Self Improvement Site
On The Internet! Take the Self Improvement Tour
On The Internet! Take the Self Improvement Tour
Articles from Marlene Chism | Selfgrowth.com
- How to Savor the Reinvention Journey - by Submitted on Jun 13, 2011 from Marlene ChismFrom my experience as an author, speaker and consultant, it seems that striving for success creates a lot of unnecessary drama. Instead of enjoying the journey to reinvention, the image that comes to mind for me is rowing with all of your might to get to an island that never appears. When do I ...
Views: 1183 - Five Leadership Qualities That Will Make You Stand Out - by Submitted on Jun 03, 2011 from Marlene ChismWhat leadership qualities do the most effective managers posses that make them stand out from ordinary managers? You might think that it’s difficult to stand out given all the distractions of the day. However, there are easy ways to be exceptional simply by distinguishing yourself from the ...
Views: 4495 - Favoritism Creates Conflict in the Workplace - by Submitted on May 15, 2011 from Marlene ChismConflict in the workplace can be caused by a boss playing favorites. I often compare the boss-employee relationship to the parent-child relationship. We all want our bosses to be fair. So let me talk about what drives the perception of fairness...because sometimes it’s really just a perception ...
Views: 5615 - Five Ways to Reduce Relationship Conflict - by Submitted on May 09, 2011 from Marlene ChismI attended a talk about civility this week and was inspired to write about how to eliminate or reduce relationship conflict. The presentation was delivered by Dr. Forni, a professor from John Hopkins University who has dedicated his life to the civility movement. What struck me was his research ...
Views: 1297 - Leadership in the Workplace: Creating a New Vision for Others - by Submitted on Apr 20, 2011 from Marlene ChismStrong leadership in the workplace often means helping your employees create a vision for themselves, which in turn will increase cooperation and teamwork. Each year I set goals and intentions. This year one of my intentions was "Give me the eyes to see."I know that what I see with my physical ...
Views: 1975 - How the Victim Loses Power - by Submitted on Apr 01, 2011 from Marlene ChismOn the Drama Triangle (Dr. Stephen Karpman), there are three major roles that people play: Persecutor, Rescuer and Victim. The diagram as Dr. Karpman originally developed it is an equilateral upside down triangle. The victim is at the bottom point. That is because the Persecutor and the ...
Views: 1344 - How to Leave the Rescue Role Behind - by Submitted on Mar 26, 2011 from Marlene ChismWhen I was a kid, I went to the public pool almost every day. One particular day, my friend Sheri Lou Green went with me. At ten years-old Sheri Lou was an awkward swimmer, slapping the water and fighting for every stroke. The lifeguard noticed Sheri Lou flailing about and threw her a life ...
Views: 1365 - Stop Workplace Drama is Not about Office Cat Fights - by Submitted on Mar 12, 2011 from Marlene ChismI recently got a message from an associate of mine on Linked In. The message excited me because it gave me a chance to talk about drama…what it is and why my book Stop Workplace Drama is even for men, for owners, and even for those who are lucky enough to experience a collaborative work ...
Views: 2996 - How Stop Your Drama Month Can Benefit Your Business - by Submitted on Mar 11, 2011 from Marlene ChismEvery year in March we celebrate Stop Your Drama Month. Why March, you ask? Well...most of us are recovering from a very gray winter, with some moments of SAD or depression. We made New Year's Resolutions but we didn't keep them and we are rounding the bend to the first quarter. Many of us are ...
Views: 1158 - Eight Tips for Clear Business Communication - by Submitted on Mar 05, 2011 from Marlene ChismCommunication problems can create a lot of unnecessary drama. How often have you been disappointed because your assistant didn't meet a deadline? Or what about the times you signed off on something and you got yourself entwined in more than you could have possibly imagined? Have you ever beat ...
Views: 1090 - Drama Hampers Productivity and Damages Relationships - by Submitted on Feb 25, 2011 from Marlene ChismDrama seems to be everywhere. No matter how many technological advances are created to save time or make life convenient, no one seems to have enough time and everyone is stressed to the limit. Drama prevents you from being all that you can be, hampers productivity, drains your energy and takes ...
Views: 1479(1 vote) - Why March is Stop Your Drama Month - by Submitted on Feb 23, 2011 from Marlene ChismEvery year about mid February I notice indicators of drama starting to emerge. The extra pounds from over indulging during the holidays have your pants fitting a bit too tight. You only worked out two days since your New Year’s resolution to get fit once and for all, but the big snow kept you ...
