I have a confession to make: I’ve used my cellphone while driving. Although I don’t text, I’ve engaged in conversations with and without a hands-free device. Perhaps you’re like me and have justified this behavior by thinking to yourself, “What harm can it do? I’ve got my eyes on the road. And hey — I’m […]
Good things come in small packages — including small businesses. Small businesses, typically defined as those having 500 or fewer employees, represent 98 percent of businesses in Colorado and 99 percent of businesses nationwide. Moreover, small businesses employ roughly half of the workforce. According to studies conducted by the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses […]
Think back for a moment to high school or college, when you likely learned about the marshmallow tests — a series of experiments conducted by Walter Mischel at Stanford starting in the 1960s. Not ringing a bell? Here’s a refresher. Children were given a choice between eating one marshmallow right away or waiting several minutes […]
In the time it takes to hum the “Happy Birthday” song twice, you and your employees could perform a ritual that’s scientifically proven to reduce the spread of illness, cut down on doctor’s visits, improve absenteeism and decrease lost productivity. It’s inexpensive and everyone can do it. All you need is a little soap and […]
My oldest son is a millennial, a member of the generation born in the 1980s and 1990s that’s been labeled entitled, lazy and in need of constant praise. Before you feel sorry for me, though, here are some other facts about my son: he graduated from college debt-free, moved out voluntarily and recently landed his […]
What do these three things have in common: the Doobie Brothers classic rock song “Long Train Running,” Paul Harvey’s memorable radio stories and good stand-up comedy? They all masterfully incorporate the pregnant pause — a moment of suspenseful silence before delivering something great. One could argue that without the intentional pause, what follows wouldn’t seem […]
Do you wear a fitness tracker? You know, one of those devices worn around your wrist or clipped on your clothing that counts your steps or calories burned? I wore a tracker religiously for two years. It became a bit of an obsession, in fact. Much to my husband’s amusement, on the days I didn’t […]
Most personal trainers will tell you when they encourage their clients to lift more weight or move a little faster, most often they can and do. Although holding back is common, good trainers inspire people to give more and in doing so to discover their potential. Good trainers also recognize when clients can’t do more […]
There’s a quote attributed to insurance broker and best-selling author Elmer G. Leterman: “There is only one thing better than making a new friend, and that is keeping an old one.” The same concept is reflected in a widely embraced business adage: It costs more to attract a new customer than keep an existing one. […]
You’ve seen it at parks and gymnastics meets. You’ve been dazzled by it at the circus. But if you’ve ever tried walking along a slack line, balance beam or tight rope, you know it takes concentration, control and lots of practice to remain steady and not fall. For many of us, finding balance — whether […]