Penn Medicine in Philadelphia has an innovative way to infuse lasting recognition in their workers.

Each employee is rated by fellow employees who describe the qualities they like best in that person.  Then the favorable comments are listed on a framed document that hangs in their workplace for them to see and for patients to be introduced to them.

The best recognition comes from peers and it has the most lasting positive effect on everyone in the work environment.

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All worries are not created equal, but that is not to say we prioritize what we fear by worrying about the most serious first.

Even trivial worries get the same amount of anxiety.

If each worry got a priority – major, important but not critical, irritating but trivial, etc. – anxiety could be reduced immediately on the spot.

The problem with worry is that it all feels bad even though our fears don’t take on the same importance.  After a while, all worry becomes the same and becomes overwhelming.

We slap tags on everything else, why not worry?

By putting worries in their proper place this morning, you can feel some relief by the end of the day.

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The goal is not the final destination.

The journey is the goal because in pursuit you may alter it, discover a better one or decide that after some thought what you were shooting for is not worth the sacrifice.

This matters because goal-setters tend to fashion their lives to chase one goal that they may or may not eventually accomplish.

The secret is to establish goals in our daily lives as a means of discovery and accomplishment.

There is no finish line.  Just the pursuit of excellence.

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… give up control and let others get their way when possible.

… when asked to choose, defer to others every once in a while.

… stand for principle not stubbornness.

… offer to help another get what they want before you ask what you want.

… be a good listener because the secret to winning cooperation is likely on the lips of the person whose cooperation you seek.

… be willing to earn the right to prevail not just forcing it.

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Netflix has taught us that we expect to get what we want when we want it.  That’s why binging episode after episode is so normal.

When Showtime or HBO makes us wait for subsequent episodes, a binger usually doesn’t like it.

TV aside, some things are worth savoring.

Time with someone special.

That moment when you’ve just accomplished something special – worth holding onto and replaying often.

Speeding up life to get to the end is a rather awful thought because life is best when it is enjoyed moment by moment in real time.

Consuming everything to rush to the end is powerful but slowing it all down to savor every bit of it is empowering.

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If you changed every can’t you say in the next hour to can, your life would be transformed.

Suddenly the new default setting is “possible”.

And then, you start expecting to achieve.

Saying “can’t” instead of “can” is self-inflicted failure.

The way we talk to ourselves matters.

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Turning to others for that which should come from within you rarely works.

Confidence comes from believing in yourself.

When a sports team wins game after game, they believe they can’t lose.

When they are on a losing streak, they believe they can’t win.

Outsourcing confidence to a friend, loved one or associate is not as effective as focusing on what’s good about you.

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All the best plans mean nothing, if you don’t begin now.

Delay is the enemy.

Planning is important but absent a “start button” success will remain elusive.

Identify the next step and act.

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Yes, it can be done in ways that are so simple.

The first ten people you come in contact with this morning smile at them.

Most people are now bent over with their faces buried in their phones and they are usually not smiling.

A smile is like a yawn.

Ever notice when someone yawns, you automatically yawn, too.

When you smile, it is hard for others to resist smiling back and it can change a moment, a day or even begin to change a relationship.

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It seems more acceptable to tolerate rude behavior because it can be delivered through text messages, email and social media.

It’s a lot harder to take liberties in person or on the phone.

Just because someone can hit send and hurt you does not make it right.  Nor does it mean that you have to be a willing partner to this type of behavior.

There are answers.

When someone puts their phone on the table, expedite the meal and move on.  That person is not able or willing to focus on you in person.

When receiving a hurtful message that you suspect was sent too quickly without thinking, reply “I don’t understand. Explain”.  That forces a more thoughtful response that may also include an apology. 

Being left out is hurtful, when it happens again move on and put your energy and personality where it is desired.

When someone pushes your boundaries, push back and stop it immediately.  Stopping verbal abuse has the positive effect of building self-esteem.

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