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Browse published articles attributed to Pat Heydlauff, with full-archive search.
There is a lot of research showing a direct correlation between productivity and clutter, otherwise known as “stuff.” Personal efficiency, effectiveness and productivity decline when clutter and chaos are on the rise. Do piles of paper, stacks of stuff, disorganization and information ...
Does one room in your house make you feel relaxed while another makes you feel jittery? Are there rooms in your home you absolutely hate to go into and others that beckon you all day long? Do you wince when you just open the door to your office or bedroom?
Life can become very stressful and anxiety-ridden when your career, marriage, relationships or income seem to be on hold, yet life and the world are moving forward at warp-speed. How do you get past those endless times of nagging doubt that linger in the back of your mind? What do you do when things just aren’t going your way or you continually run into the same “brick wall?” Are these questions you ask yourself occasionally, or perhaps even regularly?
Unlike the 1980s and 1990s, the speed of change today is transformative. The cause of this warp speed change: social technologies, according to a July 2012 study, “The Social Economy: Unlocking values and productivity through social technologies,” by the McKinsey Global Institute. The study states that there are greater tha 1.5 billion networking users globally and 80 percent of them regularly interact through social networks. Yet only 70 percent of businesses use social tec
A groundswell is building when it comes to acknowledging that the engaged workforce is one of the keys to success in the 21st Century. Research is everywhere connecting the dots of engagement, productivity and profitability. "Employee engagement has emerged as a critical driver of business success in today’s competitive marketplace. Further, employee engagement can be a deciding factor in an organization's success. Engaged employees work harder, are more loyal and are more l
What color are the walls in your bedroom? Are they peaceful colors that encourage quiet, calm, personal relaxation and body regeneration? Or, are they bright colors that encourage activity, lots of energy and a mind in constant motion? The color you surround yourself with in your bedroom can ...
Life flows in a cyclical motion, making you destined to repeat the good, the bad and the ugly – unless you deliberately interrupt the flow when undesirable incidents and events re-occur.
Communications are becoming exponentially more complex and instantaneous with each passing day. In fact, information about an event such as an Olympic Gold Medal win in London reaches Beijing, Los Angeles, Sydney, Miami and Branson, Missouri simultaneously. There is zero time delay between continents as the information, good and bad, swiftly passes through the electronic communications universe and social media. Some might say communication today is all about speed, perhaps e
Steve Jobs, past CEO of Apple, said it best when he proclaimed, “Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected.” Is excellence your strong suit at work and at home? Do you think excellence stops when you walk through the front door where your family awaits you at day’s end? Don’t your loved ones deserve the same quality of person at home that you are at work?
The important role that your front door, bedroom and kitchen play in your life when it comes to good health, good relationships and wealth cannot be overstated. These three areas of your home, according to Feng Shui principles, form the foundation for maintaining good health, improving wealth and creating a prosperous future.
Success rewards are much greater than the risks when leadership begins with a crystal clear objective and only then creates the plan for execution with a fully engaged focused team. Once the goal is set, a good roadmap is essential before you start building the team or training the existing team. The more clarity leadership has about the end goal, the easier it will be to create the plan, engage and focus the workforce so they will successfully execute the plan. Therefore, t
We all want financial stability, balanced relationships, upwardly mobile careers and peace at home. But instead of waiting for these things to come to us, we must “walk the walk and talk the talk” to actively pursue our goals. We have truly hit a point in history where everything you think, say, feel and do matters…because that is how you create tomorrow while living through today.
Are you mentally prepared to end this year and begin a new one? With the New Year rapidly approaching, everyone’s thoughts are not only filled with holiday celebrations, enjoying a Merry Christmas and gift giving; it is also a time of reflection on the past year and for looking ahead. What did you accomplish, what did you leave undone? What really worked and what can and should be changed?
