Category Archives: Resources

The Benefits Of Multitasking Are Fictional But It Feels Good

Posted on by Denise Dahl, Epiphany Planning & Development, LLC

Multitasking is something so many of us are proud of being able to do.  We live in a culture that creates environments that are not sustainable.  So rather than demanding more realistic environments we are predisposed to believe it must be our failing that all is not possible.

The following is a great article on a media multitasking study done at The Ohio State University.  It aptly conveys that there is a difference in the emotional boost we get from multitasking and the actual productivity that comes from it.  Spoiler alert…no productivity comes from it.  http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/multitask.htm

Morning Pick Me Up

Posted on by Denise Dahl, Epiphany Planning & Development, LLC

In search of a daily pick me up?  I receive these daily and have never been disappointed:

  Free Daily Quote for October 15, 2012

Monday Morning Motivation!

“Stop looking at life through a keyhole…open the door to opportunity…get involved, and CREATE the YOU that you CHOOSE to become.”

-Thomas D. Willhite

Looking at life through a keyhole is a very limiting proposition.

Opportunities for empowerment and happiness are hard to visualize through such a narrow window to the world.

Open the door and see that your world is only limited by the size of your dreams.

If for some reason you feel like you are having trouble finding the key…just kick it in.

In Health,

Dr. Bryan Schuetz

It is the mission of www.Daily-Motivational-Quote.com to have a positive influence on as many lives as possible. Please share this site with those you care about and we welcome linking to your website.

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Being Rational Doesn’t Serve Well

Posted on by Denise Dahl, Epiphany Planning & Development, LLC

I find the follwing quote validating and liberating.  Einstein once said, “I never came upon any of my discoveries through the process of rational thinking.”

I came across the above quote while reading a blog post worth a read if you are so inclined,

http://www.lifeoptimizer.org/2007/08/30/11-sure-fire-ways-to-have-a-calm-and-peaceful-mind

The Joy In Taking On “Drastic” Changes

Posted on by Denise Dahl, Epiphany Planning & Development, LLC

A beautiful, talented, under utilized, under appreciated friend said yesterday she is making “drastic changes.”  My response to that is “YAY!”  Sometimes we need to jump to rise up out of our funk.  I think a post from Dr. Bryan Schuetz says it best.  The good doctor’s post include the following (some I’ve paraphrased.)

As Jack London said:

“I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”

Need help getting ready to jump?  1) Know your dream.  2)  Protect your dream.  3) “Live your dream as if your life depends on it, because it really does.” ~Dr. Bryan Schuetz

If you’d like to get Dr. Schuetz’s daily quotes, check out  www.daily-motivational-quote.com .  Two things about it…it is free…and the quotes and posts are good.

Higher Incentives Lead To Poorer Performance

Posted on by Denise Dahl, Epiphany Planning & Development, LLC

If you are operating in management or leadership you may be thinking the better the reward, the better the performance.  Makes sense right?  Or does it?  Science shows there is a paradox… check it out… adapted from Dan Pink’s talk at the RSA.  This clip illustrates the hidden truths behind what really motivates us at home and in the workplace.  Money is often valued less than mastery, creativity, etc.  It is about purpose just as much if not more as profit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6XAPnuFjJc

Having Fun Is Not Unprofessional – It Is Necessary

Posted on by Denise Dahl, Epiphany Planning & Development, LLC

Think about it.  When do you work better, when you are at ease and enjoying the day or when you are stressed and in freak out mode?  Freak out mode limits us on multiple levels from creativity to health.

Levity has nothing to do with the actual job.  I enjoyed immensely working within a prison, not because of the work but because of the opportunity to bring lightness to a very heavy environment.  I like the following article because it points out you don’t have to be ‘funny’ to contribute to an atmosphere of levity and lightness.

