Have ypu noticed that it's easier to communicate with some people than with others? If you're feeling like your very clear message is being misconstrued or misinterpreted, this article can help you understand what's going on below the surface. There's an attachment at the end that visualizes the communication process for you so just download it and print it.

The Communication Process according to Mixonian Institute goes something like this:

1. You have an idea you want to share. Read more »

Do you ever feel dread when you see you have 11 new messages on your phone? Do you wonder if people feel that before they hear your message? Do you still see your voice mail message as a chance for you to reach out and shine for those 30 seconds that someone is listening to your voice. Make it count!

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I had to look up the template at the end of the article for a new client and I thought I'd repost this just in case you need some help putting together your next high-impact presentation. This post is a guide for your brilliant self out there in a bigger way -- an easy step-by-step checklist you use to put together a compelling and engaging presentation. Below the article see the free template you can download; it's a presentation cheat sheet. With all the digitalized communication channels available to us, speaking face to face before a group is by far the MOST powerful way to get your message out. There are several reasons for this. Read more »

Ruben and I had delicious fun last night with a bunch of friends who came over for dinner. It was great introducing this eclectic group of friends to other and watching them connect. Years ago I would have wondered if I had chosen the right mix of people, or the right menu, or if my house was truly suitable (meaning big enough or clean enough) for the soiree to be smashingly successful. Now I know the truth: successful parties, or successful projects of any sort depend on your management of the internal factors, not the external variables.

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Clarity is vastly underestimated. 

You don't usually hear much about it, unless you're diamond shopping, which I hope you do on a regular basis. ;-)

Clarity is a huge topic and probably I'll write a book about it next year, based on my eCourse, but I want you to think more about clarity to get some major benefits in your life. One good thing about Clarity is that it's free. Read more »

 1. If the major players in your industry are all competent (or say they are,) your communication is what sets you apart.

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You can give someone a wonderful gift in the plastic bag from the store. That's fine. But you can also take that gift, remove the price tag, wrap it in pretty paper, craft paper, recycled paper, homemade paper or ordinary paper, decorate it with your art, your kids' art, post cards or ribbons or whatever, attach an engraved card, a homemade card or even a Hallmark card. Which gift makes a memorable impact? Read more »

This post is written with fundraising in mind but you can apply these ideas to other situations like getting your bank to reverse overdraft charges (like I just did,) asking for a raise, raising your prices or getting a better deal. I have the most solid preparation for the Art of Asking for Money from my darling parents. You see, I was born into a well-to-do family, but not your typical country club set. My dad was determined not to raise "spoiled brats" (as he defined that term) so he made it clear from the cradle that while we could enjoy the money he made while we were young; he fully expected us to fly away from the golden nest at age 18. One of his training tactics was setting us up as employees of his periodontal practice at age 12. We had a cushy job, for sure, but we were expected to cover ALL of our variable expenses, including clothing, movie tickets, fun stuff.  Read more »

It's Thursday before Mother's Day and I have put nothing in the mail to my mom. Actually I have nothing to mail her yet. If you're in the same boat, hurry up and write a blog post about her. Maybe she'll like it half as much as the artwork you brought home from kindergarten way back. At least that's what I'm hoping.

9 Beautiful Things My Mom Taught Me:

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