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Grateful for the yes
I’m especially grateful for saying yes to a dream and being able to share that process with so many people who have such special places in my life. What I’ve realized is where you are right at this moment is a result of what you’ve said yes to throughout your life.
Answering your calling
Is there something you feel deep inside you know you need to do? Is there something every time you think about it makes you a little bit nervous and a lot excited? I know there is. We all have one. It’s your calling.
Alone we can do so little….
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.
Never has that been more evident than over the last couple of weeks. I’ve had the privilege to work alongside a group of dedicated men and women who have been working tirelessly to restore power in an area hard hit by Hurricane Michael
Think like a man — or not!
While there are still barriers and misconceptions in the workforce, I feel blessed to live in a time where women are only limited by their personal desire to excel. It’s true there are still times we need to push the barrier and make sure our voices are heard, it’s how you do that, that seems to be the question.
Worst nightmare can lead to opportunity
You have to operate with confidence even where you don’t have all the answers. People who look to you to lead need to see confidence and positivity. — Anne Meisner
True leaders aren’t born—they’re made
Nothing can prepare you for war – the smells, the sounds, the taste. If you have core values, you can survive the horrors of war. I did and so did all the others I served with. —Donna Rowe
Don’t cross the line with personal and professional communications
I have a problem when a person, who is a communications professional, forgets that people don’t distinguish between personal pages and work pages. When you are the voice of your company, city, or organization, it is your responsibility to keep those lines very clear.
Slow Death by PowerPoint
Great presenters know it’s about the human connection. Your slides should be visual reinforcement.
Design With Purpose
It’s important to choose the right words to communicate your message. However, utilizing design as a tool can increase that understanding and make it more effective.
Create Copy That Persuades
Stop thinking of your opponent as a monster. You have to think of them as just as decent and kind as you.
Better Editing Makes Better Stories
Seven tips for better edits.
Mental Prep Makes Writing Easier
Don’t start writing until you’ve put in your mental prep time. It will save you time and energy in the long run.
Write Better Faster
We all have those days when an assignment shows up at the last moment, or the boss calls and needs a speech ASAP. Instead of stressing, you can incorporate a few simple tricks that will have you cranking out copy in no time.
From prosecutor to popsicle peddler
Nick Crase, co-founder of King of Pops, urged us to create a culture uniquely yours. Don’t just exist. Know who we are and create a vision that gets you where you want to be.
Breaking bread and starting conversations
“Magic doesn’t happen with a big speaker on stage,” Jenn said. “It happens around tables with people sharing stories and working together.”
Unleashing the Greatness Within
We all have power within us and we just need to know how to release it and put it to use.
Leadership Circle
We must build each other up and not tear each other down. We are really better together than alone.
What's in it for me?
I read the latest newsletter from Ann Wylie this morning. (If you aren't familiar with her, you need to be - check out her site.) In our daily life, messages and information bombard us constantly. As communicators, our goal is to get our message heard, and...
Easy to read copy benefits everyone
Making copy easier to read benefits every level of reader. I don’t mean dumbing it down. I mean writing that increases understanding and the number of people who will actually invest time in reading it.
Make your writing more powerful and credible
10 quick tips you can use to make your words more powerful and your story credible
Competition Isn’t A Dirty Word
Competition isn’t a dirty word. In fact, it’s a great way to grow your skills. Just think of how it feels when you find ways to challenge yourself.
Reflections on Leadership
At the Newseum, sitting in front of the 9-11 display or walking by a piece of the Berlin Wall, you can’t help but realize that leaders don’t run away silently. Leaders have to act. They are usually the first ones who run toward a problem and give voice to those who have lost theirs.
Groundwork laid in foundation
However, our founding father, George Washington, may have said it best, ”If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”
It’s great to be known for your shoes – even better to be known for your soul
She can speak English, French, German and Farsi, became Okabashi’s CEO and she’s just 29. Say hello to @Sara Irvani. A millennial who passionately embraces hard work and positivity while taking over the manufacturing world.
Creating shareable content
Shared content can be many things – useful and helpful information, entertainment and inspirational material. It’s different than viral content because it creates a long term relationship.
Civility – Is it lost?
Civility is working at staying present even when the people around you are passionate about and have deep seated beliefs which fall out on the other side of the fence from you.
Has fact based reporting met its demise?
