Human Resources Means Something

September 26, 2018

By Lindy Earl

My first job out of school was in Administration.  Before that it was called Personnel. Today that same office would be called Human Resources, or HR.  We are seeing a move to titles such as Talent Management.

The title may change, but the job, the work, the tasks all remain the same.  Sadly, I think too many people are missing the point.

First, let me make an analogy.  For years companies had Sales Departments.  Sales jobs were clearly defined.  Then, in the 80’s, suddenly everyone had Marketing Departments.  The challenge, however, was that the term Marketing was being misused.  Nobody was fooled.  The Sales Reps remained Sales Agents, but with a new title.  It just added confusion, because Marketing is, and should be, its own Department.  Now Sales Reps are given the title of Business Development.  Okay.  It doesn’t change their job.

I like the title Human Resources, because that’s how we should see people, as resources.

In the olden days, only a little over a hundred years ago, the US was an agrarian society.  We had farmers who grew their own food and enough to sell.  Because farming is a labor-intensive job, especially before automation and some powerful machinery, a lot of labor was needed.  Yes, it could be hired out, but it was often home-grown as well.  Families had lots of children, and those children worked on the farm.  Our ancestors understood human resources!  They raised them, fed them, took care of them, taught them, encouraged them, trained them . . . whatever it took to make them the best workers they could be.

Are we seeing that with Human Resource Departments today?  In some cases, yes.  There are great companies that pay for continued education and training.  Sadly, I found in my life that while this was offered ahead of time, there were so many restrictions on what and how that the benefit was rarely used.  Still, other companies do make this available.

I don’t see promotions from within as often as I did a generation ago.  The line used to be, It pays to stay.  Is that still true?  Now we see people jumping companies in order to increase pay and get ahead.

Attrition, losing employees, is expensive.  It costs less financially, as well as in terms of time and emotion (yes, there are emotions involved with every hire and fire), to keep your employees rather than having a revolving door for employees.  In addition to the costs, the reputation of such companies is hurt.

I know of a large company headquartered in Atlanta whose (silent) motto is, “Nobody retires with us.”  They bring in talented employees, use them for 3-5 years, then send them packing.  Their goal is to pay zero of the pensions they offered upon hiring.  It is a lousy scam, yet the company remains successful.

So, in a world of limited resources, what’s the best thing to do?  Take care of what you have!  Have you ever noticed that owners take much better care of a home than renters?  It’s true!

So, let’s invest in our human capital.  That’s not an ungracious way of thinking of our employees.  We need to ensure that our employees are growing – are their needs met?  Are they sufficiently challenged but not overwhelmed? What needs to be done to encourage and help them grow?  What resources do they need to be the best employees, thus workers, thus people who output great work, that they can be?

Some people need nothing more than a desk and a chair.  Others require social stimuli.  Others need food.  Human Resource Management is difficult because people are difficult.  You can’t be all things to all people, but you can do some basic research and learn what you can provide that will satisfy the needs and wants of many of your employees.

Things as simple as flex time can be the difference between attracting a fabulous versus a mediocre employee.  It literally costs you nothing, and when employees work at the times of day that are best for them, output increases.  It’s a win-win, so why isn’t it offered more often?

There are a plethora of opportunities for every company, with or without an HR Department, to improve their employee relations.  Of course I am going to suggest hiring a coach like me, who is there (occasionally) for the sole purpose of making employees, thus companies, more successful.  Institute some employee benefits that your workers desire. Beyond that, think outside of the box to create a great working environment for your team.  Human Resources done well will make a huge impact on your company.

Lindy Earl is a Speaker, Consultant, and Writer.  To invite her to speak at your organization or firm, or ask about Consulting options, please contact her at LMEarl@EarlMarketing.com. 

Doing the Right Thing

September 19, 2018

By Lindy Earl

Life is busy.  We all have a lot to do, every day.  Our to-do lists seem to grow exponentially, sometimes overnight.  Taking time for ourselves seems ever more elusive.

Of course, time management can help.  One trick we were all taught, and some learned better than others, is that if there isn’t time to do it right, then there will be time to do it over.  Point:  do it right the first time, because it saves you time (and often money and respect) in the long run.

When accepting a new challenge, you can do the right thing the wrong way, the wrong thing the right or wrong way, or the right thing the right way.  Of course we know which is best, so why do the others happen?

