In my marketing days, I was taught to present the benefits of the product, service, or idea I represented. It may be effective in the short-term to utilize scare tactics, but for the sake of long-term success, it’s important to address genuine needs with real solutions. And you’d be wise to explain why and how […]
Do You Fight Fair?
You’re dying to let loose and say what you really think but the words aren’t pretty so you’re biting your tongue. Whatever it is – you don’t say it. Because if you do – you can’t take it back. And you know that fighting fair is a sort of winning, in and of itself. Fighting […]
Friction
Oh, those little differences that grate…
If Your Partner Says One Thing, Do You Hear Something Else?
The intricacies of communication in relationships.
Pick Your Moments
When it comes to effective communication – especially with kids – discretion can certainly be the better part of valor. In other words, don’t embarrass your children in front of their pals, think before you speak, and pick your moments – carefully. The same could be said for spouses, co-workers, or friends, but they’re adults […]
“I Want to Be Alone”
When time alone feels essential, even in a relationship.
How to Help When You Have No Words
When comforting our children feels next to impossible.
Three C’s: Cruel, Callous, Counterproductive
Anyone who has spent time participating in social media has seen their share of bad behavior: name-calling, meanness, and of course there’s spam. Anyone who has a blog – or reads them – has waded through comment sections, tiptoeing around the spurious and vicious remarks, trying to get to the heart of the matter. We […]
Silence is Golden, Sort Of
No need to dress. No need to drive. No need to cook – heating a frozen dinner in the microwave was just fine. And not one word. No need to speak at all, for 36 hours. Bliss. Yesterday was my first day off in two months. No parenting, no worrying, no checking a clock or […]
The Butterfly Effect
Life in a split second One split second, and everything changes. One glance away while driving. One decision, in a professional context. Perhaps one yes, or a single steadfast no. And you aren’t yet aware of the repercussions. Who hasn’t uttered a careless remark or acted in haste and lived to regret it? Do we […]