"Solutions...with Courtney Anderson!"™

SwCA Episode 262 - EXECUTIVE OASIS series: Neil Reichenberg Interview, IPMA-HR

Fri, 05 May 2017 14:00:19 GMT

In our EXECUTIVE OASIS™ series we explore the reality of business leaders who enjoy their work in such an extraordinary manner that they create a workplace culture fertile for engagement and joy. We interview executives who lead from a perspective of holistic assessments of performance (e.g., not just profit and loss but the impact of the organizational actions on the lives of all stakeholders). In this episode we have the pleasure of interviewing Neil Reichenberg. Mr. Reichenberg has worked at the same place for more than three decades. He is the Executive Director of the International Public Management Association for Human Resources (http://ipma-hr.org). Mr. Reichenberg is a graduate of New York Law School and joins us from his office in the Washington D.C. Metro Area. Join into this episode and this illuminating interview where we will explore his insights into leadership and HR! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 261 - TECHNOLOGY TERROR: "Meetings are NOT Tech Test Sessions"

Thu, 04 May 2017 15:02:45 GMT

In our TECHNOLOGY TERROR™ series we explore the brave new world of workplace technology interdependence. The relationship with technology should be based on mutual respect and reliance on each other. Not based on resentment of one another or frustration with unequal contributions. There are instances were some may feel dependent on technology (e.g., "the computers are down so there is nothing that we can do today"); but that should not be the daily reality. Humans created technology as a tool to enhance our lives, for the technology to assist us with our endeavors. We explore the challenges regarding technology in the modern workplaces and the opportunities for us to reframe our behavior and choices to create a healthy and enjoyable technology relationship and not be in a state of "Technology Terror!" In this episode we explore the embarassment, frustration and challenges that occur when we perceive that technology has negatively impacted (or even "ruined") our work tasks. Specifically, when a meeting is hampered by technology malfunctions. Presentations that don't load or display, call in conferences that don't work, shared screens that aren't sharing, and on and on. What can we do to escape our state of TECHNOLOGY TERROR and reclaim our functioning technology assisted meetings? © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 246: How Do I Handle Haters?

Mon, 04 May 2015 23:58:06 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-246-help-situation-spotlight-series-how-do-i-handle-haters.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is, "How Do I Handle 'Haters'?" In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1) You don't. 2)What is a ‘hater’? 3) "A person who greatly dislikes a specified person or thing" (

SwCA Episode 245: “How Are You?”

Fri, 01 May 2015 13:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-245-joyful-art-of-business-series-how-are-you.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is, “How Are You?" In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1. Seriously.

SwCA Episode 244: Say Your Name, Say Your Name…

Wed, 31 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-244-communications-communiqueacute-series-say-your-name-say-your-name.html SHOW NOTES: In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1) This show title reminds me of this 1999 (wow!) song by Destiny’s Child:https://youtu.be/sQgd6MccwZc

SwCA Episode 243: I Do Not Ask For Help Enough.

Tue, 30 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-243-help-situation-spotlight-series-i-do-not-ask-for-help-enough.html SHOW NOTES: In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1) Admitting that there is a problem is awesome! 2) To clarify, this show topic is not about asking for insufficient help (e.g., needing more help, not asking for enough help). It is about failing to task for help at all (e.g., not asking for help enough).

SwCA Episode 242: I Have Been Self-Employed My Entire Career! How Do I Adjust to Working For Someone

Mon, 29 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-242-self-employment-ecstasy-series-i-have-been-self-employed-my-entire-career-how-do-i-adjust-to-working-for-someone-else.html SHOW NOTES: "In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1. This is a very rare group of individuals. 2. "

SwCA Episode 241: How Do You Cope When Reality Begins to Exceed Your Dreams?

Tue, 23 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-241-satisfaction-saturation-series-how-do-you-cope-when-reality-begins-to-exceed-your-dreams.html SHOW NOTES: In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1. Tough question. 2. Very few people are prepared. 3. Are you?

SwCA Episode 240: Behind On Bills? What to Pay First…

Mon, 22 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-240-financial-fierceness-series-behind-on-bills-what-to-pay-firsthellip.html SHOW NOTES: In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1. Just because you are broke does not mean that you don't need a plan (or a strategy)... 2. in fact you need one more when you are broke!

SwCA Episode 239: Grit. Hustle. Tenacity. Necessary?

Fri, 19 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-239-joyful-art-of-business-series-grit-hustle-tenacity-necessary.html SHOW NOTES: In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1. Yes. 2. Grit

SwCA Episode 238: That’s Not Part of My Job.

Thu, 18 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-238-management-magicians-series-that-is-not-part-of-my-job.html SHOW NOTES: In this episode, our topic is,“That is Not Part of My Job!” In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including:

SwCA Episode 237: Do Not Invest In Anything That You Do Not Fully Understand.

Wed, 17 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-237-financial-fierceness-series-do-not-invest-in-anything-that-you-do-not-fully-understand.html SHOW NOTES: In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1. Revisit our show: “Why The Smartest Thing You Can Say Is, 'I Don't Know.'” RADIO SHOW/AUDIO PODCAST Solutions...with Courtney Anderson! (SwCA) Episode 154 - Originally aired 7/25/2014 9:00 AM - MYTH WARRIORS series

SwCA Episode 236: Please and Thank-You Will Take You Far In Business.

Tue, 16 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-236-joyful-art-of-business-series-please-and-thank-you-will-take-you-far-in-business.html SHOW NOTES: In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1. You're welcome! 2. Manners Matter.

SwCA Episode 235: I Look Young And People Don’t Take Me Seriously At Work.

Mon, 15 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-235-help-situation-spotlight-series-i-look-young-and-people-donrsquot-take-me-seriously-at-work.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is, "I Look Young And People Don’t Take Me Seriously At Work." In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including:

SwCA Episode 234: Speak Up!

Fri, 12 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-234-communications-communiqueacute-series-speak-up.html SHOW NOTES: Thus, our series name, COMMUNICATIONS COMMUNIQUÉ™, is born! This episode is, “Speak Up!” In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including:

SwCA Episode 233: To Be Successful, Be Specific.

Thu, 11 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-233-joyful-art-of-business-series-to-be-successful-be-specific.html SHOW NOTES: In our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). The act of engaging in professional endeavors, in any capacity (i.e., as an employee, employer, entrepreneur, contractor, volunteer, paid, full time, part time, intermittently, etc.) is an expression of our ideas and creative talents (“art”). This episode is, “To Be Successful, Be Specific.” In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™

SwCA Episode 232: Are You A Lifestyle Entrepreneur?

Wed, 10 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-232-self-employment-ecstasy-series-are-you-a-lifestyle-entrepreneur.html SHOW NOTES: In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1. What is a lifestyle entrepreneur? “An individual that creates a business with the purpose of altering their personal lifestyle and not for the sole purpose of making profits. A lifestyle entrepreneur focuses more on the life rewards provided to people that enjoy and have a passion for what they are doing. There is a possibility that the business will do particularity well since the individual has a passion for what he/she is doi

SwCA Episode 231: Leaders Are Not Liked. They Are Respected.

Tue, 09 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-231-management-magicians-series-leaders-are-not-liked-they-are-respected.html SHOW NOTES: In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1. If you feel that you must be liked by others, do not accept a leadership position. 2. Definition of

SwCA Episode 230: It Is A Holiday And I Am All Alone.

Mon, 08 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-230-help-situation-spotlight-series-it-is-a-holiday-and-i-am-all-alone.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is, "It Is A Holiday And I Am All Alone." In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1)

SwCA Episode 229: The Office Bully. Are They Bullying You?

Fri, 05 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-229-hr-heroes-hangout-series-the-office-bully-are-they-bullying-you.html SHOW NOTES: In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1) Our HR Heroes aren't bullied. 2) For non-HR Hero staff, yes.

SwCA Episode 228: If It Seems Too Good To Be True, It Probably Is.

Thu, 04 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-228-myth-warriors-series-if-it-seems-too-good-to-be-true-it-probably-is.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is, “If It Seems Too Good To Be True, It Probably Is." In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1.

SwCA Episode 227: I Deserve My Dream Job!

Wed, 03 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-227-help-situation-spotlight-series-i-deserve-my-dream-job.html SHOW NOTES: In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared. This episode is, “I Deserve My Dream Job!" In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including:

SwCA Episode 226: What If I Have No Money Saved For Retirement?

Tue, 02 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-226-financial-fierceness-series-what-if-i-have-no-money-saved-for-retirement.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is, “What If I Have No Money Saved For Retirement?” In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including:

SwCA Episode 225: When People Show You Who They Are, Believe Them (the first time)!

Mon, 01 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-225-joyful-art-of-business-series-when-people-show-you-who-they-are-believe-them-the-first-time.html SHOW NOTES: In our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). The act of engaging in professional endeavors, in any capacity (i.e., as an employee, employer, entrepreneur, contractor, volunteer, paid, full time, part time, intermittently, etc.) is an expression of our ideas and creative talents (“art”). This episode is, “When People Show You Who They Are, Believe Them (the first time)!" In this show we discuss

SwCA Episode 224: One Employee That Files Multiple HR Complaints; Problem or Present?

Fri, 28 Nov 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-224-hr-heroes-hangout-series-one-employee-that-files-multiple-hr-complaints-problem-or-present.html SHOW NOTES: In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1) Present. 2) You don't know what you don't know.

SwCA Episode 223: I Am Uncomfortable Around People More Successful Than I Am!

Thu, 27 Nov 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-223-help-situation-spotlight-series-i-am-uncomfortable-around-people-more-successful-than-i-am.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is, “I Am Uncomfortable Around People More Successful Than I Am!" In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including:

SwCA Episode 222: Do Not Hire People To Help Them.

Wed, 26 Nov 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-222-self-employment-ecstasy-series-do-not-hire-people-to-help-them.html SHOW NOTES: In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1) No good deed goes unpunished. 2) Is this really a good deed?

SwCA Episode 221: When Was the Last Time You Asked Your Employees About Their Goals?

Tue, 25 Nov 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-221-management-magicians-series-when-was-the-last-time-you-asked-your-employees-about-their-goals.html SHOW NOTES: In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1) Not for a Mandatory Performance Review or Evaluation. 2) When did you voluntarily ask on your own accord?

SwCA Episode 220: Virtual Meetings and Time Zone Treatment!

Mon, 24 Nov 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-220-meeting-mayhem-series-virtual-meetings-and-time-zone-treatment.html SHOW NOTES: This is our series, MEETING MAYHEM™! This episode is, “Virtual Meetings and Time Zone Treatment!" In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including:

SwCA Episode 219: When Team Building Turns Into Team Destruction.

Fri, 21 Nov 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-219-hr-heroes-hangout-series-when-team-building-turns-into-team-destruction.html SHOW NOTES: In this episode our topic is, "When Team Building Turns Into Team Destruction." In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1) You can't force teams to bond.

SwCA Episode 218: Everybody Knows That…

Thu, 20 Nov 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-218-myth-warriors-series-everybody-knows-thathellip.html SHOW NOTES: In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1) No they don't. 2) Myth. 3)

SwCA Episode 217: I Gave My Boss Great Ideas AND They Were Ignored.

Wed, 19 Nov 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-217-help-situation-spotlight-series-i-gave-my-boss-great-ideas-and-they-were-ignored.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is, "I Gave My Boss Great Ideas AND...They Were Ignored.” In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1) Good. 2) Now you know.

SwCA Episode 216: Virtual Meetings and MUTE!

Tue, 18 Nov 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-216-meeting-mayhem-series-virtual-meetings-and-mute.html SHOW NOTES: This is the debut episode of our new series, MEETING MAYHEM™! We face meetings around the world, in person, via phone, via video, via online chat, while standing, while sitting, while walking, in boardrooms, hallways, and everywhere else humans may gather…let’s immediately eradicate the most destructive meetings! The most destructive meetings waste time, talent and resources. They create mayhem and this series is dedicated to stopping them. Let’s make meetings effective and banish the mayhem that poor meeting management (from organizers, presenters and attendees) causes! In this series we work through techniques to tame and mitigate meeting mayhem anywhere, any time for anyone! This episode is, “

SwCA Episode 215: My Employees Think I Am Rich. Help!

Mon, 17 Nov 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-215-self-employment-ecstasy-series-my-employees-think-i-am-rich-help.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is, “My Employees Think I Am Rich. Help!” In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including:

SwCA Episode 214: I Am Tired of Hearing, Must be Nice..., From People.

Fri, 14 Nov 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-214-satisfaction-saturation-series-i-am-tired-of-hearing-must-be-nicehellip-from-people.html SHOW NOTES: This specific episode is, “I Am Tired of Hearing, ‘Must be Nice…’ From People.” In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™

SwCA Episode 213: Money Doesn’t Buy Happiness, But It Buys Options.

Thu, 13 Nov 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-213-financial-fierceness-series-money-doesnrsquot-buy-happiness-but-it-buys-options.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is, "Money Doesn’t Buy Happiness, But It Buys Options.” In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ regarding: 1) What does money represent to you?

SwCA Episode 212: I Apply For Jobs But Am Told I Am OVERQUALIFIED!

Wed, 12 Nov 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-212-help-situation-spotlight-series-i-apply-for-jobs-but-am-told-i-am-overqualified.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is, “I Apply For Jobs But Am Told I Am OVERQUALIFIED!” In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including:

SwCA Episode 211: Is Your Speaking Speed Sabotaging Your Career?

Tue, 11 Nov 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-211-communications-communiqueacute-series-is-your-speaking-speed-sabotaging-your-career.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is, “Is Your Speaking Speed Sabotaging Your Career?” In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1) SpeakTooFast?

SwCA Episode 210: Why You Need A Private Banker!

Mon, 10 Nov 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-210-financial-fierceness-series-why-you-need-a-private-banker.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is, "Why You Need A Private Banker!” In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ regarding: 1) When I learned about Private Bankers.

SwCA Episode 209: My Spouse Moves Frequently For Work So I Am Unable To Get A Job!

Fri, 07 Nov 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-209-help-situation-spotlight-series-my-spouse-moves-frequently-for-work-so-i-am-unable-to-get-a-job.html SHOW NOTES: In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared. This episode is, “My Spouse Moves Frequently For Work So I Am Unable To Get A Job!” In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including:

SwCA Episode 208: Your Employer Is NOT Responsible For Your Happiness.

Thu, 06 Nov 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-208-myth-warriors-series-your-employer-is-not-responsible-for-your-happiness.html SHOW NOTES: In this episode, our topic is, "Your Employer Is NOT Responsible For Your Happiness.” In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1) Not a myth.

SwCA Episode 207: Ask For What You Want AND Be Prepared To Get It.

Wed, 05 Nov 2014 14:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-207-joyful-art-of-business-series-ask-for-what-you-want-and-be-prepared-to-get-it.html SHOW NOTES: In this episode our topic is, ““Ask For What You Want AND Be Prepared To Get It.” The topic is a quote from Maya Angelou! In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including:

SwCA Episode 206: Never Mention A Number First When Negotiating A Salary.

Tue, 04 Nov 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-206-financial-fierceness-series-never-mention-a-number-first-when-negotiating-a-salary.html SHOW NOTES: Our FINANCIAL FIERCENESS!™ series integrates our financial goals into our development plan for surpassing our goals. We deal with the specific issues we need to explore in order to achieve (and surpass) our financial goals. This episode is, "Never Mention A Number First When Negotiating A Salary.” In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ regarding: 1) Why you decide how much money you will make. 2) First rule of salary negotiations is that humans do not want to talk about salary. 3) Do not be anchored and defined by a past salary. 4) Why you think a “good salary” is different from what your employer thinks. 5) Why negations are a positive experience. 6) How to use your chess and/ or poker skills to win. 7) How to answer an application request for your former salary. 8) How to research [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC Site: www.CourtneyAnderson.com Email: info@CourtneyAnderson.com Twitter: @ZealousBusiness

SwCA Episode 205: Is Your Verbal Crutch Creating Chaos?

Mon, 03 Nov 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-205-communications-communiqueacute-series-is-your-verbal-crutch-creating-chaos.html SHOW NOTES: In this series we explore the techniques to most effectively express our ideas. The series is very important as the most brilliant ideas are nullified by the failure to effectively marshall our pathways of idea delivery (it is not what we say but how we say it). Due to the very important nature of each of these shows they are therefore each a communiqué. Thus, our series name, COMMUNICATIONS COMMUNIQUÉ™, is born! In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1) What is a verbal crutch (you k

SwCA Episode 204: It's Complicated.

Fri, 03 Oct 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-204-myth-warriors-series-its-complicated.html SHOW NOTES: Our episode today is, “It’s complicated.” In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1) No, it isn’t. 2) This is a myth.

SwCA Episode 203: My Life Is A Roller Coaster and I Want It To Be A Carousel.

Thu, 02 Oct 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-203-help-situation-spotlight-series-my-life-is-a-roller-coaster-and-i-want-it-to-be-a-carousel.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is, “My Life Is A Roller Coaster and I Want It To Be A Carousel.” In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1) Roller Coaster definition-

SwCA Episode 202: You Cannot Make Another Person Happy.

Wed, 01 Oct 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-202-myth-warriors-series-you-cannot-make-another-person-happy.html SHOW NOTES: Our episode today is, “You Cannot Make Another Person Happy.” In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1) “To make someone's day, all you have to do is stay physically near her while remaining in a state of contentment, humor, compassion or calm. Try getting deeply happy a

SwCA Episode 201: Everyone Tells Me What I Want To Hear. How Can I Get Honest Feedback?

Tue, 30 Sep 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-201-satisfaction-saturation-series-everyone-tells-me-what-i-want-to-hear-how-can-i-get-honest-feedback.html SHOW NOTES: This specific episode is, “Everyone Tells Me What I Want To Hear. How Can I Get Honest Feedback?” In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1)

SwCA Episode 200: Why Telling Someone to Think Different or to Think Outside The Box Always Fails.

Mon, 29 Sep 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-200-management-magicians-series-why-telling-someone-to-think-different-or-to-think-outside-the-box-always-fails.html SHOW NOTES: In this episode, our topic is, “Why Telling Someone to ‘Think Different’ or to ‘Think Outside The Box’ Always Fails.” In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including:

SwCA Episode 199: Never Make Someone A Priority When All You Are To Them Is An Option.

Fri, 26 Sep 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-199-joyful-art-of-business-series-never-make-someone-a-priority-when-all-you-are-to-them-is-an-option.html SHOW NOTES: In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1) Learn more about Maya Angelou (Seehttp://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/maya-angelou).

SwCA Episode 198: Why The Worst Thing That Can Happen Is For Your Business To Succeed!

Thu, 25 Sep 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-198-self-employment-ecstasy-series-why-the-worst-thing-that-can-happen-is-for-your-business-to-succeed.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is, “Why The Worst Thing That Can Happen Is For Your Business To Succeed!” In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1) Judgment suffers

SwCA Episode 197: Does It Really Matter Where I Go To College? Yes.

Wed, 24 Sep 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-197-help-situation-spotlight-series-does-it-really-matter-where-i-go-to-college-yes.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is, “Does It Really Matter Where I Go To College? Yes.” In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1) Why your education providers (or institutions of higher learning) matter.

SwCA Episode 196: You Reap What You Sow.

Tue, 23 Sep 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-196-myth-warriors-series-you-reap-what-you-sow.html SHOW NOTES: Our episode today is, "You Reap What You Sow.” In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1) NOT a myth.

SwCA Episode 195: Teaching Gifted Students!

Mon, 22 Sep 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-195-educatorsrsquo-eden-series-teaching-gifted-students.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is, “Teaching Gifted Students!” In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1) Full disclosure, I was in gifted (or gifted and talented) programs from elementary school, through middle school, high school and in college (undergraduate study).

SwCA Episode 194: You Don’t Need To Be THE BEST, You Just Need To BE (THERE).

Fri, 19 Sep 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SHOW SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-194-joyful-art-of-business-series-you-donrsquot-need-to-be-the-best-you-just-need-to-be-there.html SHOW NOTES: In this episode our topic is, “You Don’t Need To Be THE BEST; You Just Need To BE (THERE).” In this show we discuss A Stone* of Solutions™ including: 1) Why I love this show topic!

SwCA Episode 193: My Life Is More Awesome Than I Ever Dreamed! I Am Grateful But Also Feel Guilty. H

Thu, 18 Sep 2014 10:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-193-satisfaction-saturation-series-my-life-is-more-awesome-than-i-ever-dreamed-i-am-grateful-but-also-feel-guilty-help.html SHOW NOTES: This specific episode is, "My Life Is More Awesome Than I Ever Dreamed! I Am Grateful But Also Feel Guilty. Help!" Wow. We have so much in our lives that has surpassed our dreams and goals! Our work (paid and/or volunteer), our community of caring (family and friends), our daily joy. We discuss in this show that some people will have a moment of clarity when they look around and realize how far they have surpassed their goals. (The “I really did it” moment!) Other people have a very specific predefined goal and events related thereto (first day of public trading of their firm, standing on the stand at the Olympics receiving a medal, at their wedding, their child’s first day of school, hitting one million dollars in sales, etc.). I share in the show that I never had a specific singular predefined goal. In the past few years I have looked around and realized, I am living the dream! My work is more exciting, challenging, rewarding and fulfilling than I ever imagined. My community of caring is filled with authentic people that I respect and trust. My physical surroundings (homes, etc.) are beautiful. I have the resources to do what I feel like doing when I feel like doing it. I rarely have an unpleasant person in my life that I ‘have to put up with’ and I am containing to add more layers of resources to my financial independence. I wake up 99% of the time (except for when I am sick or something horrendous happens in life) really excited about the upcoming day. I dance around in the morning when I rise in celebration of the new day! I can’t wait to see what happens! How did this happen? 1) I have had numerous specific goals that I have relentlessly pursued. 2) I n

SwCA Episode 192: How Do I Protect Myself While Remaining Open To New People?

Wed, 17 Sep 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-192-help-situation-spotlight-series-how-do-i-protect-myself-while-remaining-open-to-new-people.html SHOW NOTES: In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared. This episode is, “"How Do I Protect Myself While Remaining Open To New People?" ANSWER: Make a commitment to yourself that you will keep yourself safe from harm. That's how. 1) Why should you remain open to new people? “We all know people who are so much afraid of pain that they shut themselves up like clams in a shell and, giving out nothing, receive nothing and therefore shrink until life is a mere living death.” - Eleanor Roosevelt (longest serving First Lady of the US) NOTE: This quote was discussed in these other shows: RADIO SHOW/AUDIO PODCAST: Solutions...with Courtney Anderson! (SwCA) Episode 076 - Originally aired 4/8/2014 9:00 AM - MYTH WARRIORS! series - “I am scared. My fear is holding me back in life.” - Part 1 of 2 & RADIO SHOW/AUDIO PODCAST: Solutions...with Courtney Anderson! (SwCA) Episode 077 - Originally aired 4/9/2014 9:00 AM - MYTH WARRIORS! series - “I am scared. My fear is holding me back in life.” - Part 2 of 2 2) What do we mean by 'protect'? Definition of protect ": to keep (someone or something) from being harmed, lost, etc. : to save (someone) from financial loss caused by fire, injury, damage, etc." Protect. (n.d.). Retrieved August 24, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protect 3) What specifically do we mean by 'open'? (Not vulnerable, not [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com info@CourtneyAnderson.com @ZealousBu

SwCA Episode 191: Be EASY To Work With (or be broke).

Tue, 16 Sep 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-191-financial-fierceness-series-be-easy-to-work-with-or-be-broke.html SHOW NOTES: Our FINANCIAL FIERCENESS!™ series integrates our financial goals into our development plan for surpassing our goals. We deal with the specific issues we need to explore in order to achieve (and surpass) our financial goals. This episode is, "Be EASY To Work With (or be broke)." WHAT? What does this episode title mean? 1) You want money. People want to give you money. Why make it hard for them to do so? Consider: One of the challenges that all professionals face is frustration at the self-sabotaging behaviors that some humans implement. The intersection of income and attitude is one of the most difficult for me to personally understand. I have worked as a mentor, coach, corporate trainer, speaker, consultant and attorney with people who lament their income. “I don’t make enough money!” “They don’t pay me what I am worth!” “My business is not doing well!” Their frustration often stems from the fact that people build artificial blockades between their stated goal and their current situation. In other words, the most simple analysis is that the person wants money and someone else wants to give money away (by hiring an employee, purchasing a good or service, etc.). 2) We have all been on the side of the equation when we have money and are doing everything that we can to give it away and we are prevented from doing so. We walk into a store to purchase an item and no one that works there will help us. We walk into a restaurant to purchase food and drink and no one will seat us or serve our table. We desperately need more staff members for our business (we are swamped with more work than we can handle!), yet the applicants are late or don’t show up at all. We have to pay

SwCA Episode 190: How Did You Open Your Own Law Firm At Age 26?

Mon, 15 Sep 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-190-courtney-i-am-curious-series-how-did-you-open-your-own-law-firm-at-age-26.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is, “How Did You Open Your Own Law Firm At Age 26?" I opened my law firm when I was 26 years old. My office was in a lower income part of town next to railroad tracks. My office rent was less than $300 a month. I had no financial help from anyone. It was one of the best decisions of my life (economically, emotionally, professionally, etc.)! 1) Why? Why not? - I made a fantastic income and I was in control of my destiny! Solo Practitioners annual income in Texas $97,142 (2009 data) ( https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Archives&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=11241) - I am not alone. “The number of recent law graduates going solo increased from 3.5 percent in 2008 to 5.5 percent in 2009, the biggest one year jump since 1982, the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) reports. That percentage increased to 5.7 percent of all private practice jobs for the class of 2010, the highest it’s been since 1997.” (http://www.nbcnews.com/id/43442917/ns/business-careers/t/law-grads-going-solo-loving-it/#.U_T1-bxdVmg) "As of 2005, some 62 percent of attorneys in private practice work as solo or small-firm practitioners, according to the most recent data available from the American Bar Association. " (http://www.abajournal.com/magazine/article/so_you_want_to_go_solo_you_sure/) "Solo practice: ~271,000, or 35% of US lawyers (this takes the ABF estimate of the share of lawyers in solo practice and multiplies it by the total number of lawyers in law offices reported by the BLS) (id.)"; (http://www.law.harvard.edu/programs/plp/pages/statistics.php) 2) Was age an obstacle? No. We a

SwCA Episode 189: Have You Already Peaked (is it downhill from here)?

Fri, 12 Sep 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-189-satisfaction-saturation-series-have-you-already-peaked-is-it-downhill-from-here.html SHOW NOTES: This specific episode is, “Have You Already Peaked (is it downhill from here)?” Is the best of your life already over? Remember when…? Back in the Good Ole Days… I used to be… Those who live in the past are prevented from experiencing the present. The challenge is that the past does not exist. It is a memory, a shared story, a photo, a memento; yet it is not tangible today. It is part of who we are but it does not define who we are. When our past had wonderful, extraordinary accomplishments it presents an additional opportunity for us to challenge ourselves to redefine our present day value. If a person is publicly known (and identified) by their past accomplishments it presents a unique situation. On one hand, the person is proud of the past accolades yet they understand that it is their burden to craft a broader, richer, updated and more sophisticated identity than a shorthand public image. In many ways this is similar to the burden we all share to cut through shorthand stereotypes and force ourselves (and other people) to see us as a multi-faceted individual and not a simple caricature. We are not simply “former homecoming queen,” “woman,” “Olympic medalist,” etc. We are more than our past and our particular identifiers. We have dreams, goals, fears, hopes, favorite foods, stupid jokes and an array of yet to be discovered talents. New adventures await us. We must take up the mantle of our own value and fight to redefine ourselves. The past shackles many people in apathy and disappointment. (“I’ll never live up to that again.”) We are susceptible to tha

SwCA Episode 188: Why Doesn’t My Experience Mean MORE Than Credentials?

Thu, 11 Sep 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-188-help-situation-spotlight-series-why-doesnrsquot-my-experience-mean-more-than-credentials.html SHOW NOTES: The HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series addresses challenges, obstacles and problems (real or perceived) that are preventing a person from surpassing their goals! In this series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared. This episode is, “Why Doesn’t My Experience Mean MORE Than Credentials (degree, license, etc.)?” Here's why: 1) How does anyone know what your experience actually is (versus what you assert it to be)? Do you want to go to a hospital and have the physician tell you that they have an immense amount of experience (but no actual medical degree or [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com info@CourtneyAnderson.com @ZealousBusiness

SwCA Episode 187: The Real Reason You Can’t Have It All Is…

Wed, 10 Sep 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-187-joyful-art-of-business-series-the-real-reason-you-canrsquot-have-it-all-ishellip.html SHOW NOTES: In our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). The act of engaging in professional endeavors, in any capacity (i.e., as an employee, employer, entrepreneur, contractor, volunteer, paid, full time, part time, intermittently, etc.) is an expression of our ideas and creative talents (“art”). In this episode our topic is, “The Real Reason You Can’t Have It All Is…” So, let’s get right to ‘the answer’! A) You don’t want ‘it all.’ B) ‘It All’ doesn’t exist. There are many public discussions that are gender focused regarding the general concept of working outside of a family and unit and contemporaneously working inside of a family unit. The stereotype is that a female is not able to work outside a family unit while working inside of one (and that their work and family will both suffer due to the lack of time and attention). For males the stereotype is that they are not able to work outside the family unit while working inside of one (and that their family unit will suffer due to the lack of time and attention while they prioritize their outside work). There is guilt, shame and regret for males and females in their pursuit of an unattainable fiction ('it all'). In the Harry Chapin song, “Cat’s in the Cradle” a father laments that his child [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com info@CourtneyAnderson.com @ZealousBusiness

SwCA Episode 186: Failing To Plan Is Planning To Fail.

Tue, 09 Sep 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-186-myth-warriors-series-failing-to-plan-is-planning-to-fail.html SHOW NOTES: In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not. We are warriors fighting to establish clarity between what is accurate and what is simply a myth (or falsehood) in life. We are deploying our highest level critical thinking skills in this series to fight to ensure that we are not taken advantage of or exploited by information disparities. We don both defensive protective gear and offensive weaponry. On offense we thrust forward, probing, testing and examining content to discern if it should be defeated and discarded (as a lie) or retained and utilized in our lives in our mission to surpass our goals. This is not a series for the weak minded or fearful as we will leave no stone unturned in our quest to ensure that we are not exploited, not ignored and not used as pawns by powerful people. Our education (formal and informal) is our most powerful weapon to equalize our opportunities for success (on our own terms). Our episode today is, “Failing To Plan Is Planning To Fail.” This is not a myth, It is accurate. The issue is why do you have the goal of failure? Why do you want to fail? Imagine an adolescent child that is told by their parents that they are going to learn to play the flute. (I wanted to play the flute when I was younger but never learned, anyway, back to the example.) They are provided a flute and enrolled in flute lessons. The child couldn’t care less about the flute. They do not practice between lessons. They lie to their parents when asked about practicing and state that they did so. They do not think about the flute at all other than when they are forced to go to their flute teacher. They try out for the school band and due to their lack of skill they are not accepted.&nbs

SwCA Episode 185: I love being a leader! Yet, I am lonely. Is it really lonely at the top?

