Election Day!

Smile! It's election day. Kind of freaky that no one seemed to mind waiting in lines - some up to hours long. What is our country coming to when long lines of folks can wait together, even taking photos, laughing to place their vote - one that will certainly make history no matter which way the results go.

Now I don't want to read too much into it and who knows what will be once the evening news rolls around...but there is a definitive positive current passing under the low-hanging black cloud that has challenged us all recently. How long will it last - who knows but the market was up today too!

Watching all this is actually inspiring and not necessarily tied to one candidate or another but tied to the power of positive, collective energy. It is amazing what you can achieve and what can happen when you bring people together with a shared vision and passion.

Today we are making history in more ways then one. Today we have really seen the power and the passion of the people. And most likely you have experienced some of it yourself, whether at the poll booths, as a volunteer, a tweet, with a call or someone knocking at your door to ask if you know where to vote. And maybe you even found the calls annoying - you must admit - there is collective passion, commitment and a drive to achieve a vision for a better America.

I am so not political - but even I have been inspired - not so much by the politicians but by the people.

Seize the Day!

ROI: Acts of Kindness

This woman hugged me last night. All smiles. She was thanking me for an email I sent her - thanking her! Such a small thing...but such a huge moment. All I did was take a few minutes to thank her for all her good energy, work and effort. A simple thank you to her and one back to me and you had two smiling fools. We can't take these seemingly small acts for granted. They are remembered. Whether it is a thank you, a note of recognition, a pat on the back for a job well done - these things make a difference and they do come back to you multiple times over in multiple ways.

I can't begin to tell you how now later in my career, what might have seemed like "small acts of kindness" have come back. These sorts of things have led to new clients, talented hires, and a host of trusted friends and colleagues. Don't hesitate to walk over, pick up the phone, twitter, IM or email when there is an opportunity to recognize someone for their singular contribution, good work, smart decision or act of kindness.

There is a measurable ROI and besides it just feels good....

Seize the Day!

Seize the Day!

You see, I am just tired of hearing about all the crap. Not ignoring it but ...there are things to smile about...okay, so little old me isn't going to change the global mood - but if I can make one person smile, laugh, even cheer a day - then I have made a positive difference. You can too...whether in your business or your personal life.

In business, one of my driving passions is to make a positive difference in the lives of our staff, our clients and others who I might meet along the way. Whether it be to inspire great strategy, or to motivate better results - at the heart of it is a desire to "do good" and create moments to celebrate - moments that matter...

Moments to celebrate -- extends to our personal lives as well. For me it is things like - Buying my daughter a mean electric guitar and watching her beam, chatting with my son about his latest "idea", holding hands with my husband, helping a stranger carry their bags. And moments that matter...calling your mom, sending that card, saying thank-you....

Bad crap, scary, downers....You don't have to look far for it. It is shouting from everywhere you look, listen, live and work. As a die-hard, realistic optimist - this is when the good stuff should be all the more cherished, valued, and the need to infuse as well as drive positive energy is all the more important - it is during these times when we can have an even greater positive impact on our families, friends, colleagues and business partners. This applies to everything in your every day life -

We have to look and create those opportunities for cheering - whether it is even greater efficiency and performance in business to bringing a smile to a stranger's face - this is the time when it matters more then ever. Make a difference -- today -- and for tomorrow.

I would love to hear from others on their ideas and ways that they have or can make a positive difference in our current climate. Or how others have positively impacted them...

Seize the day!