words just grab you. They hold on to your heart and your mind and they change the way you feel and the way you think. I was moved unexpectedly yesterday,... Continue Reading Posted at 8:05 AM \| Permalink
	Give My Regards To Broadstreet John Gratton July 4, 2006 My friend Robb is in a band called Final Indecision. They appear on GarageBand.com, so I subscribe to the GarageBand.com newsletter. The most recent one had this (I mention it here because it is the right thing to do): It's... Continue Reading Posted at 4:10 AM \| Permalink
	We Hate You, Drop Dead, And Please Tell Your Friends About Our Service John Gratton July 4, 2006 It's Monday before the Fourth of July, which is a big holiday where I live. I am at work, but mine is one of only seven or eight cars in the parking lot. It is a slow day, a slow... Continue Reading Posted at 3:07 AM \| Permalink
Jul 3	Focal Points John Gratton July 3, 2006 After 618 posts, it's time to focus, or refocus. I began with the premise that "the only reason to be in business is to create and keep customers." Of course, that line is from Brian Tracy, and I believe that.... Continue Reading Posted at 8:08 AM \| Permalink
	Doing What You Love Love Love John Gratton July 3, 2006 From Jake Steinfeld, I've Seen A Lot Of Famous People Naked: I can't reach into your heart and adjust the horizontal and vertical. So before we get started, you've got to make sure you've got a clear picture of... Continue Reading Posted at 7:06 AM \| Permalink
	You Can't Fix Stupid John Gratton July 3, 2006 A comment from Cathy M. concluded with the words, "you can't fix stupid." Zig Ziglar said that if you motivate an idiot, all you get is a motivated idiot. I understand what they're saying but am not convinced it is true. The... Continue Reading Posted at 6:07 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Creating Balance In Your Life John Gratton July 3, 2006 The one fact I would cry from every housetop is this: The good life is waiting for us here and now. B.F. Skinner From Coming Up For Air by Beth Sawi: Can anyone create a balance life for him- or... Continue Reading Posted at 5:05 AM \| Permalink
	Why Bosses Sometimes Hate Their Employees John Gratton July 3, 2006 Would you hire you? This is from Start Late, Finish Rich by David Bach: The don't do their job.They don't do what they say they will do.They come to work late.They come to work with personal problems.They wait to... Continue Reading Posted at 4:04 AM \| Permalink
Jul 1	Getting Eight Moon Pies When You Thought There Were Only Four In The Box And Other Small Surprises John Gratton July 1, 2006 Life's like that. You wake up, go to the kitchen to get a Saturday morning Moon Pie and realize there are eight in the box instead four. Or you rent a movie you've never heard of and it turns out... Continue Reading Posted at 4:00 PM \| Permalink
	World Team Tennis Is Coming To Town (Thanks Again Billie Jean King) John Gratton July 1, 2006 July used to be my favorite month because I always read Lonesome Dove in July. Now July is my favorite month because the World Team Tennis season begins – and ends – in July. Tennis is a great game in... Continue Reading Posted at 3:30 PM \| Permalink
	Preserve Brain Function With Turmeric And Curcumin John Gratton July 1, 2006 From MSN Health: Kicking your food up a notch with spices could preserve brain function and keep your brain sharp and strong as you age. Take turmeric, a spice that lends curries their yellow tint. It can curb mental decline... Continue Reading Posted at 3:02 PM \| Permalink
	Prepare For A Successful Flight John Gratton July 1, 2006 From 1,000 Places To See Before You Die Calendar by Patricial Shultz: Before You TravelMake two copies of all your important documents – passports, visas, credit cards, travelers' checks, itinerary and plane tickets. Take one copy on the road with... Continue Reading Posted at 2:30 PM \| Permalink
	Getting Adventurous In The Water John Gratton July 1, 2006 By MayoClinic.com: Water-related tragedies can happen in the blink of an eye. Playing it safe will help you return safely to shore. Want to try windsurfing, parasailing or another water sport? Safety still rules. - Choose activities you're confident you... Continue Reading Posted at 1:56 PM \| Permalink

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