“When adversity hits, reframe the challenge and find lessons learned; acknowledge gifts that have come from the pain.”
Source: The Art of Preparation: 8 Ways to Plan with Purpose & Intention for Positive Impact
“Stretch your imagination to a new dimension with hope and flexibility—opening your world to new possibilities.”
Source: The Art of Preparation: 8 Ways to Plan with Purpose & Intention for Positive Impact
“Don’t participate or allow yourself to be dragged into other people’s dramas, complaints, or gossip.”
Source: The Art of Preparation: 8 Ways to Plan with Purpose & Intention for Positive Impact
“Become a lifelong learner. Read books, watch videos, listen to audio, and seek lessons for learning how to live your best life now.”
Source: The Art of Preparation: 8 Ways to Plan with Purpose & Intention for Positive Impact
“Take a moral inventory of ways you may be self-sabotaging and then take proactive steps to change them.”
Source: The Art of Preparation: 8 Ways to Plan with Purpose & Intention for Positive Impact
“Strive to see the best in others, situations, and experiences.”
Source: The Art of Preparation: 8 Ways to Plan with Purpose & Intention for Positive Impact
“Remember that your attitude towards life determines life’s attitude toward you. At any moment, you can choose to change everything for the better.”
Source: The Art of Preparation: 8 Ways to Plan with Purpose & Intention for Positive Impact
“Exercise and get moving to pump up your endorphins and elevate your mood. Take an adult recess.”
Source: The Art of Preparation: 8 Ways to Plan with Purpose & Intention for Positive Impact
“Wake up early, do your best, practice self-care, and finish strong.”
Source: The Art of Preparation: 8 Ways to Plan with Purpose & Intention for Positive Impact
“To say your mindset is critical to your success is a gross understatement—it is the underpinning!”
Source: The Art of Preparation: 8 Ways to Plan with Purpose & Intention for Positive Impact
“Your mindset brings together your attitude, perceptions, experience, interpretations, opinions, beliefs, values, and understanding to determine how you think, act, walk, talk, behave, and engage.”
Source: The Art of Preparation: 8 Ways to Plan with Purpose & Intention for Positive Impact
“Wouldn’t you like to arrive to any event or situation with a sense of confidence and ease that things are as they need to be?”
Source: The Art of Preparation: 8 Ways to Plan with Purpose & Intention for Positive Impact
“Get ready to take on the world from a position of personal power, strength, and intention!”
Source: The Art of Preparation: 8 Ways to Plan with Purpose & Intention for Positive Impact
“Your first impressions will often occur within a limited window of opportunity—and if you blow it— the opportunity may be lost forever.”
Source: The Art of Preparation: 8 Ways to Plan with Purpose & Intention for Positive Impact
“Prime yourself for success and demonstrate to others that you are diligent, reliable, and trustworthy.”
Source: The Art of Preparation: 8 Ways to Plan with Purpose & Intention for Positive Impact
“Care enough to take deliberate steps and get ready through thoughtful discipline, research, organization, and effort. It will impress others and give you the winner’s edge to live and give your best.”
Source: The Art of Preparation: 8 Ways to Plan with Purpose & Intention for Positive Impact
“Begin by asking yourself if you are currently showing up to your life, your business, and your relationships in a way that is cultivating an extraordinary life.”
Source: The Art of Preparation: 8 Ways to Plan with Purpose & Intention for Positive Impact
“For some, putting in the time or work to be prepared and live deliberately is natural. For others? It’s work. However, as in the words of Thomas Jefferson, "If you want something you have never had, you must be willing to do something you have never done.”
Source: The Art of Preparation: 8 Ways to Plan with Purpose & Intention for Positive Impact
“Are you ready to explore what it takes to move beyond where you are to where you want to be? You came to the right place.”
Source: The Art of Preparation: 8 Ways to Plan with Purpose & Intention for Positive Impact
“One would think that if people truly wanted to live incredible lives, they would do everything in their power to create a mindset which helped them get there. Right?”
Source: The Art of Preparation: 8 Ways to Plan with Purpose & Intention for Positive Impact
“More people continue to be and do exactly the things in life that prevent them from getting what they want or from waking up excited about their day.”
Source: The Art of Preparation: 8 Ways to Plan with Purpose & Intention for Positive Impact
“Since your mindset can make you or break you, how is it going? Is it representing you well or does it need a complete overhaul?”
Source: The Art of Preparation: 8 Ways to Plan with Purpose & Intention for Positive Impact
“The Law of Cause and Effect is as active in your life as the Law of Gravity. It teaches us that for every action there is a reaction.”