Doing the right thing the wrong way – sometimes we just don’t know a better way to accomplish our goal.  For instance, if you’re asked to mow the lawn and you get it done, that’s doing the right thing.  Using scissors – is the wrong way!  Now, that’s an extreme example, but the analogy is fair.  Use the correct tools for the job.

Another reason people do the right thing the wrong way is that they are unwilling to seek help.  Asking for help shows intelligence – by acknowledging that there is possibly, maybe probably, a better way to do something, and being humble enough to ask, shows great character.

Doing the wrong thing, whether you it the right way or the wrong way, is obviously a bad idea.  Why does it happen?  I’m guessing mostly due to poor communication.  Failure to ask questions and clarify information can lead someone to misunderstand the project from the beginning, and that can lead to doing it incorrectly, or at least poorly.

Of course our goal is to do the right thing the right way.  You already have a good idea of how to accomplish this every time.  First, prepare.  Even the boy scouts teach this as their motto.  Learn everything you can, through questions and research, about what needs to be done. Learn the best way to accomplish the task.  Consider your talents and abilities.  Are you the best person for the job? Should you delegate the task?  Delegation is part of great leadership.  If you are the right person for the job, and have discerned the best way of doing the right thing, then, actually perform!  Knowing what to do but not doing it accomplishing nothing. Get it done!

There are plenty of ways to accomplish your goals.  Invest in yourself, and your future, by finding the best alternatives, using time management, making good decisions, and getting busy.

Lindy is a Business Consultant and Speaker to individuals of all levels and for companies, churches, and organizations of all sizes.  In addition, she is an author and columnist.  Contact her at LMEarl@EarlMarketing.com to speak to your corporation or organization.

Trust Your Inner Voice

By Lindy Earl

Too often, people step back from what they want to do, or know to do, based on irrelevant reasons – what will others think or say? what if it doesn’t work? what if I fail?

How many times have we chosen to not do something, only to see the exact same thing being done, successfully, by another?  To make it more painful, they are receiving accolades!  As a teenager I had a simple idea when it came to packing.  A sibling laughed at me for it.  I stopped doing it.  One day while reading a magazine I saw my idea, under Reader’s Contributions.  A woman had been paid $50 for sharing the idea that I had been doing for years.  I should have trusted my inner voice.

Fear of failure is such a show stopper, especially at an early age.  The summer before I left for Freshman year of College, my roommate, who had attended orientation while I had not, called to tell me that getting classes was nigh unto impossible (we lived in Virginia and, yes, I say things like “nigh unto”).  She had me scared to tears!  I was so nervous that I voiced my concerns to my mother, who told me I didn’t have to go.

I came up with a line, at the age of 18, that served me well and continues to do so to this day.  I realized that people far more stupid than I had managed to attend College and register for classes. I went.  I’m happy to say I did register, for several semesters in a row, and graduated.  A silly fear, enflamed by an emotional response of another teenager, almost deterred me.  I really do continue to use that line, people more stupid than I have managed to do this, to this day.

With the joy of experience, we know at 40 and 50 and 60 years of age, that failure is an opportunity to more intelligently begin again (Henry Ford), and there is no failure, just an opportunity to learn what didn’t work (Thomas Edison).  Those adages were around when I was a child, but even if I had heard them, I hadn’t embraced them. With age, I’ve learned, to not only embrace the truth, but to listen to my inner voice.

Our strengths and abilities are better than we believe.  We can, and should, believe in ourselves.  Start today by taking a step.  Do what you want to do.  Be who you want to be.  You may be surprised at the support you get.  You may receive some negative responses.  Ignore them.  Smile and nod.  Move forward with your dreams and aspirations.  Trust your inner voice and use your intelligence and abilities to move forward.

Lindy Earl is a Speaker, Consultant, and Writer.  Please contact her at LMEarl@EarlMarketing.com. 

Connecting

September 5, 2018

By Lindy Earl

We all connect with people on a daily basis.  Sometimes it’s non-verbal, such as a nod as you pass.  Sometimes it’s a gesture – let’s say a wave.  There is a great amount of verbal communication, thus connecting, every day.

Some people connect with others quickly and easily.  They have some innate ability to break the ice and get past small talk, so they really connect well.  Can this be learned?  Absolutely!

We connect with so many people daily, the question becomes, with whom do we invest time and energy to create a really great connection versus just a nodding acquaintance?  Sometimes it’s obvious.