Does the assault of distractions, advertisements and social media messages leave your senses and peace of mind totally unbalanced and overwhelmed? Just a few short years ago, the average person experienced around 4,000 ad and information impressions per day. Today with the prevalence of electronic gadgets and social media, it is up to 6,000. And recent research shows that if you add cell phones with their mobile apps to the mix, it jumps to 12,000 impressions/distractions per day.
Betty, a working mother, says, “I have so much stuff cluttering the countertops, I can’t squeeze one more thing onto that space and can’t stand the thought of preparing another meal.” Bill, a busy entrepreneur, says, “I can’t find the top of my desk now, how can I find time for all the extras expected of me with such a reduced workforce?” Both are worried and feel the burden of stress.
Are you tired of shopping for the traditional tie for dad, perfume for mom or CD for a sibling? Try something different this year, gifts that provide positive energy all year long and best of all, will fit into the most modest budget. If you want to avoid overspending money on instant gratification gifts that don’t last or may not be enjoyed or appreciated, a Feng Shui gift is both meaningful and unique. Plus, it will give the recipient some much-needed positive energy during difficult times and provide a smile during good times.
Feng Shui New Year’s good wishes usually range from prosperity, good or improved health and wealth to longevity and peace within. Whatever your resolutions and wishes are for the new year may you find ways to accomplish each of them. There are many ways to improve positive energy flow into the various areas of your home and life to help you accomplish your new year’s goals. In this article I will focus on one of the most requested, prosperity.
Albert Einstein said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” It doesn’t matter if you are facing unfinished projects, complicated finances and debt, poor relationships with family members and co-workers, or wellness issues. If you want change and a positive breakthrough, do something different. All it takes is new positive energy to create that much-needed shift for a breakthrough to occur.
Natural disasters often leave behind massive destruction and untoward chaos. What is left in widespread areas is not only devastating for the people directly affected by the disaster but disconcerting and unsettling for people everywhere. Many can see and even feel the pain and utter hopelessness in real-time thanks to electronic media. The same holds true for all victims whether from a tsunami, earthquake, tornado, flood, fire, war, famine or drought.
Do you feel stuck? Do you want to sell your home - downgrade to something easier to take care of and less expensive? Or, do you need to have more room for a growing family and just can't see a way to upgrade to a new home or a major addition? A great interim solution for you and your family is to give your home an internal energy facelift by repairing, restoring and refreshing your home today. While this may not do much to resolve the need for more space, it will definitely make your existing space more enjoyable and improve your outlook on life.
Are you running on almost empty when it comes to encouragement, motivation and self-confidence? Has self-empowerment fled the scene leaving you drained, alone and discouraged? You are not alone. According to a study by Gallup-Healthways, stress is spiraling upward as the economy continues its uncertainty. This trend began in the last quarter the 2008, continued through 2009 and fast-forwarded right into 2010.
Detach, Evaluate and Change to Prosper Life can become very stressful and anxiety-ridden when your career, marriage, relationships or income seem to be on hold, yet life and the world are moving forward at warp-speed. How do you get past those endless times of nagging doubt that linger in the back of your mind? What do you do when things just aren’t going your way or you continually run into the same “brick wall?” Are these questions you ask yourself occasionally, or perhaps even regularly?
Feng Shui is about so much more than the placement of things, decluttering and organizing. It is about being in control of your exte al and internal environments so you can create prosperity, well-being, peace and harmony. It is about living a lifestyle using positive energy in your surroundings and internal thinking to create a better tomorrow. Often questions are raised about whether Feng Shui and meditation are connected or whether there are benefits to using both. While they are not directly connected they complement each other nicely.
