Several years ago, I went to see a prominent psychologist. I’d been having persistent stomach aches, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, and sharp pains in my head. My doctor said I was healthy. Nothing was wrong with my body. What could be the problem, I wondered. After ten minutes and a few questions, the psychologist
Parenting feels heavy for school-aged children in the weeks leading up to a new school year. What little structure afforded by camps and summer activities is mostly over. Open-ended, self-directed “together” time increases amid the looming change of a new school year. Bickering increases. Demands get louder. Complaining is at its peak. This angst that
Ever since I wrote about courage, I continue to see examples of how confidence determines your willingness to do difficult things. Confidence allows you to say “yes” to a good but hard thing or “no” to something bad yet alluring. It’s trust in yourself — your values, self-image, and capacity. I’ve especially been noticing it
When is a question more than just a question? Here’s a good example: Have you ever thought about seeing a therapist? That’s actually advice disguised as a question. The problem is, rather than generating dialogue, these kinds of questions often elicit a defense like: I’ve tried…I’ve thought of that…That won’t work because… Do you ever ask
I spent time last Saturday preoccupied with my failings from the week. Over and over I processed frustration with myself for the way I’d responded to a few questions in a radio interview I’d done. You should have prepared more. Why did you say that? How did you forget to say that? Are you ever
My first “real” job was working the floor at our local Musicland store. When the store closed each day, we’d lower the metal gate to the inside of the Eden Prairie shopping mall. One of my managers, Jeff, would always start the store closing rituals the same way: He’d play Van Halen music super loud.
Over the holiday weekend, I got to connect with my dad, who spent his entire career speaking and coaching adults to develop more effective relationships using the Dale Carnegie concepts and methods. We talked about my dad’s belief that we all have levels of relationship “capital” in invisible bank accounts that exist between people. Our
Eighteen months ago, I woke up in the middle of the night with a racing heart and shortness of breath. Cash reserves at our company were falling. We’d made large investments to expand our successful business, but they weren’t paying off fast enough. There was no end in sight. The investments we’d made weren’t bad;
When you’re the leader, it’s only natural that all eyes are on you. You’re out in front, setting the direction, and making sure results are achieved. Do you absorb the spotlight or deflect it? Do you step into the spotlight or do you step back so it shines on others? As the daughter of Nordic
What difference do you see between these statements: The traffic was awful vs. I left late My schedule is crazy vs. I’ve agreed to too many things You’re making me angry vs. I’m feeling defensive She didn’t get back to me vs. I need to follow-up with her This job is too difficult vs. I’m not doing what
Matt Norman is president of Norman & Associates, which offers Dale Carnegie Training in the North Central US. Dale Carnegie Training is a global organization ...READ MORE