We should invest with the people with whom we work. You see them regularly and having more than a superficial friendship offers benefits in this world.

Once upon a time we connected well with neighbors.  I’m not sure that’s true anymore, or at least not where I live.  In my last home we had neighborhood parties and we all knew our neighbors, their children, and even their pets. Maybe because I’m in a larger city or because everybody seems to need a two-income household now, or maybe because our children are grown and gone, I don’t connect with my neighbors the way I once did.  If you do, that’s fabulous!  Enjoy it.

What about the people we just met, maybe at a network or even socially?  How do we make a connection there, for business or even personal reasons?  The same tactics apply for all connections.

First, learn and use names.  Learn the correct pronunciation and use a name immediately.  Second, acknowledge the need for small talk – yes, you can comment on the weather – but move past it as soon as possible.  An obvious question is what the other person does for a living, but take it further.  If the answer is Attorney, ask them to be more specific as there are a plethora of areas of law.  You can ask them to tell you more about it or why they chose that field of work.  Basically, get them talking about themselves.  If you want to continue the friendship/relationship, move from work/career into personal – are they married, do they have children, in what area of town do they live?  From there you could move to hobbies and activities.  There is a natural path to connecting with people.  If you get things out of order, it may get awkward.

A second part of connecting that is always true is that Manners Matter!  Start with a firm handshake.  That’s a great beginning.  If you’re at a luncheon and don’t know which fork to use, you’re probably okay.  If, however, you don’t know how to hold your soup spoon, it’s a simple thing to learn. If you spend the entire meeting talking about yourself, even though they asked, that’s simply not mannerly.

The last part of connecting to be discussed here is the next step.  In the business world, you can exchange business cards and follow up within a few days.  This moves your meeting one another from a simple connection to the next level.  In both the business and social world, you can set up your next meeting before separating – make plans to meet for coffee or, in my case, ice cream – it’s so much more fun than coffee and far quieter.

Connecting with people doesn’t just happen.  It takes some effort but is often worth it.  Sometimes it won’t work, but you’ll have met someone along the way and that’s a good thing. If you already know and do all the steps here, then you’re doing well. If you want to begin implementing them, you’ll be connecting with more people at a deeper level soon, and I think you’ll enjoy it.

Connecting with people is far more enjoyable than just meeting them.  I think it’s better to engage with a few people at an event than meet many people at a superficial level.  So, find someone you think is interesting and get involved in a good conversation.  You’re on your way!

Lindy is a Business Consultant and Speaker to individuals of all levels and for companies, churches, and organizations of all sizes.  In addition, she is an author and columnist.  Contact her at LMEarl@EarlMarketing.com to have her speak to your corporation or organization.

Do You Lose Your Sense of Humor?

By Lindy Earl

September 2018

I love to laugh.  I want to laugh every day.  It’s refreshing and renewing and energizing.

However, when I’m nervous or insecure, I withdraw.  Not only do I want to physically disappear but my sense of humor goes on hiatus.

I’m also an introvert, so groups of people drain me and I recharge when I’m alone.

I’m currently looking for a new church, and this has put me in a weekly state of distress.  As an introvert, a long service can completely deplete me!

Today, the pastor told the congregation to find 4-5 people near them (you’re expecting a handshake, like I did, right?) and tell then that they look better than you expected.  I guess it was supposed to be funny.

But when you’re the new kid, the introverted new kid, the introverted new kid who loses their sense of humor and wants to withdraw – it’s not.  Just shaking hands with 4-5 people is stressful.  Sharing a mean comment – I can’t do it!

Do I not have a sense of humor, or is it hidden beneath my insecurity?

I think characteristics like a sense of humor, or even traits of kindness and compassion, can be squashed by feelings of discomfort.  I think anger can hide a slew of feelings!  If you take umbrage at something, then your sense of propriety may be covered and you may respond inappropriately.  It happens.

So just when we should be most open, we are less so.  How should we handle this?

It would be nice if others would realize that what they intend as humor often falls flat.  That has happened to all of us.  The joke just didn’t translate.  But we can only affect what we do, not what others do.

So, a few ideas that I will try to hold onto, and am sharing with you . . .

Pray over yourself to be covered and insulated from insults and rude remarks.  Don’t allow them to touch you due to your hedge of protection.  I usually pray for a steel hedge.

Reduce expectations.  If you go into a situation looking to have a great experience, then you may be disappointed.  You probably will be at least a little disappointed.  Go into a situation with no, or low, expectations.

