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Articles from Nan Russell | Selfgrowth.com
- Convenient Mistruths - by Submitted on Nov 03, 2015 from Nan RussellThe subject line of the email read: "We met at ..." and the name of a conference where I'd recently spoken. Thinking it was from someone who attended my session, I opened it sooner versus later. "I never heard back from you," she wrote, "I wanted to take you to lunch or drop by your office to ...
Views: 888 - Simple Solutions - by Submitted on Sep 29, 2015 from Nan RussellOn our first morning of vacation, we were pleased to find open tables when we arrived for breakfast at a popular and highly recommended café. With several people actively filling walk-up specialty coffee orders at the counter, it took several minutes to be acknowledged: "It'll be about five ...
Views: 749 - Winning at Working--The Not-Me Syndrome - by Submitted on Sep 03, 2015 from Nan RussellA common pastime at work, it seems, is pointing out flaws, missteps, and problems – especially the boss's, a coworker's down the hall, or that roadblock person in some other department. Stories of performance and style inadequacies, or snippets of memorable negative encounters can be ...
Views: 668 - Winning at Working--Perpetuated Myths - by Submitted on Jun 25, 2015 from Nan RussellMyths. Beliefs. Conventional wisdom. Even our own eyes get in our way. Consider what happened to Galileo. In 1589, he gathered the world’s most learned professors to the Leaning Tower of Pisa for a demonstration to disprove a 2,000 year old physics principle of Aristotle’s: the heavier an object ...
Views: 671 - The Next Essential Skill - by Submitted on May 27, 2015 from Nan Russell"Remember, the feeling you get from a good run is far better than the feeling you get from sitting around wishing you were running." Those words from Olympic swimmer and author Sarah Connor capture the essence of a skill those wanting to thrive in the new world of work need. We live in a ...
Views: 763 - Winning at Working--Off Track - by Submitted on Apr 29, 2015 from Nan RussellUnfamiliar with the city and location where I was to speak, I added the address to the GPS before leaving home. Arriving in the conference city hours later, I turn it on and dutifully followed the route that chirped at me from the device. "That's odd," I thought as the directed turn took me away ...
Views: 794 - Which Clock? - by Submitted on Apr 06, 2015 from Nan RussellI hesitated before I answered the question. It was just a slight hesitation, but the question took me by surprise. Someone asked me how could they work on self-improvement and development on the clock. And while I answered at the time with a few tips, the on the clock part stuck with me and got ...
Views: 810 - Winning at Working--Blurred Lines Require New Skills - by Submitted on Feb 23, 2015 from Nan RussellInstead of an early start, with time to read the news, check key messages, and write uninterruptedly for a pending project, I spent it down a rabbit hole. What I expected was a five or ten minute interruption to answer a client's email, marked with one of those urgent exclamation points, but it ...
Views: 680 - What Do You See? - by Submitted on Feb 04, 2015 from Nan RussellBased on dozens of articles that arrived in my inbox in a single week, one might think that the majority of people work in difficult work-cultures, alongside clueless co-workers, under distrusting bosses. Here are a few examples: • "You're the Boss, Not the Babysitter" • "What to Do When Your ...
Views: 781(1 vote) - Workplace Ladder Fuel - by Submitted on Aug 28, 2013 from Nan RussellMaybe you received an email seeking applicants as paid mystery shoppers in your area, or offering cash in exchange for filling out online surveys. Or you heard theaters used subliminal advertising to increase sales of popcorn and soft drinks. Maybe it was the "send old shoes, get a new one free" ...
Views: 931 - Winning at Working--Valuing Time - by Submitted on Mar 28, 2013 from Nan Russell"I don't like to be kept waiting," he responded when asked by the travel-study professor why he delayed the entire group for a third straight day. "Next time," the professor warned, "we won't hold the bus." The following day the bus left as scheduled, returning to the hotel late into the ...
