The Right Side of Down

I was chatting with a friend this week and we were brainstorming ways to describe turnaround stories, the “turning obstacles into opportunities” kind. Even though doing this is the objective, the language can get in the way. In the midst of big challenges, even the most encouraging words can fall flat. So, I’m on the

The Encouragizers Project – MSA 43

MSA 43: It’s been a busy time and yet I want to be sure that I honor my commitment to a five-minute MSA Monday-Friday. So lately, I have needed to be a bit creative – from taking five minutes before I leave the door to writing on the bus. It’s all good and works.  Happy

The Secret Sauce That is Appreciation

Appreciation is the secret sauce of your career and life. Even though it’s  a critical factor of happiness and success, this might seem obvious on the surface. For centuries, appreciation is what people want more than just about anything. In today’s world, it’s in short supply. In fact, most people feel undervalued and underappreciated. Imagine

Are You Defeating Yourself?

It is so easy to get discouraged and make assumptions about what is and is not possible for your career and life. Of course, you want to be realistic. That said, if you give extra value to the negative side – it will be really hard to make progress, let alone succeed. So, my suggestion

The Power of Respect

For respect to meaningful, authentic, and effective – you need to respect yourself and others. Without both, you will either be a doormat or a person of misguided arrogance. Yet with both, you create positive benefit all the way around! Warmly,Anita 

What Mountain Stands Between You and Success

There are so many reasons (read as “excuses”) for not achieving something that is important to you. While I’m not suggesting that some things are unlikely at best, there is usually a way to carve out some aspect of your goal you do control. When you begin from that spot, you create positive momentum, greater

Before It’s Overwhelming

I notice that I can feel overwhelmed at times – especially when the demands and challenges feel bigger than I am. So, while not rocket science, I break down what seems too big for me and choose one tiny action. Then I take even one step. When I do, I feel good. At that point,

When the Bad Stuff Becomes the Good Stuff

What if each challenge and obstacle was there for your benefit? This is more than “mind over matter”. Way more! Does this sound a bit ridiculously optimistic? To the untrained person, it certainly could. Yet I ask you to think back to a time when a challenge seemed like more than you could handle. I

Avoid This Power and Success Destroyer

One of the fastest ways to lose credibility, advocates, and advancement is to complain. While it may feel good to express complaint in the moment, it can destroy many of the things you worked for, the relationships you’ve built, and your own sense of self-worth.  So, the next time you feel like complaining pause even

The Encouragizers Project – MSA 42

MSA 42: I had a terrific visit with two friends last evening. While it was getting late (for me), I wanted to complete my five minute MSA for the day. So, when I got on the bus, I opened my Word app and wrote for five minutes. Voila! MSA completed and was able to keep