Decide ahead of time to add an extra dose of acceptance, humor, or whatever it takes to get through your new experience.

Decide to not be intimidated or frustrated or offended or insulted by anything.  There are a lot of qualifiers in that sentence.  The Lord is your source, not anyone on earth.  Look to Him if you start feeling any negative emotion.

If I had done any of this, then the first 35 minutes of today’s service, which was filled with announcements and music, would not have confused me, because I would not have expected to hear a sermon any sooner than it came.  I realized after the fact that I found I was surprised every time I thought they were going to finally begin preaching, but they went to yet another announcement.

I need to make my quest for a new church with a lot more humility – I simply do not know the best way to run a church service.  I need to remove all expectations and refuse to be hurt or offended by any jokes that are made.  I need to be well prayed up so I can laugh and enjoy the experience.  I need to remember that I love to laugh, and to look for opportunities to do so.

The Lord did, after all, create humor and laughter.

A Breath Of . . .

August 29, 2018

By Lindy Earl

. . . fresh air, right?  Don’t we all love a breath of fresh air? In the summer, it’s a cool breeze.  In the winter, it’s an invigorating breath.

Some people, by their very nature, are a breath of fresh air.  Are you?  Me? I’m not.

Some people offer a serenity when they enter a room.  There is a calmness about them.  Their voice, their mannerisms, their very being just lets you know that everything is okay and will remain okay.

I was so happy when I called my Credit Union today with a credit card question.  As soon as Tim (that’s really his name), answered and in a low and calm voice asked how he could help me, I just knew it was all going to be okay.  And it is!  How did this gentleman convey warmth and serenity in just a few words?

I don’t do that.  I bring energy into a room!  I’m too shy to bring the party with me, but I can get people talking and increase the energy.  When it’s my turn to be the emcee, I can have people participating and laughing.  I do not offer a calming effect.

Sadly, some people bring sadness.  It doesn’t matter if they are social media friends or from your childhood, when you see them, you just know that some sad story is waiting to be told.  I wonder if, as they share their troubles, they keep track of whom they’ve told, to squeeze every drop of sympathy from every person they know.

In reverse, there are people who spread happiness.  I don’t mean my type of energy, I mean the people who just remind you that life is good.  They just exude happiness. How do they do that?!  Are they really that happy all the time, or do they crash at the end of the day, having used their allotment?  I think they are, internally, incredibly happy people and they can’t contain the amount of joy they possess.  Thus it leaks out on the others who are lucky enough to be around them.

There are some who simply sap your strength, just by being near you.  The sad people above may do that.  Lethargic people do it as well.  They are just always tired – not enough sleep, too much to do, underpaid and overwhelmed.  You leave these people feeling exhausted, yet you were fine at the beginning of the conversation.

There are thinkers out there.  When you chat, it seems that they always have something serious on their mind.  This can either make you wonder what you’re missing or encourage you to be a deeper thinker.  I have clients who instill new ideas in me as we work together.  While it’s my job to help them, they get me thinking as well.  Sometimes they are so good at what they do that I have to think harder just to stay ahead.  That’s a good thing!  I love it.

Of course, a person could have several of these abilities.  They breeze in with happiness. When you ask why they are so happy, they tell you. That leaves you thinking, in a positive way.

Work to be a breath of something positive.  Whether you offer serenity or kindness or another attribute not discussed here, choose what you want to offer the world, and what you can do to leave people a little better off, just for having spent time with you.

Lindy is a Business Consultant and Speaker to individuals of all levels and for companies, churches, and organizations of all sizes.  In addition, she is an author and columnist.  Contact her at LMEarl@EarlMarketing.com to speak to your corporation or organization.

Be a Better You With 6 Questions

By Lindy Earl

There is a theory in Marketing that you have to know yourself, in order to help yourself be more successful.  There are tests you can take to determine if you’re a lion or a bear.  I often teach the four selves in my seminars.  They are useful and helpful ways to learn about yourself.  That’s a different discussion.

I have six questions that I ask people when I’m training one-on-one or in small groups.  Let me share these, in the hopes that they help you, or help with working with your clients.