Views: 971 - What Do You Expect? - by Submitted on Feb 13, 2013 from Nan RussellI like teaching workshops. On one hand, I'm humbled by the knowledge, insights, and challenges of those attending. I'm invigorated by the persistence and passion woven into the stories that unfold. And I'm grateful for the real-world perspectives of people who are focused on doing a great job ...
Views: 825 - Winning at Working--Two Kinds of People - by Submitted on Jan 13, 2013 from Nan RussellTwelve minutes before I was to speak to a large group gathering in a downtown hotel ballroom, I was still struggling with A/V equipment. With hundreds of presentations under my belt, I'm accustomed to handling last minute glitches. But no matter what I tried, my presentation wouldn't ...
Views: 771 - The "No Problem" Problem - by Submitted on Oct 11, 2012 from Nan RussellI've lost track of the times I've been told in someone's positive or naive thinking mode, "No problem," only to have the non problem become one. At the time they said it, there might not have been a problem, but they didn't factor in workplace potholes, speed bumps, detours, or traffic stops. ...
Views: 857 - Winning at Working--Which Half Are You? - by Submitted on Jul 15, 2012 from Nan RussellWhen more than half of Americans were identified as overweight, people took notice. Major news outlets began educating on how to stay out, or get out, of that statistic. I wish the same attention had been paid when a new survey was released confirming more than half of Americans are dissatisfied ...
Views: 1008 - Wiinning at Working--Jumping Work-Hurdles - by Submitted on Jun 29, 2012 from Nan RussellIt feels great at the end of a workday to know you've made progress on a mounting to-do list, resolved a persistent problem, dealt with a difficult challenge, or accomplished an important objective. Yet, too often we get to the end of a day and haven't felt feelings of satisfaction, ...
Views: 1327 - Winning at Working--Workplace Heists - by Submitted on Jun 04, 2012 from Nan RussellSeated in the courtyard of a sports bar during a playoff game in the home city of one of the teams, it was an energetic crowd that Sunday. While we'd come for a quick bite to eat, we caught a glimpse of a play now and then as home-team enthusiasts roared their approval during the first half. ...
Views: 967 - Winning at Working--Want More Balance? - by Submitted on Jun 04, 2012 from Nan RussellDespite efforts on the Wii Fitness balance game, Wii persists in rating me as "unbalanced." And while it's true I'm feeling a bit stressed with a new book coming out in May, and more commitments than common sense dictates, being balanced is a challenge. Work reminds me of that balance game. ...
Views: 780 - Winning at Working--What Basics? - by Submitted on Jun 04, 2012 from Nan RussellThe cyclical and now ubiquitously appearing phrase, back to basics, ignites supporters. The reasonableness of returning to previously successful principles, ethics, systems, accountability, approaches, or you-name-it, appears a tantalizing remedy for our individual or collective woes. Who can ...
Views: 842 - Winning at Working--Deliberate Black Hole Tactics - by Submitted on Jun 04, 2012 from Nan RussellAfter a mutually beneficial business connection, he spontaneously offered, "if you need anything in the future don't hesitate to contact me." He went so far as to name some of the things he'd be happy to be involved in, or help me with, and I made a mental note for future reference. It seemed ...
Views: 854 - Winning at Working--It Takes Time - by Submitted on Jun 04, 2012 from Nan RussellThe story goes that after one of Ludwig van Beethoven's performances, several people were offering him their congratulations, when one woman commented, "I wish God had bestowed me with such genius." "It isn't genius, madam, nor is it magic." Beethoven replied. "All you have to do is practice ...
Views: 824 - Winning at Working--Wishing and Hoping - by Submitted on Jun 04, 2012 from Nan RussellYears after Disneyland was built, after the completion of Walt Disney World, the story goes that someone went up to Mike Vance, Creative Director for Walt Disney Studios and said, "Isn't it too bad Walt Disney didn't live to see this?" Without pausing, he replied, "But he did see it, that's why ...
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