How will you contribute to making your work environment more fun?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gretchen-rubin/fun-at-work_b_1263341.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

 

 

How Your Life Is Like Social Media

Posted on by Denise Dahl, Epiphany Planning & Development, LLC

I was reading a blog the other day about social media marketing.  It occurred to me how similar social media marketing and connecting professionally/personally are.  I believe two points in the blog post I read are particularly important to remember:

Numbers and quality should not be individualized.   (If you lose quality you will eventually lose numbers.)

Frequency of engagement counts.

All this is to say if you are overextended and telling yourself you are “maximizing” your time, you are kidding yourself.  Being over extended will lead to numbers overtaking quality and a lower sense of engagement from those you believe (falsely) you are connecting with.  It really is that simple.

 

 

 

 

The blog referenced above follows:

http://www.linkedin.com/news?actionBar=&articleID=5563564617914908683&ids=dPsNdP0MczcSdPoNc38QdjoRdiMTczoVdPwUc3oOe3cOcz0RdzkRb3cRczwNc34Rc3kRczwScPcSdjkIe3wOdj0VejkPd30McjoMdjoRdiMPe3oUc3AQcjATcjoQdzkPdzkR&aag=true&freq=weekly&trk=eml-tod2-b-pub-0&ut=3bKXWTJk3RtR41

Reading List

Posted on by Denise Dahl, Epiphany Planning & Development, LLC

Reading is incredibly beneficial.  Tons of studies have been done about how much further ahead those who read, even only a few books a year, are.  Even if reading isn’t your “thing” if you have access to a computer or iPod there is really no reason you shouldn’t be empowering yourself to be one of those in front of the curve.

The following are 15 excellent books for a variety of tastes:

“The World Is Flat,” Thomas Friedman

“The Tipping Point,” “Blink,”  Malcolm Gladwell

“How To Win Friends And Influence People,” Dale Carnegie

“Awaken The Giant Within,” Tony Robbins

“The Disney Way,” Bill Capodagli

“Maters Of Enterprise,” H. W. Brands

“The Elements of Style,” William Strunk, E. B. White (style, writers reference, writing)

“The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done,” Peter F. Drucker

“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” Stephen R. Covey

“The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn’t,” Robert I. Sutton

“Full Steam Ahead!: Unleash the Power of Vision in Your Work and Your Life,” Ken Blanchard, Jesse Stoner

“The One Minute Manager,” Ken Blanchard & Spencer Johnson

“True North,”  Bill George

“The Three Signs of a Miserable Job: A Fable for Managers (And Their Employees),” Patrick M. Lencioni

“Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time,” Brian Tracy

 

Vulnerability and Courage

Posted on by Denise Dahl, Epiphany Planning & Development, LLC

So I went to a weekend retreat called “Ignite” through the Pure Potential Institute, facilitated (brilliantly) by Laura Juarez.  First of all it was fabulous.  Second of all it had the potential to have been horrifying if I wasn’t a follow through kind of girl.  This is the challenge of personal development.

When are we most likely to pursue personal development?  When we are down and/or in crisis right?  So here are some items about that.  One, it is easier to stay up then it is to be knocked down and get back up.  So personal development when you are feeling fine is just as impactful and perhaps even more so because you are all ready firing on all cylinders.  Two, when you are headed towards crisis, depression and/or some other unpleasant experience it can be overwhelming to think about what to do when you uncover the truth of where you are.  Three, it is better to wade in regardless of where you are mentally and emotionally than stand (read: fall) where you are. It will help stabilize and reorient you.

This past weekend was phenomenal.  It was empowering and absolutely fantastic to connect with women who are all looking at their challenges (read: opportunities) and addressing their new fabulous game plans.  This morning when I woke up back here in the real world  I thought about those women I spent time with and how brave each of them are to look so honestly at life, knowing sometimes what we see is not pleasant.  But this is what I believe, pleasant or not each one of those women has sent out a positive message and energy through their own self empowerment and courage. 

We should all take the time to spend moments, hours and days on occasion with those who show us not only their own vulnerability and corresponding courage but those who show us our own.  To those I shared the past weekend with, you are blessed and a blessing to others.  Carry on your most excellent work!