Source: The Art of Preparation: 8 Ways to Plan with Purpose & Intention for Positive Impact
“People love to be happy, enjoy a hearty laugh, and simply have fun. When you’re happy, everything feels right in the world and life is good. Knowing that this is a universal yearning, what can you do to feed the need and bring out the best in others?”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“Having a sense of humor can be one of your greatest assets and equip you with an undeniable "attractor factor." The benefits extend far past a quick wit and spontaneous laughter. It can help you lower stress levels in yourself and others, diffuse difficult situations, interact more easily, and provide health benefits for improved well-being.”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“Humor lightens our spirits, comforts us through the challenge, brings people together, and helps us to remember the positive sides of life. When your presence and personality bring this welcomed delight and joy to others, you are a pleasure to know and you leave them wanting more.”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“When I was a young and aspiring speaker, I sought mentorship from a man who had been a Dale Carnegie trainer for decades. Eagerly wanting to know how to improve my stage presence and build my career, I contacted Dr. Joe Carnley in Destin, Florida and invited him out to lunch.
After we placed our order at the Harbor Docks Restaurant, he dove right in and gave me some of the best advice of my life. He said, “Susan, you have to make them laugh! When they leave your presentations, you want them to feel better and leave happier than when they came in. Help them enjoy your time together.”
He continued to describe the magical power that humor has over the human spirit. When we craft humor into our speeches, we can take our audiences on a journey they will never forget.
Immediately after our delightful lunch ended, I drove straight to a Books-a-Million store and headed for the humor section. Since I was not a particularly funny person, I needed all the help I could get. For over an hour I stood there reading titles, flipping through funny books, and enjoying outrageous belly laughs, giggles, and snorts. People were staring, and probably thinking, “I want what she is having!”
The humor section was one of the smallest in the entire bookstore, but it may well have been the most important. When I turned around, I noticed the opposite aisle was the “Self-Improvement” section. It ran half the length of the store and displayed hundreds of books. At that cathartic moment, I had a huge "Ah-Ha" moment.”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“If people would read more of these humor books, they wouldn’t need all those self-improvement books!”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“Follow your heart, but take your brain with you!" After buying an armload of funny books filled with clean jokes, one-liners, and speech openers, I discovered how truly "spot-on" Joe had been. Inserting humorous zingers throughout my programs has worked like a charm and improved my presentation skills.”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“Life wasn’t meant to be so serious. Enjoy life, be fun, spend time with people who make you happy, widen that smile, and laugh out loud. Learn to laugh at yourself.”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“Expand Your Repertoire . . .
Professional humorists and comedians, like Jeanie Robertson, maintain joke files filled with assorted topics, anecdotes, and titles. When something outrageously funny happens, she makes a note of it, puts it away, and saves it for the day she can integrate it into her hilarious presentations.”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“Find Your Funny Bone . . .
Life provides plenty of material for things for you to laugh at. Seek irony, coincidence, and the abundance of simple humor in life’s little absurdities.”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“Watch, Listen, & Learn . . .
Broaden your sense of humor by watching funny movies and shows, reading funny books, visiting live comedy shows, or enjoying YouTube clips.”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“Clown Around . . .
Nancy Weil of The Laugh Academy gives people she meets red clown noses and shows them how to use them. Promoting laughter as a cure for stress and negativity, she makes a positive and memorable impact and gives others permission to play.”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“How's your humor? What can you do to have more humorous lines to use in the right place at the right time? I highly recommend it! Laughter is the best medicine indeed. Not only will you enjoy the experience yourself, but the people around you will enjoy the entertainment.”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“So, what if you are not naturally funny? Don’t get discouraged. Do your research, gather ideas, and find your fun. Seek ways to laugh. Not only will doing this provide you with new material for making a great first impression, but laughter will bring you personal delight and satisfaction. Putting a smile on someone’s face is one of the best gifts you can deliver.”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“When Humor Falls Flat
“Humor is not a "one-size fits all" guarantee. What is hilarious to one person may be offensive to another. By being emotionally intelligent and self-aware, you can discern how, when, why, or where to be funny . . . or not. You might be walking on thin ice and risk making a damaging first impression if you use humor that is:
• At the expense of others.
• Thoughtless sarcasm.
• Belittling or condescending.
• Hitting below the belt.
• Creepy or profane.
• Raunchy humor with sexual innuendo.
• Politically incorrect.
