Economic bad news, people not returning phone calls, rejection letters, etc. can be immobilizing when you want to develop a business, move ahead in your job search or change careers. It's important in tough times to have a strategy to sustain momentum - even when creating a breakthrough seems the impossible.A StrategyOne winning strategy is to stay focused on your actions and ignore the scoreboard. This means to commit to d...

On a recent plane trip, I met a successful 45-year-old attorney bemoaning his life with the statement, "I can't wait until I retire." I asked, "Why?" He said, "I have no life."I asked, "What did that mean?" He replied, "I'm never home for diner and do not get to see my family. I rarely get to do anything I love. All I do is work under pressure."I asked, "So when can you retire?" "Not for a long time because there are privat...

In the workplace it is commonly believed that hard work leads to productivity, profitability and personal success. Unfortunately, sometimes this does not happen because effort is being put into doing the wrong things and not knowing how to do the right ones. This is often referred to as "working harder but not smarter" or "working too hard." It is difficult to recognize when we are counter-productive. This is because the wa...

When a year end bonus falls very short of expectations, it is a moment of truth that you may want to address. With some preparation, a frank discussion with your boss can work to your advantage. The tone of the meeting should be one where you simply state your disappointment and ask for clarification about how the bonus was decided upon. You should be prepared to listen carefully without being defensive. The outcome should...