UNICEF tricks, not treats

Until I was pursuing an adoption from Guatemala, I was unaware of UNICEF's actions to stop inter-country adoption.

This year, when the kids in my neighborhood stop by my house, they are also getting a note from me explaining UNICEF's tricks.

You can visit this website for more specific details

Friday Fun: Guess the Song

Here's a snippet of the lyrics....

And when we meet
Which I'm sure we will
All that was there
Will be there still
I'll let it pass
And hold my tongue
And you will think
That I've moved on....

Honesty is the Best Policy

If you have bad news to deliver, be honest. Honest communication is what fosters trust in a relationship.

"I'm sorry, but it just isn't going to work out for you to be promoted now. There are some specific areas where other candidates were stronger."

"I'm sorry, but I've decided not to buy your widget because I found one that is cheaper and still does what I need it to do."

To improve your business, you need feedback. To improve your skills, you need feedback. If someone chooses not to buy your products, ask why. If you aren't promoted, ask what you need to do to be considered in the future.

Asking gets you information. Information is a first step towards creating change. Information provides you with choices on what to do next.

Trio of Powerful Women!

Just thought I'd post a picture taken at the Good Morning America event I attended at the Heard Museum.

Tory Johnson's touring the country with Good Morning America to "celebrate women who have found flexibility, balance and satisfaction in their work and home lives -- and encouraging other women to do the same". While in Phoenix, Tory interviewed Carnegie Mellon economist Linda Babcock on wage issues in the workplace. Tory is in the center of our picture. Her website is Women for Hire - check it out!

Allison Bell is the Inspirational Diva. She speaks with teens on the importance of embracing today. For more information, feel free to check out her website.

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Update: Someone who is very observant asked about my wrist. It was a slight sprain, and it's healed now.

Keep Right On

As you're reading this post, I'm arriving in England for a short business trip. Although I won't be visiting my English football club, I thought the words from its fan anthem are especially appropriate for anyone who is creating the life they desire.

As you go through life,
It's a long long road, there'll be joys and sorrows too,
As we journey on, we will sing this song,
For the boys in royal blue,
We're often partisan, la, la, la,
We will journey on, la, la, la,
Keep right on to the end of the road, keep right on to the end,
Though the road be long, let your hearts be strong,
Keep right on to the end,
Though you're tired and weary, still journey on,
Till you come to your happy abode,
Where all the love, you've been dreaming of,
Will be there (where?), at the end of the road

Exceptional Leaders Create Magic

When people listen with their hearts, it's magical just like listening to dolphins sing underwater.

My friend Jen sent me a beautiful e-card this morning. I loved this picture so much that I decided to share it as a way of honoring the creative, playful spirit that lives inside each of us.

If you're feeling overwhelmed or stressed today, create space to nurture your playful side. Schedule a hour meeting with the inner child who still lives within you.

If you're stuck in the office, go outside and walk barefoot in the grass. If you're in a cubicle, find an empty conference room, shut the door, and pretend to play hopscotch for 5 minutes. Create a paper wad basketball and shoot hoops into the trash bin.

Are your employees getting on each other's nerves? Find a way to inject some FUN into the workplace. Play a childhood game like "hot potato" or sing a childhood song like Row Your Boat or London Bridge before your meeting begins.

Sure, some people might think you've lost your mind. They might laugh at your suggestions, but laughter is one of the healthiest activities to reduce stress and increase creativity.

Engaging the "other side" of your brain will actually help you and your employees solve the problems that are causing so much stress and tension. Physical activity creates movement. Movement creates shifts in your mental state and emotional well-being.

Creativity is what solves problems.

Have fun today! Create some magic! Solve some problems!

"It's Not Personal"

How many times have you heard people say "it's not personal" in the business world?

How many times did you believe them? Never, because it's a lie.

Every day people make decisions based on what they believe is right for themselves and for their companies.

It is personal when you decide to fire someone. It is personal when you decide to promote someone. Those decisions affect someone's ability to succeed, and that always has an impact on people's lives. It isn't just the individual person. There's an overall impact as well.

A good hire makes your life easier as a business owner, executive, or manager. A bad hire will keep you awake at night. After all, a company's performance is tied directly to the behavior of its employees. Every day businesspeople have choices and make decisions about people, process, technology, schedules, etc.

Even when you're purchasing a product, it is personal. You want to know the product will live up to its hype - serve its purpose, help you feel good, make your life more convenient, etc.

As someone who teaches others to understand that success is all about relationships, I can't comprehend why people still use such a trite, over-used statement.

It IS personal. It always has been. It always will be.

Next time you're daydreaming

Many people wonder what it would be like to walk away and "escape" a life that has become disjointed, uncomfortable, or unhappy.

Jason Lewis thought he was taking a short reprieve from life in London. He's even quoted as saying he wanted to escape from London.

Instead of a two year expedition, he spent 13 years traveling across the world on his own power. Spent 9 months recovering in Colorado after he suffered two broken legs when he was hit by an elderly driver. Attacked by a crocodile. Jailed for being a spy.

Here are some links to read various articles:

BBC article on his arrival this weekend

USAToday article

Tacoma article - loved the pictures with this article (article is identical to the USAToday article)

Australian article

Photos of each leg of his journey are on the Expedition 360 website.

Next time you think you want to escape your life, you might want to visit Jason's website. He learned a lot of lessons during his 13-year odyssey.

My observation: It doesn't matter where you are on the planet. Your problems are still your problems. Your joys are still your joys.

You are still you.

If you don't like something about your life, change it. After all, you only have today to choose.

How will you choose?

This one's for my brother

My brother has been a Cubs fan since he was a little kid. Of course, he's thrilled the Cubbies are playing the Diamondbacks.

This is what I have to say about the playoffs....

5000 Orphans

Perhaps you've noticed....

I've been distracted lately.

Part of the reason is the turmoil in Guatemalan adoptions. Last week the Department of State issued a statement that thousands of cases currently in process may be halted by Guatemalan president.

If you're interested, click on this website for information to read an explanation from the parents' perspective about what's happening and how you can help!

Thanks in advance

10/17/07 Update: The Guatemalan president has now said that he will support cases that are in process. I appreciate any help you may have provided during this time. Even if I am unable to adopt from Guatemala in the future, I know that many families will have beautiful children. Only one in five children live to celebrate their 5th birthday in Guatemala. That's why I remain hopeful that international adoption will remain an option for those children

I Read Banned Books! (Thanks, Mom)

It's difficult to believe books are still being banned in many libraries across the country.

In honor of Banned Books Week, I'm placing the logo on my blog and adding this link for you to check out how you can participate.

I glanced through the list of the 100 Most Frequently Banned Books of 1990-2000. Here is a partial list of banned books I've read from that list:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (one of my all-time favorite books)
Forever by Judy Blume (I was probably too young when I read this book for the first time. I left it in my school locker so my parents wouldn't know I was reading a book about first love and having sex)
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Deenie by Judy Blume
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
Ordinary People by Judith Guest
Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume (It's definitely NOT a religious book! LOL)
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

When I was growing up, my mom was the high school librarian. I would sometimes go with her to the library during the last two weeks after school ended and the first two weeks before school started. She wanted to re-shelve and put all the books back in proper order according to the Dewey system. Inevitably, I'd end up sitting on the floor reading a book instead of putting the books back in order.

Thanks, Mom, for teaching me about books. I love to read today because of your guidance.

Put aside your business books for this week. Pick a banned book and celebrate with me. I'm re-reading the Harry Potter series before reading the final one.