There’s a general distrust of all public institutions now. The media and politicians lead the pact on the distrust meter though. We now assume everyone (politicians, news media, etc..) are going to lie to accomplish their goal. We see all lies as the same. We don’t just think of them as exaggerations of information. Most people feel like they only receive select information – not the whole story. That select information is provided to move you to a certain viewpoint, not move you toward the truth.
The P's and Q's of Time Managament
You can do all you need to do and still have time for yourself.
Socially connected communities thrive
Our leadership groups project dealt with social connectedness and how that feeling translates into the health of a community. Social connectedness is simply studying how people feel about the relationship they have with others – from your spouse, to your kids, to your co-workers and your neighbors.
Experts point out the more satisfied people are with their relationships the better they feel about their communities and the more engaged they are in what happens there.
Add interest to your articles
As a writer, it’s your job to take control and stay in control of your story so that it is interesting to your readers.
The structure of a story
There are many ways to intrigue your reader and create interest in your story. Try creating a picture in your readers mind
Write Better
More important than style is finding good and appropriate story ideas. Good stories will inspire you. In turn, your writing will be more interesting.
The Science of Storytelling
Stories require our brains to work differently than they do when they are processing information. It’s more than putting bullet points in order. When we hear a story, we activate our senses.
Grow Trust Through Respect
One way to increase trust is through showing respect and practicing it in interactions. Respect also has another positive benefit of increasing someone’s satisfaction with their job.
Making Connections that Count
One of the best things you can do while in college is find a mentor. That relationship can really set you ahead during your course of study and beyond.
Get more out of your groups
A facilitators role is to keep the group focused without killing the conversation or injecting to much of your own opinion in the process.
Study Strategies and Test Taking Tips
The rule of thumb is that you should spend 2 hours studying for every 1 hour you are in class. I know – you’re yelling at the screen right now. But it’s true.
Managing Expectations
Just like armpits – we all have them. But have you every thought about how you can manage the expectations that others have of you?
Getting ahead of the game
12 more minutes x 5 work days = 1 extra hour per week or 52 hours a year – What would you do with that time?
Engagement must have trust
Engagement not only relates to how involved someone is but also the attitude behind the decision to take part. Attitude becomes a key driver and it can have huge impacts on both the culture of an organization and on how work gets done.
A company’s culture is what sets them apart. It’s why people choose to stay and why people just know they need to do business with you.
Propel Yourself Forward
Everything we do well is driven by a passion and a desire to do whatever it takes to produce the best. For some of us, that means it’s time to embrace the imperfect and messy. For others, it means saying no to something that doesn’t give you that lift or keeps you from spending time developing a talent or skill you enjoy.
When you reach that point, it’s time to PROPEL.
New Year – New Plan: Try an editorial calendar
Editorial calendars can give you a clear picture of what’s ahead, keep you on message, and help organize other players on your team.
Sharpen your pencil. Your story is ready to be written.
Write bold words and dream big dreams, not just in 2018 but for each year to come. The page is blank today. Sharpen your pencil and write your new chapter. The book is called opportunity and it’s waiting on you to design the story.
Use the holidays to recharge
Emotions run high this time of year. Pile on the excitement of Christmas and the stress of finals and moving back home, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. With a little planning, you can use this break to come back ready for a successful semester.
Taming the Time Tangle
We can work hard and make a good living and complete projects, but one thing we can’t do if make more hours in the day.
you.com
Personal websites are not an oddity anymore. You don’t have to be self-employed or a small business owner to have your own site.
Thoughts on Leadership
Leadership should come with a plan and a vision. You’ve got to be able to see where you want to be in three months and in three years.
Brand You
Your brand reflects your personality and the services that you offer to your clients. It’s the first impression someone has of you. The right brand will draw clients to you. Crafting an irresistible brand takes time and thought.
Action vs. Intent
I’ve been thinking a lot about action and intent. You can judge or evaluate based on an action. An intention can’t be measured. However, if you think about it most of us judge others based on their actions. Yet, when we look internally, we give ourselves a lot of credit for just having “good intentions.”
Network like a champ
From your first days at your big girl job, through every level of promotion, and even when you decide to branch out on your own with some freelancing, the first piece of advice most of us get is “make sure you network.”
Hyped up and ready to explode? Don't let stress ruin your college experience.
Stress can take many forms. Learning to recognize it and develop coping measures will not only benefit you in college, but throughout your career as well.