Rough times is not a function of what happens, but to whom it happens.

Relationships are measured by caring; caring about you as you are, instead of as they think you should be.

Flickr image credit: Ivy Dawned

It happens to all of us.

Family, friends, colleges.

They let us down and we have no idea why.

To protect yourself from the disappointment keep this rhyme in mind.

Just because they could

Just because they should

Doesn’t mean they would.

Flickr image credit: Celestine Chua

There will always be people who disappoint, whether in your personal or professional life.

If their presence is outside of your control and/or they are part of your long-term world there is a simple-to-understand, but difficult-to-implement approach to dealing with them.

You can not control other people’s words or actions.

You can only control your expectations and reactions.

Any form of self-control is a hands-on effort that can’t be outsourced or multi-tasked.

And while both involve control, investing your energy in the second type will provide far higher ROI.

Flickr image credit: fatbwoy

Long before I had a career and ever since I have lived by the following rule.

Whatever information, knowledge or even wisdom you are looking to teach, share or impart, whether as official teacher, mentoring manager, friend or just interested party, is more likely to be absorbed if you follow this advice.

“People learn more when they are laughing.” –Confucius

Flickr image credit: kafka4prez

In this age of hyper connectivity it is easy to forget that when all is said and done the only person who will always be there for you is you.

Rather than fearing this truth, embrace it.

Doing so will give you the courage to follow Mark Twain’s wise words—instead of chasing the approval of others.

Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.

Flickr image credit: Kyra Savolainen

Looking back in my life, I can honestly say there is only one thing I truly want to change.

I can think of two more if I was granted the proverbial three wishes, but only one serious regret.

I couldn’t find a link, but according to my notes this Rule tracks back to Barbara Kerbel and in the San Francisco Chronicle in 1996.

What can’t be undone
shouldn’t leave you unstrung.

Good advice, considering how short life is.

Flickr image credit: TheeErin

What is the most important thing to remember when hiring?

The one thing that can keep you from hurting your team?

The one thing you should never forget?

You may interview for skills, but you hire whole people.

Flickr image credit: Syefri Zulkefli

Here we are on December 26. Christmas is over and the focus turns to next week and the start of 2013.

To that end I thought I’d share these words of wisdom from Sara Paddison.

Realize that now, in this moment of time, you are creating.
You are creating your next moment.
That is what’s real.

I do my best to live by them, although I don’t always succeed as well as I would like, which is why I hold tightly to these wise words, too.

It’s about progress, not perfection.

Flickr image credit: Richard Potts

This Rule has two parts. They come from different sources, but taken together they will change your life.

The first half is from Alan Kay.

The best way to predict the future is to invent it.

The second is from Anonymous.

One good wish changes nothing; one good decision changes everything.

Well, what are you waiting for?

Flickr image credit: evan p. cordes

People are often faced with the quandary of deciding how honest they should be when responding to some version of the classic “does this outfit make me look fat” question.

This Rule serves as a good filter to help you decide how to respond

“Never confuse
telling people what you think
with telling them
what they want to hear.”

That doesn’t mean you should always provide the latter and not rock their/your boat.

Sometimes people really do want to know if the outfit makes them look fat.

The trick is to evaluate the situation in order to decide how to handle it.

Flickr image credit: istolethetv