• What time of day works best for you? If you’re a morning person, then schedule your hardest, least liked projects in the morning, and get them out of the way.  That way you have the rest of the day to work on projects you enjoy.  Even if you’re tired, you’ll do the work well because it’s your enjoyable work.  If you don’t come awake until the street lights come on, then save your tedious work for the evening.  I have a client who saves all his paperwork for midnight, which he does in his home office after his family is in bed.  It works for him, and allows him to sleep late, which also works for him.
• Are you a procrastinator? While nobody likes to admit it, it’s good to know if this word describes you.  If you are, then use it.  If you’re a procrastinator, you’re probably good under deadlines.  Use your down time to enjoy yourself, knowing that you’ll pull it together at the last minute.  Too often people pretend to work, really not accomplishing much, until crunch time.  Admit you’re a procrastinator and use your time for other things until the deadline looms.
• Are you a good writer? Let’s face it, even in today’s world, you need to know how to write coherently.  If you can’t spell, don’t understand grammar, and can’t write a decent paragraph, then hire an English major.  Spellcheck and grammar check are insufficient.  For instance, in running the ABC check on this article, it was suggested that I change your to you’re, when I was correct in the first place—you cannot trust the computer with spellcheck and grammar check.  Written communication is important enough to invest time and money in either learning how to write well or hiring someone who writes well.
• Are you self-motivated? If not, then a job that requires autonomy is probably not for you.  There’s nothing wrong with that.  While some people hate micro-managers, and everybody claims to hate them, the truth is some people need them.  They want to be assured that they’re doing the right thing and they need somebody to give them their to-do list and make sure it’s done.  If you are self-motivated, then stay away from micro-managers, because they’ll drive you crazy.  There’s nothing wrong with either, it’s just important to know what works for you.
• Are you ethical? Ah, we’re getting ugly now.  You need to decide whether or not you’ll play by the rules before a situation arises.  If you know where you stand, and I’m not judging on which side of the line you belong, then you’ll know how to negotiate and save yourself time and energy.
• And finally, how do you come across to others? Perception can be reality.  For instance, if you think you’re confident, but others find you arrogant, then you need to change your communication techniques.  Confidence is a good thing, but if it’s coming across wrong, and costing you clients or jobs, then a change is in order.

The point is, the better you know yourself, the more successful you can be by playing into your strengths and minimizing your weaknesses.

Lindy is a Business Consultant and Speaker to individuals of all levels and for companies, churches, and organizations of all sizes.  In addition, she is an author and columnist.  Contact her at LMEarl@EarlMarketing.com to speak to your corporation or organization.

Don’t Be That Person

August 15, 2018

By Lindy Earl

Some people are just naturally likable.  I’m not always sure why. Sometimes it’s physical—people who are tall, or people who are incredibly attractive, just attract others like a magnet. Sometimes it’s personality – they are just friendly, outgoing, and they make you want to be around them.

Others, however, aren’t immediately likable.  I’ve studied this as well.  These people, and I have been and can be one of them, are unlikable, or just less likely to be liked, for some obvious reasons.  Well, obvious to others.

In a group of people, isn’t there someone who, too often, has to make the punny joke?  It’s obvious to everyone. Everyone, except that one, knows to not say it, but the one person has to make the comment.  Don’t be that person.

We all have bad days.  They happen.  This is life and life isn’t always great.  Some people accept them and move on. Some people wait until they’re home and share to a listening and interested partner or cry in the shower or punch a pillow.  Other people find it necessary to share their horror story with everyone they see, even if they are meeting you for the first time.  Don’t be that person.

Some people radiate an inner confidence.  It makes them attractive.  Other simply don’t.  They are just as good!  They are often educated and intelligent.  But rather than let their abilities naturally come through, they find it necessary to point out how wonderful they are.  Don’t be that person.

I like a good story!  It’s fun to share one and it’s fun to hear one.  Some people will listen to your story and enjoy it for the entertainment you offered.  Some people, however, need to top your story.  No matter what you said, they have a bigger and better story where, of course, they are the hero/ine.  Don’t be that person.

These people are often, but not always, the people who have to have the limelight.  Even as they ask how your day was, especially if it was a big day for you, like your first day of a promotion or an important celebration, they let you speak for a minute, then make the conversation about them.  Imagine it’s your anniversary – any anniversary, work, children, relationship – and even as they asked you if you had a good day and asked how you celebrated it, their next breath is telling you about their last, or their very best, anniversary.  Don’t be that person.

I’m not saying these people are innately bad.  They aren’t!  In fact, they are often very nice people.  They mean well!  They probably don’t even realize that they overshare.  They definitely don’t realize that when we see them coming, in real life or on social media with their latest post (for the seventh time that day), that we sigh and wonder, “what now?”  If they did know that they overpost, or overexplain, or make too many excuses, surely they would stop, wouldn’t they?

A teacher once told her class, “If one person doesn’t like you then it’s on them.  If several people dislike you, you need to look at yourself.”

I’m not sure if that fits here, but it remains a fair statement.

If you’re naturally likable, then enjoy it and keep doing what you’re doing.  If you want to be more likable and have more friends, then ask yourself if any of the points discussed could pertain to you.  As I said, I’ve been guilty of all of these things.

I now focus on making conversations about other people.  If they want to know more about me and my day then they’ll ask – and I’ll answer because I believe they are sincere in wanting to learn more.

Always venting to people, or verbally throwing up on people is what I sometimes say, is just not good.  Don’t be that person.

Lindy is a Business Consultant and Speaker for companies, church, and organizations of all sizes and individuals of all levels.  In addition, she is an author and columnist.  Contact her at LMEarl@EarlMarketing.com to speak to your corporation or organization.

Live a Quality Life

August 8, 2018

By Lindy Earl

It’s the quality, often pronounced QUAAAAAA-lity, not the quantity, that matters.  I want quality time with you.  It’s worth paying for quality.

We’ve all heard about the importance of quality, but has anyone defined it?  We could borrow from Supreme Court Justice Stone, when he was asked to define pornography:  “I don’t know how to define it, but I damn well know it when I see it.”

Is the same true with quality?  Does quality change with people or with circumstances?  It makes sense to me that what I considered quality when I was 25 I would not consider quality today.

Sometimes, quality is a matter of effort.  I like to give gifts, but I’ve learned that the appearance is almost as important as what’s inside the package.  Now, a useless or misguided gift, no matter how prettily wrapped, is not as good as the perfect gift without wrapping.  We both know that.

Still, taking a few minutes to drop an item into a gift bag simply means more.  For one, it piques interest as soon as it’s seen.  Second, there is something fun about unwrapping a gift.  For me, bows make the difference.  I have a drawer full of bows, so even if I don’t wrap a gift, I’ll often tie a bow around the item.  This adds a quality of life to the simple joy of giving somebody a small gift. It can turn a task (remember to give the item when you see the person) into an event (here, I was thinking of you. Please open this.).

Quality can be seen in taking a few minutes to add details.  My daughter had an amazing Kindergarten teacher.  My cherub would return from school with much better pictures than she had ever drawn in our play room.  Why?  Attention to detail.  Her teacher had a rule, “No white showing,” on the paper.  This encouraged children to take the time to fill the entire page – so they were adding clouds and stars and trees to pictures they drew.  What a difference!

When you’re getting dressed, taking time to add a sports coat or jewelry, even a simple watch, will set you apart.  The attention to detail shows a quality. If you’re taking time with your appearance, which has to be redone every day, you’re probably giving time and attention to your work and projects.  What a great non-verbal message to send!

A point that I think needs to be made is that quality is not always equal to cost.  Sometimes it is, thus the line, You get what you pay for.  I’m a huge proponent of saying that I can’t afford to buy cheap.

Still, when your child needs a blue t-shirt for class day, a $3 tee will work just fine.  Spend your clothing allowance on the outfit that will be worn repeatedly and needs to stand up to frequent abuse. Buy the $30 backpack for school so it will last several years, versus buying a $10 backpack that falls apart four times in one year.

You can choose the quality of life you want, then take steps to achieve it.  If you want a quality job, then invest in your education.  If you want a quality wardrobe, then buy fewer pieces of nicer quality clothes so your bottom line remains consistent. The same is true with finer dining – higher scale but less often.  Or, if you find your level of dining could be lowered and you would be equally happy, then make the change and either go out more often or pocket the difference.

Quality of life is a decision we make.  It may have once been put upon us, by our circumstances.  When I was 20 I was a poor college student and lived as such.  A trip to McDonald’s was a treat!  With experience and age, we learn so much about our own likes and priorities.  Take some time to think about where you would like to improve the quality of your life and make the changes.

Lindy is a Business Consultant and Speaker for companies of all sizes and individuals of all levels.  In addition, she is an author and columnist.  Contact her at LMEarl@EarlMarketing.com to speak to your corporation or organization.