• Mean-spirited.”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“Know your audience! With the high level of cultural sensitivity these days, it is often better to err on the side of caution. If you don’t want your humor to come back and bite you, don’t hurt one person to entertain another. We can have humor without making fun of other people.”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“I have noticed generational humor exists as well. Since our frames of reference and cultural influences vary, there is a lot of room for misinterpretation and the potential to not "get it.”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“Don’t try to make a joke just to make a joke. Sometimes, as human beings, we so want to fit in and connect that we try TOO hard to be something we are not. It’s okay if you’re not the life of the party. It’s fine if you’re not a stand-up comedian. Just be you. Real life provides real humor when we’re paying attention to it. Share what makes you laugh.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“Think of fun ways you can connect with your business or social circles. When you’re with your tribe—or like-minded people—they’ll laugh and learn right alongside you.”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“My friend Scott Friedman (ScottFriedman.net) is a motivational humorist who specializes in employee engagement, celebration, and customer service. He teaches organizations that when their organizations are happy, they enjoy increased productivity, higher performance, better engagement, and elevated levels of health and well-being among their people.
In his book, Happily Ever Laughter, Scott shares, “Personal stories are excellent (and entertaining) catalysts both for communicating big ideas and for presenting your most original humor. Better yet, stories let you provide more substance in less time. Jokes, on the other hand, have less reach substance-wise. Why? Because a joke is meant to entertain. A story, on the other hand, has inherent meaning. Stories allow the audience to get to know you, your imperfections, your flaws, and your foolishness. You can be vulnerable right there with audience watching. You can entertain, enlighten and teach all in the same effort.”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“Humor can heal the heart, instill hope, bring people together, and remind them that life isn’t meant to be so doggone serious. Why not use it for good? There is no denying that humor’s uplifting, energizing, and positive impact can transform lives for the better.”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“Choose the Happy Side of Life. Seek ways to bring humor, laughter, and joy to work. It will not only make work more fun, but it can positively impact your bottom line.”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“Discretion & Good Judgment . . .
The flagrant lack of decorum, reckless behavior, and poor judgment exhibited in our world today continues to astound. Even those who never dreamed they’d be caught in their most embarrassing moments risk public exposure from the ever-present smart phones and non-stop social media.”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“A discreet person . . .
• is strong, yet humble;
• expresses genuine concern and interest;
• exercises caution to avoid unnecessary risks;
• knows intuitively when a situation or conversation is heading in the wrong direction;
• does not need to tear others down to build himself up;
• refrains from using foul language or speaking brashly;
• regulates her reactions and responds appropriately;
• takes the higher road rather than wrestling in the mud;
• remains gracious and poised in the heat of the moment;
• refrains from unnecessary confrontations;
• does not break confidence or share other people’s secrets with which they have been entrusted;
• communicates with deliberation and confidence.”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“Even if you’re not broadcasting your personal life to the universe through social media, choose your confidants wisely and with discretion. Your ability to keep your personal details close to your vest will encourage others to feel that you are trustworthy enough to be trusted with their personal details.”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“UN-Impressive Acts of Indiscretion
• Forwarding other people's emails without getting permission.
• Throwing other people under the bus to save yourself.
• Talking loudly, being boorish and insensitive to the others around you.
• Flagrant cheating.
• Burning bridges.
• Talking smack.
• Dissing your competitor to your customer.
• Oversharing and revealing too much personal information about yourself and others.
• Breaking trust by sharing someone else’s secrets.
• Being passive-aggressive to manipulate a situation or person.
• Saying one thing and doing another.
• Being two-faced.
• Lying by omission.
• Dispensing bulls#@%!”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“8 Ways to Shine a Positive Light on Others
1. Let the other person appear smart. The person who desperately tries to be the smartest person in the room inevitably comes off as the least.
2. Don’t bring attention to anything which may embarrass another person. Whether your conversation partner has poor grammar, a pimple on his chin, or lacks social grace, a discreet person does not say or do anything which would make another feel ashamed, embarrassed, or humiliated. Allow the other person to maintain his own grace and dignity.
3. Ask their opinions, seek their advice, ask them inquiring questions. By allowing them to reveal their opinions and knowledge, you will demonstrate respect and make them feel important.
4. Practice patience. Sometimes it takes a person a moment to gather her thoughts, process information, or respond appropriately. Your patience is respectful and appreciated.
5. Maintain your calm. Rather than react with anger or defensiveness, regulate your response and shift the energy into a more positive direction.
6. Put your ego aside. Allow another to triumph and enjoy the spotlight.
7. Be aware and concerned for the feelings of others.
8. Purposely seek ways to put others at ease and make them feel comfortable.”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact
“Oversharing
Why do some people feel the need to share their deepest, darkest secrets with complete strangers or on social media? How could saying too much, too soon possibly help their case or earn the respect of others? Perhaps their insatiable need to share every sordid detail of their existence satisfies a yearning to get attention, gain sympathy, or make friends.”
Source: The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact