Posted: February 5, 2026 | Categories: Self-Improvement, Time management

My late father-in-law spent his entire career helping to build locomotives.  We loved watching trains, and when we were driving together, getting stopped by a train was a special event.  Diesel locomotives are so powerful, and yet they start off so S-L-O-W.  In time, the train gets up to full speed, and heaven help any vehicle that tries to stop it.

In the past year my wife spent some time going through old project lists and recipes.  Her goal was to DECIDE what projects she still wanted to do and discard the ones she has lost interest in.

One project she chose was a Christmas calendar wreath project.  It contained a hand-stitched wreath adorned by 24 ornaments.  She had started it 40 years ago.  She decided (key word) she wanted to complete it, and pass it along to our grandchildren.  She committed to a certain time each day to work on the project for a half hour.  She stuck with her “single daily action” and made no exceptions or excuses.  When the holiday season came around, she presented the gift.

Since completing the project, she has found a renewed source of energy, focus, and commitment.  I must admit some of that has rubbed off on me.  The experience of taking action on something important that we have been procrastinating can be liberating.   The wreath project was a hit, and provided us both with a sense of renewal.

Here is my challenge to you:  Select a project or goal that you want to do but have put off doing.  Break it down into an action plan.  Seize the first opportunity to act.  Start strong.  Persist.  Triumph!  You will feel great.  Get the freight train rolling!

Posted: January 16, 2026 | Categories: Customer service, Presentation skills, Self-Improvement

As a child growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, my favorite place for fun was Riverview Amusement Park at Belmont and Western in Chicago.  The great genie welcomed you into the fun castle and the roller coaster (The “Fireball”) was the ultimate adventure.  We kids loved going.  The only problem was we only went to Riverview twice in the three years we lived in Chicago.  After the second time, Mom refused to go back.  When asked why, she replied, “Because it is filthy”.  As kids, we were able to look past the filth and find the fun.  Adults weren’t so gracious, and the park was torn down in 1967 after 63 years of operation.  By that time, Disney and Six Flags Park had taken over.  It was a new era and the word “clean” was a big deal.  The parks were absolutely immaculate.  Even though the majority of Americans smoked cigarettes, you wouldn’t find a cigarette butt on the ground.  To this day, families enjoy these parks, and the cleanliness leaves each guest with a good feeling.

Think about the psychology of the word “clean”.  If you stay at a dirty hotel, you won’t be back.  If you ride in a dirty limo, you probably will find another service.  If you need to place your parents in a nursing home, you first look for cleanliness.  We can think about any service or product we buy, and we will remember how clean and organized the store or office was.

“Clean” is also a source of energy.  If you grab your coffee in the morning and walk into a cluttered office, that affects your mental energy.  If you walk into an immaculate office with your most important task setting cleanly on your desk, you are off to the races!  Just think about how our state of mind and profitability can be helped by applying the word “clean”

Clean your way to success!

Posted: January 15, 2026 | Categories: Management, Team Building

Several years ago, I was meeting with the owner and founder of a mid-size manufacturing company that employed around 200 people.  We will call him Jim.  He wanted to know if I could help him work with his people to prepare for the eventual sale of his company.  Jim was in his late 60’s and ready to sell his company.  When I asked him what his biggest concern was, he said, “Seeing  one of my loyal employees on the street after I have sold the company – especially if I knew things weren’t going well with the new owners.”

Since this conversation, I have heard many retired owners say the same thing.  What can we do to help ensure that the leaders who follow us are able to build a working environment just as good as we did, or even better?

Step #1: Start early:  A good rule of thumb is at least five years from the handoff.

Step #2: Get the right people in key positions:  Look at the key positions and make sure we have the “right people on the bus”.  Our leaders must be proud of their work and the special qualities they bring to the company, and this enthusiasm must show.  There also must be a way of measuring their progress. If someone is not the strong leader you are looking for find another place for them.  Don’t waste precious time with someone you know isn’t going to work out.

Step #3:  Strengthen communication and teamwork skills:  Hire a performance coach to work with your team so that all departments develop the ability to work together seamlessly.

Step #4:  (Two years out) Hire a succession consultant:  There is a process involved in selling your company that needs to be followed  You can figure about two years to allow proper time for each step.  You will have a timeline.

Most owners procrastinate and don’t do these 4 things well.  Don’t be one of them!  Have a happy sale!

Posted: December 11, 2025 | Categories: Management, Presentation skills, Self-Improvement, Team Building

Looking ahead to the New Year, are you interested in strengthening your leadership skills?  If so, there is one area of growth that must come first before anything else improves.  Do you know what this area is?  I’ll bet you do:  It is improving our listening skills.  Our skills in listening are vital in building trust and maintaining focus and clarity.  Here is some good news:  The next few weeks should give us ample opportunity to put a better edge to our listening skills.  Here’s how:

Think of a gathering you will be attending this holiday season. As you anticipate each event, work on developing a mindset of simply showing genuine interest in others.  Here is an example:

Last night I attended a church function, and as soon as I entered the door, I encountered a smiling older lady who had given me cookies during our last visit.  I began the conversation by saying how much I enjoyed the cookies and why I liked them so much. I then asked if she would share the recipe.  She was thrilled to do so.  Next she began talking about how she made the cookies. and the special people she gave them to.  It was her passion, and she was sharing it.  Our conversation probably lasted about 10 minutes, and all we talked about was the cookies and how she loved to give them away.  I walked away from the conversation knowing I had sincerely given her my full attention, and also picked up a good recipe.

Before you go to your next social event, I recommend you go with these two objectives:

1. Have a goal of learning something about someone.
2. With genuine sincerity, let another person talk about something important to them.

Do this, and you will be exercising your listening skills and building good relationships.

Posted: December 11, 2025 | Categories: Leadership, Management, Self-Improvement, Team Building, Uncategorized

Jim Rohn was an entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker who became a world-wide expert on personal development.  He started as a high-school dropout.  In his early 20’s he hired a mentor, Earl Shoaff.  One of the first questions Mr.Shoaff asked him was how many books he read a year. The truth was, he read very little.  “That’s not a good answer!”, Shoaff said.  From that point on, Jim Rohn decided that he would be an avid reader.  His mentor knew the truth:  High achiever’s read a lot!

Over and over again I find this to be true.  Think of the most successful people you know in this business world:  Most likely they read whenever they get the chance.  When they are driving, they are listening to books or some other form of audio education.

I was reminded of this truth just this week.  A client of mine reads constantly.  While reading in a spare half hour while waiting for his car to be serviced, he re-acquainted himself with an important management practice that he was falling short on.  After further thought, he realized that his management practice of holding a 15-minute team meeting each morning needed to be revived. He remembered that his team was most productive during the COVID outbreak. This daily habit was a critical factor. He began this week with absolute confidence that bringing these meetings back will help lead them back to peak performance.

Bob is an avid reader and he knows the payoff of keeping up with his reading.  Are you keeping up with your reading?  Are you reading enough?  With the New Year about to be started, what is your reading commitment?