Silence, yes, silence, is a powerful leadership tool. There are many adages about silence such as “he who speaks first loses,” or “silence is golden” which comes from a longer phrase “speech is silver, silence is golden,” placing a much greater value on silence, not just the spoken word. Recent research by New York University’s Ste School of Business Department of Management and Organizational Behavior shows that the workforce is remaining silent. This type of silence is not
Whether you are an entrepreneur growing your business or the CEO of an international multi-continent corporation, your organization’s sustainable future rests squarely on your shoulders. It is leadership not management that sets the course for an organization and it is the leader’s vision, communication skills and his or her ability to empower the workforce that determines whether the organization will enjoy long term growth and sustainable profitability. Leadership is such
Yellow school buses filled with children busily heading toward their destinations, heralding the start of fall. But as the fall weather cools down, and the leaves begin to change color, do you wonder how you are going to cope with your busy schedule and added stress? Does this sound all too familiar? Does your volunteer work, networking groups, children’s school activities, and social obligations get in the way of your work, home, and personal life? Does it feel like chaos is in charge and you don’t know how to get your life back in control? Begin Getting In Control Today
Feng Shui does not have to be a mystery or confusing and complicated. It is all about the flow energy or the flow of focus in your life. It is not a religious philosophy or a magic potion. It’s about the same energy described in Einstein’s formula E=mc².
Are there rooms in your home you absolutely hate to go into? Do you always wince when you open the door to your office? When you are in your family room do you want to say “go away, leave me alone”. Does one room in your house make you feel too relaxed and another make you feel jittery? It’s all about color. Color plays a huge role in your life. It can make you happy, it can make you sad, it can make you feel angry, even depressed. Just look outside your window and you will
Has personal responsibility for self and taking control of your life taken a backseat to victimhood and blaming others? Feng Shui is all about taking responsibility for self and creating the life you want, not the life others think you should live or tell you to think. Feng Shui principles are about creating balance and harmony in your life and surroundings so they can support you in accomplishing your objectives and dreams. Feng Shui provides the focus necessary to help you stop complaining and deal with an issue so you can change the results and achieve your objectives.
Harmony, personality and practicality seem to be the underlying trends at the January 2016 Atlanta Gift Market where Pantone introduced their colors of the year: rose quartz and serenity blue (a light periwinkle). Think soft soft soft pastel shades of these two peaceful colors. They refer to these colors as cool and tranquil, transporting the homeowner into a sunnier more tranquil space.
Are rest, relaxation and regeneration at the top of your list now that summer is here? Summer brings with it patio living, picnicking, barbecuing and lots of outdoor activities that can be both restful and relaxing or physically taxing and exhausting. Do you even have a list of relaxing things to do just for you?
Thomas Edison once said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” One could look at this statement and think that those 10,000 ideas were a waste of time and money or one could look more closely and realize that out of those 10,000 came not only the light bulb but the phonograph, film projectors, motion pictures, the quadruplex telegraph; a total of 1093 patents. Just to make the light bulb consumer-friendly and useable for electric distributio Edison
Increase in your personal energy and uplift your spirits by acknowledging or giving thanks for something or someone good in your life. Gratitude for even the smallest of things sets a positive mood for your entire day. When you regularly express thankfulness or appreciation, you are surrounding yourself with positive energy on the outside along with great positive thinking on the inside. Gratitude equals positive energy, a better tomorrow for you and a richer fuller life.
Public Enemy No. 1 for leadership and management is distracted focus. It leads to lack of clarity and reduces personal and workforce engagement, productivity and performance. Change the focus dynamic in your life and you will improve your personal performance, engage your team and improve long term success. Unclear goals and distracted focus slow your productivity and limit profitability. You can eliminate distracted focus and harness it to maximize productivity by first ackn
Research shows that a three second distraction doubles errors and a four-and-a-half second interruption triples errors. Are numerous daily distractions wreaking havoc on your productivity and efficiency? When was the last time you placed a “do not disturb” sign on your door? If the answer is never, today is a good day to start. Research by both Michigan State University and the Navy has determined that errors are made immediately after interruptions even if the interruption
Many people have a tendency to attract exactly what they don’t want in life but often what they need most in order to learn necessary lessons which, if acted upon will lead to self-empowerment, self-improvement and a balanced prosperous life. This is the “law of attraction” put forth in the popular book The Secret by Rhonda By e. In other words, what you focus on is what you get. Life Echoes Back What You Transmit.
With 105 million strong in the US, the Millennial generation is now larger than the number of Baby Boomers and Generation X combined. Their presence is felt in the workplace and is creating great diversity in age, work ethic, interpersonal social and communication skills. Instead of silver spoons in their hands, they were born with computers in their laps and cell phones and iPods attached to their ears. They are the first totally digitized generation and are truly hooked on
Are you preparing your home for the arrival of a new season filled with hope and prosperity or to sell your home? It doesn’t matter which you want to accomplish, the preparation process for either also leads to helping you maintain or further develop a positive outlook on life.
Students often ask, “how can I improve my concentration, my mind just seems to wander when it comes to details or finishing a project?” Others say, “I can concentrate reasonably well but I am always in a rush to get the job done; how can I be more productive with the time I have? Will Feng Shui help?”
Fall is often thought of as a time for cleaning and uncluttering, only on a much smaller scale than spring when our houses usually go through a complete metamorphosis from winter to summer. That makes fall the perfect time to do internal fall cleaning, not your home and the things you’ve surrounded yourself with but your thoughts, pre-conceived notions and the walls we psychologically build around ourselves.
What should you do when nothing seems to be going your way? How can you get past those endless times of nagging doubt that just keep lingering in the back of your mind? Where do you turn when you run into a “brick wall?” These are all questions I’ve faced and get asked often when speaking to ...
"When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure," said Peter Marshall, former pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, who also twice served as Chaplain of the United States Senate.
Do you ever daydream about how great it would feel if, for just one day everything in your life was great – no financial bad news, no weather disasters, no unexpected illnesses, and no new repair problems on computers, cars or your home. In addition, a time when all your important relationships stay united and loyal?
When it comes to the holidays, you get what you attract. If you are attracting chaos, exhaustion and turmoil, you will get chaos, exhaustion and turmoil. If you’ve set your intentions for experiencing holiday joy, calm amid the chaos and quiet enjoyment then you will reap those rewards and receive holiday joy, calm and quiet enjoyment.
Is there a connection between feeling anxious and discouraged or being overweight and unproductive? Is there a common link that relates to all of these that is preventing you from enjoying a more peaceful life? The answer is yes and can be as simple as one word clutter! Yes, clutter – it is a personal energy drainer! When your own surroundings are clutter-free you experience less stress which eliminates depressed and discouraged feelings; you prevent overeating and weight gain which in turn leads to a happier, healthier more productive and peaceful you.
Communication that successfully engages and focuses the workforce means getting off your soapbox so you are accessible. This means interaction and conversation – not unapproachable dissertation. Nineteenth century communication methods such as lecturing, impersonal written missives and top down delivered information result in workforces disengaging, productivity dropping, reduced performance and limited profitability. Engaging everyone at all levels of the business through c
“The best places to work are those that foster an inclusive culture – one where differences are celebrated and our people can be themselves and feel at home.” This was recently tweeted by Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, which comprises more tha 400 companies. Branson passionately believes in balance and equality in the workplace because he knows it drives better business performance. At Virgin, they recognize that a culture that brings together a group of peopl
The power of peak performance lies within. It is all about knowing who you are, what you want to accomplish and a plan for how to accomplish it. Peak performance's simple definition is "doing ones best at achieving one's goals or objectives." Peak performance is often linked to physical activity and sports such as football, baseball, tennis, golf, basketball, swimming, etc. However, when you apply specific peak performance enhancing tools to your workplace performance goals,
While most leaders are measured on the basis of business results, organizations must begin holding leaders accountable for building a strong and enduring culture, listening to feedback, and engaging and retaining their teams, according to a new study just released Global Human Capital Trends 2015 by Deloitte University Press. They went on to state, “Our research indicates that the transformation of the aging performance management process is long overdue.” It has been known
Are you hoping for good or improved health in 2011; a more financially stable year or better relationships with friends and loved ones? In Feng Shui, good wishes for the New Year include all of these under the banner of prosperity and abundance including an overflowing cup of joy and peace within.