Mon, 08 Sep 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-185-management-magicians-series-i-love-being-a-leader-yet-i-am-lonely-is-it-really-lonely-at-the-top.html SHOW NOTES: Our MANAGEMENT MAGICIANS™ series is dedicated to those exceptional few who step forward to serve as guides, sages and responsible parties for others in pursuit of the greater good for society and their organization! These are managers who redefine their job titles to ensure their own personal contentment as they motivate, monitor and mentor their team members each day. The “magic” that a talented manager is able to create changes their lives, the lives of their team members and ripples throughout the larger society. We salute their sacrifices and share their techniques and “secrets” to achieving sustained positive experiences for themselves, clients, customers, peers, team members, and the public at large! In this episode, our topic is, “I love being a leader! Yet, I am lonely. Is it really lonely at the top?” Yes.

SwCA Episode 184: How did you buy your first home at age 27 as a single woman?

Fri, 05 Sep 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-184-courtney-i-am-curious-series-how-did-you-buy-your-first-home-at-age-27-as-a-single-woman.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is, “How did you buy your first home at age 27 as a single woman?” I purchased my first home at age 27. I still own it today as an investment property (over 15 years later as of the time of this show). I bought it on my own. I used money I earned working (as an employee and from my own business) for the down payment, closing costs and fees. I received no money from anyone else (family or friends, etc.). I borrowed the remainder of the purchase funds from a bank. NOTE: I discussed how to buy your first home in another show: Solutions...with Courtney Anderson! (SwCA) Episode 047 - Originally aired 2/26/2014 9:00 AM - FINANCIAL FIERCENESS! series - “How to buy your first (or next, or best) home!” I discussed credit scores (and reports) in a two part show: RADIO SHOW/AUDIO PODCAST Solutions...with Courtney Anderson! (SwCA) Episode 022 - Originally aired 1/22/2014 9:00 AM - FINANCIAL FIERCENESS! series - “'Credit score, who cares?!' You should...here's why. (Part 1 of 2)” and RADIO SHOW/AUDIO PODCAST Solutions...with Courtney Anderson! (SwCA) Episode 024 - Originally aired 1/24/2014 9:00 AM - FINANCIAL FIERCENESS! - “'Credit score, who cares?!' You should...here's why. (Part 2 of 2)" 1) How did I buy my first home? With money I earned and saved, 2) use of my credit report and score 3) and income verification to qualify for a loan from a lender for the balance. The home was priced at approximately $115,000 USD. It is a single family, unattached, three bedroom, two bath brick home that was brand new when I purchased it (from the builder). It was fulfillment of one of my dreams when I received the keys! 2) Was I limited by my age? No. We are what age we are. I was aw

SwCA Episode 183: How HR Helps (or hurts) Retention in the Hiring Process!

Thu, 04 Sep 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-183-hr-heroes-hangout-series-how-hr-helps-or-hurts-retention-in-the-hiring-process.html SHOW NOTES: Our HR HEROES HANGOUT™ series is dedicated to those who serve our societies each day, toiling in the bowels of the human capital infrastructure issues that fuel all organizations (hiring, retention, engagement, efficiency, compensation, legal compliance, policy and procedure continuous improvement, training and education, litigation mitigation, etc.); our HR HEROES! These are the unsung heroes that ensure that organizations achieve and sustain maximum human capital competitive advantage! In this episode our topic is, "How HR Helps (or hurts) Retention in the Hiring Process!" In this episode we explore the hiring process situations where our HR HEROES actually are SUPER-HEROES! How? The mission for our HR Hero is to simultaneously defend the organization against "bad apples" while trying to lure in and retain "good apples." A "bad apple" is a human who does not want to be part of the organization. A "good apple" is a human who does want to be part of the organization. A "bad apple" must be warded off, defended against and expelled (if one gets past the organizational defenses). Why? Someone who "does not want to be here" will destroy everything they come in contact with. They complain, sabotage, obstruct, create conflict and spread the misery and pain that they are experiencing to peer staff, supervisor, customers, vendors, social media and any other entity that they interact with. They do not want to be there so they don't care about the mission statement, the customer, the goals, the culture, their coworkers, their boss, anything at all. You may wonder, why would a "bad apple" even bother to try to enter our organization if they don't want to be there? Well, they have other motives. 1) They are broke and need money. Your organization represen

SwCA Episode 182: How to Use Your Voice to Succeed in a Phone Job Interview!

Wed, 03 Sep 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-182-communications-communiqueacute-series-how-to-use-your-voice-to-succeed-in-a-phone-job-interview.html SHOW NOTES: his is our COMMUNICATIONS COMMUNIQUÉ™ series! Our ability to express our ideas is critical to achieving any of our goals in life. We may possess the secret to eternal life and perpetual joy but if it is trapped inside our thoughts with no way to share it with others it is useless. When we speak, write, stand, touch, move, see, hear, taste and use any of our body to express what is in our mind we are able to create real life manifestations of our internal thoughts. Writing, speaking and using our body language are some of the most common paths that we utilize to express our ideas externally. This is the field of communications! We explore the techniques to most effectively express our ideas in this series. The series is very important as the most brilliant ideas are nullified by the failure to effectively marshall our pathways of idea delivery (it is not what we say but how we say it). Due to the very important nature of each of these shows they are therefore each a communiqué. Thus, our series name, COMMUNICATIONS COMMUNIQUÉ™, is born! Definition of COMMUNICATIONS “5 a : a technique for expressing ideas effectively (as in speech)” Communication. (n.d.). Retrieved August 10, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communication Definition of COMMUNIQUÉ “an official announcement about a usually very important piece of news” Communiqué. (n.d.). Retrieved August 10, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communiqué I will utilize my experience in professions where elite level use of communications is required including as an attorney, professor, television and radio performer, and keynote spea

SwCA Episode 181: A Work Colleague Has Experienced A Tragic Death of A Loved One. What Should I Do?

Tue, 02 Sep 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-181-help-situation-spotlight-series-a-work-colleague-has-experienced-a-tragic-death-of-a-loved-one-what-should-i-do.html SHOW NOTES: The HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series addresses challenges, obstacles and problems (real or perceived) that are preventing a person from surpassing their goals! In this series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared. This episode is, “A Work Colleague Has Experienced A Tragic Death of A Loved One. What Should I Do?” Life. Death is a reality for all of us. A tragic death (accident, homicide, suicide, etc.) is not. What do you do if a tragic death becomes a reality for a work colleague? 1) Be there. 2) Listen. If you have experienced a tragic death in your life you have an advantage (in some respects) when your work colleague experiences one in their lives. The compassion, empathy and understanding that a tragic death survivor is able to provide to another person is an asset. The natural aversion to the colleague (from people who have not experienced a real life tragic death themselves) is understandable at some level. We all hear about tragic death. It is on the news. It is in our media in film, music, poetry, video games, etc., yet that is an abstract awareness devoid of the devastation of the actual child, spouse, friend, boss, parent, partner, that we know who is gone. The most ‘helpful’ things you should do, I repeat: 1) Be there. 2) Listen. I learned about these types of situations when my only sibling committed suicide. With a tragic death there are also the extra issues to deal with in many instances of media inquires and coverage. This forces public attention on the survivors. In many instances it is the only public information about their loved one and it defines their entire life into often graphic and

SwCA Episode 180: Would you rather be a pig happy or Socrates unhappy?

Mon, 01 Sep 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-180-joyful-art-of-business-series-would-you-rather-be-a-pig-happy-or-socrates-unhappy.html SHOW NOTES: In our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). The act of engaging in professional endeavors, in any capacity (i.e., as an employee, employer, entrepreneur, contractor, volunteer, paid, full time, part time, intermittently, etc.) is an expression of our ideas and creative talents (“art”). All of this is in furtherance of our mission to surpass our goals! Our episode today is, “Would you rather be a pig happy or Socrates unhappy?” (i.e., is ignorance bliss?) Where did the show topic come from? From a book written by John Stuart Mill. The book is titled, “Utilitarianism” and was first published in 1861. From Frostburg University, “Is the high-strung and hardworking intellectual superior to the relaxed and benevolent airhead? Considering that high culture requires so much attention and effort, and that it does not seem to pay off too well in terms of sociability and contentment, is it really worth the price it exacts? This is the question that John Stuart Mill tries to answer in the second chapter of his book Utilitarianism (first published in 1861). In that chapter Mill offers the famous judgment (in favor of the New Yorkers, as it were) that "it is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied." Basically Mill contends that a highly cultured person is a happier person, a person who gets more pleasure out of life than an airhead--even if such a person experiences a great deal of frustration and dissatisfaction as a result of being educated and cultured.” (http:

SwCA Episode 179: How Did You Graduate From College With Your Bachelor’s Degree at 20 Years Old?

Fri, 29 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-179-courtney-i-am-curious-series-how-did-you-graduate-from-college-with-your-bachelorrsquos-degree-at-20-years-old.html SHOW NOTES: In the COURTNEY! I AM CURIOUS series you ask and I answer! I hope that my journey through life helps you more fully explore what is probable in your life! This episode is, “How Did You Graduate From College with your Bachelors degree at 20 Years Old?” I graduated from high school when I was 17 years old. I graduated from college with my bachelor’s degree three years after I finished high school. I was 20 years old. 1) How did I do it (graduate from college with my bachelor’s degree in three years)? I completed all of the requirements for the degree by that time. I completed 124 credit hours and 120 were required for graduation. Thus, I graduated because I finished the degree program requirements. From RADIO SHOW/AUDIO PODCAST: Solutions…with Courtney Anderson! (SwCA) Episode 082 - Originally aired 4/16/2014 9:00 AM - HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT series - “How do I pick 'the right' college for my first degree?", “in general (from a US perspective), degrees are awarded based on completed credit hours. One credit hour is based on one class hour per week throughout the duration of a semester. So, a class that meets for three hours per week for an entire term will be worth three credit hours upon successful completion. An associate degree is roughly 60 credit hours. A bachelors degree is 120 credit hours. Thus, to earn a bachelors degree would take 40 different three credit classes (which is why it takes several years to graduate).” 2) How did you complete all of the degree requirements in three years? By planning ahead and setting a goal to do so! The most candid response I can give is that from my earliest memory my goal was to move as quickly as possible through undergraduate sch

SwCA Episode 178: I Am Successful. I Am NOT Happy. Why?

Thu, 28 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-178-satisfaction-saturation-series-i-am-successful-i-am-not-happy-why.html SHOW NOTES: You are craving a new mountain to climb. This series, “SATISFACTION SATURATION™”, is for you. We will address the challenges in reaching the SATISFACTION SATURATION state in regards to specific experiences, how to recognize it, how to treat it, how to prevent it, and how to handle the feedback from other people (“Must be nice to have that job, that house, that car, that award,” etc.). This specific episode is, “I Am Successful. I Am NOT Happy. Why?” 1) You are not successful if you are not happy. 2) Why did you do the things to be partially successful? To please others? Because they were easy for you? As per number one above, if you are in a prolonged, chronic state of unhappiness, you are not successful. The entire purpose of our “Joyful Art of Business” practice is to prevent an outcome where we have some limited success (in prestige, income, accolades, reputation, etc.) and we are miserable. We should focus on our emotional and psychological return on our investment (ROI) of time and resources in our work endeavors. That means that we do not accept a job or professional opportunity because “everyone thinks we should” or because “it is what our parents wanted for us.” We are going to monitor our individual feelings and reactions to our work. If we dread our work and have a headache every time we go to our office, we need to make some changes. We should have some level of anticipation and excitement about the work that we do! We all are aware of stories of rich and sad executives, lonely superstars, famous and miserable public figures who “suffer in silence” behind closed doors. Suffering is still suffering whether it is out in the open or hidden behind close

SwCA Episode 177: I am being subjected to The Silent Treatment from someone. How do I handle it?

Wed, 27 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-177-help-situation-spotlight-series-i-am-being-subjected-to-the-silent-treatment-from-someone-how-do-i-handle-it.html SHOW NOTES: In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared. This episode is, “I am being subjected to ‘The Silent Treatment’ from someone. How do I handle it?” You Don’t. This is a challenging subject as many of us would prefer to remain silent about “the silent treatment” (ouch). Yet, we cannot do so. We prefer our aggression served out loud so that we are able to hear it. When we are confronted with aggression masquerading as innocent activity, it is slithery and elusive. When exactly did it start? Are we imagining it? Is silence really deafening or are we simply too sensitive? In this show we discuss ‘the silent treatment’ at work and in our personal lives. These two questions will be our guides irrespective of the setting. 1) How much are you invested in the person? 2) How much are you invested In the relationship? What is ‘the silent treatment’? Maybe I am simply imagining it? Or, perhaps I am confused and mistake a quiet person for an act of aggression? The silent treatment is a form of aggression. It is not your imagination. It is not you being too sensitive. It is not that some people are quiet (as quiet people are not entirely silent, they simply speak less loudly and less often). Specifically, this behavior is passive-aggression. “Passive aggression is aggression by “not doing” — and deliberately not communicating or giving someone the “silent treatment” is one of the more common forms of it. And passive-aggression can be one tool in an arsenal of weapons that people use to manipulate and/or a

SwCA Episode 176: Each Time That You Treat Yourself Badly, Your Enemies Rejoice. So, STOP.

Tue, 26 Aug 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-176-joyful-art-of-business-series-each-time-that-you-treat-yourself-badly-your-enemies-rejoice-so-stop.html SHOW NOTES: In our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). Our episode today is, “Each Time That You Treat Yourself Badly, Your Enemies Rejoice. So, STOP. ” We hurt. We hurt ourselves. Our enemies rejoice. Wait! What? Someone tells me, “You are an idiot.” I know that person is not a part of my community of caring (as those people all pass the test that ‘my happiness is their happiness’). So, this person who caused me to be unhappy (by calling me an idiot) does not care about me at this time. I choose to think to myself, “It is true. I am an idiot. I am also ugly.” Then, I deliberately do not plan ahead for my work project (because I am focused on being an ugly idiot). My work product is therefore not to the best of my ability (it is late, poor quality, etc.). Now, those who intend to cause me harm (aka enemies) are very happy (and rejoicing). Enemies wanted to cause me harm and they surpassed their goal: 1) They called me an idiot. 2) I chose to believe them. I called myself an idiot (and added extra insults about being ugly [...] VISIT SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 175: What Does It Mean That You Are The Workplace Relationship Expert?

Mon, 25 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-175-courtney-i-am-curious-series-what-does-it-mean-that-you-are-the-workplace-relationship-expert.html SHOW NOTES: This is our COURTNEY! I AM CURIOUS™ series wherein you ask and I answer! Specifically, this is a series for questions about my personal experiences, perspectives and life lessons. I coined the term the “Workplace Relationship Expert” by 1999 and have been using it in my professional materials since that time! The reason is that I research and write about workplace interpersonal relationships that impact organizational outcomes (between management and staff, between peers, etc.). Definition of Workplace: “a place (as a shop or factory) where work is done” Workplace. (n.d.). Retrieved August 6, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/workplace Definition of Relationship: “: the way in which two or more people, groups, countries, etc., talk to, behave toward, and deal with each other : a romantic or sexual friendship between two people : the way in which two or more people or things are connected” Relationship. (n.d.). Retrieved August 6, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relationship What happens at work is not isolated to work process and goals. It is largely impacted by the internal relationship motives people have not addressed (which results in harassment, bullying abuse, illegal employment decisions, etc.). My job is to address that reality and provide consequence and clarity of the individual choices that team members decide to make. What led to my identification as 'The Workplace Relationship Expert'? 1) I started dealing with workplace legal issues (wrongful termination, etc.) as an attorney at my law firm (which I opened in 1998). 2) I had numerous clients that I helped with

SwCA Episode 174: We All Need Someone To Believe In Us.

Fri, 22 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-174-myth-warriors-series-we-all-need-someone-to-believe-in-us.html SHOW NOTES: This is an episode that I feel compelled to do! Our MYTH WARRIORS™ series is about targeting ideas to begin the assessment of whether they are credible or not. This episode topic is, “We All Need Someone To Believe In Us.” No. We don’t need it. This is a myth. Definition of need: “: a situation in which someone or something must do or have something : something that a person must have : something that is needed in order to live or succeed or be happy : a strong feeling that you must have or do something” Need. (n.d.). Retrieved August 4, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/need We may want someone to believe in us. A want is not a need. The challenge is that if we convince ourselves of the lie (myth) that we need someone to believe in us and we don’t have anyone who does; we argue that we have to give up on life. No one believes in us. We don’t believe in ourselves. We engage in self-destructive behavior. We sabotage ourselves. We befriend bitterness, regret and anger. We waste each day mired in self-pity. Of course, it is wonderful if someone believes in you! If many people believe in you, congratulations! You are very fortunate! Yet, that is not a guarantee of any specific outcome (e.g., success, wealth, etc.). It is also not an entitlement. Just because your grandfather, sister, best friend and 7th grade teacher believe in you and have told you that you are special and super-awesome, does not mean that the rest of the world shares that same sentiment. We are all judged as adults as individuals. Potential is just that. It is not purpose and it is not rewarded. We all have potential. The issue with this show topic is that [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NO

SwCA Episode 173: Are Your Insecurities and Fears Preventing Employee Empowerment?

Thu, 21 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-173-management-magicians-series-are-your-insecurities-and-fears-preventing-employee-empowerment.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is, “Are Your Insecurities and Fears Preventing Employee Empowerment?” Yes. To clarify, although this show is part of our MANAGEMENT MAGICIANS™ series we are obviously not addressing the existing management magicians when we discuss individuals who are suffering from insecurities and fears that hurt their organization (and themselves). These individuals may aspire to be management magicians in the future (or they may have been so at some time in the past and hope to return to that state). It is unhealthy for a person to be prevented from using logic and data to make decisions and instead to base actions on their fears and insecurities. 1) The sufferer of the afflictions of raging fears and insecurities needs help and treatment as soon as possible to get them on the path to recovery. Popular culture cruelly ridicules people afflicted with fears and insecurities that appear to be irrational (fear of butterflies, etc.). Aren’t all fears and insecurities equal? We will want to view our fears and insecurities as ‘real’ (and often have explanations for why they are rational). We want to view other people’s fears and insecurities as silly. Isn’t it all subjective? Isn’t the issue the fear and insecurity (and the toll they take) and not what triggers the fear and insecurity? We should not judge others as we are not immune to the same challenges. 2) What toll does the manager who is motivated by their fear and insecurity take on their organization? From the Washington Post, [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 172: I Have So Many Ideas That I Lose Track of Time All of The Time! What Should I Do?

Wed, 20 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-172-self-employment-ecstasy-series-i-have-so-many-ideas-that-i-lose-track-of-time-all-of-the-time-what-should-i-do.html SHOW NOTES: This series is designed for the statistically rare, yet often overlooked, self-employed individual who marches to their own drummer and loves it! This is not a series for people who want to consider future self-employment (aspiring) and how to become self-employed. This is a series for existing self-employment individuals. A very small number of people are self-employed ‘full-time’ (not the best term but it does convey the intended meaning). How are we defining self-employed in this series? Definition of Self-employed - ": earning income directly from one's own business, trade, or profession rather than as a specified salary or wages from an employer” Self-employed. (n.d.). Retrieved August 4, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-employed There is a very different professional situation for a self-employed person who operates as their own safety net. No guaranteed paycheck, no benefits. Self-employment is a joy for those who value autonomy and possess high levels of self-discipline. From Bloomberg Businessweek, “self-employed people are happier with their jobs than the wage-employed. According to the Pew report, "Nearly four-in-ten self-employed workers (39%) say they are 'completely satisfied' with their jobs, compared with 28% of all wage or salaried employees." This is consistent with earlier studies showing that, in a wide range of countries, a higher percentage of the self-employed are satisfied or very satisfied with their jobs than the wage employed.” (http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/apr2010/sb2010041_151187.htm) Why are we referring to the series as self-employment ecstasy? Because the data shares that this group (self-e

SwCA Episode 171: GO BIG or Go HOME! Except for people, money and health.

Tue, 19 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-171-joyful-art-of-business-series-go-big-or-go-home-except-for-with-people-money-and-health.html SHOW NOTES: Our episode today is, "GO BIG or GO HOME! (Except for with people, money and health.)" You are the type of person who gets the job done! People admire your tenacity, focus and intensity! You are squared away and run a tight ship. You live life to the fullest and you work and play with glee and exuberance! You don’t have any regrets as you have left no stone unturned in ensuring your life is better than your dreams. In fact, you are often the person who is asked to handle the most intense and challenging work projects. Other people trust that your seemingly inexhaustible resources of energy and determination can make the impossible, possible. You love the big risk, big reward action! No safety net, no submission to fear. You are addicted to the adrenaline rush of the biggest adventures in life. Start a business from scratch with no money, no connections and no credit? No problem. You are a believer in what is achievable with a well planned strategy and sheer will driving the execution plan. You have been rewarded for this zeal and extraordinary focus in work, in competition and in your personal pride in surpassing your goals!! In fact, you often are confused by what you perceive to be the lack of desire and dedication in other people (‘how can they stomach giving such a half-hearted effort?!’). When you show up to the game of life, you come to win. You give everything that you have to everything that you do and you leave it all out on the field. These traits have served you well professionally, financially and in many aspects, psychologically. You are able to immerse yourself in your tasks and truly feel alive and inspired the majority of the time! What could possibly be the problem with this fired up, passionate, aut

SwCA Episode 170: Why Don’t Students Read…the Syllabus, Assignment Instructions, My Email, etc.?

Mon, 18 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-170-educatorsrsquo-eden-series-why-donrsquot-students-readhellipthe-syllabus-assignment-instructions-my-email-etc.html SHOW NOTES: This is our EDUCATORS’ EDEN™ series wherein we explore the paradise that the most passionate, creative and committed educators create for themselves, their students, peers, administrations and institutions! This episode is, “Why Don’t Students Read…the Syllabus, Assignment Instructions, My Email, etc.?” “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela It is exciting when we educators create and disseminate the tools to enable out students to succeed! We are eager for them to enjoy learning new content, to enlarge their vision of the world and to uncover their hidden talents via our course. Our intention is for them to have every available opportunity to prepare, plan and provide their best quality work! This drives us to provide clarity and communication to make their tasks as well defined as possible. What is required, when it is required, how it should be submitted, where it should be submitted, how it will be evaluated and graded, when it will returned to them, etc., are all important details that we want them to have by the start of the course! Thus, they will be able to plan ahead to achieve all of their academic goals in conjunction with all of their other responsibilities throughout the course term. We are in a constant improvement process to enhance and improve our syllabus, assignments, instructions, class communications, etc., to make them clearer and more comprehensive. Ideally, our students will be able to use these documents as guides to ensure that they understand all of the requirements and are meeting their own individual academic goals. The most pristine and powerful documentation is useless if it is not acc

SwCA Episode 169: Aren’t You Scared Traveling All Around The World As A Woman?

Fri, 15 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-169-courtney-i-am-curious-series-arenrsquot-you-scared-traveling-all-around-the-world-as-a-woman.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is the debut of this new series (COURTNEY! I AM CURIOUS) and the show topic is, "Aren’t You Scared Traveling All Around The World As A Woman?" No. I struggle with this question as I don't think of myself as any different from anyone else. So, I don't dream in gender, or age, or nationality, or any other individual trait. I simply dream. Then, I do. To me this question is like asking me, "Aren’t You Scared Traveling All Around The World As A 63 inch (1.6 meters) tall human? I am aware of my height but it is not something that I think about in terms of stopping me from traveling. Of course, there may be some instance where I am too short to reach something (and then I ask for help from a person or for a ladder). There are certainly cultural norms that I must be aware of and respect as I travel (in the US and everywhere else). We all have to do this so I don't think that it is a unique burden for me. 1) Why do I travel? Because I want to. I travel for work and for the pleasure of seeing my planet. This is my planet just as it is your planet. Why shouldn't we explore as much of it as we are able to (and desire to)? When I travel for work it is because I want to work and I want to learn as much as I am able to in order to provide my clients, students, business partners, investors and you with accurate information. The world is 'out there' so if I choose to stay in one location and miss out on learning about what is happening it will be my loss and a deficiency in my ability to address international business solutions. Watching a television show about someone eating an apple is not the same as me eating an apple in real life. I need to experience real life to be able to provide real solutions in my work. I al

SwCA Episode 168: Everything Happens For a Reason.

Thu, 14 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-168-myth-warriors-series-everything-happens-for-a-reason.html SHOW NOTES: In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not. We are warriors fighting to establish clarity between what is accurate and what is simply a myth (or falsehood) in life. This episode is, “Everything Happens For a Reason.” Our options that we discuss in this show are: 1) Everything happens. 2) Everything happens for a reason. 3) Everything happens for a specific reason (religious based, scientifically based, etc.). This is intriguing show! Please join in as we explore some ideas that will challenge our assumptions about “what we know.” I did not anticipate that I would be so drawn into examining my own ideas about our world as I was in this show! I am not a theologian, a historian, a philosopher, a physicist or anything other than a layperson with curiosity about these topics. If you do not want to think about the questions this show poses, just go to another episode. My intent is for all of us to be “unsure” about “what we know” by utilizing a process of critical thinking and inquiry. A) In addressing option 1, “Everything happens,” how do we know what is ‘everything’ and what is actually happening? In the show we discuss that we may be experiencing reality right now or we may not. We may instead be experiencing a facade of reality (or a simulation) like in the movie, The Matrix (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133093/plotsummary). Or, we may be simply viewing shadows that we are mistaking for reality (e.g., Plato, The Allegory of the Cave https://faculty.washington.edu/smcohen/320/cave.htm). B) In addressing option 2, “Everything happens for a reason,” how do we begin to ascribe a reason to our still undefined ‘everyth

SwCA Episode 167: I Am Competing With Three Billion People For My Job! Really?

Wed, 13 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-167-joyful-art-of-business-series-i-am-competing-with-three-billion-people-for-my-job-really.html SHOW NOTES: In our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). The act of engaging in professional endeavors, in any capacity (i.e., as an employee, employer, entrepreneur, contractor, volunteer, paid, full time, part time, intermittently, etc.) is an expression of our ideas and creative talents (“art”). All of this is in furtherance of our mission to surpass our goals! Our episode today is, “I Am Competing With Three Billion People For My Job! Really?” Yes. This show is intended to remind us that whether or not we want to think from a global perspective as individuals that we are subject to global realities. Thus, instead of focusing on your employment opportunities in a particular city, country, region or other limited part of our planet, you are impacted by global competition for professional opportunities. This title of this episode was inspired by the following content, “A good job is a job with a paycheck from an employer and steady work that averages 30+ hours per week. Global labor economists refer to these as formal jobs. Sometimes leaders and economists blur the line between good jobs (formal jobs) and informal jobs. Informal jobs are jobs with no paycheck, no steady work. […] Of the 7 billion people on Earth, there are 5 billion adults aged 15 and older. Of these 5 billion, 3 billion tell Gallup they work or want to work. Most of these people need a full-time formal job. The problem is that there are currently only 1.2 billion full-time, formal jobs in the world. This is a potentially devastating global shortfall of about 1.8 billion good jobs.

SwCA Episode 166: I am used to having things MY WAY and I have NO PATIENCE when they aren’t. Help Me

Tue, 12 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-166-satisfaction-saturation-series-i-am-used-to-having-things-my-way-and-i-have-no-patience-when-they-arent-help-me.html SHOW NOTES: You are craving a new mountain to climb. This series, “SATISFACTION SATURATION™”, is for you. We will address the challenges in reaching the SATISFACTION SATURATION state in regards to specific experiences, how to recognize it, how to treat it, how to prevent it, and how to handle the feedback from other people (“Must be nice to have that job, that house, that car, that award,” etc.). This specific episode is, “I Am Used To Having Things MY WAY and I Have NO PATIENCE When They Aren't. Help Me!" Who are we after an extended time period of being catered to by others? When we get used to having our needs and desires met (because we are the boss, the important client, the well paying supporter, etc.) it may result in us starting to believe that we deserve to be catered to and treated as a “special” person. We get used to having our meals served as we prefer and not having to wait in lines (because we are granted special access or we pay for extra convenience). Our ability to tolerate discomfort and to simply wait passively for attention is reduced. We start to think that any obstacle in our path is simply a temporary issue that with money or other resources will be removed from our life. We know that we can often leverage our income and/ or power to make our lives easier. This is one of the primary reasons we made the sacrifices that we did to surpass our goals! We treat ourselves to our favorite experiences and why not? Yet, we are quick to anger and become frustrated when we hear that magic word that no human likes directed towards their request, “No.” We hear this word more rarely now (for some it is a faint memory from an earlier time that they try to forget

SwCA Episode 165: I Was Taught That I Have to Be Twice As Good As Them…and I Am Exhausted.

Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-165-help-situation-spotlight-series-i-was-taught-that-i-have-to-be-twice-as-good-as-themhellipand-i-am-exhausted.html SHOW NOTES: In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared. This episode is, “ I Was Taught That I Have to Be Twice As Good As Them…and I Am Exhausted." This is an episode that I feel very strongly about! The central question is who is in charge of your life? Is it you? Or, someone or something else? If you are in charge of your life then you define your goals, your value and your experiences. If you accede that power over your life to other people or entities then they will define your goals, your value and your experiences. How much money should you make per year? What type of neighborhood should you live in? Either you will decide or someone (or something) else will decide. When do you decide that you have done your best (versus when you have more to give)? What is ‘good enough’ and what constitutes success? When you choose to let other people or entities make these decisions they will have their own ideas of how much money you will earn (especially as it relates to how much money they earn), where you will live (by determining how much you will be able to spend on housing as part of your salary) and everything else in your life. If you elect to exercise your own personal power over your life, then you decide. Are you qualified for a job? You decide. How much money will you earn this year? You decide. What type of neighborhood will you live in? You decide. What if you are operating under the understanding that everything you do is weighed down by some aspects of who you are? That you are running the race of life with heavy weights around your ankles that slow you down? That the weights make you have to run twice as fast as other people (those

SwCA Episode 164: Why You Have To Apply For Jobs You Don't Think You Are Qualified For!

Fri, 08 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-164-joyful-art-of-business-series-why-you-have-to-apply-for-jobs-you-dont-think-you-are-qualified-for.html SHOW NOTES: Our episode today is, "Why You Have To Apply For Jobs You Don’t Think You Are Qualified For!” I often make the assertion that “data is your friend.” That is because credible data will help us make better decisions as we will have more reliable information and facts. We will also have a more accurate perspective on society at large (instead of simply relying on our individual skewed experiences and beliefs). One challenge is that you will never have perfect data. There will be some incomplete, outdated or corrupted information that impacts your decisions. Thus, how do you know that you are not the most qualified for a job? Perhaps you determine that you are unqualified because you ‘only’ have 55% of the stated job criteria, yet you do not know who else will apply and what their percentages will be. This is due to the fact that you only have complete data on yourself and incomplete data on the overall applicant pool, etc.. You have nothing to lose by determining your own value. Logically, if you apply for a job that requires a doctorate degree in physics and you have a high school education and no college degree, it is highly probable that you will not be hired. Yet, if you have a high school education and experience as a bookkeeper, why not apply for a job that requires bookkeeping experience and states a preference for a college graduate? If there are 10 criteria listed for a job and you have met 6 of them, why not apply? Here is a statistic that asserts that some gender groups (males) do exactly that (emphasis added), “Confidence gap: He thinks he can. She thinks she can’t […] A few years ago,

SwCA Episode 163: Grading Feedback...How Much Is Too Much?

Thu, 07 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-163-educatorsrsquo-eden-series-grading-feedbackhow-much-is-too-much.html SHOW NOTES: Our show topic is, “Grading Feedback...How Much Is Too Much?" I really enjoy grading student submissions! Yes, I honestly look forward to the student grading process. Grading student submissions is one of the most fascinating aspects of teaching! We just have to prepare and plan ahead for it to be fun! Having the opportunity to access the student submissions where they share their innermost thoughts, their analysis, and their unique worldview is a privilege. The entire process of disseminating information to several students at the same time and in the same manner (via in class lecture in a physical classroom, via releasing an audio lecture in an online classroom, etc.) and then having the ability to observe how different students accessed that information and interpreted it is exciting. It is like going to see a movie with a group of friends and then discussing it afterwards and finding out how differently we all experienced the same content. There are times when it will seem like we didn’t even see the same film! The way we all interpret information is related to our individual experiences, our existing knowledge base, our interests, our biases, and a range of other factors. It is the same exploration of how we and other people process the world when I have the opportunity to grade student submissions. We all have been in the same class with the same information yet that shared experience is filtered through the lens of each scholars’ unique combination of factors that make them an individual. There are times when I grade work and I learn that I need to address enhancement of, or replacement of, a particular issue that was not conveyed effectively to a large portion of the group. At other times I will ask myself if we all were i

SwCA Episode 162: You Don't Have To Do Anything That You Don't Want To Do!

Wed, 06 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-162-myth-warriors-series-you-dont-have-to-do-anything-that-you-dont-want-to-do.html SHOW NOTES: In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not. We are warriors fighting to establish clarity between what is accurate and what is simply a myth (or falsehood) in life. This episode is, “You Don't Have To Do Anything That You Don't Want To Do!” Angry. Bitter. Regretful. Ecstatic. Proud. Enthusiastic. I have worked with all types of people throughout my career. In some professional capacities people are at their lowest points (they are facing divorce, child custody conflict, probating the will of a loved one who has died, facing criminal charges, facing bankruptcy, etc.). As an attorney I have been needed by clients to address some of the most stressful, painful and difficult issues in life. In my other professional roles, for example, as a consultant and corporate educator, I have had the joy of working to elevate the performance of a business unit, addressed challenges with employee engagement, and assessed the organizational and cultural changes of going public (for a privately held firm). As an university educator I have celebrated with jubilant students on graduation day. There are so many opportunities. Highs and lows. Celebrations and pain. The one constant that I use to st

SwCA Episode 161: I am financially comfortable! How do I stop that from making..

Tue, 05 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-161-satisfaction-saturation-series-i-am-financially-comfortable-how-do-i-stop-that-from-making-me-complacent.html SHOW NOTES: This specific episode is, “I am financially comfortable! How do I stop that from making me complacent?” Is it a “real problem” for someone to worry about being complacent if they have financial resources? Yes. Have you ever known about a person with wealth who hurt themselves (or even self-destructed)? Abuse of alcohol, drugs, food. Addictions. Greed. Being victimized by people. We know the story so well. It is partially due to the challenges that we face when we accomplish financial stability. We forget, in our quest to surpass our goals, to examine how our lives will change after we accomplish what we set out to do! How will our options and daily decisions change once we live out our dreams? What do we do afterwards? Striving for financial independence takes up an enormous amount of time and energy (budgeting, working, saving, planning, commuting, visualizing, sacrificing, etc.). Once we achieve it, how do we adjust to all of the time and energy that we now have available? When we no longer “have to” work for income, will we? When we have the financial resources available for our current situation, short term and long term goals (and those of our descendants and/ or charities, etc.), how do we fill our days? How do we fill our dreams? Do we stop dreaming? Do we... VISIT THE SHOW SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 160: I want to be someone else.

Mon, 04 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-160-help-situation-spotlight-series-i-want-to-be-someone-else.html SHOW NOTES: In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared. This episode is, “I want to be someone else.” The title of this episode makes me sad. One of the fascinating and wonderful aspects of being alive is that we have characteristics that are uniquely ours. Most of us have unique DNA and even identical twins are rarely completely the same (http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/identical-twins-genes-are-not-identical/). All of us are unique in terms of the way we express ourselves (via our behavior). “Researchers have identified that every individual creates a unique pattern of physical behaviour including the speed at which they type, the way they move a mouse of the way they hold a phone. About 500 different behaviours are unique to every individual and, taken together, form what they call "eDNA", or electronically Defined Natural Attributes.” (http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jul/18/how-your-electronic-dna-could-be-the-secure-login-of-the-future) Thus, since we are “one of a kind” why would we want to be anyone else? At the core of someone expressing that they want to be someone else is dissatisfaction with themselves combined with unrealistic fantasies of other people’s lives. In terms of dissatisfaction with ourselves, a few points. 1) “Perfection” does not exist. Entropy is one of the reasons why as, “Entropy describes how nature -- including business operations -- is the movement from order to chaos.” (from http://yourbusiness.azcentral.com/entropy-business-26522.html) You will experience moments of subjective perceptions of perfection (a “perfect date”, “perfect meal”, “perfect score”, etc

SwCA Episode 159: Is The Size of Your Vocabulary Limiting The Size of Your Paycheck?

Fri, 01 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-159-joyful-art-of-business-series-is-the-size-of-your-vocabulary-limiting-the-size-of-your-paycheck.html SHOW NOTES: Our episode today is, “Is The Size of Your Vocabulary Limiting The Size of Your Paycheck?” Whoa! Do words matter that much? I was teased as a kid in school for "using big words" and "reading too much" (it was not fun being teased and taunted). I have a lifelong love of words and reading. I was not popular when I was growing up, especially when I would rudely "correct" people for using or pronouncing words inaccurately (so don't do this!). I am naturally biased to want to believe that all of the teasing had a silver lining and that there is a benefit to having larger vocabularies. That does not mean it is true, just that I would love for it to be true as it would make me feel better. So, as we discuss in many of our programs, what does the data tell us? Why is vocabulary important (for my income)?... PLEASE VISIT SHOW SITE for the rest of the SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 158: How Much Law Do I Really Need To Know To Succeed in the HR field?

Thu, 31 Jul 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-158-hr-heroes-hangout-series-how-much-law-do-i-really-need-to-know-to-succeed-in-the-hr-field.html SHOW NOTES: In this episode our topic is, “How much law do I really need to know to succeed in the HR field?” Answer: As much as possible. Human Resources is all about humans! Finding, hiring, retaining, engaging, educating and serving humans. The end-users for organizations are humans. Even at a veterinarian the human is the end-user customer who finds, procures and pays for the animal medical service. In the arts the human audience or attendee is the end-user. For-profit organizations have human end-users as clients and customers as do public governmental agencies. The human is the entire focus of commerce, government and society. It is therefore logical that the expert in human resources is a pivotal role in an organization! The HR professional is a professional. The field of HR is rapidly changing with new issues impacting business (technology, transparency, innovations, inventions, etc.) and the wider societal frameworks that businesses operate within (law, custom, etc.). The HR professional must understand the basics of the legal framework that their organization exists within. It is not sufficient for an HR professional to know that a particular form must be filled out by staff. They have to understand why the form is filled out (what is the purpose, how does it impact other areas, etc.). I make the analogy in the show that the legally uninformed HR professional is analogous to a person who does not know how to play a sport being told to stand on a playing field and do a certain movement. What is the bigger picture framework of the game? What are the rules? What is the purpose of the recommended action? Please visit the show page at CourtneyAnderson.com (link above at SITE note) to access the rest of the show notes.

SwCA Episode 157: Fake it ’til you make it?

Wed, 30 Jul 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-157-joyful-art-of-business-series-fake-it-til-you-make-it.html SHOW NOTES: This is part of the JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series and our episode today is, “Fake it ’Til You Make It?” This is a popular concept and we need to really explore what it means! 1) What are we faking? Confidence. 2) What is confidence? Belief in yourself that is communicated to other people. It strongly correlates to power as people believe in leaders who believe in themselves. “Confidence,” he told us, “is the stuff that turns thoughts into action.” (http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2014/04/the-confidence-gap/359815/) 3) Why are we faking it? Because it is necessary, we don’t have it and we know it. Effective (and contented) leaders (of an organization, of a family, of a group, etc.) believe in themselves and then have a much easier time having other people follow their lead. “Success, it turns out, correlates just as closely with confidence as it does with competence.” […] “When people are confident, when they think they are good at something, regardless of how good they actually are, they display a lot of confident nonverbal and verbal behavior,” [...] “They do a lot of things that make them look very confident in the eyes of others,” he added. “Whether they are good or not is kind of irrelevant.” (http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2014/04/the-confidence-gap/359815/) 4) So, what is the problem with faking it? Everyone else knows that we don’t have it and are just faking it.

SwCA Episode 156: Suze Orman Is Right! You Can’t Afford It and Neither Can I!

Tue, 29 Jul 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-156-financial-fierceness-series-suze-orman-is-right-you-canrsquot-afford-it-and-neither-can-i.html SHOW NOTES: Our FINANCIAL FIERCENESS!™ series integrates our financial goals into our development plan for surpassing our goals. We deal with the specific issues we need to explore in order to achieve (and surpass) our financial goals. This episode is, “Suze Orman Is Right! You Can’t Afford It and Neither Can I! Money I have - Money I Owe = Money I Can Use (save, spend, etc.) Money I have = Money I have Future money ≠ (does not equal) Money I have Future money includes future paycheck, future appreciation, etc. The default position we all should have is that we cannot afford it! We may not be able to afford the math part of the equation (not have sufficient income, savings, etc) or we may not be able to afford the emotional aspect of the equation (decreased happiness due to lack of anticipation). No matter how many financial resources we have, the anticipation of a treat (by denying, delaying and/ or limiting a purchase) will make us happier. I deny myself items that I want all of the time! Consider: 1) We can’t afford it. 2) Plan ahead (save and/or research more) to create and enhance anticipation. 3) Purchase only when the math supports it (in regards to debt, savings, etc.). 4) Maintain the purchase. 5) Repair the purchase. 6) Last option is to replace the purchase. Remember to use your “Money Days” to go through your bills and cut costs. A penny saved is a penny earned. I saved over $120 per month on my mobile phone bill with show sponsor Ting (https://zjjbst19hp4.ting.com/)! I strongly recommend that you check and see if you will be able to realize savings on your mobile phone!

SwCA Episode 155: How To Effectively Avoid The Mean Manager Syndrome!

Mon, 28 Jul 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-155-management-magicians-series-how-to-effectively-avoid-the-mean-manager-syndrome.html SHOW NOTES: Our MANAGEMENT MAGICIANS™ series is dedicated to those exceptional few who step forward to serve as guides, sages and responsible parties for others in pursuit of the greater good for society and their organization! In this episode, our topic is, "How to effectively avoid the ‘Mean Manager Syndrome’!” Remember, most people do not want to be managers (aka “the boss”)! The “Mean Manager Syndrome” often is a result of a person who never should have accepted (or continue to accept) a management position as it overloads them (in terms of time, stress, skills, emotional outlay, etc.). You will not experience the syndrome if you: 1) Do not accept a position as a manager if it is “too much” (of anything). 2) If you do accept a position as a manager (or continue to accept one), understand that your goal is for your team to view you as “tough but fair.” When this is achieved you will not be viewed as mean but as someone who cares (about the organization, getting the work done the right way, yourself, and them). Here are your tools to reach this goal of being “tough but fair”: - Care about yourself (physically, emotionally, etc.). When you are kind to yourself, you are kind to others. - Smile (or show humor in a manner that fits your personality and demeanor) - Demonstrate that you care about the organization and the team (with actions not simply words) - Hold yourself accountable…and everyone else to the same rules (no favorites or special treatment). - Consistency, Confidentiality and Compliance are your code of conduct. CAUTION: If a manager is not fair, they FAIL as a manager.

SwCA Episode 154: Why the smartest thing you can say is I don’t know.

Fri, 25 Jul 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-154-myth-warriors-series-why-the-smartest-thing-you-can-say-is-i-dont-know.html SHOW NOTES: In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not. We are warriors fighting to establish clarity between what is accurate and what is simply a myth (or falsehood) in life. This episode is, “Why The Smartest Thing You Can Say Is ‘I Don’t Know.’” “I Don’t Know. “ Beautiful in its simplicity. Concise in its meaning. Unambiguous. Powerful. Indicative of intellect and introspection. Underused. How often are you in communication with someone and they use a word or phrase that you don’t know? All of the time. It happens to me on a daily basis. Let’s imagine that someone was talking to me at work about types of snow skies and I have never been snow skiing, have never read anything specifically about snow-skiing and have no prior interest or knowledge about snow skiing. What would be the best (in terms of good outcomes for me) way to respond to the following question, “What do you think of the Armada TST?” Option A: “Yeah, those are great.” Option B: “I think that that green eggs and ham are awesome.” Option C: ”I don’t know.” Option A is a lie (as I don’t know what Armada TST is so I certainly don’t know if it is great or horrible). So, I am a dishonest liar to use this type of response. It also puts me at risk for being asked the dreaded follow-up question, “Why?” I cannot answer that question so it is not a good idea to use this response as my ignorance will be exposed. If I get lucky and there is a thing called Armada TST and it is a snow ski, the pers

SwCA Episode 153: They don’t want me here.

Thu, 24 Jul 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-153-help-situation-spotlight-series-they-dont-want-me-here.html SHOW NOTES: In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared. This episode is, “They Don’t Want Me Here.” Rejection. Isolation. Shunned. Ostracized. Despised. Reviled. When we are somewhere that we are not wanted, it may hurt. We all crave acceptance, support and being embraced by others. In our families, in our social groups, with our romantic partners and friends we must be treated with affection, attention and acknowledgement. We design and choose (as adults) all of these relationships that we engage in on a daily basis. As we have discussed in many other programs, people who positively care about us, who are our friends all pass this test, “Our happiness is their happiness. Our hurt is their hurt. Our disappointment is their disappointment.” If a person is happy when we are hurt, they are not our friend and are not deserving of being in our close community of caring comprised of family and friends. Outside of our community of caring we interact with a very different population in terms of being wanted (i.e., at work and when dealing with the general public). The general public is not our community of caring. They (ideally) all each have their own community of caring as we do. The general public most often does not notice us. This is normal and expected with over seven billion people on our single planet! Of the small group of the general public that does notice us (we are coworkers, volunteers at the same organization, etc.), the majority of people are agnostic about us (i.e., they have no opinion about us at all). This is normal. They are not invested in our lives and although they may know our names they don’t think much about

SwCA Episode 152: Getting Rich is Easy. Staying Rich is Hard. Why that is and how to beat the odds.

Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-152-financial-fierceness-series-getting-rich-is-easy-staying-rich-is-hard-why-that-is-and-how-to-beat-the-odds.html SHOW NOTES: Our FINANCIAL FIERCENESS!™ series integrates our financial goals into our development plan for surpassing our goals. We deal with the specific issues we need to explore in order to achieve (and surpass) our financial goals. This specific episode is “Getting ‘Rich’ is Easy. Staying ‘Rich’ is Hard. Why that is and how to beat the odds.” As we have previously discussed in other programs, wealth is relative. A person will determine if they feel wealthy (or “rich”) based on their upbringing, culture, ethics, religious, spiritual, education, philosophical and political frameworks. If a person has more resources (or appears to have more resources) than other peers, it tends to make them feel wealthy. If a person has less resources (or appears to have less resources) than peers, they feel poor. I have known people who made $2,000 USD a month and felt very wealthy (as their peers made much less on fixed incomes of around $1,000 USD a month). I also have known people who made $60,000 USD a month who felt poor (as their peers made $100,000 USD a month). Once we have our basic necessities met in life, there is a universal human tendency to judge our economic ‘success’ relative to peer groups. This leads many people to try to spend money to seemingly match their peer behavior (i.e., keeping up with the Joneses). This is a large part of why people who have resources (aka “rich”) do not keep them. Consider: - “On average, 90 percent of lottery winners go through their winnings in five years or less.” (http://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/03/a-financial-plan-for-misbehaving-lottery-winners/?_php

SwCA Episode 151: Stereotype Threat does not exist.

Tue, 22 Jul 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-151-myth-warriors-series-stereotype-threat-does-not-exist.html SHOW NOTES: In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not. We are warriors fighting to establish clarity between what is accurate and what is simply a myth (or falsehood) in life. All of this is in furtherance of our mission to surpass our goals! In this episode we explore, “Stereotype Threat does not exist.” What is a Stereotype? "Stereotypes are widely held cultural beliefs that are resistant to change." (Block, Koch, Liberman, Merriweather, & Roberson, 2011) What is Stereotype Threat? “The phenomenon known as “stereotype threat.” Members of groups believed to be academically inferior — African-American and Latino students enrolled in college, or female students in math and science courses — score much lower on tests when reminded beforehand of their race or gender. […] found that black students performed comparably with white students when told that the test they were taking was “a laboratory problem-solving task.” Black students scored much lower, however, when they were instructed that the test was meant to measure their intellectual ability. In effect, the prospect of social evaluation suppressed these students’ intelligence.” Minorities aren’t the only ones vulnerable to stereotype threat. We all are. A group of people notably confident about their mathematical abilities — white male math and engineering majors who received high scores on the math portion of the SAT — did worse on a math test when told that the experiment was intended to investigate “why Asians appear to outperform other students on tests of math ability.” (PAUL, 2012) Does it exist? Other resources - Dr. Kenneth Clark Conducting

SwCA Episode 150: I Keep Getting Fired From Jobs! What Should I Do?

Mon, 21 Jul 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-150-help-situation-spotlight-series-i-keep-getting-fired-from-jobs-what-should-i-do.html SHOW NOTES: This HELP! Situation™ series addresses challenges, obstacles and problems (real or perceived) that are preventing a person from surpassing their goals! What is holding you back from surpassing your goals? In this episode we examine the issue, "I Keep Getting Fired From Jobs! What Should I Do?” Why are you fired? Be honest. No excuses and/ or rationalizations. I have been fired (several decades ago when I was working minimum wage jobs in food service and retail). I was fired due to my soft skills (attitude). I was always asking questions and trying to "improve" things. My job was to carry out the established processes and procedures and not to try to reengineer and change those established paramete

SwCA Episode 149: Where is your Idea Generation Location?

Fri, 18 Jul 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-149-joyful-art-of-business-series-where-is-your-idea-generation-location.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series wherein we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). The act of engaging in professional endeavors, in any capacity (i.e., as an employee, employer, entrepreneur, contractor, volunteer, paid, full time, part time, intermittently, etc.) is an expression of our ideas and creative talents (“art”) . This episode is, "Where is your 'Idea Generation Location'?" (NOTE: it can be anywhere, even the shower!) Definition of Idea- : a thought, plan, or suggestion about what to do : an opinion or belief : something that you imagine or picture in your mind Idea. (n.d.). Retrieved July 12, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idea Generation 2b : the process of coming or bringing into being Generation. (n.d.). Retrieved July 12, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generation Location : a place or position Location. (n.d.). Retrieved July 12, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/location You will commit to yourself and dedicate a location to listen to and access your ideas. Let's discuss! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 148: You Get No More Out of Life Than You Demand. - Edythe Heslip

Thu, 17 Jul 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-148-myth-warriors-series-you-get-no-more-out-of-life-than-you-demand---edythe-heslip.html SHOW NOTES: In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not. We are warriors fighting to establish clarity between what is accurate and what is simply a myth (or falsehood) in life. All of this is in furtherance of our mission to surpass our goals! In this episode we delve into the somewhat deceptively simple concept of, You Get No More Out of Life Than You Demand.” - Edythe Heslip Full disclosure, Ms. Edythe Heslip (née Edythe Eulalia Boyd, Anderson Heslip, June 25, 1924 - March 3, 2010) was my paternal grandmother and an incredibly powerful person. She was a businesswoman who took over a prosperous family funeral home that she inherited from her uncle. She managed that business for several more decades (my uncle was the mortician). She was also an educator, teaching elementary school for decades in public school and teaching in Head Start programs after she retired from full time teaching. She taught me about small business ownership including using SBA loans, real estate investing, and the importance of having a "private banker" (who you would have a relationship at the bank to ensure efficient service and loans when needed). She was one of the most forceful personalities I have ever encountered and she lived vividly, vibrantly and entirely her way. There was not a joke left untold, a dance left uncompleted or a good time missed in her life. I miss her terribly and she shaped much of my perspective and tenacity in life. She always said, "Go for it Girl!" with such certainty that you never doubted what was possible. I used to call her right after every national and international television show I did (she loved to watch me on CNN, MSNBC and FOX News) from the limo and she was the best critic and fan. She insisted th

SwCA Episode 147: Being Powerful is Like Being a Lady. If You Have to Say You Are, You Aren’t.

Wed, 16 Jul 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-147-management-magicians-series-being-powerful-is-like-being-a-lady-if-you-have-to-say-you-are-you-arenrsquot.html SHOW NOTES: Our MANAGEMENT MAGICIANS™ series is dedicated to those exceptional few who step forward to serve as guides, sages and responsible parties for others in pursuit of the greater good for society and their organization! These are managers who redefine their job titles to ensure their own personal contentment as they motivate, monitor and mentor their team members each day. The “magic” that a talented manager is able to create changes their lives, the lives of their team members and ripples throughout the larger society. We salute their sacrifices and share their techniques and “secrets” to achieving sustained positive experiences for themselves, clients, customers, peers, team members, and the public at large! In this episode, our topic is, "Being Powerful is Like Being a Lady. If You Have to Say You Are, You Aren’t.” This quote is attributed to Margaret Thatcher, former British Prime Minister (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/04/08/thatcher-quotes/2062835/).

SwCA Episode 146: Sage on the stage? Good, bad, obsolete?

Tue, 15 Jul 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-146-educatorsrsquo-eden-series-sage-on-the-stage-good-bad-obsolete.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is part of our EDUCATORS’ EDEN™ series wherein we explore the paradise that the most passionate, creative and committed educators create for themselves, their students, peers, administrations and institutions! “There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.” - Socrates. This series acknowledges the power of education! Those fortunate enough to be educators share knowledge to ensure that their love of learning is able to flourish and thrive in a version of eden! Teaching (any students, in any format, in any setting) is honorable and one of the most special endeavors that humans engage in. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela

SwCA Episode 145: RECIPROCITY! Is it REQUIRED for Professional Success?

Mon, 14 Jul 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-145-joyful-art-of-business-series-reciprocity-is-it-required-for-professional-success.html SHOW NOTES: JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS: “RECIPROCITY! Is it REQUIRED for Professional Success?” This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series wherein we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). Our episode topic is, “RECIPROCITY! Is it REQUIRED for Professional Success?” This show brings this song lyric to mind, “Tell me who I have to be to get some reciprocity.” (Song: Ex-factor, Album: The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill, Artist: Lauryn Hill, Songwriters: SCOTT, THOMAS WRIGHT / HILL, LAURYN N.)

SwCA Episode 144: Why I LOVE Paying Taxes! Seriously.

Fri, 11 Jul 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-144-financial-fierceness-series-why-i-love-paying-taxes-seriously.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is part of our FINANCIAL FIERCENESS!™ series! This series integrates our financial goals into our development plan for surpassing our goals. We deal with the specific issues we need to explore in order to achieve (and surpass) our financial goals. In this episode we are examining the issue of “Why I LOVE Paying Taxes! Seriously." Sharing. It is not something that comes easily to all of us humans! Definition of SHARE: ": to let someone else have or use a part of (something th

SwCA Episode 143: Replace TRY With DO

Thu, 10 Jul 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-143-joyful-art-of-business-series-replace-try-with-do.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series wherein we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). Our episode topic is, “Replace ‘TRY’ with ‘DO’!” Words matter. "I'm going to try to...(get a new job, buy a house, get in shape, complete my degree, etc.). What does that really mean? Definition of TRY: ": to make an effort to do something : to attempt to accomplish or complete something" Try. (n.d.). Retrieved July 13, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/try Definition of DO: to bring to pass : carry out Do. (n.d.). Retrieved July 13, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/do When you say that you are "going to try" or that you are "trying" it does not mean anything. It leads to confusion as some people will erroneously interpret your language to mean that you are going to do what you are referencing (and will be frustrated when you do not take action). Other people will interpret your language to simply mean that you had a thought about the issue but that you are not going to be expected to follow through and complete the task. Take ownership of your language and clarify your terminology. If you mean that you are going to actually complete a task, replace the word "try" with "do!" © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC Courtne

SwCA Episode 142: If It Was EASY, Everyone Would Do It!

Wed, 09 Jul 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-142-myth-warriors-series-if-it-was-easy-everyone-would-do-it.html SHOW NOTES: In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not. The topic for this episode is, “If It Was EASY, Everyone Would Do It.” Definition of EASY- “: not hard to do : not difficult : free from pain, trouble, or worry : not hurried” Easy. (n.d.). Retrieved June 16, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/easy Do you expect things to be easy? If so, why? What is the joy in accomplishing something that is easy? Let’s discuss! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 141: Why ultra-wealthy (beyond rich) people love bargains (and why you should too)!

Tue, 08 Jul 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-141-financial-fierceness-series-why-ultra-wealthy-beyond-rich-people-love-bargains-and-why-you-should-too.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is part of our FINANCIAL FIERCENESS!™ series! This episode is,”Why ultra-wealthy (beyond “rich”) people love bargains (and why you should too)!” Have you ever heard the stereotype that rich people are cheap? CONSIDER: - "the biggest barrier to becoming rich is living like you're rich before you are." Read more at http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/spending/T037-S001-frugal-habits-of-the-super-rich/index.html?ss_last=3#XAd5FFCGeo4gCucZ.99 “Being cheap helps you to become rich. It doesn’t happen by accident. And, as many wealthy, un-flashy people know personally, being cheap helps you to remain comfortably well-off. […] it’s the wannabes—the “aspirationals”—who are always drive new cars, wearing designer labels, dropping big bucks on swanky dinners. Often, these folks aren’t rich, though they try so desperately to appear so. They don’t have nearly as much money in the bank compared to the prudent, ascetic Warren Buffett types who have money to a large extent because they don’t spend it.” - http://business.time.com/2010/01/04/guess-whos-cheap-people-who-know-lots-about-money/ Let's see why bargains are so popular amongst people who can afford to purchase the most expansive products! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 140: How do I know when to Never Give Up! versus when to Let it Go?

Mon, 07 Jul 2014 13:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-140-help-situation-spotlight-series-how-do-i-know-when-to-never-give-up-versus-when-to-let-it-go.html SHOW NOTES: In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared. This episode is, "How do I know when to 'Never Give Up!' versus when to 'Let it Go.'?" The “answer” to this question is to “Never Give Up” when positive outcomes are occurring the majority of the time (i.e., “it is working”) and to “Let It Go” when negative outcomes are occurring the majority of the time (i.e., “it is not working”). How do you figure this formula (if positive outcomes are occurring the majority of the time or negative ones are instead) out? You must make a written inventory. Do not trust a mental list as you are going to be heavily influenced by what you have as a predetermined result. For example, if you are trying to determine if you should never give up your current job, if you are frightened of change you will potentially skew your inventory to favor a majority of positive of outcomes. Committing the inventory of outcomes to writing will help (but not 100% prevent) “wishful thinking.” Making decisions is difficult. If it was easy there would be no need for help or advice and everyone would be content and happy in their lives. I do want to remind you to include how you feel (whether it is happy, sad, excited, anxious, etc.) in your written inventory as that individual emotional ROI is extremely important. You have to make a new inventory on a schedule (e.g., every six months) to ensure that you are continuing to make the choices that will result in the best outcomes. So, let’s get started today on answering what you should do in your life with this episode! Join me as we discuss when to “Never Give Up” and when to &ldquo

SwCA Ep. 139: Are you a prisoner of your own hope (unhappy & hoping for change)?

Fri, 04 Jul 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-139-joyful-art-of-business-series-are-you-a-prisoner-of-your-own-hope-unhappy--hoping-for-change.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series wherein we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). Our episode topic is, ”Are you a prisoner of your own hope (i.e. unhappy & hoping for change)?” HOPE: “to want something to happen or be true and think that it could happen or be true” Hope. (n.d.). Retrieved June 19, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hope We must have hope to be able to imagine and envision our goals. It is required. The challenge is that we have to balance and combine hope with action. Hope + Action = Positive Outcome If we rely exclusively on hope, we will not take any action to ensure our individual happiness. Even if someone wins the lottery or inherits large sums of wealth, that is not an automatic guarantee of good outcomes (happiness, etc.). Each individual must still take action to ensure that they are able to have a high quality of life (health, volunteer service, compassion for themselves and for others, etc.). Let’s address how to free ourselves from a prison of hope and move into a paradise of a life that surpasses our dreams and goals!

SwCA Episode 138: EDUCATORS’ EDEN series - "Teaching the Underachiever!"

Thu, 03 Jul 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-138-educatorsrsquo-eden-series-teaching-the-underachiever.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is part of our EDUCATORS’ EDEN™ series! This specific episode is, “Teaching the Underachiever!” Underachiever: : someone (such as a student or athlete) who does not perform as well or work as hard as he or she can Underachiever. (n.d.). Retrieved June 18, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underachiever Why? - Capable and unmotivated students - Motivated and unskilled students “The phenomenon known as “stereotype threat.” Members of groups believed to be academically inferior — African-American and Latino students enrolled in college, or female students in math and science courses — score much lower on tests when reminded beforehand of their race or gender.” (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/07/opinion/sunday/intelligence-and-the-stereotype-threat.html?_r=0) -Combat your stereotypes (what you think about students) -Combat stereotype threat (what students think about themselves) -Create an environment that addresses attributional style issues -Demonstrate consistent behavior that establishes and confirms the intrinsic value of your students and your belief in their capabilities. Let's teach (and enjoy it)!

SwCA Episode 137: MYTH WARRIORS! - "Taking college courses online is easy!”

Wed, 02 Jul 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-137-myth-warriors-series-taking-college-courses-online-is-easy.html SHOW NOTES: In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not. The topic for this episode is, “Taking college courses online is easy!” This is a myth. If you already have completed one or more college degrees, it is a myth yet you have a higher probability of success with this modality of college classes (as college classes are not easy whether online or on campus). Is it “true” that many people are taking online college courses? Yes. “According to Columbia University’s Community College Research Center, for example, about seven million students — about a third of all those enrolled in college — are enrolled in what the center describes as traditional online courses.” (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/19/opinion/the-trouble-with-online-college.html?_r=0) If everyone is doing it (i.e., it is popular), it must be easy, right? Wrong. “Students preferred direct instruction if they expected a course to be difficult, singling out math and science [...]. They also preferred a face-to-face setting when studying subjects they considered interesting or important, especially if the class was in their major. Many of the students said they learned more when the instructor is present.” (http://articles.latimes.com/2013/apr/25/local/la-me-ln-study-online-20130425) “[C]ourses delivered solely online may be fine for highly skilled, highly motivated people, but they are inappropriate for struggling students who make up a significant portion of college enrollment and who need close contact with instructors to succeed.[…]” (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/19/opinion/the-trouble-with-online-college.html?_r=0)

SwCA Episode 136: HELP! - "I Am Addicted to Approval (from everyone)!"

Tue, 01 Jul 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-136-help-situation-spotlight-series-i-am-addicted-to-approval-from-everyone.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is, “I Am Addicted to Approval (from everyone)!” What is the definition of “Approval?” : the belief that something or someone is good or acceptable : a good opinion of someone or something Approval. (n.d.). Retrieved June 10, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/approval What is the definition of “Addicted?”: a strong and harmful need to regularly have something (such as a drug) or do something (such as gamble) Addiction. (n.d.). Retrieved June 10, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/addiction What is the reason for the the addiction to approval (from everyone)? It is the core belief that, “I am not good (enough).” So, you try to “fix it” by seeking out other people to make you feel “good enough” (but they are not able to counter your internal belief so you stay stuck in pain). How to “fix it?” Change your belief to, “I am good (enough).” How? Seek professional, individual, group, religious, spiritual, psychological help if needed (whatever works for you). CBT - Cognitive Behavior Therapy (http://www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Inform_Yourself/About_Mental_Illness/About_Treatments_and_Supports/Cognitive_Behavioral_Therapy1.htm) Read “Feeling Good” by David D. Burns, M.D. - http://www.amazon.com/Feeling-Good-The-Mood-Therapy/dp/0380810336 You can do this!

SwCA Episode 135: “Lead. Follow. Or, get out of the way.”

Mon, 30 Jun 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-135-joyful-art-of-business-series-lead-follow-or-get-out-of-the-way.html SHOW NOTES: Our topic is, “Lead. Follow. Or, get out of the way.” Who originated this quote? Thomas Paine? US General George S. Patton? What does the quote mean? That we must take responsibility for those instances when we are driven to lead with our vision. We must invest the time and resources to define, refine and communicate our vision to others. We have to ensure that we are treating ourselves and others with kindness and respect. We should be leaders, followers and those who get out of the way at different times in our lives. When we are followers, we must take responsibility and refuse all offers for us to lead. We are in this role to balance our lives and must insist that others understand and accept that. When the role of follower is excessive (in terms of time or other resources), we must take responsibility for our decision to get out of the way. We should not feel obligated to everything. It is healthy to “get out of the way” when we decide that an endeavor is not for us. CAUTION: If you think that you are “the leader” in everything in your life (work, family, hobbies, etc.), you are not. You are a micro-managing person (aka control freak). You are not driven by visionary leadership but instead are making poor choices out of a loss of control and/ or fear of failure. If you think that you are a follower in everything in life (work, family, hobbies, etc.) you are not. You are driven by self-doubt and insecurity and are hiding your visionary leadership goals from yourself and everyone else. Let’s explore how we lead, follow and get out of the way in a joyful and balanced life!

SwCA Ep.134: Who told you that you weren’t good enough? Why do you believe them?

Fri, 27 Jun 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-134-joyful-art-of-business-series-who-told-you-that-you-werenrsquot-good-enough-why-do-you-believe-them.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series wherein we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). Our episode topic is, "Who told you that you weren’t good enough? Why do you believe them?” Who is your source for the information (that you are not “good enough”)? Are they a credible source? Definition of Credible: : able to be believed : reasonable to trust or believe : good enough to be effective Credible. (n.d.). Retrieved June 15, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/credible What is their motive for telling you this? Are they trying to take advantage of you? Are they trying to sell you something? Are they using you for their own motive? Why do you believe this information (that you are not “good enough”)? How many other items of information are they accurate about? How “successful” are their lives? Are they happy? Are they loved (by those close to them and not just from people at a distance who only know their public image)? Why don’t you decide your own value (as you know yourself best)? Let’s discuss!

SwCA Episode 133: How to Handle Grade Disputes (I never got a _ grade before)!

Thu, 26 Jun 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-133-educatorsrsquo-eden-series-how-to-handle-grade-disputes-i-never-got-a-_-grade-before.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is part of our EDUCATORS’ EDEN™ series! This specific episode is, “How to Handle Grade Disputes (I never got a ___ grade before)!” In some cultures student grade disputes are rare, in some they are nonexistent and in some they are frequent. The educator is not able to control the social norms and cultural expectations of an entire locale. Other than an educator selecting where they will teach, they must accept the schema that is operational in that culture in regards to educators and disputing their renderings (e.g., grades). If an educator selects to teach in a locale where student grade disputes occur, they must accept that there is nothing that they will be able to do to prevent them. They are part of the cultural expectation. There are steps that the educator may take to be optimally prepared for them and to remove all anxiety or concern on their part. 1) You were a student. What were your worst memories of poor grading and feedback? Use those as models of what NOT to do. 2) Grading is sharing and showing your work. For example, I provide multiple modes of grading and feedback (voice notes, text detailed feedback regarding each aspect of the rubric elements and written embedded comments in substantive papers). 3) Consistently demonstrate and illustrate to your students your joy and passion for your work. NOTE: If you are teaching in an institution that has unethical/criminal leadership that you are not able to educate in a legal or ethical manner. You will have to relocate to an ethical and legal organization to be able to do so. Document everything that you can in writing. Keep records organized. Let's share!

SwCA Ep. 132: Something AWESOME happened in my life! But no one else is happy...

Wed, 25 Jun 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-132-help-situation-spotlight-series-something-awesome-happened-in-my-life-but-no-one-else-is-happy-for-me.html SHOW NOTES: In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared. This episode is, “Something AWESOME happened in my life! But no one else is happy for me.” Good times! Something AWESOME has happened! This is one of those moments that make life exquisite! CONGRATULATIONS! Yet, “no one else is happy” for you. So, the soaring joy you were feeling crashes and burns. Now, you are sad, disappointed and hurt. -Are you being accurate with the assertion that “no one” is happy for you? Are you taking for granted your grandparents (i.e., “they don’t count as they have to be nice to you.”)? -Are you hurt that “someone special” who you want to be happy for you isn’t (boss, new boyfriend, best friend, etc.)? Stop it. -Even if you authentically do not have anyone else who is happy for you (e.g., all of your relatives are dead, etc.), you are still inaccurate. You are a person and thus you are someone. Thus, at least one person is happy for you! Unless you are not happy for yourself. Are you happy for yourself? How did you celebrate with yourself? -No one has everything. Focusing on what you “don’t have” is a waste of resources and road to misery. Focus on what you do have and immerse yourself in appreciating and savoring it! -A person without any happiness is not able to give you any happiness. -Lastly, it takes a friend to be a friend. How many people are you enthusiastically happy for? When was the last time that you let them know that?

SwCA Episode 131: I am Lucky! My Team is Marvelous! How Do I Get Them To Stay?

Tue, 24 Jun 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-131-management-magicians-series-i-am-lucky-my-team-is-marvelous-how-do-i-get-them-to-stay.html SHOW NOTES: Our MANAGEMENT MAGICIANS™ series is dedicated to those exceptional few who step forward to serve as guides, sages and responsible parties for others in pursuit of the greater good for society and their organization! In this episode, our topic is, “I am Lucky! My Team is Marvelous! How do I get them to stay?” First, we don’t plan on “luck” (if it happens fine, that is just an extra bonus in life)! So, let’s discard that part of the show title (it is usually used for self-deprecation and humility). Good choices have played a large part in having a “marvelous team.” Let’s focus on those aspects of the situation. Here are 10 tips for ensuring maximum employee engagement and retention (aka, how to get them to stay): 1) It is about them, not you. 2) Repeat #1. 3) Give them control of their lives. 4) Get out of their way. 5) Share your appreciation and gratitude. 6) Keep your personal issues, personal (at all times). 7) Leaders are not liked, they are respected (you are not liked and that is healthy). 8) Ask team members what they want. 9) Listen to the response from #8. 10) Stability is seductive. Let’s discuss!

SwCA Episode 130: MYTH... - “Trying to lean on someone who bends is futile.”

Mon, 23 Jun 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-130-myth-warriors-series-trying-to-lean-on-someone-who-bends-is-futile.html SHOW NOTES: In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not. The topic for this episode is, “Trying to lean on someone who bends is futile.” In many shows we share quotes from famous (or infamous) or notable individuals. Yet, information comes from all types of sources. I found the quote that is the show topic at http://forums.narcolepsynetwork.org/index.php?/topic/6237-breaking-up-cuz-he-just-doesnt-care/. We are not evaluating the credibility of this public internet discussion forum, but instead are assessing the content of the assertion. Is it a myth that when we try to lean on (emotionally or physically) someone who bends that it will be pointless (or futile)? If our goal is to lean on someone and remain standing (literally or figuratively), it is logical that if I lean on someone for support (to remain standing) and they bend that I will fall. Thus, it is futile to lean on something that is not stable enough to support (or hold) me. But, how do we know who will bend and who will hold us? The most helpful answer is to remember what the person did the last time you tried to lean on them. "Definition of FUTILE 1: serving no useful purpose : completely ineffective […]” Futile. (n.d.). Retrieved June 5, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/futile The alternative scenario is in, “He ain’t heavy, mister… he’s my brother.” This idea has been in popular culture and you can read about it at http://www.boystown.org/blog/the-story-behind-he-aint-heavy. So, who are you going to lean on?

SwCA Ep. 129: I went to school, but never finished! How can I use the education

Fri, 20 Jun 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-129-help-situation-spotlight-series-i-went-to-school-but-never-finished-how-can-i-use-the-education-i-have.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is, “I went to school…but I never finished! How can I use the education that I currently have?” The short “answer,” you can’t. You need to go back and complete school. The value in a credential is in obtaining the credential. Now that we have answered what to do (go back to school), the next step for you to determine is how (what school, when, etc.)! Why? Educational attainment in the United States, Age 25 and Over (2013) Education Percentage High school graduate 88.15% Some college 58.33% Associate's and/or Bachelor's degree 41.50% Bachelor's degree 31.66% Master's and/or Doctorate and/or professional degree 11.57% Doctorate and/or professional degree 3.16% Doctorate 1.68% https://www.census.gov/hhes/socdemo/education/data/cps/2013/tables.html “Persons with doctorates in the United States had an average income of roughly $81,400. The average for an advanced degree was $72,824 with men averaging $90,761 and women averaging $50,756 annually. Year-round full-time workers with a professional degree had an average income of $109,600 while those with a Master's degree had an average income of $62,300. Overall, "…[a]verage earnings ranged from $18,900 for high school dropouts to $25,900 for high school graduates, $45,400 for college graduates and $99,300 for workers with professional degrees (M.D., D.P.T., D.P.M., D.O., J.D., Pharm.D., D.D.S., or D.V.M.).” http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/p23-210.pdf So, start working on the plan to go back and complete school! Now!

SwCA Episode 128: "Steve Jobs: Legacy? Lesson? Stay Hungry/ Stay Foolish?"

Thu, 19 Jun 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-128-joyful-art-of-business-series-steve-jobs-legacy-lesson-stay-hungry-stay-foolish.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series! Our episode topic is, “Steve Jobs: Legacy? Lesson? Stay Hungry/ Stay Foolish?” Few business leaders are widely known. Even fewer receive an outpouring of emotion for their work. Fewer still are publicly mourned. Steve Jobs is one of those who left a legacy. What lessons may we learn from his journey through life? http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/22/books/steve-jobs-by-walter-isaacson-review.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 He said, “Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. […] Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true. Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. […] Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish” (http://news.stanford.edu/news/2005/june15/jobs-061505.html) What is your analysis? Let’s share!

SwCA Episode 127: “How much of a ‘Leader’ does a ‘Manager’ need to be?”

Wed, 18 Jun 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-127-management-magicians-series-how-much-of-a-leader-does-a-manager-need-to-be.html SHOW NOTES: Our MANAGEMENT MAGICIANS™ series is dedicated to those exceptional few who step forward to serve as the most effective managers possible (they make it look like magic)! In this episode, our topic is, “How much of a ‘Leader” does a ‘Manager’ need to be?” What’s the answer? 0? 100? Imagine a four year old child as a leader over a 34 year old manager of a household (aka parent). The four year old decides what to eat, when to go to sleep, what to wear, etc.. All the 34 year old manager does is conduct the tasks to carry out what the four year old has decided (drive them to the restaurant, pay for things, etc.). The 34 year old asks the four old to do things (i.e., for permission to leave a restaurant, wear a coat, go to bed, etc.). This is not only an imaginary scenario. It is a reality in many households. Sad. Definition of Leader- “b (2) : a person who has commanding authority or influence” Leader. (n.d.). Retrieved June 3, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leader Definition of Manager- “a : a person who conducts business or household affairs b : a person whose work or profession is management” Manager. (n.d.). Retrieved June 3, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manager NOTE: Leader = What? Manager = How? A power vacuum will not persist. Someone else will take leadership authority if the manager does not. If you do not want to be a leader, decline and refuse all management positions (in business and in household affairs). If you do want to serve as a manager, you must also take the leadership power position. What do you want?

SwCA Ep. 126: HR HEROES..: “Whose ‘side’ is HR really on? Employer or Employee?”

Tue, 17 Jun 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-126-hr-heroes-hangout-series-whose-side-is-hr-really-on-employer-or-employee.html SHOW NOTES: Our HR HEROES HANGOUT™ series is dedicated to the unsung heroes that ensure that organizations achieve and sustain maximum human capital competitive advantage! In this episode our topic is, “Whose ‘side’ is HR really on? Employer or Employee?” HR is a glamorous and exciting field (it really is) where every single aspect of an organization is addressed. It deals with money (compensation, promotions, benefits, etc.), power (promotions, etc.) and respect (the concept of being valued). Our HR HEROES understand that they are not a peripheral “administrative” entity but are instead the very heart of the organization! I have been asked whether our show topic is a “trick question.” It is not! Tips: Law = What You Have To Do Policy and Procedure = What You Have Decided to Do (organization specific) Ethics = What You Should Do HR is on the ‘side’ of what is best for the organization itself. 1) Ask, “What’s the rule? [Law first, policy and procedure next and finally ethics]. 2) Ask, “What is going to provide the best outcome for the organization as a whole (especially regarding longevity)?” Let’s explore whose side HR really is on in an exemplary organization (full of HR HEROES)!

Separate the probable (most likely to happen) from the possible (might happen)!

Mon, 16 Jun 2014 16:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series wherein we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). Our episode topic is, “Separate the probable (what is most likely to happen) from the possible (might be able to happen).” Definition of Possible: “able to be done : able to happen or exist : able or suited to be or to become something specified Full Definition of POSSIBLE 1 a : being within the limits of ability, capacity, or realization b : being what may be conceived, be done, or occur according to nature, custom, or manners 2 a : being something that may or may not occur b : being something that may or may not be true or actual 3 : having an indicated potential ” Possible. (n.d.). Retrieved May 31, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/possible Definition of Probable: “likely to happen or to be true but not certain Full Definition of PROBABLE 1 : supported by evidence strong enough to establish presumption but not proof 2 : establishing a probability 3 : likely to be or become true or real ” Probable. (n.d.). Retrieved May 31, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/probable STOP ruminating about what is possible (because anything is possible). START making decisions based on what is probable.

MYTH WARRIORS! - “You are not a helpless victim.”

Fri, 13 Jun 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not (i.e., they are a myth, fallacy or even a lie). The topic for this episode is, “You are not a helpless victim.” Helpless definition? “: not protected : not able to defend yourself : unable to do something to make a situation, task, etc., better or easier : not able to be controlled” Helpless. (n.d.). Retrieved May 31, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/helpless Learned helplessness definition? “[L]earned helplessness, in psychology, a mental state in which an organism forced to bear aversive stimuli, or stimuli that are painful or otherwise unpleasant, becomes unable or unwilling to avoid subsequent encounters with those stimuli, even if they are “escapable,” presumably because it has learned that it cannot control the situation. […]Seligman coined the term learned helplessness to describe the expectation that outcomes are uncontrollable. [...P]rior learning can result in a drastic change in behaviour and seeking to explain why individuals may accept and remain passive in negative situations despite their clear ability to change them.” Learned helplessness. (2014). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1380861/learned-helplessness Potential solution? "Optimistic people tend to interpret troubles as transient, controllable, and specific to one situation. Pessimistic people, in contrast, believe that their troubles last forever, undermine everything they do and are uncontrollable.” http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-02-19/features/sns-201302191830--tms--pagliarictnrp-a20130219-20130219_1_negativity-state-lotteries-helplessness

“Why am I always living paycheck to paycheck even when I get salary increases?"

Thu, 12 Jun 2014 16:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our FINANCIAL FIERCENESS!™ series! This episode is, “Why am I always living paycheck to paycheck even when I get salary increases?” Budgets? Be cautious about budgets. People may create “ideal” (or fantasy) budgets. The goal is attaining and sustaining financial independence so you need to increase your income (and income producing assets) and lower your expenses. The title of this episode states that there is already more income yet they are still paycheck to paycheck. Thus, we should immediately focus on expenses. Remember, the path to financial dependance (aka “broke”) is to spend more money when you earn more money. Instead, you must simultaneously work to increase income (or revenue) while decreasing expenses. Focusing on decreasing expenses, you must do the opposite of the inclination (i.e., I got a raise so I can get the bigger satellite package, etc.). Money Days? This is my term for when I go through all of my expenses and cut costs (or increase my money that I have possession of). I take all of my required expenses (utilities, etc.) and my desired expenses (cell phone, etc.). I usually take 1-3 of the total list on each Money Day and do the following: -Call the vendor. -Have a timid demeanor. -State, “I am not able to afford this. Will you please help me lower my bill?” -I tell the customer service agent that I don’t want to cancel my service but I am just unable to afford it. If they do not make any acceptable reductions, I will then go to the cancellation department (usually an agent trained in retention of customers who will be able to offer better savings to me). -Add up all of the money that I have saved each Money Day! I have paid myself money that I was giving away and I am now moving closer to attaining and/ or maintaining financial independence!

JOYFUL ART..- “Other people’s craziness has not managed to make me crazy.”

Wed, 11 Jun 2014 16:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series wherein we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). Our episode topic is, “Other people's craziness has not managed to make me crazy.” - Lucille Clifton Here is the full quote in context: ”I do not feel inhibited or bound by what I am. That does not mean that I have never had bad scenes relating to being Black and / or a woman, it means that other people's craziness has not managed to make me crazy." (http://www.oregonlive.com/books/index.ssf/2012/10/poetry_punctuated_with_poise.html) I referenced a $400 million USD investment fraud in the show and it was about Marc Dreier (http://www.cnbc.com/id/42572204 or http://www.vanityfair.com/business/features/2009/11/marc-dreier200911). About the author of the quotes: Lucille Clifton was born June 27, 1936 and died on February 13th, 2010. Her first book of poems, Good Times, was rated one of the best books of the year by the New York Times in 1969. Among many prestigious awards, she won the National Book Award, for “Blessing the Boats: New and Selected Poems, 1988-2000”; the 2007 Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize; and the Frost Medal, from the Poetry Society of America. (http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2010/02/remembering-lucille-clifton.html) (also, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/17/arts/17clifton.html?_r=0)

HELP! - “People tell me that I am ‘too intense!’ What should I do?”

Tue, 10 Jun 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared with me. This episode is, “People tell me that I am ‘too intense!’ What should I do?” “Full Definition of INTENSE 1 a : existing in an extreme degree b : having or showing a characteristic in extreme degree 2 : marked by or expressive of great zeal, energy, determination, or concentration 3 a : exhibiting strong feeling or earnestness of purpose b : deeply felt” Intense. (n.d.). Retrieved June 1, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intense Solution Process? What are the negative outcomes? What are the positive outcomes? Are there more negative or positive outcomes? If you have more positive outcomes than negative ones, you most likely need to “find your tribe” (change your location to be around people who share your zeal, passion, and intensity). If you have more more negative outcomes than positive ones, you may need to reexamine your behavior to confirm if you are “too intense” or you are instead “too insecure” and are insulting and offending people out of your fears (change your behavior to be healthy and respectful of yourself and others). Let’s explore this topic!

MYTH WARRIORS! - “We cannot create what we can't imagine.”

Mon, 09 Jun 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not (i.e., they are a myth, fallacy or even a lie). The target for this episode is, “We cannot create what we can’t imagine.” Imagine: “Form a mental image or concept of:” (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/imagine) Create: “Bring (something) into existence:” (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/create?q=create) Are we able to bring something into existence that we are unable to form a mental image or concept of? No. One of the challenges in my mentoring and coaching practice has been working with clients who put up the wall, “I don’t know how to do that!” Once a client states that they have not done something and do not want to do something it is virtually impossible to move them forward toward meeting and surpassing their purported goal. A client states, “My #1 goal is get a full time job with great benefits.” I am excited for them! Then they state, “I am exhausted with the games and lies in job interviews. It is all a big game and I am sick of of it. I refuse to complete one more job application. I refuse to submit another resume.” Okay. If a person is not going to form a mental image of themselves as a successful job applicant and they refuse to engage in any action to bring their goal into existence, will it happen? It could. Someone could bring them a “perfect” job! It is possible. It is not probable. The client does not imagine themselves as a “successful” job applicant (only a “failure” who wastes time on interviews, applications, cover letters, etc.). This is not a myth. So, you need to start imagining yourself surpassing your goals!

EDUCATORS’ EDEN - Teaching the Overachiever!

Fri, 06 Jun 2014 16:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our EDUCATORS’ EDEN™ series wherein we explore the paradise that the most passionate, creative and committed educators create for themselves, their students, peers, administrations and institutions! This specific episode is, “Teaching the Overachiever!” - Overachievers have their own internal standards and expectations for what is “good enough.” Sharing data with them regarding collective class performance will help assure the overachiever that they are performing “well enough.” They often do not understand how atypical their individual expectations are (relative to the average student performance) and are often worried that everyone else is “doing better” than they are. Any anonymous class data that helps them better understand the real life performance of their peers will be helpful for them. -They will usually self-identify (detailed questions, requests for clarification, sit at front of classroom, reach out prior to the start of class start with questions and concerns, etc.). -Educators must calibrate their interaction to ensure that they are “challenged” and are not bored. Supplemental content, are additional interaction are methods to keep them engaged. -They are fastidious regarding requirements and grading feedback. Educators must provide high quality and quantity feedback. -CAUTION: Some overachievers may be unrealistic regarding “perfection” and/ or may be self-critical. They need support and guidance helping them place activities in context (e.g., grades do not define you, have fun, etc.). The overachiever may pose novel questions that enrich the educator skill set. Embrace your overachievers! Ensure that you are explicit, transparent, consistent and customized with all of your content, communication and interaction with this set of scholars!

FINANCIAL...-What “Rich” families know about college that “Poor” families don't.

Thu, 05 Jun 2014 16:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our FINANCIAL FIERCENESS!™ series! This series integrates our financial goals into our development plan for surpassing our goals. This episode is, “What ‘Rich’ families know about college that ‘Poor’ families don’t.” Education = Economic Opportunity: “Rich” families know that and ensure that they and their children obtain degrees from the most competitive colleges possible. Thus, the “rich” get richer. Consider: -At Harvard, 45.6% of undergraduates come from families with incomes above $200,000 — in other words, incomes in the top 3.8% of all American households. (http://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2013/11/27/the-challenge-of-being-poor-at-americas-richest-colleges/) -Americans with four-year college degrees made 98 percent more an hour on average in 2013 than people without a degree. That’s up from 89 percent five years earlier, 85 percent a decade earlier and 64 percent in the early 1980s. (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/27/upshot/is-college-worth-it-clearly-new-data-say.html?_r=0) -Just under three-fifths of those from the no-degree families who started college reported finishing it, compared with roughly 70 percent of those from both two- and one-degree families. […] "In the old days, say the 1980s, the parental income predicted children's success," he said. "Now the [parental] educational variable appears to be more powerful than income." Studies, Carnevale said, suggest that parents' educational attainment shapes outcomes for children through a "steady drumbeat" of attitudes and experiences. (http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/04/are-college-degrees-inherited/360532/) -Would you rather earn $827 per week or $1,714 per week? (http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm) Let's discuss!

FAILURE FLASHBACK!™ - “I let someone else ‘make me’ doubt myself.”

Wed, 04 Jun 2014 16:00:00 GMT

We all know that no one is perfect. We all have walked an individual path to arrive where we are today in life. If you want to know how to get where you want to go, keep walking. Asking another person how they accomplished their goals is not going to give you “the answer” to how to accomplish your goals. It may help motivate you to keep working towards your goals, but you are living a unique life and your path to success is unique for you. We all are on our unique life paths. You are the expert on your life. People have shared with me that they found it illuminating and/ or motivating for me to divulge my explicit failures and how I responded. Thus, this series, FAILURE FLASHBACK!™ exists. In it, I share some of the tools and processes that I have used to face my failures, learn from them, not repeat them and keep walking forward (hopefully) towards future accomplishments. Sometimes people will say to me, “Easy for you to say…you don’t know how hard it is!” I do. I will share with you my past experiences in the hope that it prevents you from experiencing the same. This episode addresses my failure resulting in, “I let someone else make me doubt myself.” How did it happen? How did I respond? What solutions did I deploy? How do I remain vigilant today?

HELP!- I Am Shy but People Think I am ‘Stuck-Up’ and a ‘Snob!’ What should I do?

Tue, 03 Jun 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared with me. This episode is, “I Am Shy but People Think I Am ‘Stuck-Up’ and a ‘Snob!’ What should I do?” Some people feel very comfortable sharing a lot of personal information about themselves, with large amounts of people very soon after meeting them. That is great! Other people may calculate what what personal information they share, how much they share, how many people they share it with and how long it will take for them to share. That is also great! The challenge is that some cultures and settings have expectations that are not met by individuals. What that occurs, there may be a resulting negative outcome to the non-conforming individuals. If someone exceeds the expected quantity and quality of expected personal information, they may accused of “TMI” (too much information) or being “crude” or “having a big mouth.” If someone does not meet the minimum expected quantity and quality of expected personal information, they may be accused of being “stuck-up”, a “snob” or “thinking they are better than other people.” For shy individuals it is more often the latter situation that takes place. The shy person is warm, friendly and engaging! They just calculate how much personal information to share, when to share and whom to share it with differently than others. They are more conservative with their feelings and expressing private information and beliefs (full disclosure, I am very shy). My suggested tips are: 1) Active listening (eye contact, body language turned toward the speaker, supportive vocalizations, etc.), 2) Ask multiple follow-up questions of the speaker and 3) In some instances it may be helpful to explicitly state to people, “I am shy.”

MANAGEMENT MAGICIANS: If my title says manager, why do I feel like a babysitter?

Mon, 02 Jun 2014 16:00:00 GMT

Our MANAGEMENT MAGICIANS™ series is dedicated to the “magic” that a talented manager is able to create. Our topic is, “If my title says manager, why do I feel like a babysitter?” Competent management is predicated on a healthy, confident, talented individual who is practicing the joyful art of business! If a person is promoted to a management job position but they are insecure, disappointed in themselves, resentful of others, angry, jealous and/ or any other high-risk unmet need, they are unable to function as a manager. Instead, they will work to undercut the confident team members, they will take credit for ideas that are not theirs, they will plot against other staff members and peers. They will spend the overwhelming majority of their time on personal issues (who they like, who they hate, who is “on their side,” who is “an enemy,” etc.). They will also lament that they are not able to “manage” because they are spending their time as a “babysitter.” They will gleefully share all of the failures and foibles of their peers, subordinates and supervisors. They are ruthless and relentless in their quest to cast themselves in a favorable light and diminish the accomplishments of others. Stable, confident and satisfied managers are never babysitters (and never feel that way). They are aware that their job is to hire the best, clearly set expectations, nurture their team, continually provide feedback to their team, and other than that they get out of the way and let their high caliber team do their jobs in their own unique and creative ways. This is analogous to a stable, confident and satisfied manager in a family (a parent or caregiver). They have “the best” (just by definition of the minor child being in their family and/ or care). They clearly set expectations, nurture them, continually provide feedback and otherwise get out of their way.

"Why do people do what they do? Because they want to and they are allowed to."

Fri, 30 May 2014 16:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series wherein we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). Our episode topic is, “Why do people do what they do? Because they want to and they are allowed to.” Why..was my team member late to work every day last month? Why did my friend ignore my phone calls? Why did the person I was dating call me ugly? Why did my boss tell me I was a disappointment? Why did the person behind me in line at the store step on my foot? Why did my friend not invite me to their birthday party? Why is my supervisor mean to me? Why does my child refuse to clean up their room? Why does my cousin borrow money from me and never pay me back? Why does the dry cleaner continue to lose my clothes? We could on forever asking why about specific situations. The universal core issue is why do people do what they do? The “answer” is, “Because they want to and they are allowed to.” We are not able to control what other people want. We are only going to focus on allowing people to behave the way that they do. At work, at home, with friendships, with romantic relationships, etc., we have to make decisions about what we will allow from other people. Then, we have to use techniques and tools to teach people how to treat us (reinforce desired behavior and deter undesirable behavior). The “why” people do what they do is fascinating but beyond our control. We instead will work with the “how” (what people are allowed to do to us). Let’s discuss!

FINANCIAL…- Never have only one income stream! DIVERSIFY! (Baskets of Money)

Thu, 29 May 2014 16:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our FINANCIAL FIERCENESS!™ series! This series integrates our financial goals into our development plan for surpassing our goals. This episode is, “Never have only one income stream! DIVERSIFY! (Baskets of Money)” Diversify: to change (something) so that it has more different kinds of people or things (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diversify) Option 1) No Diversification/ Only 1 income stream: You have a full time job with a large company. You earn $3,700 USD gross per month. After taxes and other mandatory withholding, you have $2,600 USD per month (your net take home pay). Out of this amount you have to pay all of your necessary bills (utilities, etc.) and ideally you should save a percentage (15% or more is suggested). Then the “extra” leftover money is yours to use at your discretion for fun (entertainment, dining, etc.). You lose your job (layoffs, the firm goes out of business, etc.). Your income is now $0 USD per month. What do you do? Option 2) Diversification/ More than 1 income stream: You have a full time job with a large company. You earn $3,700 USD gross per month. After taxes and other mandatory withholding, you have $2,600 USD per month (your net take home pay). In addition, you have 5 rental properties (paid for with no mortgages). The total rental income is $6,000 USD per month. The necessary bills (property tax, insurance, etc.) total $1,850 per month. Your income (for your business or yourself depending on how you structure the ownership of the properties) is $4,150 per month. After taxes (which will vary depending on how you structure owning the properties), and other expenses (maintenance, repairs, etc.), the amount left is $2,500 USD per month. Your total income each month is $2,600 wages + $2,500 income from rental properties. You lose your job. Your income is now $2,500 per month. Which option do you prefer?

MYTH WARRIORS! - “Don’t take NO for an answer!”

Wed, 28 May 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not (i.e., they are a myth, fallacy or even a lie). The target for this episode is, “Don’t take NO for an answer!” When you want something in life you have to go for it! It is your job to overcome objections and turn a “No” into a “Yes.” Quitters never win and winners never quit. No means No. What do you believe? It is challenging to understand when we are supposed to “push ahead” and take what we want in life and when we are supposed to accept “no” and stop a behavior. Bottom Line: If you receive one “No” response, you should stop asking that same entity (person, company, college, etc.) for the same thing (i.e., knocking on the same door). If you receive two “No” responses, you must stop asking that same entity for the same thing. It is time to move to another door. If you continue to “try to turn a No into a Yes” more than twice you may risk criminal charges of stalking, trespassing and/ or face restraining orders. When you move to another door, you expand your goal. If your goal is to obtain a university degree, you will surpass that goal. I guarantee it. You may not earn the first degree from your first choice school, but you will earn a degree. If you want to find a spouse, you will surpass that goal (i.e., find an awesome spouse who prioritizes your happiness). You may not make your first ideal person into your spouse, but you will find the person for you. The key is to expand the goal beyond specific definitions (one person, one college) into broader categories of options for achieving the broader goal.

HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT - “I Feel Invisible.”

Tue, 27 May 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared with me. This episode is, “I Feel Invisible.” Consider: “Employment Law Study Shows Brits Feel Invisible at Work - Brits feel invisible in the workplace at the age of 54, a new study has revealed.” (http://www.slatergordon.co.uk/media-centre/press-releases/2014/02/employment-law-study-reveals-brits-feel-invisible-in-the-workplace/) “[T]he social phenomenon known as "invisible women's syndrome": a condition generally understood to affect women aged from about 45 to 59 – or 2.2 million Australians.” (http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life/the-mysterious-case-of-the-disappearing-women--20130119-2czy8.html) “Are African-American Men ‘Invisible?' Cut dead is a 19th century term used by William James, which means to be snubbed completely or deliberately ignored. Unfortunately, there are so many African-American young men who feel invisible, who feel as if they are literally cut dead, but they're living.” (http://www.npr.org/2013/07/23/204837414/are-african-american-men-invisible) “Being Invisible Can Help Your Career - When you are invisible, coworkers may not understand what you do, and you may fit the description of Shane Battier: helping your team in all kinds of “subtle, hard-to-measure ways.” What we can’t see is often more powerful than what we can — just ask anyone in Washington.” (http://blogs.hbr.org/2012/06/being-invisible-can-help-your/) You’re not the only one who feels invisible. Now what?

FINANCIAL FIERCENESS!- Why a “good job” making “good money” will leave you poor.

Mon, 26 May 2014 16:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our FINANCIAL FIERCENESS!™ series! This episode is, “Why a “good job” making “good money” will leave you poor.” A “good job.” Is it the solution to financial insecurity? No. Financial independence is the goal. This is when you have no debt and income from what you own (rental properties, interest, etc.) pays your bills on your necessities (property taxes, utilities, etc.) and provides you with “extra money” for you to use at your discretion (going out to eat, entertainment, etc.). Financial dependance (i.e., being “poor”) is when you do not have enough income to pay your necessary bills and provide you with “extra money” to use for fun (discretionary income). There is a limit to how much income you are able to earn from your labor. You are able to increase the variable of how much you earn per hour (based on wages and increased efficiencies), yet you are always limited to how many hours you are able to utilize for labor due to the fact that you are one person. What happens if you “lose” your job? If you don’t have the income (from what you own) to pay your bills, you are financially dependent (or “poor”). Earning more income at a “good job” is a way to take those wages and buy things (securities, real estate, etc.) that you will own that will generate income for you around the clock. Owning income producing assets is the key to financial independence. So, a “good job” making “good money” is a way to obtain the resources to purchase investment generating assets, but that is all. It is “a means to an end” and not “the end” (the financial goal of independence).

HELP! - “How do I Handle 'Frenemies' (friend/enemy) at Work?”

Fri, 23 May 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared with me. This episode is, “How do I Handle ‘Frenemies’ (friend/enemy) at Work?” What is a frenemy? “A frenemy is a person you spend time with, enjoy talking with, and rely on at work—but you can't completely trust. He or she is so much a part of your working day that a relationship that isn't strictly business between you two is not just assumed—it's unavoidable. And, day in and day out, it's not unpleasant. But at the same time you have been burned by this person, who hasn't demonstrated the unyielding loyalty and support you'd expect—and get—from an out-and-out friend.” (http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2007-06-14/frenemies-at-workbusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice) What drives (or motivates) a frenemy? Passive-aggressive behavior- “Passive-aggressive behavior is a pattern of indirectly expressing negative feelings instead of openly addressing them. There's a disconnect between what a passive-aggressive person says and what he or she does. For example, a passive-aggressive person might appear to agree — perhaps even enthusiastically — with another person's request. Rather than complying with the request, however, he or she might express anger or resentment by failing to follow through or missing deadlines.” (http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/adult-health/expert-answers/passive-aggressive-behavior/faq-20057901) How Do I Handle a frenemy? Consistently keep confidential information to yourself. Position yourself weakly. Remain mindful of their strategy. Hope that one day they stop this negative behavior (to find their own future happiness).

SwCA Episode 108: Afraid to care too much, for fear that the other person...

Thu, 22 May 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-108-joyful-art-of-business-series-we-are-afraid-to-care-too-much-for-fear-that-the-other-person-does-not-care-at-all.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series. Our episode topic is, “We are afraid to care too much, for fear that the other person does not care at all.” - Eleanor Roosevelt (longest serving First Lady of the US) I have previously shared another Eleanor Roosevelt quote. It is, “We all know people who are so much afraid of pain that they shut themselves up like clams in a shell and, giving out nothing, receive nothing and therefore shrink until life is a mere living death.” - Eleanor Roosevelt We have all suffered in our own way when it comes to the issue of caring. Some people have “too much” where they feel stifled and smothered by the affection from others. Some people have “too little” where they feel isolated and alone without anyone caring for them. Most people are in the middle where they have some people who have loved and cared for them and others that they wanted to care for them who did not. The stinging burn of having a person that we care for reject us completely (they do not care for us at all) lingers for a lifetime. The embarrassment and anger at having risked our hearts and emotions and having our feelings met with stony indifference hurts. Some people decide that they will prevent future pain by not showing that they care for anyone. They build walls around themselves with the goal of protecting themselves from rejection. The challenge is that [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

LAW LOVER'S LOUNGE: "What are my Free Speech rights at work? Tell me!"

Wed, 21 May 2014 16:00:00 GMT

Our LAW LOVER'S LOUNGE™ series addresses a general overview of some of the most important issues to the general public! Attorney Courtney E. Anderson has owned a general practice law firm since 1998 in Texas, USA. There is no client relationship created between this show and Attorney Courtney E. Anderson, or The Law Offices of Courtney E. Anderson (Litigation-Mitigation.com). These disclaimers are very important. The content in these shows is for general educational purposes and is not the delivery of legal services. This episode is, “What are my Free Speech rights at work? Tell me!” 1) What are your Free Speech rights in society at large? Are people legally guaranteed free speech? For example, in the USA the right to Free Speech is in the federal constitution. It states, “AMENDMENT I - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” (http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/first_amendment). What are the Free Speech rights in practice (i.e., what happens to people in real life who engage in unpopular speech)? Pay attention to this aspect of your analysis! 2) What are the employment rights in society? Are people legally guaranteed jobs? In the USA, they are not. Thus, a job is a privilege and not a right. Therefore, employers may make decisions based on tardiness, dress, politeness, etc., and thus are able to make decisions based on speech (that they deem inappropriate for their organization). In any case, ask yourself what the benefit is to behaving in an insulting or demeaning manner? I would not advise it irrespective of what the law provides. Be strategic about your professional behavior and goals!

MYTH! - “Attractive people make more money than unattractive people!"

Tue, 20 May 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not (i.e., they are a myth, fallacy or even a lie). The target for this episode is, “Attractive people make more money than unattractive people!” Consider: - “Why do you think beautiful people earn more? Hamermesh: People may more attention to them, listen to them better.” (http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-your-looks-affect-your-salary/) - “People who were rated as good-looking made more money, were better educated, and were more confident. But a person’s intelligence affected their income more than their looks did. […T]he effects of self-concept are particularly noteworthy. Its effects on income are stronger than those of attractiveness and nearly as strong as those of intelligence (http://www.webmd.com/beauty/20090520/want-a-higher-salary-get-brains-beauty) - “Attractive people earn about 5 percent more in hourly pay than their average-looking colleagues, who in turn earn 9 percent more per hour than the plainest-looking workers. […] Researchers Markus Mobius and Tanya Rosenblat found that confidence makes up 20 percent of perceived attractiveness.” (http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/Careers/02/28/cb.pretty/) - ““Women feel that beauty is inherently important,” says Daniel Hamermesh, a University of Texas at Austin labor economist and the study’s lead author. “They just feel bad if they’re ugly.” […] Hamermesh is the acknowledged father of pulchronomics, or the economic study of beauty.” (http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-much-is-being-attractive-worth-80414787/#hYuHTU1Mki869HWF.99) - “To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” ? Thích Nh?t H?nh

MANAGEMENT MAGICIANS: Critical thinking staff or obedient staff? Pick only one.

Mon, 19 May 2014 16:00:00 GMT

Our MANAGEMENT MAGICIANS™ series is dedicated to the “magic” that a talented manager is able to create. Our topic is, “Critical thinking staff or obedient staff? Pick only one.” Who cares? “No. 1 Critical Thinking (found in 9 out of the 10 most in-demand jobs)” (http://www.forbes.com/sites/meghancasserly/2012/12/10/the-10-skills-that-will-get-you-a-job-in-2013/) What is it? Critical thinking: The objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/critical-thinking) Obedience: Compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another’s authority: (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/obedience) What’s the problem? "A survey of HR professionals [...] found that a full 70 percent of employees with a high school education were deficient in critical thinking skills. Even among employees with a four-year college education, 9 percent were deficient in critical thinking skills, [...] and only 28 percent were rated excellent critical thinkers. (Critical Thinking Means Business: Learn to Apply and Develop the NEW #1 Workplace Skill, By Judy Chartrand, Ph.D., Heather Ishikawa, MA, & Scott Flander) “Critical thinking can’t just be switched on. It may be asking too much of people who have been nurtured and rewarded in an environment where, as one soldier turned civil servant put it, "the lines are your friends . . . it’s safe within the lines . . . stay within the lines." To suddenly change their thinking habits, therefore, we have to provide students an environment where thinking skills can be learned, and then practiced in realistic situations that are otherwise safe and supportive.” (http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/army/critical/roy.htm)

JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS - “I am not here by accident. I am here by MY choice.”

Fri, 16 May 2014 16:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series wherein we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). The act of engaging in professional endeavors, in any capacity (i.e., as an employee, employer, entrepreneur, contractor, volunteer, paid, full time, part time, intermittently, etc.) is an expression of our ideas and creative talents (“art”). In this episode we are exploring the specific topic of, “I am not here by accident. I am here by MY choice.” I often hear from people, “They don’t want me to be here.” This is usually in regards to workplace issues and the point is that the person is stressed out because “they” don’t want them to be in the meeting, in the job title, etc. The challenge is that we are where we are by choice. We are not “here” (at work, in our personal relationships, etc.) by accident. We make the decision every single day to be here. That is our decision (we are “the decider”). The feelings that other people have are important and we should be aware of them but they are not relevant to our decision process of what is best for us. If there are professional, intellectual, economic or other reasons for us deciding to be “here” that is most important. We are in charge of our lives and our choices. We will leave when we want to leave. That is a powerful reality that we should remain cognizant of as we move throughout our day. This is not an accident, this is our choice. Enjoy today!

Do smart gals & nice guys finish last? I am Successful at Work..Why am I Single?

Thu, 15 May 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared with me. This episode is, “Do smart gals and nice guys finish last? I am Successful at Work! So, Why am I Single?” Tremendous changes in society have impacted traditional gender roles and expectations. Women used to be excluded from individual accomplishment (by law and/or custom). In the past, even the most ambitious woman had to achieve her goals through a male relative (parent or spouse most often). Thus, traditional females traded their “support” for a “provider” and vice versa. There were obstacles to leaving the relationship as there was a high level of dependency. The challenge is that when a modern female (a smart gal) is their own “provider” where does that leave her? Where does it leave a potential mate? What about a modern male (a nice guy) who is not able to “provide” millions of dollars? They are in a fantastic place where they have the freedom to be loved for who they are versus what they can do for someone! If you are successful at work, how awesome! If you are single and don’t want to be, how awful. These two issues (success at work and being single) are not related to each other. Many wealthy and renowned historical males (and more modern females) were not “successful” at their romantic relationships. Work is not the same as a personal relationship. If you are unsatisfied being single, address and “fix” that issue. Are you open to other people? Are you generous with your time and attention? Are you selfless enough to invest emotionally in the well-being of others? Are you addressing your challenges and evolving? These are the “real” issues that result in an unsatisfied single person. Be realistic about people. Be realistic about yourself. What do you have to offer other people?

MYTH WARRIORS! - “I am an INTJ (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator).” (Or, am I?)

Wed, 14 May 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not (i.e., they are a myth, fallacy or even a lie). The target for this episode is, “I am an INTJ (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator).” (Or, am I?) What is it? “More than 10,000 companies, 2,500 colleges and universities and 200 government agencies in the United States use the test. It’s estimated that 50 million people have taken the Myers-Briggs personality test[.] MBTI is their framework for classifying personality types along four distinct axes: introversion vs. extroversion, sensing vs. intuition, thinking vs. feeling and judging vs. perceiving. […] For example, he might be introverted, a sensor, a thinker and a perceiver. Or, in Myers-Briggs shorthand, an “ISTP.” How is it used and why should I care about it? “Today, organizations administer the personality test to employees, then use the results as a basis for training programs." Is it credible? “No major journal has published research on the MBTI, which academics consider a strong repudiation of the test’s authority. […] It is a classic chicken-and-egg problem: No major journal has published on it, therefore no elite academic will support it, therefore no major journal will publish on it.” (all quotes from The Washington Post, “On Leadership - Does it pay to know your type?”, December 14, 2012 by Lillian Cunningham) “INTJ - Have original minds and great drive for implementing their ideas and achieving their goals. […] Skeptical and independent, have high standards of competence and performance – for themselves and others.” http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/the-16-mbti-types.asp What are you (allegedly)? Find out - http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp

HELP! - “REJECTION. How do I handle it?”

Tue, 13 May 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared with me. This episode is, “REJECTION. How do I handle it?” The dream job that you desperately desired and did not get. The new romantic relationship that you knew was “the one” that dissipated into a cruel void of emptiness. The “forever” friendship that ended abruptly. REJECTION. In all of its forms it is searingly painful and brings to the surface the most powerful emotional responses possible. Why did they get the job/work assignment/ promotion and not you? Why are they dating them and not you? What is wrong with you? What could (or should) you have done differently? Rejection has the potential to trigger deeper issues within ourselves and bring historical abandonments and rejections (parents, past jobs, past personal relationships, etc.) roaring to life to wreak havoc in our minds and our behavior. We could enter into the downward and destructive spiral of telling ourselves, “You are never good enough.” We will not. How do we “handle” rejection? We don’t. We acknowledge it. We refuse to “accept” it and we leave it where it is. We do not pick it up and carry it forward with us. We do not pick it up and pull it close into our minds and think about it continuously allowing it to trigger past pain and regret. We define ourselves and our value. If we predetermine that we have value and we have a strategy and plan for our lives (personal and profession), it does not matter what “they” think and do. Their rejection is just that. It belongs to them. We must leave it there. A Buddhist parable illustrates this point of leaving “the gift” of rejection with the person who is offering it (http://www.uua.org/re/tapestry/children/loveguide/session12/sessionplan/stories/168913.shtml).

SwCA Episode 100: HR...: What does "employment at will" really mean?

Mon, 12 May 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-100-hr-heroes-hangout-series-what-does-employment-at-will-really-mean.html SHOW NOTES: From our HR HEROES HANGOUT series, this episode is, "What does "employment at will" really mean? Short Answer: An employee may quit, or be fired, at any time with or without notice or cause. Longer Answer (from http://www.ncsl.org/research/labor-and-employment/at-will-employment-overview.aspx): "I. The At-Will Presumption Employment relationships are presumed to be ?at-will? in all U.S. states except Montana. The U.S. is one of a handful of countries where employment is predominantly at-will. Most countries throughout the world allow employers to dismiss employees only for cause. A. At-Will Defined At-will means that an employer can terminate an employee at any time for any reason, except an illegal one, or for no reason without incurring legal liability. Likewise, an employee is free to leave a job at any time for any or no reason with no adverse legal consequences. At-will also means that an employer can change the terms of the employment relationship with no notice and no consequences. For example, an employer can alter wages, terminate benefits, or reduce paid time off. In its unadulterated form, the U.S. at-will rule leaves employees vulnerable to arbitrary and sudden dismissal, a limited or on-call work schedule depending on the employer's needs, and unannounced cuts in pay and benefits. B. Modification by Contract The at-will presumption is a default rule that can be modified by contract. Typically, U.S. companies negotiate individual employment agreements only with high-level employees. Collective bargaining agreements usually provide that represented employees may only be terminated for cause. Cause generally includes reasons such as poor employee performance, employee misconduct, or economic necessity."

JOYFUL..“What they call you is one thing. What you answer to is something else.”

Fri, 09 May 2014 16:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series wherein we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). Our episode topic is, “What they call you is one thing. What you answer to is something else.” - Lucille Clifton This quote is pragmatic and powerful. I do not have the power to change the hearts and minds of other people. I do not have the power to to stop people from saying things that are hurtful, cruel and abusive. I have been called more insulting names than I can remember in my life. This quote is a reminder that what someone else calls us is not our issue, it is what we answer to that matters. Here is another quote from Lucille Clifton, “come celebrate with me that everyday something has tried to kill me and has failed.” - Lucille Clifton Again, the strident self image of the episode title quote resonates. We have more to rejoice in our lives than we acknowledge. You and I determine our destiny. We define who we are. About the author of the quotes: Lucille Clifton was born June 27, 1936 and died on February 13th, 2010. Her first book of poems, Good Times, was rated one of the best books of the year by the New York Times in 1969. Among many prestigious awards, she won the National Book Award, for “Blessing the Boats: New and Selected Poems, 1988-2000”; the 2007 Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize; and the Frost Medal, from the Poetry Society of America. (http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2010/02/remembering-lucille-clifton.html) (also, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/17/arts/17clifton.html?_r=0) What do you answer to?

MANAGEMENT MAGICIANS -“How to Successfully Manage People that You Do Not Like!"

Thu, 08 May 2014 16:00:00 GMT

Our MANAGEMENT MAGICIANS™ series is dedicated to those exceptional few who step forward to serve as guides, sages and responsible parties for others in pursuit of the greater good for society and their organization! These are managers who redefine their job titles to ensure their own personal contentment as they motivate, monitor and mentor their team members each day. The “magic” that a talented manager is able to create changes their lives, the lives of their team members and ripples throughout the larger society. We salute their sacrifices and share their techniques and “secrets” to achieving sustained positive experiences for themselves, clients, customers, peers, team members, and the public at large! In this episode our topic is, “How to Successfully Manage People that You Do Not (Really) Like!” Some people we love, some we like, some we tolerate and some we do everything in our power to never be around! That is life for all of us. In our professional lives, we understand that we are going to have interactions with clients, customers, vendors, contractors, supervisors, executives and team members that we don’t love (some of them we don’t even really like). Even for a self-employed professional and a corporate officer there will be individuals that we do not want to spend time outside of work hanging out with. Like - “: to enjoy (something) : to get pleasure from (something) : to regard (something) in a favorable way : to feel affection for (someone) : to enjoy being with (someone)” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) How do we integrate our love of management with the (very rare) challenge of having a team member that we do not personally like? Consistency. Confidentiality. Compliance. We will use these tools to ensure that our team member never even suspects that we don’t personally like them!

HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT - “He hasn’t called! What does it mean?”

Wed, 07 May 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared with me. This episode is, “He hasn’t called! What does it mean?” Silence. Often a craved for retreat from the noise and chaos of the world. Yet, it can be a perceived enemy depriving us of an opportunity to realize our deepest professional and personal desires. When the phone doesn’t ring, what does it mean? The parallels between our personal and professional lives are helpful and insightful at times. When we are waiting for a call to let us know we have a job (or a second interview) or that we have a second date, it can be stressful and scary. Some people are tempted to turn their anxiety about “waiting for an answer” inwards against themselves. They will criticize and insult what they wore, what they said, how they looked, etc., and begin to place the blame on themselves for the awful silence. Some people escalate the anxiety into inappropriate (or even illegal) behavior and “follow-up” to “make sure” that their desires are known. They send letters, emails, leave phone messages, send text messages, post on social media, go to the office and even to the home of the object of their desire. They think, “I want this job/ date and they have to know how I feel.” This repeated behavior is inappropriate and may even lead to criminal issues regarding stalking. They know how you feel. Stop. Why do people do what they do? Because they want to and they are allowed to. Why hasn’t he called? Because he does not want to. What does it mean? That he does not want to call you. Accept that. Honor that. If the phone does ring later on, then you have the power to decide if you want want that job/date with people who treated you like they did. You have all of the power!

HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT - "How do I know if someone is really my friend?"

Tue, 06 May 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared with me. This episode is, “How do I know if someone is really my friend?” Ah, friendship. The bond that forms where we are safe to share our secrets, fears and dreams. We take off our “masks” that we use with the world (to protect us) and we share our authentic selves. The bliss of spending time with a true friend is one of the best parts of life. Yet, what about the painful experience of letting our guard down, sharing our authentic selves, trusting a person and then later having to face the fact that we were deceived, tricked and manipulated by the person we trusted? We are broken as a person when our trust is broken. How may we ensure that we have “real” friends in our lives while preventing being hurt and made a fool of by “pretend” friends? Q: How do I know if someone is really my friend? A: The behavior of a friend is based on the foundation that your happiness is their happiness. Any behavior to the contrary indicates that they are not (yet or still) a friend. Insults, making fun of you, etc., these are all behaviors that show you the person is not (at this time) your friend. Is it possible that a person was your friend at one time in the past and has changed their mind and is no longer your friend? Yes. Is it possible that someone who is currently not your friend may develop into a “real” friend in the future? Yes. What do we do to protect ourselves while being open to “real” friends? If the person behaves based on a foundation that your happiness is their happiness, continue to reciprocate (it takes a friend to have a friend). If the person is not behaving that way, you cease to do so (until they return to friendship behavior). “Friends! How many of us have them?” (Whodini, Escape album, 1984)

MYTH WARRIORS! - “Nobody can teach me who I am.” - Chinua Achebe

Mon, 05 May 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not (i.e., they are a myth, fallacy or even a lie). The target for this episode is, “Nobody can teach me who I am.” “Born in Nigeria in 1930, Chinua Achebe attended the University of Ibadan. In 1958, his groundbreaking novel Things Fall Apart was published. It went on to sell more than 12 million copies and been translated into more than 50 languages. Achebe later served as the David and Marianna Fisher University professor and professor of Africana Studies at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. He died on March 21, 2013, at age 82, in Boston, Massachusetts.” (http://www.biography.com/people/chinua-achebe-20617665#awesm=~oDpf0csGuWAzTf ) The larger quote for our episode is, “Nobody can teach me who I am. You can describe parts of me, but who I am - and what I need - is something I have to find out myself.” Option 1 - People can teach you who you are. Option 2 - Nobody can teach you who you are. Option 1 is seductive as it would be “easier” for someone else to tell me and show me who I am and all I would have to do would be to simply follow their instructions. Option 2 is “harder” as it would require me to do all of the work determining who I am (with no instructions to follow). Yet, if someone else teaches me who I am, then aren’t I simply a reproduction (or copy) of them with no original individuality? It might be more “challenging” to teach myself but then I will be an original individual who is able to determine and pursue their own goals and joy. My assertion is that this is not a myth and that option 2 is the only path to potential personal satisfaction. What is your conclusion?

You wouldn't worry so much about what others think of you if you realized...

Fri, 02 May 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not. We are warriors fighting to establish clarity between what is accurate and what is simply a myth (or falsehood) in life. Our topic is, “You wouldn't worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.” - Eleanor Roosevelt (longest serving First Lady of the US) What do other people really think of me? They don't. This may sound blunt but the obsession with perceptions of what other people think about us is difficult for me to understand. Most of us spend our waking hours on our own lives (what we are doing, feeling, etc.). The belief that we are forefront in the minds of other people (beyond our closest loved ones) is narcissistic. There are stages of human development that we all experience (to some extent) as adolescents where we are learning to define ourselves and are focused on our peer feedback. The continuation of this behavior into adulthood is not going to result in the best possible outcomes. 1) How do you know what other people think at all? You don’t. You only know what they tell you they claim to be thinking (which is not necessarily accurate). If you ask a friend, “How do I look in this dress?” What incentive do they have to tell you anything other than what you want to hear? 2) If other people tell you what they claim to think about you, so what? What does it matter? Are you an individual (in any sense of the word) or a follower (constantly morphing into whomever you think they think you should be)? Don’t worry about what other people think of you. Instead, focus on what you think of yourself and your actions in the world. Are you kind to yourself? Are you of service to others? Are you joyful? Are you fulfilling and surpassing your goals? Are you fully experiencing your own life each day?

MANAGEMENT MAGICIANS: “SUPERSTARS!! How to make them stay and not burn-out!”

Thu, 01 May 2014 16:00:00 GMT

Our MANAGEMENT MAGICIANS™ series is dedicated to those exceptional few who step forward to serve as guides, sages and responsible parties for others in pursuit of the greater good for society and their organization! These are managers who redefine their job titles to ensure their own personal contentment as they motivate, monitor and mentor their team members each day. The “magic” that a talented manager is able to create changes their lives, the lives of their team members and ripples throughout the larger society. We salute their sacrifices and share their techniques and “secrets” to achieving sustained positive experiences for themselves, clients, customers, peers, team members, and the public at large! In this episode our topic is, “SUPERSTARS!! How to make them stay and not burn-out!” Burnout: “the condition of someone who has become very physically and emotionally tired after doing a difficult job for a long time" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) What is a “Superstar” employee? The best. “A players” who increase output and productivity. “The direct benefits of a superstar can be substantial, but it’s also important to consider how the hire will effect other employees’ productivity. […] [R]esearchers found that the superstar’s impact on recruiting was far and away the more significant driver of improved organizational productivity.” (Harvard Business Review at http://blogs.hbr.org/2014/04/the-big-reason-to-hire-superstar-employees-isnt-the-work-they-do/). So, if you have one, how do you keep them? How do you keep them sane? Superstars either: 1) Burnout, 2) Leave, or 3) Stay (sane and satisfied). How do you achieve the third option? Let’s discuss!

JOYFUL ART of BUSINESS - “I am bored. Is this all there is to life?”

Wed, 30 Apr 2014 16:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series wherein we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). The act of engaging in professional endeavors, in any capacity (i.e., as an employee, employer, entrepreneur, contractor, volunteer, paid, full time, part time, intermittently, etc.) is an expression of our ideas and creative talents (“art”). In this episode we are exploring the specific topic of, “I am bored. Is this all there is to life?” You are fortunate and know it. You have enough money to pay your bills and even afford a few nice “extra treats” at times (vacation, going out to dinner, etc.). Yet, you feel a nagging feeling as you wake up each day and do the same thing over and over again. You are not sad. You are not ungrateful for this good life when so many people are trapped in famine, civil war, natural disasters and other horrible circumstances. You know that it is a wonderful gift to have the health you have, the work you have, the people you have in your life. Yet…you feel a sense of numbness with the repetitive days and nights. You feel embarrassed even to mention it, but, you are bored. How can this happen? What does it even mean to be “bored?” “Feeling weary because one is unoccupied or lacks interest in one’s current activity:” (Oxford Dictionary) “One thing life has taught me: if you are interested, you never have to look for new interests. They come to you. ... All you need to do is to be curious, receptive, eager for experience. And there's one strange thing: when you are genuinely interested in one thing, it will always lead to something else.” - Eleanor Roosevelt Are you really bored? Is this all there is to life? Let’s discuss!

HELP! - “I do my job and their job! Am I a SUPERSTAR or a SUCKER?!”

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared with me. This episode is, “I do my job and their job! Am I a SUPERSTAR or a SUCKER?!” Are you a SUPERSTAR (the best, an overachiever, etc.)? Or, are you someone that is being taken advantage of (a “SUCKER”)? What is the difference? A Superstar is measured by their results (higher/ better/ more/ compared to their peers) and is an overachiever. An overachiever is achieving over and above their peers (early promotion, bigger pay raise, awards, recognition, etc.). The key is the achieving aspect. They have results at work that are more than their peers (more pay, bigger office, better schedule, rewards, etc.). If you are salesperson of the month every month (with the highest commissions in the office) and you love it, you might be a superstar! If you are paid equal to (or less than) your peers, your reviews are average and you are toiling away in obscurity (no promotion, no raise, etc.), you are not a superstar but instead are a “sucker” (your peers are taking advantage of you). It is simple to tell the difference between the Superstar and the Sucker because the Superstar is achieving more than their peers and the Sucker is not (they are receiving equal to or even less than their peers). If you are a Superstar, congratulations! I have shows and programs on burnout and celebrating success (among others) that I recommend for you. You are exceeding your goals! Remember to be of service to others and work on balance in your life. If you are a Sucker, I am sorry. I will also add that your supervisor is poorly skilled for permitting this to happen (yet you are responsible for permitting it to continue). I have shows and programs on assertiveness and confidence (among others) that I recommend for you. Right now, let’s talk and see how we can transform you into a Superstar!

MYTH WARRIORS: Only 6% of all individuals in the US earn $100,000 USD a year!?

Mon, 28 Apr 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not (i.e., they are a myth, fallacy or even a lie). The target for this episode is, “Only 6% of all individuals in the US earn $100,000 USD a year!? Really?” (Really.) The six-figure income threshold. It is bandied about in popular culture and media. It represents a demarcation of “success” (or does it?). How many people actually earn six-figure individual income per year in the US? Why does this matter? Well, if the majority of people in the US earn $100,000 or more and you earn $30,000 you are far below average and you may understand better how much you would need to increase your individual annual income to equal what the average individual earns. On the other hand, if you earn $100,000 or more and you feel like you “don’t have enough money” that may be accurate if the reality is that the majority of people earn $300,000 a year (you feel broke because you earn substantially less than the average individual). The data will then help us understand our financial choices. Are we average/middle class and therefore should be able to have average items? Or, are we far below average/ poor and thus are not able to afford average items? Or, are we far above average/ rich and thus are able to afford average items and a bit extra? How many individuals earn $100,000 USD per year? 5.63% - U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 6.61% - U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 (http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/cpstables/032011/perinc/new01_001.htm) So, roughly 6%. Six out of every 100 adults. Median individual income (Census, 2010) - $26,197 / Mean - $38,337 If you earn $100,000 you are far above average (in fact you earn what 3-4 average income individuals do combined). It is not a myth, but an accurate assertion that 6% of individuals earn $100,000 a year or more.

FINANCIAL FIERCENESS! - “Rich” on $1,800 USD (or less) a month? Really!? How?

Fri, 25 Apr 2014 16:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our FINANCIAL FIERCENESS!™ series! This series integrates our financial goals into our development plan for surpassing our goals. We deal with the specific issues we need to explore in order to achieve (and surpass) our financial goals. This episode is, “Rich” on $1,800 USD (or less) a month? Really!? How?” Imagine, you have at least $300 USD per week to spend on whatever you want. All of your bills are paid. You have your own home and all of your bills are paid (including health costs, medicine, etc.). You have an “extra” $300 USD to use per week on whatever you desire. Go out to eat, to the movies, visit a friend out of town. Buy yourself something nice to wear. You are in charge. $1,800 - necessary expenses (property tax, water, electricity, gas, internet, etc.) of $600 per month = $1,200 per month/ $300 per week “extra” But, I could spend $1,800 on one dress! Or, one meal at a fancy restaurant! Or, one bottle of wine! This show is stupid and ridiculous! You can spend how much you want on what you want. That is your choice. A dollar saved is a dollar earned. This show does not delve into saving, but saving is one of the best things to “buy” with your money! The stress-free lifestyle of having all of your bills paid is a choice. Join in as we discuss the options and the choices to be “rich” or not?

EDUCATORS’ EDEN - What is “the right” college for my first online teaching job?

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 16:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our EDUCATORS’ EDEN™ series wherein we explore the paradise that the most passionate, creative and committed educators create for themselves, their students, peers, administrations and institutions! This specific episode is, “What is “the right” college for my first online teaching job?” Why are you planning to teach online? Is it because you have the thirst for teaching and online is the only method that will fit your schedule or other restrictions? If so, I would suggest that your first online teaching organization should be one that is free (that provides the opportunity to express your joy for teaching without specific restrictions or requirements that might be onerous). For example, University of the People is a tuition free option for students that provides volunteer faculty opportunities (http://uopeople.edu/groups/faqs). If you desire to teach online and have an honest desire to earn income and/ or to pursue full time teaching opportunities in the future, please be cognizant of the wide range of faculty pay and expectations per course at different types of institutions. Do not be afraid to turn down an opportunity that does not meet your individual needs! “No,” is a beautiful word and you should use it to ensure that you are joyful in regards to your online teaching. You should confirm the requirements regarding synchronous or asynchronous formats. Also, confirm the course enrollments, the organizational culture (more autonomy or more corporate conformity), the expectations for faculty at the institution, etc.. Let’s explore how you should determine what “the right” institution of higher learning is appropriate for you as you start your online teaching journey!

FAILURE FLASHBACK!™ - I am failing a class.

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 16:00:00 GMT

We all know that no one is perfect. We all have walked an individual path to arrive where we are today in life. If you want to know how to get where you want to go, keep walking. Asking another person how they accomplished their goals is not going to give you “the answer” to how to accomplish your goals. It may help motivate you to keep working towards your goals, but you are living a unique life and your path to success is unique for you. We all are on our unique life paths. You are the expert on your life. People have shared with me that they found it illuminating and/ or motivating for me to divulge my explicit failures and how I responded. Thus, this series, FAILURE FLASHBACK!™ exists. In it, I share some of the tools and processes that I have used to face my failures, learn from them, not repeat them and keep walking forward (hopefully) towards future accomplishments. Sometimes people will say to me, “Easy for you to say…you don’t know how hard it is!” I do. I will share with you my past experiences in the hope that it prevents you from experiencing the same. This episode addresses my failure resulting in, “I am failing a class.” How did it happen? How did I respond? What solutions did I deploy? How do I remain vigilant today? Is it because I am too stupid? Is it because I am a victim of a “mean” or “bad” teacher who “does not like me?” Is it because I am a genius and people are jealous so they are trying to “bring me down” with “bad grades?” Or, is it because I was unprepared, disorganized, fell behind on my work, refused to ask for help earlier in the course and because of my choices? Let’s flashback and find out!

MYTH WARRIORS! “What does not kill me, makes me stronger.” - Friedrich Nietzsche

Tue, 22 Apr 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not (i.e., they are a myth, fallacy or even a lie). The target for this episode is, “What does not kill me, makes me stronger.” - Friedrich Nietzsche (1888) If you want some background on the author of the quote, The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy which is by The Metaphysics Research Lab, Center for the Study of Language and Information (CLSA) at Stanford University, has a primer at http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/nietzsche/ . Many people recognize our topic as it has been addressed in modern popular culture (by music releases by Kellie Clarkson and Kanye West among others). The issue is what do you think? Do you think that we should make choices even if they increase our potential for pain and distress because the pain only “makes us stronger?” Or, should we examine our lives and our behavior to assess what steps we can take today to place us in a safer and more comfortable position tomorrow? If I pay my bills on time, set aside an emergency fund of cash and keep my credit card paid in full, does that place me in a safer economic position if I lose my job? Or, should I spend everything that I earn on clothes and use every single dollar on my credit card limit because I want to (and I can)? Is it going to make me stronger to make decisions that are risky (economically, emotionally, professionally) just because I want to? Or, is it a myth that adding more and more stress and uncertainly in life is preferable (due to the purported strength it imparts if things fall apart)? Does additional stress and trauma result in a more joyful and healthy person or a more traumatized one? Let’s explore this issue!

HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT - "How Do I Let Go Of My Anger?"

Mon, 21 Apr 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared with me. This episode is, “How do I let go of my anger?” What is anger? What constitutes “a problem” with it? Is it possible to let it go (and let it fly or float away forever)? Or, do we have anger with us for the rest of our lives no matter what we do? Anger is derived from pain. When we experience searing pain our lives, how are we supposed to respond? Do we simply become numb (yet no longer angry) or do we remain emotional, reactionary and animated by our anger? We discuss the “pain Olympics” wherein we always lose out on trying to make people acknowledge that our individual anger and underlying pain is “worse” (or better depending on how you look at it) than that of others. The person who loses a pet, who loses a loved family member, who experiences a tragedy, who is a victim of a war or genocide; they all have an argument that their pain is “worth more” than what other people have experienced. Yet, this is one of the most negative actions to undertake in terms of poor outcomes. No cares about me. How can the world continue on while I suffer like this? These may be accurate sentiments. The world will continue on no matter how much pain (and resulting anger) we experience. I would ask you to think about your legacy. What will you be remembered for? Will it be your anger? How does that impact you? It is not easy to find a healthy way to move forward with anger, yet it might be possible. What do we have to lose in finding out? “No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there He passed away and I didn't cry, cause my anger wouldn't let me feel for a stranger They say I'm wrong and I'm heartless, but all along I was lookin for a father he was gone” - Tupac Shakur

LAW LOVER’S LOUNGE: “A marriage license is just a piece of paper! Or, is it?”

Fri, 18 Apr 2014 16:00:00 GMT

Our LAW LOVER'S LOUNGE™ series addresses a general overview of some of the most important issues to the general public! Attorney Courtney E. Anderson has owned a general practice law firm since 1998 in Texas, USA. We call this series its title because we do love law! Seriously. This is a lounge because these are general discussions on general legal topic for public information purposes. There is no client relationship created between this show and Attorney Courtney E. Anderson, or The Law Offices of Courtney E. Anderson (Litigation-Mitigation.com). These disclaimers are very important. The content in these shows is for general educational purposes and is not the delivery of legal services. This episode is, “A marriage license is just a piece of paper! Or, is it?” Ah, love! Heart racing, blood pumping, skin tingling, love! The heart wants what the heart wants. Marriage can be the unification of two souls, two minds, two hearts into one lifelong partnership, friendship, and romantic union. It also can be a stressful experience fraught with financial, emotional, and even physical pain. The power of a legal marriage (i.e., that the government recognizes) is immense. Your debt, your assets, your property, and so many other aspects of your life are impacted by a legal marriage that you want to be fully aware and informed before entering into a marriage. In this episode we address age of consent, degree of relation (are you able to marry your first cousin?), and the limits on how many simultaneous marriages may occur. These issues may render a marriage license void. NOTE: In Texas (USA) it used to be legal to marry your first cousin (when I started practicing law in 1998). The law changed in 2005 and now it is illegal in Texas (but legal in several other states including California, Florida and Hawaii). Let’s talk about marriage!

EDUCATORS’ EDEN- "Teaching college courses online is easy!…NOT!”

Thu, 17 Apr 2014 16:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our EDUCATORS’ EDEN™ series wherein we explore the paradise that the most passionate, creative and committed educators create for themselves, their students, peers, administrations and institutions! I have taught around 350 3 - credit hour course equivalents over the past 17 years. Whew! I have taught associate degree, bachelors degree, and graduate degree level courses. I have taught at public highly selective institutions, at private institutions, at for profit institutions, at open access degree programs, in lecture halls with hundreds of students in a single class and online with smaller classes. I have also mentored new faculty and coached existing faculty in their classes. I am not even including all of the adult education I have provided as a corporate trainer to organizations around the world! I am excited to discuss this specific episode topic of, "Teaching college courses online is easy!…NOT!” The stereotype of an online college professor who has no commute to work and is able to lounge around their home while “teaching” intermittently is wildly inaccurate. The reality is that the technology requires that online educators commit to an entire additional area of subject matter expertise (software, understanding of hardware, customization of content and delivery via rapidly changing software systems). The traditional concept of teaching during “class” is upended with a “class” that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is combined with the desire for instant gratification that many of us have due to the technology providing us instant access to what we want places very strenuous demands on the online college educator. Let's discuss!

HELP! -“How do I pick “the right” college for my first degree?"

Wed, 16 Apr 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared with me. This episode is, “How do I pick “the right” college for my first degree?” If you are new to your first college degree, in general (from a US perspective), degrees are awarded based on completed credit hours. One credit hour is based on one class hour per week throughout the duration of a semester. So, a class that meets for three hours per week for an entire term will be worth three credit hours upon successful completion. An associate degree is roughly 60 credit hours. A bachelors degree is 120 credit hours. Thus, to earn a bachelors degree would take 40 different three credit classes (which is why it takes several years to graduate). So, what is “the right college” for your first college degree (associate or bachelor)? “Why are you going to college?” If you are not at all concerned with financial issues (more income, promotions, more job opportunities, etc.) and are only motivated by personal enjoyment/ enlightenment concerns, select your college based on your interests. If you want to really learn about botany, study botany! If you are primarily motivated by financial concerns, select your “right college” based on going to the highest caliber (“best”) school that you are able to gain admission to (if it was easy, everyone would do it). Here are some potential resources to utilize: http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-Issues/2013/1003/World-rankings-Top-10-universities-in-2013/No.-10-Imperial-College-London http://www.princetonreview.com/rankingsbest.aspx http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings http://money.cnn.com/pf/college/community-colleges/ http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052748704554104575435563989873060 Let’s discuss!

MYTH WARRIORS! Professional success is based on who you know, NOT what you know!

Tue, 15 Apr 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not. We are warriors fighting to establish clarity between what is accurate and what is simply a myth (or falsehood) in life. In this episode our topic is, “Professional success is based on who you know, NOT what you know!” How do we surpass our goals? Is it based on long years of study, sacrifice, skill development and striving? Or, is that a myth that cheats people out of ever achieving their ultimate dreams? Does real success in life come from making those “connections” which will open up doors and put you on the easy and quick path to prosperity and power? This concept is very powerful and is pervasive. Do you need to simply “get to know” the right people and magically be transported to the life of ease, living amongst the elite? Can you “network” with others who will show/ teach/ share secrets with you to find the key to unlock the door to “the good life?” There are a multitude of sources who will assure you that they have the “secret” that will change your job/ income/ economic situation and if you “invest in yourself” they will make sure you are successful beyond your wildest dreams. Perhaps. I don’t have any connections or secret networks that I access. I believe in doing my best each day and striving for excellence. On my best days I am incredibly proud of what I am able to achieve in terms of high quality work product. On my worst days I am overwhelmed and ashamed that I have failed to meet my own standards. It is never boring. Let’s discuss whether it is who we know or what we know that will make our dreams come true!

HELP! - "I am addicted to self pity!"

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared with me. This episode is, “I am addicted to self pity!” Addiction is an awful state to be in (no matter whether it is caused by choices, brain chemistry, traumatic events, or any other catalyst). The perception of being unable to control yourself is frightening and destructive. Whether it is food, finance, romance, substances, or any other issue it is a scary place to be to struggle for control of yourself. Some advise you to ceed control to others (people and/ or entities), others advise you to take control (“get yourself together!”). We explore questions and share perspectives and potential solutions on this show so I encourage you to do so for yourself. What is the best way for someone to handle an addiction to their own thoughts of self-pity? pit·y - “a strong feeling of sadness or sympathy for someone or something” (Merriam-Webster) self–pity - “a feeling of pity for yourself because you believe you have suffered more than is fair or reasonable” (Merriam-Webster) What is fair or reasonable for a person to suffer? Why should you not be burdened by pain? Why should you visit your pain on other people (which now causes more pain for them)? Let’s delve into this murky mess of self-pity addicts.

LAW LOVER’S LOUNGE: “I think I am being harassed at work. Am I? How do I know?"

Fri, 11 Apr 2014 16:00:00 GMT

Our LAW LOVER'S LOUNGE™ series addresses a general overview of some of the most important issues to the general public! Attorney Courtney E. Anderson has owned a general practice law firm since 1998 in Texas, USA. A general practice attorney is similar to a general practice physician in that they address issues that do not require a specialist. They provide a primary level of legal services for commonly occurring legal issues and make referrals to specialists for more complex issues (appeals of cases, rare facts, unusual issues, etc.). We call this series its title because we do love law! Seriously. This is a lounge because these are general discussions on general legal topic for public information purposes. There is no client relationship created between this show and Attorney Courtney E. Anderson, or The Law Offices of Courtney E. Anderson (Litigation-Mitigation.com). These disclaimers are very important. The content in these shows is for general educational purposes and is not the delivery of legal services. This episode is, “I think I am being harassed at work. Am I? How do I know?” Where there is smoke there is (often) fire! In other words, if you think you are being harassed at work, you often are being harassed at work. Why do you think you are being harassed? Be specific. Let’s discuss how you have the right to be treated with respect in your workplace (no matter where you are working, what your job is, or who you are. If you have a suspicion that you are being harassed, how you will know depends on a few issues. Is the behavior part of your legal job description? Is the behavior consistent with how other people are treated in the workplace (or are you being singled out)? If this behavior happened outside of work, would it be “wrong?” (or even illegal)? You have the right to be respected at work so let’s explore your current situation!

JOYFUL ART… “I am not a "people person"...what jobs are best for me?”

Thu, 10 Apr 2014 16:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series wherein we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). The act of engaging in professional endeavors, in any capacity (i.e., as an employee, employer, entrepreneur, contractor, volunteer, paid, full time, part time, intermittently, etc.) is an expression of our ideas and creative talents (“art”). In this episode we are exploring the specific topic of, “I am not a “People Person”…What jobs are best for me?” What do you mean by “people person?” Are you confusing it with “anti-people?” Some people are rude, disrespectful and treat coworkers and customers poorly because they are miserable and choose to spread that misery to other people. This is not someone well-suited to any job (except for those where they work alone all of the time and have no communication with anyone else). In this program we address people who get their energy from being alone (introverts) and how they need to structure their entire lives to ensure that they are able to get fully recharged with the alone time they need (whether it is at work or at home). We also address the extrovert (who gets their energy from being around other people) and needs to structure their entire lives to ensure that they are able to get fully recharged with the time around other people that they need. Introverts are “people people” and are able to excel in any field that they desire (around people or alone)! The same is true for extroverts. Yet, both of them must take personal responsibility to ensure that they are able to recharge (alone or with people) whether that is on the job or off the job. Let’s explore this topic!

MYTH WARRIORS! “I am scared. My fear is holding me back in life.” - Part 2

Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not. We are warriors fighting to establish clarity between what is accurate and what is simply a myth (or falsehood) in life. Our topic is, “I am scared. My fear is holding me back in life.” - Part 2 Fear - “An unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat:” (Oxford Dictionary) We are all scared and frightened at times. We all face the option to succumb to fear or to run away from it. We will use two quotes from US leaders in Part 2 (one a former First Lady and one a former President of the United States). “We all know people who are so much afraid of pain that they shut themselves up like clams in a shell and, giving out nothing, receive nothing and therefore shrink until life is a mere living death.” - Eleanor Roosevelt (longest serving First Lady of the US) “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.“ - Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt (26th President of US - delivered at the Sorbonne, in Paris, France on 23 April, 1910) Join me for Part 2 of 2.

MYTH WARRIORS! “I am scared. My fear is holding me back in life.” - Part 1

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not. We are warriors fighting to establish clarity between what is accurate and what is simply a myth (or falsehood) in life. Our topic is, “I am scared. My fear is holding me back in life.” - Part 1 Fear - “An unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat:” (Oxford Dictionary) Assuming that we have some amount of free will in our lives, who is immune to the emotion of fear? We are all scared and frightened at times. We all face the option to succumb to fear, to fight it or to run away from it. If we are scared of public speaking, we have the option to succumb to that fear by avoiding all public speaking. Some people do the same with riding on planes or being on a boat. There are fears of external events or circumstances (water, heights, etc.) and of different types of animals (dogs, spiders, birds, snakes, etc.). There are internal fears (we are not “good enough,” we are “a failure,” we do not “deserve” to succeed, etc.). Do we face them? Do we avoid them? Is it a myth that we are controlled by them (“held back”) or is that the reality of our lives? Are we victims of fear? Has fear stolen your life? Your future? Your dreams? Let’s discuss in Part 1.

SwCA Episode 075: HR..: Harassment free workplace?! The easy way to create one?!

Mon, 07 Apr 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-075-hr-heroes-hangout-series-harassment-free-workplace-the-easy-way-to-create-one.html SHOW NOTES: Our HR HEROES HANGOUT™ series is dedicated to the unsung heroes that ensure that organizations achieve and sustain maximum human capital competitive advantage! In this episode our topic is, “Harassment free workplace?! The easy way to create one?!” HR is a glamorous and exciting field (it really is) where every single aspect of an organization is addressed. It deals with money (compensation, promotions, benefits, etc.), power (promotions, etc.) and respect (the concept of being valued). Is a workplace free from illegal harassment (in the USA based on gender, age over 40, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, veterans status, etc.) even possible? Is it a realistic goal for HR professionals, executives, managers and staff? Is harassment an issue in workplaces only in the USA? Or, is it a global issue (in Europe, Asia, North America, South America, etc.)? I address this international report in the show and encourage you to access it (http://www.jil.go.jp/english/reports/documents/jilpt-reports/no.12.pdf). We all deserve to be treated with respect in our workplaces no matter where we are on the planet! It is a reasonable (and I would argue) expected goal for our HR Heroes to ensure that everyone (from the most senior executive through the newest staff member, clients, customers, vendors, and members of the public) are free from harassment at their workplace. How is the goal of a harassment free workplace easily obtained? What steps are taken? What is required by the organizational leadership? Let’s explore what this issue actually is and how our HR Heroes will take action to provide all of their constituencies are treated with respect (and without harassment)!

LAW LOVER’S LOUNGE: “I don't have any stuff, I don't need a will, right?!”

Fri, 04 Apr 2014 16:00:00 GMT

Our LAW LOVER'S LOUNGE™ series addresses a general overview of some of the most important issues to the general public! Attorney Courtney E. Anderson has owned a general practice law firm since 1998 in Texas, USA. A general practice attorney is similar to a general practice physician in that they address issues that do not require a specialist. They provide a primary level of legal services for commonly occurring legal issues and make referrals to specialists for more complex issues (appeals of cases, rare facts, unusual issues, etc.). We call this series its title because we do love law! Seriously. This is a lounge because these are general discussions on general legal topic for public information purposes. There is no client relationship created between this show and Attorney Courtney E. Anderson, or The Law Offices of Courtney E. Anderson (Litigation-Mitigation.com). These disclaimers are very important. The content in these shows is for general educational purposes and is not the delivery of legal services. This episode is, “I don’t have any stuff, I don’t need a will, right?!” I hate to break it to you, but in the US (and many other parts of the world), you already have a will (an automatic one that the government provides for everyone). If you do not create your own original will, the one that the government has already created for you will be used. That is called dying “intestate.” If you have no realatives that can be located under the government will, your stuff will go to the government ("escheat" to the crown or the state). This is rare but can happen. If you want to decide who gets your stuff (and who does not get it), you have to make your own original will. Let’s discuss the reality of death and the reality of either choosing to keep the government will you already have or whether to create your own!

JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS: “I am getting by, but how do I get ahead?”

Thu, 03 Apr 2014 16:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series wherein we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). The act of engaging in professional endeavors, in any capacity (i.e., as an employee, employer, entrepreneur, contractor, volunteer, paid, full time, part time, intermittently, etc.) is an expression of our ideas and creative talents (“art”). In this episode we are exploring the specific topic of, “I am getting by, but how do I get ahead?” Same stuff, different day. Another day, another dollar. Time to make the donuts. How do we surpass our goals when our dreams seem further from reality each day? Life becomes a Merry-go-round of repeating the same thing day in and day out. How it is possible to get ahead? First, we will explore what it means to “get by” versus what it means to “get ahead.” We will address whether it is required that we “think ahead” to “get ahead” and if so, what that means. How does a parent, a person without a college degree, a person with responsibilities…ever make the changes in their life necessary to make everyday an exciting adventure? Is it even possible? What if a person has already reached the peak of their profession? Do they simply give up any new chapters in life and live in the past? Is “getting by” an accomplishment compared to those who “fall behind” and are not even able to maintain their status quo? Let’s discuss!

MYTH WARRIORS! “I am too _____ to find the awesome job of my dreams!” (Okay).

Wed, 02 Apr 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not. We are warriors fighting to establish clarity between what is accurate and what is simply a myth (or falsehood) in life. In this episode we delve into, “I am too _____ to find the awesome job of my dreams!” (Okay). Too fat? Too fat? Too tall? Too short? Too talkative? Too quiet? Too young? Too old? Too weird? Too boring? Is it your nose? Your hair? Your ears? Your eyes? Your skin? Your color? Your voice? What do you claim is preventing you from finding the awesome job of your dreams? This is not a gender issue, an age issue or a cultural issue; it is either a fact that you are flawed and must be “fixed” or it is a myth. Or, are you equally as valuable as everyone else with your experience, skills and education? Do some people refuse to hire you due to how you look (too old, too young, etc.)? Yes. Should they? No, it is illegal in many parts of the world and provides poor business outcomes. They should hire the best qualified for the job. I don’t focus on those situations (I do try to stop them as an educator and attorney). I focus on enhancing my skills, experience and education so that those organizations who desire to hire the best qualified to compete in the global knowledge economy will benefit from having me on their team. Let’s face this myth head on!

HELP! - "My work makes me happy! I love my job too much! …Am I crazy?"

Tue, 01 Apr 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared with me. This episode is, "My work makes me happy! I love my job too much! …Am I crazy?” First, congratulations! So many resources are provided to people who do not know how to find work they enjoy, people who have work that they are “good” at doing but that they are miserable in, people who are not able to find any work at all, people who have never been happy, etc., and you are that rare special gem who actually found work, you are happy in it…. and you are now questioning your sanity?! It makes sense that you are confused. In the majority of work environments (and even social environments) being an unabashed and enthusiastic supporter of your happiness at work is rare. In addition to that rarity (or perhaps in relationship to it) it is often scorned and rejected. If the majority is grousing about how miserable they are, how much they despise their work, their boss, their pay, etc., and you are beaming while sharing that you ecstatic about your work; there will often be very negative social group consequences. There are those who hide their happiness in order to blend in to their environments and escape the negative ramifications if their secret joy was to become known to others. This episode implores you not to do so. It is damaging to hide your happiness. It is not healthy to pretend to be miserable when you really feel marvelous. The solution is to get to a different location where you are among your own type of peer group (your tribe). You will have to invest in the work to locate this rare group, but I can assure you that they do exist. Once you are surrounded by other enthusiastic, creative, positive individuals you will be nurtured and able to grow and express your talents in ways you never imagined! Do not hide your secret joy. Let’s talk!

JOYFUL ART…“I never intended to become a run-of-the-mill person.”-Barbara Jordan

Mon, 31 Mar 2014 16:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series wherein we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). Our episode topic is, “I never intended to become a run-of-the-mill person.” - Barbara Jordan This quote encapsulates the concept of having some impact on outcomes in the world due to our actions. It addresses the challenge that many of us have even naming our secret goals. For anyone of any background born in any time period to assert to themselves that they will “never” be “run-of-the-mill” (or average) is rare. For them to publicly state that to the world is bold. If they were a person born a gender, color and ethnic background that was not viewed as equal to other groups of people, it would sound foolish to make such proclamations. The eloquent speaker of the quote, Barbara Jordan, was born in 1936 in Houston, Texas in the USA. As a black female she did not have the right to go to school, eat at restaurants, shop, use the restroom, live or work among the majority population (of a different color). She died at age 59 after having served as a political representative at the state (first woman and black woman to have been elected on her own to the Texas Senate) and federal level in the US (first black woman in the United States House of Representatives from the deep southern part of the US). She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Bill Clinton in 1994. You can read about her and watch a clip of her Keynote Speech at the Democratic National Convention in 1976 online (including here at -http://www.biography.com/people/barbara-jordan-9357991?page=1). She held an undergraduate degree from Texas Southern University (1956) and a law degree from Boston University (1959). What are your intentions?

MYTH WARRIORS! “Happiness is a choice!”

Fri, 28 Mar 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not. We are warriors fighting to establish clarity between what is accurate and what is simply a myth (or falsehood) in life. In this episode our topic is, “Happiness is a choice!” What is happiness? What is choice? Do humans have any choice (or free will) or is everything that happens in our lives predestined? If an individual ascribes their entire life to predestination (or fate for non-theistic perspectives) the framework of determinism precludes the “choice” any emotion (including happiness). If an individual is not able to chose anything in their lives (as it was all determined for them), there is no “choice” for feeling anything (including happiness). This show topic will be a myth from the perspective of those who adhere to predestination. For those who are not fully committed to some forms of determinism, the possibility of free will (in some capacity) provides the option of choice of emotion. If emotions are able to be elected by individuals, what is the benefit to choosing misery (assuming it to be the opposite of happiness)? Our culture and shared history abounds with examples of the individual who elects to feel and/ or express happiness (even for fleeting moments) under the most horrific of circumstances (war, famine, occupation, etc.). If is is possible to choose happiness, why bother? There are seemingly credible scientific research sources that assert physical, emotional and psychological benefits of positive moods (i.e., happiness). Let’s engage in this “dinner party” discussion of whether we have any option to support a credible assertion that “Happiness is a choice!”

LAW LOVER’S LOUNGE: “How do I stop my ex from seeing our kids?!”

Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:00:00 GMT

Our LAW LOVER'S LOUNGE™ series addresses a general overview of some of the most important issues to the general public! Attorney Courtney E. Anderson has owned a general practice law firm since 1998 in Texas, USA. A general practice attorney is similar to a general practice physician in that they address issues that do not require a specialist. They provide a primary level of legal services for commonly occurring legal issues and make referrals to specialists for more complex issues (appeals of cases, rare facts, unusual issues, etc.). We call this series its title because we do love law! Seriously. This is a lounge because these are general discussions on general legal topic for public information purposes. There is no client relationship created between this show and Attorney Courtney E. Anderson, or The Law Offices of Courtney E. Anderson (Litigation-Mitigation.com). These disclaimers are important. The content in these shows is for general educational purposes and is not the delivery of legal services. This episode is, “How do I stop my ex from seeing our kids?!” If your “ex” has a legal right to the kids, you cannot stop them for seeing them. Even if they are behind on their child support. What do I mean by “legal right” to the kids? Presumption is that children born during legally recognized marriage are the children of the spouses. Science and technology now permit people to obtain genetic material (eggs from egg donors and sperm from sperm donors). There are surrogates who will carry implanted embryos. Figuring out who is the “mother” and who is the “father” is not always simple. If your “ex” (boyfriend, girlfriend, fiancé, etc.) does not have a legal right to the kids, you can stop them from seeing them simply by saying so. Join in as we discuss this fascinating topic!

FAILURE FLASHBACK!™ - I am broke. (Part 2 of 2)

Wed, 26 Mar 2014 16:00:00 GMT

No one is perfect. We all have walked an individual path to arrive where we are today in life. If you want to know how to get where you want to go, keep walking. Asking another person how they accomplished their goals is not going to give you “the answer” to how to accomplish your goals. It may help motivate you to keep working towards your goals, but you are living a unique life and your path to success is unique for you. You are the expert on your life. People have shared with me that they found it illuminating and/ or motivating for me to divulge my explicit failures and how I responded. Thus, this new series, FAILURE FLASHBACK!™ is born. I share some of the tools and processes that I have used to face my failures, learn from them, not repeat them and keep walking forward (hopefully) towards future accomplishments. People will say to me, “Easy for you to say…you don’t know how hard it is!” I do. I share my past in the hope that it prevents you from experiencing the same. This episode addresses my failure resulting in, “I am broke.” (Part 2 of 2) How did it happen? How did I respond? What solutions did I deploy? How do I remain vigilant today? In Part 1 of this episode I shared the shame and fear that consumed me when I was broke. In Part 2 I discuss how I made very poor financial decisions based on unmet emotional needs (envy of how other people lived, aspirational future visions of how I wanted to live). The steps taken to “stop digging” the financial hole, the long term consequences I suffered and the ongoing process today of personal financial management.

FAILURE FLASHBACK!™ - I am broke. (Part 1 of 2)

Tue, 25 Mar 2014 16:00:00 GMT

There are an endless array of experts, entertainers, athletes and politicians publicly sharing their personal journeys. They invariably describe their past of pain and despair through a valley of heartbreak until they ended up in their current rich and/or famous position in life. At times it can be helpful to learn about experiences that other people have faced that are similar to our struggles in life. It can make us feel less alone and help encourage and motivate us to persevere (“if they did it, I can do it!”). Yet, these public confessions can sometimes be self-serving simply to manipulate the potential customer, fan or voter to give the person their money, support and/ or vote. No one is perfect. We all have walked an individual path to arrive where we are today in life. If you want to know how to get where you want to go, keep walking. Asking another person how they accomplished their goals is not going to give you “the answer” to how to accomplish your goals. It may help motivate you to keep working towards your goals, but you are living a unique life and your path to success is unique for you. You are the expert on your life. People have shared with me that they found it illuminating and/ or motivating for me to divulge my explicit failures and how I responded. Thus, this new series, FAILURE FLASHBACK!™ is born. I share some of the tools and processes that I have used to face my failures, learn from them, not repeat them and keep walking forward (hopefully) towards future accomplishments. People will say to me, “Easy for you to say…you don’t know how hard it is!” I do. I share my past in the hope that it prevents you from experiencing the same. This episode addresses my failure resulting in, “I am broke.” (Part 1 of 2) How did it happen? How did I respond? What solutions did I deploy? How do I remain vigilant today?

SwCA Episode 065: Should I go back to school? Do I need 4 degrees?

Mon, 24 Mar 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-065-satisfaction-saturation-series-should-i-go-back-to-school-do-i-need-4-degrees.html SHOW NOTES: You did it! You climbed that mountain (literally and/ or figuratively) and you are now resting at the summit. Breathe in that sweet air of accomplishment! Very nice. Okay, you take it all in (the view from here, the beauty, the joy of surpassing your goals, etc.). Feels awesome. Wait, are you starting to feel a bit bored? What are you going to do next? You could do nothing. You have already proven yourself and achieved many things in life. Why aren’t you simply resting on your laurels? What is the itch, the craving for the next part? It is SATISFACTION SATURATION™ and you are experiencing it. You have “been there, done that and have the t-shirt.” You do not want anymore of this mountain. It has reached a point of saturation (as per the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “the act or result of supplying so much of something that no more is wanted”). You are craving a new mountain to climb. This series, “SATISFACTION SATURATION™”, is for you. We will address the challenges in reaching the SATISFACTION SATURATION state in regards to specific experiences, how to recognize it, how to treat it, how to prevent it, and how to handle the feedback from other people (“Must be nice to have that job, that house, that car, that award,” etc.). This specific episode is, “Should I go back to school? Do I need multiple college degrees?” Are you operating from a position of contentment or fear? Are you executing pleasurable only events and time to celebrate your past accomplishments? How patient are with yourself? How much joy do you have in a typical day? How are you of service (to other people and places)? Aristotle expressed, “Moderation in all things.”

SwCA Ep. 064: The joy of working with less than competent people (aka idiots...

Fri, 21 Mar 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-064-joyful-art-of-business-series-the-joy-of-working-with-less-than-competent-people-aka-idiots-are-awesome.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series wherein we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). Our episode topic is, “The joy of working with less than competent people (aka idiots are awesome!)” This show is important as we examine the positive side of working with incompetent individuals (peers, supervisors, etc.). The terms “stupid,” “idiot,” “dummy” and other synonyms (i.e., fool, etc.) are not appropriate in professional settings as they may be hurtful to other people. The concept of an incompetent, uninvolved, apathetic, disengaged, ill prepared, etc., team member is not inappropriate as the presence of this type of individual has a significant impact on the organizational outcomes. Thus, an incompetent individual is an issue that must be addressed in professional settings yet how we discuss it is very important. To provide tools for improvement to a team member with helpful feedback to show them what to improve (and how to do so) is a fundamental requirement of business management and organizational leadership. The frustration that people have shared with me around the world about working with incompetent people is understandable. Yet, this show strives to look at the brighter side and positive possibilities of working with incompetent people. Lower stress work environments, increased autonomy, and [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

LAW LOVER’S LOUNGE: "I have been sued...by my credit card company, what now?"- 2

Thu, 20 Mar 2014 16:00:00 GMT

Our LAW LOVER'S LOUNGE™ series addresses a general overview of some of the most important issues to the general public! Attorney Courtney E. Anderson has owned a general practice law firm since 1998 in Texas, USA. A general practice attorney is similar to a general practice physician in that they address issues that do not require a specialist. They provide a primary level of legal services for commonly occurring legal issues and make referrals to specialists for more complex issues (appeals of cases, rare facts, unusual issues, etc.). We call this series its title because we do love law! Seriously. This is a lounge because these are general discussions on general legal topic for public information purposes. There is no client relationship created between this show and Attorney Courtney E. Anderson, or The Law Offices of Courtney E. Anderson (Litigation-Mitigation.com). These disclaimers are very important. The content in these shows is for general educational purposes and is not the delivery of legal services. This episode, Part 2 of a 2 part episode, addresses the topic of, "I have been sued....by my credit card company, what do I do?!” First, in Part 1, have you actually been sued? Or, have you been threatened to be sued in the future? A letter (even one from a law firm representing a credit card lender) is not a lawsuit. We address some of the basics of what a lawsuit is (filing court documents with court clerk) versus what it is not (phone calls, letters, threats to file a lawsuit in the future if the credit card balance is not paid). Secondly, in Part 2, we discuss what the general steps are available to you once a lawsuit has been filed against you (service of the lawsuit, number of days to file an answer, notice of hearings, default judgment, appearing at hearings, etc.). Knowledge is the key to successfully handling these types of situations!

LAW LOVER’S LOUNGE: "I have been sued...by my credit card company, what now?"- 1

Wed, 19 Mar 2014 16:00:00 GMT

Our LAW LOVER'S LOUNGE™ series addresses a general overview of some of the most important issues to the general public! Attorney Courtney E. Anderson has owned a general practice law firm since 1998 in Texas, USA. A general practice attorney is similar to a general practice physician in that they address issues that do not require a specialist. They provide a primary level of legal services for commonly occurring legal issues and make referrals to specialists for more complex issues (appeals of cases, rare facts, unusual issues, etc.). We call this series its title because we do love law! Seriously. This is a lounge because these are general discussions on general legal topic for public information purposes. There is no client relationship created between this show and Attorney Courtney E. Anderson, or The Law Offices of Courtney E. Anderson (Litigation-Mitigation.com). These disclaimers are very important. The content in these shows is for general educational purposes and is not the delivery of legal services. This episode, Part 1 of a 2 part episode, addresses the topic of, "I have been sued....by my credit card company, what do I do?!” First, have you actually been sued? Or, have you been threatened to be sued in the future? A letter (even one from a law firm representing a credit card lender) is not a lawsuit. We address some of the basics of what a lawsuit is (filing court documents with court clerk) versus what it is not (phone calls, letters, threats to file a lawsuit in the future if the credit card balance is not paid). Secondly, we discuss what the general steps are available to you once a lawsuit has been filed against you (service of the lawsuit, number of days to file an answer, notice of hearings, default judgment, appearing at hearings, etc.). Knowledge is the key to successfully handling these types of situations!

HELP! - “My boss hates me, what do I do? How can I save my job?”

Tue, 18 Mar 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared with me. This episode is, “My boss hates me, what do I do? How can I save my job?” Feeling like anyone hates you can be stressful! We immediately think, “I am awesome! How does anyone hate me?” Yet, with the diversity of the human population there are going to be some people in life who just do not find us appealing. But, what do we do when the person who is not fond of us (okay, they hate us) is our boss? Will they be able to provide fair evaluations of your work? Will we be treated fairly and judged only on our work performance or will we be unable to succeed due to the boss making decisions solely on their personal hatred for us? It is illegal in many nations (including the US) for an employer to make work decisions based on personal attributes (and their feelings, stereotypes or prejudices related thereto). Thus, if your boss really does hate you (first make sure that it is not just your imagination), and it is based on one of the “protected classes” (race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age over 40, disability, pregnancy, etc.), you may have a legal case. Please consult an attorney immediately! Make sure that you are performing at a very high level at work (do not give the boss a reason to make an adverse workplace decision based on your actual performance). If the hatred is not based on a protected class but is instead based on your “attitude” or some other non-related trait to a protected class, you might want to consider a strategic approach to change how the boss views you. What makes people “like” someone? When they feel they are like them (similar interests, ideas, sense of humor, etc.). It is possible to change how people people perceive us by reflecting back to them how they see themselves. Let’s discuss!

I have to love myself before I can love anyone else! BUT, how do I love myself?

Mon, 17 Mar 2014 16:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series wherein we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). The act of engaging in professional endeavors, in any capacity (i.e., as an employee, employer, entrepreneur, contractor, volunteer, paid, full time, part time, intermittently, etc.) is an expression of our ideas and creative talents (“art”). In this episode we are exploring the specific topic of “I have to love myself before I can love anyone else! (BUT, how do I love myself if no one else does or ever has?)” It is a cliche that we have to love ourselves before we can love other people. Yet, are people loved at work? Yes. Look how people mourned with Steve Jobs died or President Kennedy. Those were business people (in technology and in politics), yet they had people who felt affection and even love for them (through their work). How does a person who has never been loved (or who currently has no one who loves them) even know what “love” is? How can a person give something to themselves that they do not have any examples of or experiences with in their personal lives? A business leader who has no patience is not able to give any to their team members. It is the same with love. A person is not able to give away what they do not possess themselves. How can a person who has not known love learn a working concept for it (unconditional, kindness, approval, etc.) and begin to give it to themselves? This is what we explore in this episode. Join in!

LAW LOVERS' LOUNGE: "How do I Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?"

Fri, 14 Mar 2014 16:00:00 GMT

Our LAW LOVER'S LOUNGE™ series addresses a general overview of some of the most important issues to the general public! Attorney Courtney E. Anderson has owned a general practice law firm since 1998 in Texas, USA. There is no client relationship created between this show and Attorney Courtney E. Anderson, or The Law Offices of Courtney E. Anderson (Litigation-Mitigation.com). The content in these shows is for general educational purposes and is not the delivery of legal services. This episode addresses the topic of,“How do I Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?” The phone rings in the middle of the night. Oh no, any call at this time is bringing bad news. Unfortunately, your friend/ relative/ etc. has been arrested and needs your help. You know what jail they are in but nothing else. How do you hire a criminal defense attorney to help them? In this episode we address the variety of outcomes of criminal cases in the USA. Many cases are simply dismissed by the government. Some are placed on hold (deferred) pending the successful outcome of a negotiated arrangement (typically with conditions that the defendant take classes to learn not engage in these types of behaviors, pay fines, not get arrested or convicted of any other crimes, pass drug tests, etc.). If all the conditions are met at the end of an agreed period (e.g., 12 months), the case is dismissed. In these instances there is no criminal conviction and the defendant is able to move forward in life comfortable that they are able to obtain housing, jobs, etc., without a criminal record as an obstacle in their lives. In other instances defendants prefer to accept short jail terms (“lay it out”) and plead no-contest. The desired outcome (and the related legal services) dictate what type of criminal lawyer to hire. Should you hire the cheapest lawyer that you see advertised? Why or why not? Let’s discuss this issue!

JOYFUL ART…”How am I supposed to be joyful when horrible things keep happening?"

Thu, 13 Mar 2014 16:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series wherein we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). Our episode topic is, ”How am I supposed to be joyful when horrible things keep happening?” “Joyful? Really? How am I supposed to swallow this “joyful” stuff when my life is horrible? Painful. Depressing. Lonely. Must be easy for “some people” to “be joyful” when their lives are easy! If people were facing real problems they wouldn’t have time for “joy” because they would be too mired in the never-ending “pain and disappointment.” Life is to be endured, not enjoyed.” These are sentiments that I have heard countless times. I am asked how I can “peddle joy” when I know that life is horrific for many people. If I did not genuinely believe the content, I would not provide it. I write the content from my heart in an effort in my own small way to help (people, organizations, etc.). Life is brutal. Many people endure pain that is unrelenting. Violence, exploitation, abuse, are all events I have experienced and addressed for my clients. I am a proponent of calibrating the measurement of “good” versus “bad” in life in a manner to provide the best possible outcome. Gratitude, living in the present moment, exposure to the suffering of other people, time with your own quiet thoughts, etc., are all tools that are options to deploy in an effort to be more joyful. Either we stay and fight for our best lives (joyful, stable, safe, etc.), or we give in (to bitterness, rage, etc.), or we give up. I am making the choice each day to be kind to myself and take all available action to maximize my personal and professional joy. The alternatives are worse. Let’s discuss.

SwCA Episode 057: The most important teaching tool is passion? Really?

Wed, 12 Mar 2014 16:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-057-educatorsrsquo-eden-series-the-most-important-teaching-tool-is-passion-really.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is part of our EDUCATORS’ EDEN™ series wherein we explore the paradise that the most passionate, creative and committed educators create for themselves, their students, peers, administrations and institutions! I have taught primarily in graduate business school programs (MBA) but also have experience with undergraduate students (and even spent some time as a public school substitute teacher in K-12). As a proud fourth generation educator (parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents were all educators), I know what a joy and privilege it is to be a scholar and teacher! Our episode topic is, “The most important teaching tool is passion? Really?” What makes a “happy" educator? Does it require someone who is passionate about acquiring new knowledge? Does it require an unquenchable thirst for information and ideas? Is the desire to share and transfer that knowledge to other people strong within them? Is the desire to continually work to bridge the gap in enthusiasm and skill level between themselves and their pupils powerful and positive? Do they enjoy communicating with others? Or, are they more content within their own minds? What makes for a "happy" student? Is it the raw knowledge and expertise of their instructor? Is it the enthusiasm and passion that the instructor brings to the transfer of knowledge interaction with them? Does the educator with passion use that to pull their students into the realm of subject matter and infect the students with the desire to learn more? How effective is an educator without any passion for their subject or their students? Let’s discuss!

HELP! SITUATION: “How do I handle jealousy at work?”

Tue, 11 Mar 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared with me. This episode is, “ How do I handle jealousy at work?” Jealousy. Envy. How does a person handle it when others at work (especially peers) are jealous of them? What makes people jealous of you at work? What can you do to prevent or stop jealousy? I am able to admire a strength in another person without it relating to a negative perception of myself. Just because someone succeeds doesn’t automatically mean that I fail. Some people are already committed to a personal plan of self-degradation and self-criticism. Thus, if they see something else positive in other people, it triggers in them their fears, insecurity and pain. This results in them being jealous and engaging in behavior to try to diminish the accomplishments or strengths of other people (with verbal teasing or put-downs, with insults, with passive aggressive behavior to sabotage them). This is a sad way of life and we should have empathy for those consumed by these painful and wasteful jealous behaviors. They are standing in the way of their own personal and professional growth and that is a pity. If we desire to limit (or even stop) jealousy, we have to determine that having other people “like us” (or at least engage in less hateful behavior) is worth more than our own goals. If you make yourself less visible, less accomplished, less confident, over time it is possible that those who are jealous will start to diminish their negative behavior towards you. Yet, if you do anything to be awarded or acknowledged in a positive way, the jealousy will continue. So, do you want to sabotage your career and happiness for the sake of a self-destructive and miserable person who is mired in pain? It is your choice so let’s discuss your options!

MYTH WARRIORS! “I am too _____ to find the relationship of my dreams!" (Okay).

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 16:00:00 GMT

In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not. We are warriors fighting to establish clarity between what is accurate and what is simply a myth (or falsehood) in life. In this episode we delve into, “I am too _____ to find the healthy, loving relationship of my dreams!” (Okay). Too fat? Too fat? Too tall? Too short? Too talkative? Too quiet? Too young? Too old? Too weird? Too boring? Is it your nose? Your hair? Your ears? Your eyes? Your skin? Your color? Your voice? What do you claim is preventing you from finding the healthy. loving, relationship of your dreams? Is it a myth? Or, is it the truth that you are flawed and until you “fix” it (your hair, nose, skin, size, color, voice, personality, etc.) you are doomed to be unloved and unloveable? You will wand the planet lonely and forsaken as you are worthless until you becomes someone else (aka you with a different ______)? Men have told me they are “too short,” “too nice” and “too trusting” (woman have told me the same thing). This is not a gender issue, an age issue or a cultural issue; it is either a fact that you are flawed and must be “fixed” or it is a myth. What is the “relationship of your dreams?” Is it a person of a certain age, height, hair, skin, size, etc., and no one else will make you happy? Or, is it a person that you like that likes you back? Is it a person that you find attractive that also finds you attractive (just as you both are)? Is it someone who is your friend (maybe your best friend) that you can share your secrets and fears with and never be scared of being judged or disapproved of? Is it someone who puts your happiness as a priority in their lives (and vice versa)? Is it someone who wants you to dream big and do everything you can to live your dreams?

FINANCIAL FIERCENESS!-“How to buy a home with challenges (credit, single, etc.)"

Fri, 07 Mar 2014 17:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our FINANCIAL FIERCENESS!™ series! In this episode we are examining the issue of “How to buy a home with challenges (credit, single woman, etc.)!” Many individuals want a home but are not treated well by professionals when we go to buy a home. Some of us are in fact told that we are not able to buy a home when we are in fact able to do so! Some people may treat us poorly because of our credit or our status (single woman, ethnicity, etc.). There is nothing more frustrating than being ready to give someone your money and they won’t take it! I have experienced many people telling me “no” in my property purchase journey and this show is to identify when to ignore a “no” and how to find a “yes” in life! If you have income and some credit, you are most likely going to be able to purchase a home (not any home you want, but a home that fits your credit profile and income). It is imperative that you understand the options available to you and that you are aware of your rights. Also, there are historical practices redlining ,etc.) that still impact buyers today. In addition, there is the basic human condition to address (of jealousy, etc.) that may result in you begin incorrectly told that you are not qualified for a home when you absolutely are! Let’s explore how to handle realtors, lenders/ mortgage brokers, inspectors, title companies and everyone else we will meet along our way to creating our own paradise in our own homes!! You have the right to buy the home you want, in the area you want, with the money you have. Do not let other people and their issues get in your way. Let’s discuss how!

JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS:The “Client Experience” Employee: Transform your career-2

Thu, 06 Mar 2014 17:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series and we are exploring the specific issue of, “The “Client Experience” Employee: How it transforms careers!” (Part 2 of 2) The most common frustrations and complaints that employees share with me in regards to their employers relate to differing expectations of each party. With a loved one (especially with a spouse/ partner), we expect to have our feelings, desires and preferences acknowledged and taken into consideration. We expect attention, caring, consideration, time, deference to our needs and desires, open communication and more from them. This show explores the idea that we should not expect that from an employer. The “Client Experience” Employee is one that treats the employer as a client. They accept that the client pays for their time and input but they may ignore everything that they advise. They understand that a client has the total option to run their lives as they choose. An attorney advises their client, “Don’t do this!” The client does not follow their advice and suffers bad outcomes in court as a result. A physician advises their client (patient) to stop smoking. They don’t and they suffer from a poor medical outcome. A retail store clerk advises a client (customer) not to purchase an ill-fitting garment, they buy it anyway (claiming they will “lose weight and it will fit later”) and the garment splits in public and they are embarrassed. Who is responsible in these situations? The client/ customer/ patient is. It is their life and they will do what they want to (even if it is stupid and harms them). That is their choice. Treating your employer as a client changes the entire relationship. It is their organization and they will do what they want with it (that is their prerogative). Transform your career by adapting this perspective with your employer!

JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS:The “Client Experience” Employee: Transform your career-1

Wed, 05 Mar 2014 17:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series and we are exploring the specific issue of, “The “Client Experience” Employee: How it transforms careers!” (Part 1 of 2) The most common frustrations and complaints that employees share with me in regards to their employers relate to differing expectations of each party. Many employees expect that an employer will care about their personal lives, will “respect” them (as manifested in appreciation gestures), and that the employer should be loyal to them and treat them as an equal partner. There is a belief that if the employee makes sacrifices (of time, etc.) the employer should reciprocate with commitment to a longterm mutually beneficial employment relationship. These employees perceive that the employers should consider their feelings, personal obligations and experiences in crafting the work environment (schedules, etc.) and that the employer “owes” the employee the “stability” of an on-going position as long as they are “doing their job.” There also appears to be the belief that the employers should be able to share and implement their ideas and practices to improve the organization. Frustrated employees lament that they “want the best” for the organization and that they “care” about it but they are “fed up” with the way they are ignored and not consulted in the decision making process. It sounds, generally, to me that these employees have expectations for an employer somewhat analogous to what we would expect in a loved one. We expect them to consult with us (to ask us) what we think prior to unilaterally making and implementing decisions. Should we expect that from an employer? Let’s explore in Part 1 of this 2 part episode!

SwCA Episode 051: Creating Corporate Training that Changes Behavior!

Tue, 04 Mar 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-051-hr-heroes-hangout-series-creating-corporate-training-that-changes-behavior.html SHOW NOTES: Our HR HEROES HANGOUT™ series is dedicated to those unsung HR heroes! In this episode our topic is, “Creating Corporate Training that Changes Behavior!” Education is a lifelong process! Corporate education (aka training) is a conduit for employees to be able to have their learning time subsidized by their employer. In a global knowledge economy the ability of the individual to enhance their skills and critical thinking is directly related to their professional opportunities. How do HR HEROES ensure that they have a culture and expectation for staff that educational opportunities are important and have expected outcomes (of performance)? It starts with making sure that educational events are utilized sparingly (you want to respect the existing duties that staff members already have), that the presenters are skilled at live entertainment and engagement (if attendees are asleep they are not learning) and that the content is best served via the live event (and not memo, webpage, etc.). One event is not able to transform an existing culture. If the widespread expectation is that educational events are a “waste of time”, that severely impacts the effectiveness of the program. If the perception of attendees towards the employer organization is that it is horrible, the most gifted expert presenter in the world will not be able to engage attendees to change their behavior. Any work can be made to be enjoyable, if the leadership determines that is a desired cultural value. Selling shoes, standing on your feet in an airplane, etc., all can be “boring” or they can be “great fun” (just ask Zappo’s and Southwest Airlines)! What does your organization want?

LAW LOVER’S LOUNGE: “Should I take a plea in my criminal case?”

Mon, 03 Mar 2014 17:00:00 GMT

Our LAW LOVER'S LOUNGE™ series addresses a general overview of some of the most important issues to the general public! Attorney Courtney E. Anderson has owned a general practice law firm since 1998 in Texas, USA. There is no client relationship created between this show and Attorney Courtney E. Anderson, or The Law Offices of Courtney E. Anderson (Litigation-Mitigation.com). The content in these shows is for general educational purposes and is not the delivery of legal services. This episode addresses the topic of,“Should I take a plea in my criminal case?” In the USA, the criminal justice system overwhelming results in plea deals instead of trials (over 90% of the time on average). This episode walks you through your arrest, arraignment, bail, appearance settings, offers from prosecutors, moving your case on the calendar towards trial and the options in terms of fees and time involved in trial. If you can afford (in terms of money and time) to go to trial, do so. If you obtain the offer you initially wanted during the pretrial process, accept it. Don’t get mad at the government and think “I will show them who is in charge” by rejecting a plea offer that gives you the best outcome (pride goeth before a fall). If you never obtain a plea deal close to your original goal and you understand the high risk of trial, you should only proceed if you have invested in an attorney who has trial experience and the unique skills needed for working with a jury (i.e., don’t put them to sleep, etc.). Your lawyer is not a magician so if there is admissible video footage of you committing the crime (or other overwhelming evidence of your guilt), you will most likely lose the trial no matter what your lawyer does. On the other hand, if you hire a lawyer based solely on low price, it is not realistic to demand them to go to trial without additional funds on your part. It is up to you!

MYTH WARRIORS!"Women who succeed professionally fail in personal relationships"

Fri, 28 Feb 2014 17:00:00 GMT

In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not. We are warriors fighting to establish clarity between what is accurate and what is simply a myth (or falsehood) in life. All of this is in furtherance of our mission to surpass our goals! In this episode we delve into the somewhat deceptively simple concept of, “Women who succeed professionally fail in personal relationships.” Are women able to “have it all?” Should they “lean-in?” Do women have to choose between working in professional endeavors and having any personal life (or relationships) at all? Does a woman have to either decide 100% to work inside the home (mother, wife, etc.)? Does a woman have to accept that if she does any professional work outside the home that she will be a failure as a mother, wife, friend, daughter, sibling, etc. (in all of her personal relationships)? If a woman already has some professional accomplishments in life and she is single, is she doomed to be alone forever (as she has forfeited her opportunity at a fulfilling personal romantic relationship and she is “too intimidating”)? All workaholics are self destructive and destructive to others. Those are people (of any gender) who abuse their work and exclude other priorities. We all have 24 hours in each day. If we define “success” we are able to achieve it (personally and professionally) as we desire. If we let other people define our “success” we will fail (both professionally and personally). If you define what “it all” is then you are certainly able to have it. If someone else does (the right job at the right firm for the right income with the right spouse and the right children, etc.) you will always fail. What do you want? What is a myth?

LAW LOVER’S LOUNGE: “I think that I am about to be sued for divorce…now what?”

Thu, 27 Feb 2014 17:00:00 GMT

Our LAW LOVER'S LOUNGE™ series addresses a general overview of some of the most important issues to the general public! Attorney Courtney E. Anderson has owned a general practice law firm since 1998 in Texas, USA. A general practice attorney is similar to a general practice physician in that they address issues that do not require a specialist. We call this series its title because we do love law! Seriously. This is a lounge because these are general discussions on general legal topic for public information purposes. There is no client relationship created between this show and Attorney Courtney E. Anderson, or The Law Offices of Courtney E. Anderson (Litigation-Mitigation.com). These disclaimers are very important. The content in these shows is for general educational purposes and is not the delivery of legal services. This episode addresses the topic of, “I think that I am about to be sued for divorce…now what?” Find out if you have a reason for this belief or if it is simply your imagination. Ask your spouse. If they are not available, ask your friends and family. Also, talking to a professional counselor is a good idea. Do not engage in violence (or threats of violence). Do not “push the buttons” of your spouse to try to make them become violent. This often backfires and people can lash out in ways you never imagined possible. Do not do this. Shut up. Talking to people about the situation beyond your attorney and closest friends and family will not help. Remember that people you talk to may serve as witnesses against you in a divorce proceeding so just be quiet. Get your financial house in order (inventory of stuff and debts). Stay focused on the future. No matter what happens, you will be fine. You are not your marriage, it is simply a part of your experience.

FINANCIAL FIERCENESS! - “How to buy your first (or next, or best) home!”

Wed, 26 Feb 2014 17:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our FINANCIAL FIERCENESS!™ series! This episode is, “How to buy your first (or next, or best) home!” Many of us remember some discussion with a relative when we were teenagers wherein we were told, “This is my house! I make the rules. When you have your own house, you can make the rules!” This show first explores the question of why we think we want to buy a home. Do we want a house because of the freedom of being able to decorate it anyway that we desire (purple polka-dots, etc.) and the ability to do what we want, when we want, how we want? Then, purchasing a home for ourselves may be a great choice to ensure that we are joyful in our lives! If we are not sure where we want to reside and we despise the idea of having to do maintenance, it may not be the right time for us to purchase a property. Once you determine why you want to purchase a home, how do you buy it? If you pay cash for it, do not spend every single penny that you have. Always leave a cushion of extra money. Ensure that you negotiate the best possible price and do not let anyone know that you are in love with a property until you have closed on it (and it is yours). If you are borrowing money, again, do not spend every penny you have on the down payment and closing costs. Always leave yourself an extra cushion. Raise your credit score as high as you possibly can (low credit utilization, pay everything on time, etc.). Ensure that you understand how much of a payment you will comfortably be able to make on your income. Do not borrow the maximum amount that you are approved for. For most people (who do not have variable income or multiple income streams), fixed interest rates are best (versus ARMs). Having the ability to shut out the rest of the world and create your own personal paradise in your own place is psychologically rewarding. Now, you are able to say to other people, “I make the rules!”

LAW LOVER’S LOUNGE: “Uh-oh, I have been pulled over by the police, now what?”-2

Tue, 25 Feb 2014 17:00:00 GMT

Our LAW LOVER'S LOUNGE™ series addresses a general overview of some of the most important issues to the general public! Attorney Courtney E. Anderson has owned a general practice law firm since 1998 in Texas, USA. There is no client relationship created between this show and Attorney Courtney E. Anderson, or The Law Offices of Courtney E. Anderson (Litigation-Mitigation.com). The content in these shows is for general educational purposes and is not the delivery of legal services. This episode addresses the topic of,“Uh-oh, I have been pulled over by the police, now what?”-2 (Part 2 of 2 part episode) If you are pulled over, immediately signal and being pulling over to a safe shoulder or location, do not ever flee. Keep your hands on the wheel in sight of the police. Roll your window down, if they ask “Do you know why I pulled you over?” Answer only, “No.” (or say nothing in the alternative). When they ask for your license and registration, say, “I am reaching for my license and registration now.” Move slowly and gather your license and registration. They will usually run your license plate, registration, driver’s license to check for stolen cars, arrest warrants, etc.. Say nothing and sit quietly in your car during this period. Do not insult the police or say anything other than “no” when asked why you were pulled over. Take mental notice of their badge number and or other identifying information (for your records if the stop was illegal). Do not confront the police. If you are asked for consent to search the car, say “No.” They may search it anyway. Again, say nothing. If you are arrested, say nothing. Ask for a lawyer as soon as you arrive at the booking station. Do not say anything other than the fact that you want a lawyer. If you have other people in the car do not speak to each other. Stay quiet.

LAW LOVER’S LOUNGE: “Uh-oh, I have been pulled over by the police, now what?”-1

Mon, 24 Feb 2014 17:00:00 GMT

Our LAW LOVER'S LOUNGE™ series addresses a general overview of some of the most important issues to the general public! Attorney Courtney E. Anderson has owned a general practice law firm since 1998 in Texas, USA. We call this series its title because we do love law! Seriously. This is a lounge because these are general discussions on general legal topic for public information purposes. There is no client relationship created between this show and Attorney Courtney E. Anderson, or The Law Offices of Courtney E. Anderson (Litigation-Mitigation.com). These disclaimers are very important. The content in these shows is for general educational purposes and is not the delivery of legal services. This episode addresses the topic of,“Uh-oh, I have been pulled over by the police, now what?”-1 (Part 1 of 2 part episode) Be proactive with law enforcement. Do everything that you can to prevent being pulled over (do not go through immigration check points in your car, do not have any contraband, drugs, weapons, in your car, do not loan your car to people you don’t trust, do not have any substances in your bloodstream that impair your driving, keep current license and registration, do not speed, etc.). If you still are pulled over (illegally without cause), immediately signal and being pulling over to a safe shoulder or location, do not ever flee. Keep your hands on the wheel in sight of the police. Roll your window down, if they ask “Do you know why I pulled you over?” Answer only, “No.” (or say nothing in the alternative). When they ask for your license and registration, say, “I am reaching for my license and registration now.” Move slowly and gather your license and registration. They will usually run your license plate, registration, driver’s license to check for stolen cars, arrest warrants, etc.. Say nothing and sit quietly in your car during this period.

HELP! - "How am I supposed to follow my passion when I don’t know what it is?"

Fri, 21 Feb 2014 17:00:00 GMT

In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared with me. This episode is, “ How am I supposed to follow my passion when I don’t know what it is?“ In this episode I confront my failure to understand how powerfully the lack of exposure to a diversity of experiences hinders the ability of a person to uncover their personal interests and true passions. Different foods, music, art, literature, history, geography, cultures, etc., provides us the opportunity to begin to understand ourselves better. How do you know that you like to eat chocolate? You ate it and you liked it. It is the same with any experience in life. Is that your passion? Try it and find out. You must immediately expand your horizons. Read, listen, watch, and learn about everything “new” that you can. These experiences will enrich you intellectually, emotionally and psychologically. Get out into the world (physically or virtually via the Internet). Do things you have never done (or at least read about them and think about them). You don’t know that you “hate” something unless you have actually tried it. Depriving yourself of the glorious wonder that this planet holds is cruel. You deserve to absorb as much of what this world has to offer as anyone else. Make that happen. As you increase your exposure to these new ideas and experiences, you may face criticism or negative feedback from other people who are frightened by “change” and the “unknown.” Do not let someone else’s fear imprison you in a life that denies you access to your passion, your talents and your full range of joy! Have the confidence in yourself to accept that you are worth the best opportunities in life. Your passion is simply waiting for you to try it and find that it is perfect for you. Yet, it can’t come to you, you have to go out and find it.

HELP! SITUATION: “How do I handle/ survive a “Difficult” (or “Abusive”) Boss?" 2

Thu, 20 Feb 2014 17:00:00 GMT

In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared with me. This episode is, “How do I handle/ survive/ tolerate a “Difficult” (or “Abusive”) boss?” (Part 2 of 2) When advising management and HR professionals it is seemingly simple to handle a “difficult” person - document, discipline and terminate the relationship (if they do not change their behavior). The options and solutions are drastically different when the “difficult” (or even abusive, dangerous, unstable or mentally ill) individual is a boss. In previous shows we have addressed how to handle insults and intimidation at work in HELP! SITUATION: “How do I respond to insults and intimidation at work?" (a 3 part show). We have also addressed how managers handle “difficult” people in the show MANAGEMENT MAGICIANS: “Dealing with “Difficult” People?…Easy! Here’s How..” What options does an individual have when the person who is insulting, intimidating, “difficult,” etc., is their supervisor? First, ask yourself, “What do you want?” Secondly, ask yourself, “Why do you want this? (because it is your lifelong dream or is it that you are trying to make your father proud of you, etc.). Using the responses you provide to these foundational principles, we will explore different pragmatic solutions for you to deploy. The key is to think strategically and longterm and not to react to short-term situations. Depending on your situation, you may be guided by the proverb, ‘Revenge is a dish best served cold.’ Or, you may believe that, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” (Lao Tzu). No matter what your personal perspective, “Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.” (Lao Tzu) Let’s discuss!

