Month: February 2009

Did You Take the Day Off – Really?

Where I live in Canada it was Family Day. Other parts of the country don’t have an official holiday in February, and that’s a shame. In the United States it was President’s Day. For far too many people these days were still days of work, by necessity or just by plain personal decision.

For a change I actually took the day off. Well, except for writing this blog post. I puttered around the house. Messed with my computer and tried to put some home video tapes to DVD. That didn’t work but it was great to try. Now I know what my next steps are so I can finish a job that’s been in the far reaches of my mind for years.

I also took a long walk and enjoyed the very brisk winter air and bright sunshine. It was invigorating and rewarding to get out and meditate as I walked. I find a long walk gives me more peace, serenity and clearness of mind that sitting in a meditative pose in a quiet room. What’s your process for meditating?

So, to the question above, did you take the day off, whether it was today or any other “day off” that comes your way? We all need the down time to regenerate and to increase our productivity for tomorrow.

Garth Roberts

www.garthroberts.com

Are We Really a Bunch of Slobs?

Recently I was asked to present a seminar on business etiquette to a group of young employees. Their leaders felt that the young crowd didn’t understand proper business rules. That same week I attended a celebration Gala with business leaders. I quickly understood why so many young people appear to lack business etiquette. They don’t have decent role models. While several high profile speakers were making their brief remarks from the platform, several tables of middle aged or older members of the audience continued to talk and laugh loudly.

The young people in the crowd were respectfully listening. It made me ponder as to who really has the etiquette problem. The older members of the crowd either had too much to drink at the champagne reception, and would be slobs anywhere, or their arrogance and inflated egos wouldn’t allow them to stop talking, laughing, and being outrageously loud.

In leadership it’s said that the good leaders walk the talk. During my career I’ve found that to be true. In my corporate training world I find that the strongest corporations have leaders who practice what they preach. I’ve had the opportunity to witness many corporate leaders and their spouses at social events and the true leaders always display business etiquette. How about you? Do you find that we are really just a bunch of slobs?

Garth Roberts
www.garthroberts.com