If my world were to cave in tomorrow, I would look back on all the pleasures, excitements and worthwhilenesses I have been lucky enough to have had. Not the sadness, not my miscarriages or my father leaving home, but the joy of everything else. It will have been enough.”
– Audrey Hepburn

Every busy person has a pile.

That’s what makes them busy.

And few busy people show up at work eagerly seeking more stuff they can add to the pile.

Which means that when you interrupt a busy person with your new project, new offer, emergency, need to know, memo, update, offer or invitation… it’s only going to be acted upon if it’s worth being at the top of the pile.

Not worthy for you to put it there. Worthy for the person you’re interrupting to put it there.

We need an empathy of attention. Attention is something that can’t be refunded or recalled.

Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

So, what have you done to earn it?
– Seth Godin

True friendship acknowledges imperfections, accepts them as part of our individual makeup and focuses on our positive aspects instead of expounding upon our faults. Your friends don’t like you to comment upon their failings any more than you like them to criticize you. When your friends are discouraged or disappointed in themselves, a word of encouragement will serve much better than a sermonette.

To be the kind of friend you would like to have, be a good listener, offer advice when you are asked for it and treasure the trust your friends have placed in you. Praise them for their achievements and sympathize when they fall short, but avoid offering ‘constructive criticism’ or playing devil’s advocate. Most of us expect more from ourselves than anyone else ever would, and we are painfully aware of our shortcomings. We don’t need to be reminded of them by our friends.
– Napoleon Hill

As a principle-centered person, you see things differently. And because you see things differently, you think differently, you act differently. Because you have a high degree of security, guidance, wisdom and power that flows from a solid, unchanging core, you have the foundation of a highly proactive and highly effective life.
– Stephen R. Covey

We are all human with frailties, foibles and insecurities. We each need to be appreciated for the uniqueness that makes us individual and we need to be told that we are appreciated. Maintaining friendships requires effort and persistent expression, both in word and deed. Tell your fiends often how much you appreciate them. Remember occasions that are important to them. Congratulate them upon their achievements. Most important of all, let them know that you are there for them whenever they need you.
– Napoleon Hill

Whatever is at the center of our life will be the source of our security, guidance, wisdom and power.
– Stephen R. Covey

“You are not your habits. You can replace old patterns of self-defeating behavior with new patterns, new habits of effectiveness, happiness, and trust-based relationships. I encourage you to open the gate of change and growth.”
– Stephen R. Covey

“Some people go through their day unaware that every action they pursue has more than its obvious intent.

A glance is worth a thousand words. Asking for the check can be like a standing ovation–or a put down. A handshake is always more than just that.

You think you’re merely putting on a blouse or typing an email or making small talk, but of course, you’re also sending signals.

What we choose to do (and what we choose not to do) turns into a signal to the people around us.

These signals aren’t universal, they are interpreted in different ways by people with different worldviews.

Some people are aware that they are sending signals, but can’t quite figure out how to send the ones they mean to send.

And a few people send the signals on purpose.

Empathy helps us understand what will be received, and intent dramatically improves our effectiveness.”
– Seth Godin

A true friend is a priceless gift. When we reveal our hopes, our dreams and our deepest secrets to others, and they still like and respect us, such people are to be cherished. All too often, the only reason others wish to spend time with us – to be our friends – is because of what they perceive we can do for them, not the other way around. A real friendship is reciprocal, one in which each friend benefits equally.

You can earn the friendship of others by being the kind of person who deserves respect from friends. When others look up to you, it should make you even more conscious of the responsibility you have to treat them with the same respect you would like them to afford you.
– Napoleon Hill

An organizational mission statement – one that truly reflects the deep shared vision and values of everyone within that organization – creates a great unity and tremendous commitment. It creates in people’s hearts and minds a frame of reference, a set of criteria or guidelines, by which they will govern themselves. They don’t need someone else directing, controlling, criticizing, or taking cheap shots. The have bought into the changeless core of what the organization is about.
– Stephen R. Covey