Performance Enhancement || Business Influence & Leadership || Family Unity || Parent & Child Communication || Personal Habit Patterns

In a time when industry seems saturated with the greedy and self-centered this morning brought news that there are some with real heart. This is breakthrough insight that I found totally unexpected and unbelievable.

Seven top executives at Goldman Sachs including the CEO have opted NOT to accept literally tens of millions of dollars in annual bonuses.

What? Highly paid executives that don’t want their bonus based on the right thing to do in this economy.

I am beyond impressed. Finally, a glimmer of hope in desperate times. Will this be a sign of change in corporate executive thinking? Not a chance, but it is a moment when we should all stop and acknowledge these men for their empathetic thought and decisions.

This is truly breakthrough people. It flies in the face of normal executive thinking so much I had to check the facts before I would believe the press release that came in to my desk. Of course, this isn’t the end all answer to all of the economic woes, but it is a personal start.

This is the compassionate direction I have been calling for where people and companies bond together to help one another. Where we go back 40 years in thinking and actually care about our neighbors instead of mindlessly stepping over others as we talk on our cell phone and listen to our iPod.

I applaud you gentlemen and sincerely hope that your generous decision will be the spark for a change in corporate and human thought in America.

This with the SOCIAL BOOKMARKING CONSOLE    

The breaking financial news yesterday is that the number two economy globally in Japan is now in recession. Can we be that far very behind? What can you do to prepare right now?

Face it folks the economy isn’t quite as rosy as it used to be and all of the denial and transfers of billions in financial aid won’t make it go away quietly, easily or quickly.

There are a few steps that you can take right now that will buffer the situation if things take a further downturn and get really bad.

• Protect the value you do have. Notice I didn’t say money or investments I said value. That is an important distinction that many people never make. Money and stock mean little when they lose value.

• Trim the fat and save that value. Eliminate all of the excess or wasted expenses.

• Stay well stocked with basic consumable commodities. Make sure you organize your pantry and keep it stocked with products you use and purchase every week or month. Plan ahead in an attempt to use coupons or sales to lower your cost instead of waiting until you need an item and have to purchase it at retail.

• Convert unused material possessions into savings value. If you can liquidate the things in your lifestyle that have value, but are of no use to you.

• Diligently look for ways to reduce costs or create new savings value. Constantly seek out new avenues of lifestyle refinement and opportunity. Sometimes you must spend a few dollars to gain new knowledge or insight that will return far more than the original cost.

Two of the most common reactions to economic challenge include doing nothing or overreacting.

It is vital that you maintain a close eye on your personal financial condition, lifestyle and family and never assume that someone else will do it for you. If you overreact it is likely that you will waste money and resources because of poor planning or decisions made too quickly.

Even if you’ve lost your job panic will only serve to distract you from the clear motivations and effective decisions that you need to make. The job is already gone and sitting around grieving over that fact will be like an anchor around your neck.

Take a detailed accounting of what you actually have, can convert and need. Then begin to move toward that goal without wandering off at every distraction or desire. Now is the time to be strong and focused America.

United we can overcome almost anything, but individually we will each succumb to the pressure and demands of any recession or strong downturn.

This with the SOCIAL BOOKMARKING CONSOLE    

Well, the email and lines sure lit up this morning with my comments on why I feel kids kill. In fact, several parents were incensed that I would hate kids so much.

No people, I don’t hate kids, I have three beautiful girls. What I hate is being a potential target every time I walk down a large city street.

Listen to this parents’ response. “People like you are why our rights are being taken away. I can give my 7 year old son a handgun anytime I want to because the Constitution gives me that right”, John F.

Are you kidding me? Is this some kind of joke or did I wake up this morning on a different planet?

First of all I agree that you have a constitutional “right” to bear arms and to give your son a gun if he is properly trained to hunt with it, but a handgun? Why on earth would you even consider giving a 7 year old child a loaded handgun?

To me that is just about the most irresponsible thing any parent could do shy of dropping your kid off in Nebraska and leaving them there. Safe haven my butt. Another parental excuse!

How about this. Why don’t we just give handguns to all kids in grade school and then paint a big bulls eye on our backs to give them some easy targets? Maybe Vera Wang could put a new line of bulls eye wear in Kohl’s.

What are we thinking people? It is our responsibility to set an example and educate our children on the proper social and living skills and that includes the safety and respect of others and the property of others.

The quality of America will be determined by the quality of future generations. Now more than ever we need to instill quality values in our children. Where are the emails and comments that support teaching children to live a quality lifestyle?

I have dozens and dozens of messages from people that want their children to be able to grow up to be gun toting thuds bent on maiming and chaos, but NOT ONE comment or message from any ADULT with a mindset of human excellence and effective parenting.

What is happening to this nation? Social strength or decay starts at home.

This with the SOCIAL BOOKMARKING CONSOLE