Views: 1408(2 votes) - What to Do When You Are Out of the Flow - by Submitted on Feb 19, 2011 from Marlene ChismI often talk about "reading the signs" and what I mean by that is not "woo woo" but about increased levels of awareness. With increased levels of awareness or (consciousness) you can make simple shifts to bring you more into that good feeling flow and that is where personal effectiveness and ...
Views: 1111 - Master Key Mind Basics to Eliminate Suffering - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2011 from Marlene ChismMany people are suffering right now due to the market volatility, unemployment and apparent lack of stability. This suffering manifests in mind patters of worry and anxiety that builds deep grooves in the brain until a new pathway is built into the brain that has you repeating thoughts of doom ...
Views: 1414(1 vote) - The 8 Steps of Empowerment: Leadership Principles for Navigating Change - by Submitted on Feb 04, 2011 from Marlene ChismChange, whether it is wanted or unwanted brings out our best and worst. The Stop Your Drama Methodology incorporates 8 principles and multiple tools for navigating change or reinventing any part of your life or business. 1. Clear the Fog Where drama is, clarity is not. If you feel like you ...
Views: 2455 - Stop Your Drama - Eleven Questions to Ask In 2011 - by Submitted on Feb 01, 2011 from Marlene ChismIt has been said, if you want a better result, ask a better question. What questions are you asking yourself in this New Year? If your questions are not getting you the results you desire, here are eleven questions you can ask yourself in 2011. 1. Who am I? You answer this question every ...
Views: 1147(4 votes) - Five Red Flags of Resistance - by Submitted on Sep 10, 2010 from Marlene ChismYour boss doesn’t listen to your ideas. Your spouse refuses to try to understand. Your employees resist your leadership, and secretly you know you keep doing things you don’t really want to do but you feel stuck and don’t know how to tip the lever to change. What we are talking about is ...
Views: 1508 - Four Ways to Stop Your Family and Friend Drama - by Submitted on Mar 17, 2010 from Marlene ChismComplaining and negativity is difficult enough in the workplace, but what do you do when a relative or friend, (Sally, Sam, or Sue) occupies your time with venting, complaining and negativity? It’s difficult to see someone you care about go through hard times but it seems that this is more of a ...
Views: 1645(5 votes) - Overworked and Overwhelmed? Three Ways to Take Charge of Your Life - by Submitted on Feb 07, 2010 from Marlene ChismIf you are obsessing, worrying and feeling overworked, you may feel stuck on the hamster wheel and not know how to change. You long for fun and relaxation but you can’t see any change in sight. If you relate to the song, “I can’t get no satisfaction,” it’s time to make a couple of needed ...
Views: 1932(1 vote) - Get Grounded While In Transition with These Three Steps - by Submitted on Feb 06, 2010 from Marlene ChismAny time you have been really caught off guard and you are in a lot of pain, there is always an awakening with lots of wonderful life lessons to follow. The world is in a financial crisis and people are losing their homes, moving in with relatives, wondering about where their next pay check is ...
Views: 1514(1 vote) - Top Seven Tips for Reducing Workplace Negativity - by Submitted on Feb 05, 2010 from Marlene ChismNegativity is the number one productivity problem in the workplace. Signs of negativity include backstabbing, gossiping, power struggles and lack of teamwork. The end result is absenteeism, low morale and turnover. Here are seven tips for improving workplace relationships and reducing ...
Views: 4511(1 vote) - 4 Ways to Make Sure Meetings Are Not a Waste of Time - by Submitted on Feb 05, 2010 from Marlene ChismMeetings can be a big waste of time or the biggest time saver. It all depends on your skills of keeping the meeting on track and engaging your staff. The challenges that keep your meetings from being productive include going on way past the allotted time, getting off track, and meetings that ...
Views: 2322(4 votes) - 10 Things to Give Up in 2010 - by Submitted on Jan 09, 2010 from Marlene ChismInstead of trying to lose 10 pounds for your New Year’s resolution, what if you decided to give up 10 habits the keep you from loving your life? Here are ten things to give up in 2010. 1. Give up the need to control Impatience, complaining, and manipulation are ways we try to change ...
Views: 2347 - How Effective Meetings Eliminate Workplace Drama - by Submitted on Aug 29, 2009 from Marlene ChismYou dread dealing with the staff. No one gets along, everyone feels overwhelmed and the negativity is so thick you could cut it with a knife. Even if you increase sales, your money leaks out in turnover and absenteeism. This is going to shock you, but you could easily solve this problem if you ...
Views: 3883(5 votes) - Four Tips for a Complaint-Free Office - by Submitted on Feb 05, 2010 from Marlene ChismAs a leader it is your duty to make sure the rules are enforced. Even though some rules may seem unimportant, you have to see the big picture. Just as there is a reason for wearing seat belts, there is a reason your company has instituted rules. Rules provide a framework for how you operate and ...
Views: 1476 - Run Your Office with No Complaints, No Excuses and No Regrets - by Submitted on Feb 05, 2010 from Marlene ChismWhat does complaining, office gossip, power struggles, and low morale have in common? All of these issues are symptoms of Drama. The more global definition of drama is “any obstacle to your peace and prosperity.” A more “corporate” way to define drama is anything that hampers the mission or the ...
Views: 1926 - Release Resistance and Increase Productivity - by Submitted on Feb 05, 2010 from Marlene ChismNothing is so much of a time waster than trying to help someone solve a problem when they are not willing to implement your solution. No matter what the problem, it’s never really about the solution... at first. That’s why you shouldn’t get disappointed when you try to offer a solution, ...
Views: 3183(2 votes) - What a Dog Taught Me about Personal Growth - by Submitted on Feb 05, 2010 from Marlene ChismMy mom’s neighbor had shoulder surgery so she agreed to babysit Buddy, her neighbor’s heavy set and short legged terrier. I offered to take Buddy outside, and started toward the deck. “Buddy is afraid to go down the stairs” my mom said, “You’ll have to take him out the front.” “I’ll get ...
Views: 1263 - Want to Sell More? Listen More, Talk Less - by Submitted on Feb 05, 2010 from Marlene ChismIt starts off as curiosity about you. "Hey Marlene, did you just publish a book?" Julia waived me over to join her at the local networking event inviting me into her little cluster of friends that included two guys and another female. How exciting, I thought. I get to be introduced to ...
Views: 1758 - The 4 Deadly Habits that Give MLM a Bad Name - by Submitted on Feb 05, 2010 from Marlene ChismMany in a stage of reinvention get involved with network marketing as their transition business. The MLM business model is sound. You wholesale a quality product, build a client base, and recruit and lead a team to leverage income. In addition, the training offered is a benefit to people new to ...
Views: 2143 - Four Truths to Help You Face Your Drama - by Submitted on Feb 05, 2010 from Marlene ChismMany people, especially well known coaches, high profile business leaders "posture" or pretend that they do not have drama or that they are not susceptible to drama. The reality is everyone experiences drama sooner or later. Because of my private coaching, I have heard the secrets that you ...
Views: 1623 - Sales Drama? Talk Less, Listen More - by Submitted on Feb 05, 2010 from Marlene ChismIt starts off as curiosity about you. "Hey Marlene, did you just publish a book?" Julia waived me over to join her at the local networking event inviting me into her little cluster of friends that included two guys and another female. How exciting, I thought. I get to be introduced to ...
Views: 1443 - Reinvention is Easier Said than Done - by Submitted on Feb 05, 2010 from Marlene ChismThis is what you wanted, so why are you feeling so scared? Is it your "negative beliefs?" Are you just incompetent? A victim? Those were some of the questions going on in my mind when I was in my big stage of reinvention about 10 years ago. Now that I know what to expect, any time I reinvent ...
Views: 1315 - A Truth-Telling Navigational Device to Guide Your Direction - by Submitted on Feb 05, 2010 from Marlene ChismYou visualize but it doesn't materialize. You take full responsibility. You have eliminated the negativity and drama. You have the education and knowledge. You have studied spirituality. So why haven't you made any money? It's because you are rowing in the wrong direction. You keep ...
Views: 1261 - Master Key Mind Basics To Eliminate Suffering - by Submitted on Feb 05, 2010 from Marlene ChismMany people are suffering right now due to the market volatility, unemployment and apparent lack of stability. This suffering manifests in mind patters of worry and anxiety that builds deep grooves in the brain until a new pathway is built into the brain that has you repeating thoughts of doom ...
Views: 2081 - How to Use Presentation Skills While Networking - by Submitted on Feb 05, 2010 from Marlene ChismBecause of your anxiety, you’ve missed everyone else’s introduction. You are focused on your own sense of incompetence regarding speaking in front of a crowd. You have three choices when faced with the daunting task of introducing yourself in front of forty people at a business ...
Views: 1681 - Four Ways To Get Happy Now - by Submitted on Feb 05, 2010 from Marlene ChismRecently I watched a 20/20 special about happiness and I was delighted to have this news show confirm I’ve been talking about for years: We have a big measure of control over our own levels of happiness, at least 40 % according to what researchers said on the show. Only 10 percent is ...
Views: 1787