HELP! SITUATION: “How do I handle/ survive a “Difficult” (or “Abusive”) boss?" 1

Wed, 19 Feb 2014 17:00:00 GMT

In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared with me. This episode is, “How do I handle/ survive/ tolerate a “Difficult” (or “Abusive”) boss?” (Part 1 of 2) When advising management and HR professionals it is seemingly simple to handle a “difficult” person - document, discipline and terminate the relationship (if they do not change their behavior). The options and solutions are drastically different when the “difficult” (or even abusive, dangerous, unstable or mentally ill) individual is a boss. In previous shows we have addressed how to handle insults and intimidation at work in HELP! SITUATION: “How do I respond to insults and intimidation at work?" (a 3 part show). We have also addressed how managers handle “difficult” people in the show MANAGEMENT MAGICIANS: “Dealing with “Difficult” People?…Easy! Here’s How..” What options does an individual have when the person who is insulting, intimidating, “difficult,” etc., is their supervisor? First, ask yourself, “What do you want?” Secondly, ask yourself, “Why do you want this? (because it is your lifelong dream or is it that you are trying to make your father proud of you, etc.). Using the responses you provide to these foundational principles, we will explore different pragmatic solutions for you to deploy. The key is to think strategically and longterm and not to react to short-term situations. Depending on your situation, you may be guided by the proverb, ‘Revenge is a dish best served cold.’ Or, you may believe that, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” (Lao Tzu). No matter what your personal perspective, “Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.” (Lao Tzu) Let’s discuss!

SwCA Episode 041: Connecting with students? How much is too much? Not enough?-2

Tue, 18 Feb 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-041-educatorsrsquo-eden-series-connecting-with-students-how-much-is-too-much-not-enough---part-2-of-2.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is part of our EDUCATORS’ EDEN™ series wherein we explore the paradise that the most passionate, creative and committed educators create for themselves, their students, peers, administrations and institutions! “There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.” - Socrates. This series is to acknowledge the power of education! It is a place for those fortunate enough to be educators to share knowledge to ensure that their love of learning is able to flourish and thrive in a version of eden! Teaching (any students, in any format, in any setting) is honorable and one of the most special endeavors that humans engage in. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela I have taught primarily in graduate business school programs (MBA degrees) but also have experience with undergraduate students (and even spent some time as a public school substitute teacher in K-12). This is why I am honored to launch this EDUCATORS’ EDEN series! Our topic for this show is, "Connecting with students? How much is too much? Not enough?” Let’s explore “connecting” and what brings us closer to our own education eden! This is Part 2 of a 2 part episode!

SwCA Episode 040: Connecting with students? How much is too much? Not enough? 1

Mon, 17 Feb 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-040-educatorsrsquo-eden-series-connecting-with-students-how-much-is-too-much-not-enough---part-1-of-2.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is part of our EDUCATORS’ EDEN™ series wherein we explore the paradise that the most passionate, creative and committed educators create for themselves, their students, peers, administrations and institutions! “There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.” - Socrates. This series acknowledges the power of education! Those fortunate enough to be educators share knowledge to ensure that their love of learning is able to flourish and thrive in a version of eden! Teaching (any students, in any format, in any setting) is honorable and one of the most special endeavors that humans engage in. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela Some in the pre-K-12 education field lament the modern challenges (unmotivated students, unprepared students, unrealistic expectations regarding testing, etc.). For those educating adults in universities there are issues regarding unprepared students, student retention, entitlement attitudes, administrative support, etc. For those adult educators in organizations (corporate training, etc.) they face issues such as unmotivated “mandatory” attendees, short attention spans, ROI measurements, reaching diverse students and skill levels with one program, etc. These are real and yet, for those of us for are intoxicated by the essence of teaching (of acquiring and transferring knowledge), we will do everything in our power to continue to teach, to love to teach and to focus on the joy and wonder of teaching in our EDUCATORS’ EDEN! Our show topic is, "Connecting with students? How much is too much? Not enough?” Part 1 of 2. Let’s explore “connecting” with our students!

HELP! SITUATION: “I HATE my job!…What should I do?”

Fri, 14 Feb 2014 17:00:00 GMT

In our HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared with me. This episode is, “I HATE my job!…What should I do?” All behavior is action, so if a person decides to continue to do the same thing (e.g., go to their same job), that is action. Deciding not to do anything differently is a decision. Perception is a reality. If a person perceives that they hate their job, I accept that conclusion. I will not ask why. Sometimes when people start to explain why they feel the way they do they recognize that their feelings may be rooted in a lack of larger appreciation of their good fortune (e.g., an executive who earns over $100,000 USD per year does not compare their situation to a person trapped in a civil war or famine). The process of self-examination and assessment of whether or not we “hate” our jobs or we actually “hate” ourselves is a different topic for a different show. Secondly, if a person “hates” every job they have ever had, they more likely hate “jobs” in general and it is not limited to this current endeavor. That is also a different topic. For the person who “likes” (or even “loves”) to work, and they are a positive and appreciative person in general in life, let’s attack the issue of what to do when you know, “I hate my job!” Do you accept the premise that “everyone hates their jobs” (if it was fun it wouldn’t be called “work”, am I right?). Or, do you believe that you should not dread each new workday and that you are entitled to a job that you enjoy (or at least that you are able to tolerate without disgust and hatred)? In terms of short, mid-range and long term goals, what action is most appropriate? Stay in the job and “change your attitude”? Leave the job and “risk failure?” Let’s discuss!

MANAGEMENT MAGICIANS: “Dealing with “Difficult” People?…Easy! Here’s How..”

Thu, 13 Feb 2014 17:00:00 GMT

Our MANAGEMENT MAGICIANS™ series is dedicated to those exceptional few who step forward to serve as guides, sages and responsible parties for others in pursuit of the greater good for society and their organization! These are managers who redefine their job titles to ensure their own personal contentment as they motivate, monitor and mentor their team members each day. The “magic” that a talented manager is able to create changes their lives, the lives of their team members and ripples throughout the larger society. We salute their sacrifices and share their techniques and “secrets” to achieving sustained positive experiences for themselves, clients, customers, peers, team members, and the public at large! In this episode our topic is, “Dealing with “Difficult” People?…Easy! Here’s How..” There are myths and missteps that non-magicians fall for (e.g., that team members should “like” them and / or be “friends” with them, that silence = happiness, that if a person is “doing their job” they should be allowed to treat people in their “own unique way,” that all work entails some “humorous” humiliation or “tough people,” that team members act the same way all the time whether around the boss or peers, etc.). What is a “difficult” person? Who should one be handled? One of the most common challenges for manager non-magicians is comprehending the power that one person can wield in a unit. This episode delves into the murky waters of the soft skills of management (and leadership) and addresses how to “deal” with “difficult” people? (SPOILER ALERT - you don’t, for long.)

SwCA Episode 037: Make your staff members HR fans and supporters?!

Wed, 12 Feb 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-037-hr-heroes-hangout-series-make-your-staff-members-hr-fans-and-supporters.html SHOW NOTES: Our HR HEROES HANGOUT™ series is dedicated to the unsung heroes that ensure that organizations achieve and sustain maximum human capital competitive advantage! In this episode our topic is, “Make your staff members HR fans and supporters?!” HR is a glamorous and exciting field (it really is) where every single aspect of an organization is addressed. It deals with money (compensation, promotions, benefits, etc.), power (promotions, etc.) and respect (the concept of being valued). A fan (or even better a “super-fan”) is eager to hear from HR, they look forward to their input, they are excited to be part of their initiatives. They know that their lives are better (easier, less stressful, more enjoyable, etc.) with their HR HEROES leading them, supporting them and looking out for them each day. We explore why our HR HEROES should strive to make fans of their staff and the basic framework for how to do so (proactive, enthusiastic, assessment and pruning of interaction from the perspective of the recipient staff member). They are always asking, how does this make their lives better? This is a companion episode to HR HEROES HANGOUT: ”Make your managers and executives HR fans and supporters!!” It explores some of the fan acquisition techniques with more specificity (frequency of communication, engaging delivery, etc.). How do you utilize “stealth marketing” of HR? HR is present, supportive, non-intrusive, taking action ahead of time to make life easier (working endlessly to ensure the comfort and ease of life for their internal and external clients).

SwCA Episode 036: Make your managers and executives HR fans and supporters!!

Tue, 11 Feb 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-036-hr-heroes-hangout-series-make-your-managers-and-executives-hr-fans-and-supporters.html SHOW NOTES: Our HR HEROES HANGOUT™ series is dedicated to those who serve our societies each day, toiling in the bowels of the human capital infrastructure issues that fuel all organizations (hiring, retention, engagement, training, etc.); our HR HEROES! These are the unsung heroes that ensure that organizations achieve and sustain maximum human capital competitive advantage! In this episode our topic is, “Make your managers and executives HR fans and supporters!!” HR is a glamorous and exciting field (it really is) where every single aspect of an organization is addressed. It deals with money (compensation, promotions, benefits, etc.), power (promotions, etc.) and respect (the concept of being valued). Our HR HEROES understand that they are not going to simply be a peripheral “administrative” entity but are instead the very heart of the organization. HR toils to ensure that people and resources are distributed and circulated throughout the entire organization. The HR HEROES are proactive and strive for their managers and executives to be fans (not simply reluctant participants). A fan (or even better a “super-fan”) is eager to hear from HR, they look forward to their input, they are excited to be part of their initiatives. They know that their lives are better (easier, less stressful, more enjoyable, etc.) with their HR HEROES leading them, supporting them and looking out for them each day. We explore why our HR HEROES should strive to make fans of their managers and supervisors and the basic framework for how to do so (proactive, enthusiastic, assessment and pruning of interaction from the perspective of the recipient executive or manager). They are always asking, how does this make their lives better?

MANAGEMENT MAGICIANS: Never Promote the Best Performer...here's why!

Mon, 10 Feb 2014 17:00:00 GMT

Our MANAGEMENT MAGICIANS™ series is dedicated to those exceptional few who step forward to serve as guides, sages and responsible parties for others in pursuit of the greater good for society and their organization! These are managers who redefine their job titles to ensure their own personal contentment as they motivate, monitor and mentor their team members each day. The “magic” that a talented manager is able to create changes their lives, the lives of their team members and ripples throughout the larger society. We salute their sacrifices and share their techniques and “secrets” to achieving sustained positive experiences for themselves, clients, customers, peers, team members, and the public at large! In this episode, our topic is, “Never Promote the Best Performer…here’s why!” There are myths and missteps that non-magicians fall for (e.g., everyone wants to be a manager, being a super performer is the same as being a super supervisor, if someone has proven to be excellent in one position they will be excellent in any position, etc.). Promoting a top performer will have serious negative consequences (if they are going to be supervising people who were their peers). They will lose friendships, they will have to endure having prior allies converted into opposing forces, they will have negative social and office politics consequences. So, what do MANAGEMENT MAGICIANS™ do? Let’s explore this topic and go behind the scenes to find out!

SwCA Ep. 034: HR.: Employee evaluations that create lawsuits? Not on your watch!

Fri, 07 Feb 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-034-hr-heroes-hangout-series-employee-evaluations-that-create-lawsuits-not-on-your-watch.html SHOW NOTES: Our HR HEROES HANGOUT™ series is dedicated to those who serve our societies each day, toiling in the bowels of the human capital infrastructure issues that fuel all organizations (hiring, retention, engagement, compensation, legal compliance, etc.); our HR HEROES! These are the unsung heroes that ensure that organizations achieve and sustain maximum human capital competitive advantage! In this episode our topic is, “Employee evaluations that create lawsuits? Not on your watch!” Employee evaluations (aka performance reviews) appear to some to be dull, meaningless tasks that some bureaucrat requires simply to waste time. No. The HR HEROES know that these deceptively simple tasks are the foundation for developing, deploying and maintaining organizational competitive advantages regarding human capital. If an organization needs the best team members, the evaluation process is the stealth tool to success. Poorly run organizations ignore the entire concept of feedback (whether formally or informally, verbally or in writing). Average organizations expend some time on basic compliance (ensuring that everyone completed the required forms by the required dates) but with no education to team members about why the process exists and how it could benefit them. There is no meaningful follow-up or integration of the documents into the employee life cycle. Exceptional organizations understand the true purpose and underutilized power of the review process. They customize processes that fit their unique culture and maximize the review as a single swiss-army knife (to increase employee retention, engagement and loyalty while simultaneously mitigating the potential of successful legal action). Awesome!

LAW LOVER'S LOUNGE: "I think that I am about to be fired...what should I do?"- 2

Thu, 06 Feb 2014 17:00:00 GMT

Our LAW LOVER'S LOUNGE™ series addresses a general overview of some of the most important issues to the general public! Attorney Courtney E. Anderson has owned a general practice law firm since 1998 in Texas, USA. A general practice attorney is similar to a general practice physician in that they address issues that do not require a specialist. They provide a primary level of legal services for commonly occurring legal issues and make referrals to specialists for more complex issues (appeals of cases, rare facts, unusual issues, etc.). We call this series its title because we do love law! Seriously. This is a lounge because these are general discussions on general legal topic for public information purposes. There is no client relationship created between this show and Attorney Courtney E. Anderson, or The Law Offices of Courtney E. Anderson (Litigation-Mitigation.com). These disclaimers are very important. The content in these shows is for general educational purposes and is not the delivery of legal services. This episode is Part 2 of a 2 part episode and addresses the topic of, "I think that I am about to be fired...what should I do?" First, are you an employee? If so, what type (exempt, non-exempt)? Secondly, are you really in danger of being fired? Warning signs: Performance Improvement Plan. Progressive Discipline. Performance Reviews. Action: Shut up. Collect evidence. Go to an attorney ASAP.

LAW LOVER'S LOUNGE: "I think that I am about to be fired...what should I do?" -1

Wed, 05 Feb 2014 17:00:00 GMT

Our LAW LOVER'S LOUNGE™ series addresses a general overview of some of the most important issues to the general public! Attorney Courtney E. Anderson has owned a general practice law firm since 1998 in Texas, USA. A general practice attorney is similar to a general practice physician in that they address issues that do not require a specialist. They provide a primary level of legal services for commonly occurring legal issues and make referrals to specialists for more complex issues (appeals of cases, rare facts, unusual issues, etc.). We call this series its title because we do love law! Seriously. This is a lounge because these are general discussions on general legal topic for public information purposes. There is no client relationship created between this show and Attorney Courtney E. Anderson, or The Law Offices of Courtney E. Anderson (Litigation-Mitigation.com). These disclaimers are very important. The content in these shows is for general educational purposes and is not the delivery of legal services. This episode, Part 1 of a 2 part episode, addresses the topic of, "I think that I am about to be fired...what should I do?" First, are you an employee? If so, what type (exempt, non-exempt)? Secondly, are you really in danger of being fired? Warning signs: Performance Improvement Plan. Progressive Discipline. Performance Reviews. Action: Shut up. Collect evidence. Go to an attorney ASAP. Let's discuss!

MYTH WARRIORS: In a fight against yourself, you will always lose. So, stop.

Tue, 04 Feb 2014 17:00:00 GMT

Our MYTH WARRIORS™ series is about targeting ideas to begin the assessment of whether they are credible or not. Our target topic of this episode is, “In a fight against yourself, you will always lose. So, stop.” We are fascinating organisms! The complexity and wonder of humans is something that we all are privileged to experience in our lives. In this show we address the issue of an individual who engages in acts of violence (or aggression) against themselves. Some people physically fight themselves, some do it verbally, some with thoughts, some use external weapons and some weaponize things that have other beneficial uses (e.g. food, exercise, etc.). When we are simultaneously the aggressor and the victim, do we ever “win?” If I fight myself (in any manner with any method), my victory is a Pyrrhic one. What price do I pay for defeating myself? What defenses will prevent us, any of us, from engaging in these (sometimes fatal) battles? If a person is famous, rich, powerful, educated, in a loving relationship, with a supportive family, attractive, etc., what ensures inoculation against self destruction? Nothing. Our human history and current events are littered with examples of famous, acclaimed, wealthy, powerful, loved and “successful” people who fight themselves to the finish in a “winner take all” forum. Why are we so arrogant to think we are immune to the negative outcomes of this self-aggression behavior? Why do we delude ourselves that if we just had the love, the money, the power, etc., that we would finally call a cease-fire on our own self-war? Let’s discuss what is a myth and what is reality (or as close to it as we can presently understand).

HELP! SITUATION: “How do I respond to insults and intimidation at work?" (3)

Mon, 03 Feb 2014 17:00:00 GMT

In this HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series episode, which is follow-up to a two part episode (basically, Part 3), our show title is, “How do I respond to direct, brutal, verbal insults and intimidation at work?” In this episode we explore the Mental Self-Defense Arts™ and learn what to do when we are emotionally and psychologically attacked at work. An angry lady at work told me that I “was ugly” and that my “face was distracting.” Nice. Was that direct? Yes. Was it verbal? Yes. Would some characterize it as “brutal”, “insulting” and/ or “intimidating”? Yes. Why she acted the way she did is not relevant. The fact that she actually did act the way she did is the only issue to focus on when faced with direct abuse. The “why” question leads to a long answer integrating the childhood, mental health, personality, choices, regrets and other issues impacted an abuser. That is their responsibility to address and seek professional and personal help to improve the quality of their lives. An abuser who wants to change must fight for themselves to do so. We are not able to make other people “do” anything (e.g., be nice, be abusive, like us, hate us, etc.). We are able to react and respond to predatory abusers to teach them to find other victims. A MLK quote is instructive, “whenever men and women straighten their backs up, they are going somewhere, because a man can't ride your back unless it is bent.” In Part 1 we addressed the issue that some people are predators and their motivation is to inflict pain on other people. In Part 2 we addressed how a predator selects a victim. In the final follow-up part of this episode (Part 3), we address how to determine if we are dealing with a predator and what steps to take, if that is the case, to teach them to look somewhere else for a victim.

HELP! SITUATION: “How do I respond to insults and intimidation at work?" (2)

Fri, 31 Jan 2014 17:00:00 GMT

In this HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series episode, Part 2 of a 2 part episode (with a final third part follow-up show), is, “How do I respond to direct, brutal, verbal insults and intimidation at work?” We explore the Mental Self-Defense Arts™ and learn what to do when we are emotionally and psychologically attacked at work. As shared in Part 1 of this episode, I gave a speech several years ago and an angry lady in the audience told me at the end of the event (as everyone was leaving) that I “was ugly” and that my “face was distracting.” Nice. Was that direct? Yes. Was it verbal? Yes. Would some characterize it as “brutal”, “insulting” and/ or “intimidating”? Yes. Some people want to immediately start assessing “why” the person did this? If I had told myself in the morning that I looked “great” and was told right after that by another person that I was “ugly”; what is the truth? What was I wearing? Did I look uglier than normal that day? These are all examples of blaming the victim and more importantly they are a total waste of time and resources. In Part 1 of this multi-part episode we addressed the issue that some people are predators and their motivate is to inflict pain on other people. They do exist but they are very rare. In some instances when we perceive that we have been “attacked” it really is simply a misunderstanding, personality conflict or other normal event in the range of human behavior. In Part 2 of this episode we address how a predator selects a victim and what type of situational awareness we need to maintain in the workplace. In the final follow-up part of this episode, we address how to determine if we are dealing with a predator and what steps to take, if that is the case, to teach them to look somewhere else for a victim.

HELP! SITUATION: “How do I respond to insults and intimidation at work?" (1)

Thu, 30 Jan 2014 17:00:00 GMT

In this HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared with me. In this episode, which is Part 1 of a 2 part episode (with a final third part follow-up show), our show title is, “How do I respond to direct, brutal, verbal insults and intimidation at work?” In this multi-part episode we explore the Mental Self-Defense Arts™ and learn what to do when we are emotionally and psychologically attacked at work. The self-defense skills that we employ in these situations are analogous to those in a physical attack. We are going to do everything that we can to be on heightened alert and remain awareness of surroundings and situations to thwart or prevent a potential attack. Remember that predatory attackers are always looking for potential victims and they select their targets based on proximity, opportunity and also their assessment of the likelihood of success. Once that prevention process has been breached, then we will move toward the actual skills we need to survive. We have to use our senses, reaction time and power (verbally, physically, etc.) to teach other psychological predators that we will not be their prey. I gave a speech several years ago and an angry lady in the audience told me at the end of the event (as everyone was leaving) that I “was ugly” and that my “face was distracting.” Nice. Was that direct? Yes. Was it verbal? Yes. Would some characterize it as “brutal”, “insulting” and/ or “intimidating”? Yes. What happened next? What did I learn from that experience? Let's address this issue!

SwCA Episode 027: I feel like I will never be successful. What can I do?

Wed, 29 Jan 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-027-help-situation-spotlight-series-i-feel-like-i-will-never-be-successful-what-can-i-do.html SHOW NOTES: In this HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared with me. These are specific issues that they are grappling with in order to surpass their goals. Our episode title is, “I feel like I will never be successful. What can I do?” What is “success” and how is it measured? How do we know if we have it, we are deluding ourselves into thinking that we have it, or if we are unable (or incapable) of having it? If we have it, how do we hold onto it? Or, is it fleeting like a breeze and it may envelop us for a few moments, hours, or days and then float away beyond our control? My argument is that if we are internally feeling good (by ourselves, with no feedback or input for any other people), we have attained “success.” If I look in the mirror while getting ready for work and I think to myself, “You look great!”; isn’t that “success”? Why is it that some people would have a good feeling (internally) and then go out into the world and encounter others that would change their definition of “success” and of themselves? Even famous and wealthy people are not always content (which is an ingredient for my personal definition of success) so those aspects are not sufficient to define “success.” If I am unhappy, broke, stressed out, etc., how am I “successful”? Just because other people think I am “successful” does not mean that I actually am. We are not going to “find success” via [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS: “BE OF SERVICE. In work. In life.”

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 17:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series wherein we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). The act of engaging in professional endeavors, in any capacity (i.e., as an employee, employer, entrepreneur, contractor, volunteer, paid, full time, part time, intermittently, etc.) is an expression of our ideas and creative talents (“art”). In this episode we are exploring the specific topic of “BE OF SERVICE. In work (paid and volunteer). In life (with those you love and who love you, including yourself.)” This show explores the concept of refocusing our thoughts (which average around 70,000 per day) away from the spotlight on ourselves and outward towards others. We are of service anytime we give anything (including, time, compassion, attention, financial resources, etc.). The challenge is to prioritize being of service (giving) with the acts of getting (what we need and some of what we want). Simply sharing with another person a smile, a compliment or taking the time to listen to them share about their lives is opening up a two-way beneficial process for us and the larger society. Having the ability to place ourselves in perspective with the larger society is also an enriching experience that we should invest in solely for the act of giving (not distorted into an ego display regarding ourselves). Please join in for this thought provoking episode!

FINANCIAL FIERCENESS! “Always have the ability to support yourself financially!"

Mon, 27 Jan 2014 17:00:00 GMT

This episode is part of our FINANCIAL FIERCENESS!™ series! In this episode we are examining the issue of “Always have the ability to support yourself financially! Here's why.” Being an adult is awesome! Our episode today focuses on a serious outcome where an adult is treated like a child and disrespected, controlled or even abused. How could it occur that a capable adult would be told what to wear, where to live, what to eat, who to be friends with, etc.? It is often the result of an adult ceding financial independence to another adult. When an adult is financially “dependent” on another adult (their parents, other relatives, friends, romantic partners or anyone else), an unhealthy individual can exploit that and engage in controlling and/ or abusive behaviors. The ability to know that we can support ourselves financially frees us of any of these potential negative outcomes. When we support ourselves (either in actuality or we have done so in the past and maintain the ability to do so if needed in the future), we are free to enter into and nurture healthy, supportive, enriching relationships! When a person “stays” in a job, marriage, friendship or family relationship simply out of the desire for money, everyone loses. Also, even the most stable lives can be toppled by death, illness, disability, natural disaster, war, etc., so it is important that we all ensure that we have a back-up plan for supporting ourselves financially as we never know when we may need to do so. Let’s discuss!

SwCA Episode 024: Credit score, who cares?! You should...here's why. (2 of 2)

Fri, 24 Jan 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-024-financial-fierceness-series-credit-score-who-cares-you-shouldheres-why---part-2-of-2.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is part of our FINANCIAL FIERCENESS!™ series! This series integrates our financial goals into our development plan for surpassing our goals. We deal with the specific issues we need to explore in order to achieve (and surpass) our financial goals. In this episode we are examining the issue of “Credit score, who cares?!” This is Part 2 of a 2 part series. Who? You! This all about you! You are the product in this interaction. Entities pay (and are paid) to share information about you. This is uniquely about you. What? In the USA, the score range is from a low of 300 to a high of 850. The score is a shorthand method to determine the risk in loaning you assets (money, property, etc.). When? For as long as you are an adult and alive. Where? In the entire world. You are the product (well your data is) and data is accessible everywhere. Why? Quick way to determine if you are safe enough (to loan money or property to, to hire, to insure, etc.). …and I should care? Yes. High credit scores mean “Yes” to things (buy that house! lease that apartment! get that new car! You are hired for this job!, etc.) and a low enough one means “No” is the answer. Do you want to live somewhere, buy things, work as an employee, be insured, etc.? This score determines if you can do so, where you do so and how much you will pay. Everyone in the USA is eligible for a free credit report once a year (you can get yours here - https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.). © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 023: John Derr Interview, The LornaDave Agency (LornaDave.com)

Thu, 23 Jan 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-023-entrepreneur-exposersquo-series-john-derr-interview-the-lornadave-agency-lornadavecom.html SHOW NOTES: In our ENTREPRENEUR EXPOSE´™ series we explore the reality of business opportunities for "non-traditional" individuals and organizations. In this episode we have the pleasure of interviewing businessman, John Derr. Mr. Derr is the owner of The LornaDave Agency (LornaDave.com) in the Allentown, Pennsylvania area (USA). His agency is a talent representation agency for professionals in the television field. Talent agents identify potential professional opportunities, negotiate contracts and overall work to ensure maximum financial and professional success for their clients. This talent agency has a primary focus on the television news industry yet it also represents television talent in other entertainment fields (hosting, television production, cable series, etc.). Mr. Derr has been in the television industry for over 20 years. After he earned his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Mass Communications from Towson University, he started working in television. He shares in this episode his journey up through the television and media industry. He worked in small, medium and large television news markets as an on-air anchor, reporter and behind the scenes producer. He founded his own agency in 2001, The LornaDave Agency (LornaDave.com). The name of the firm is a combination of the names of deceased loved one’s of the firm founders. In this interview, we will explore the tough television industry and find out how Mr. John Derr found a way to succeed! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 022: Credit score, who cares?! You should...here's why. (1 of 2)

Wed, 22 Jan 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-022-financial-fierceness-series-credit-score-who-cares-you-shouldheres-why---part-1-of-2.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is part of our FINANCIAL FIERCENESS!™ series! This series integrates our financial goals into our development plan for surpassing our goals. We deal with the specific issues we need to explore in order to achieve (and surpass) our financial goals. In this episode we are examining the issue of, “Credit score, who cares?!” This is Part 1 of a 2 part series. The credit score is fascinating. We are addressing consumer credit scores in this episode but there are also credit scores (or ratings) for businesses and nations. In general, your consumer credit score is a product that is sold by three major private companies in the USA (Equifax, TransUnion and Experian), to entities about you. The fact that it is sold only because it is about you is the really unique and interesting aspect of the situation. Literally, this is one time in life when it is “all about you!” The situation is that entities want to know if they should loan you money. If you never borrow money (or property), you do not have any interaction with a credit score and this is not the episode for you to listen to! Remember that if you rent an apartment, car, etc., that is considered a financial risk so the credit score will be used. This Part 1 of a 2 part episode focuses on an overview of what the credit score is, how it came into existence in modern times and how it impacts your financial life! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 021: A degree is just a piece of paper!

Tue, 21 Jan 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-021-myth-warriors-series-a-degree-is-just-a-piece-of-paper.html SHOW NOTES: This is an episode that I feel compelled to do! Our MYTH WARRIORS™ series is about targeting ideas to begin the assessment of whether they are credible or not. As a long time educator, long time student and someone who passionately believes in the benefits of education, I have to explore this target topic of, “A degree is just a piece of paper!” I continue to hear people express this sentiment, so let's go! There are a multitude of studies that express the conclusion that individuals with higher education earn more income than those without higher education. Yet, I am not convinced that there is a consensus among people as to why that fact exists. If you believe that people are “lucky” and some some “get rich” while others simply are “unlucky”, that is a position (with an external locus of control perspective) that negates the belief in higher education. If you believe that people earn more income because of what they can do (for an employer, client, vendor or partner), then it it logical that if you have more skills (and higher level skills) you will be able to earn higher incomes. This is a position based on an internal locus of control. My perspective is that there is an element of [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 020: Speakers earn $5,000 an hour, no education required! - 3 of 3

Mon, 20 Jan 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-020-myth-warriors-series-speakers-earn-5000-an-hour-no-education-required---part-3-of-3.html SHOW NOTES: In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not. This is Part 3 of a 3 part episode that I feel I need to do in order to address some of the myths, misunderstandings and misconceptions about the Professional Speaking industry. The target for this episode is “Professional Speakers earn $5,000 USD an hour and no education is needed!” (Part 3 of 3) In Part 1 of this episode we addressed what the speaking industry actually is! Is it real? Do some people actually make a living as a “speaker”? In Part 2 we addressed whether speaking is a good fit for what makes you happy in life everyday (if you hate travel and fear public speaking it might not be the best choice for a career). We also discussed what it takes to succeed in the field (if you do want to pursue it). In the final Part 3 of this episode, we focus on the obstacles that can prevent a person from having a rewarding speaking career and the types of issues (or entities) that can take advantage of a person who desires to be a speaker. Never pay anyone. They are supposed to pay you. Just like some modeling “agencies” will take advantage of a person who is a foot too short to be a runway model (by taking their “tuition” and “teaching” them how to “be a model”), there are some entities that will take advantage of an aspiring speaker. Just because someone says that they can “teach you how to speak” does not mean that they have ever given a paid speech in their lives. Use your [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 019: Speakers earn $5,000 an hour, no education required! - 2 of 3

Fri, 17 Jan 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-019-myth-warriors-series-speakers-earn-5000-an-hour-no-education-required---part-2-of-3.html SHOW NOTES: In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not. This is Part 2 of a 3 part episode that I feel I need to do in order to address some of the myths, misunderstandings and misconceptions about the Professional Speaking industry. The target for this episode is “Professional Speakers earn $5,000 USD an hour and no education is needed!” (Part 2 of 3) In part two of this three part episode, we focus on what it takes to “make it” as a professional speaker. Even more important that how to “succeed” is a pragmatic assessment of whether you want to actually be in the professional speaking industry. Focusing on perceived financial rewards, public admiration, etc., is not sufficient for determining if something is the right field for us to enter into. I would love to be an Olympic Gold Medalist! Was I talented enough and did I possess the drive, intense sacrifice and dedication sustained for years to achieve that end result? No, I didn’t so I am not one. It is the same with professional speaking. Is it more important that you are an engaging stage performer? Or, that you have immense amounts of knowledge and content? If you are scared of public speaking, hate traveling, or despise people looking at you; is this the right field for you? Just because a person can speak (they open up their mouths and words come out) do they have what it takes to be a professional speaker (being paid for their performances)? Do you need to [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 018: Speakers earn $5,000 an hour, no education required! - 1 of 3

Thu, 16 Jan 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-018-myth-warriors-series-speakers-earn-5000-an-hour-no-education-required---part-1-of-3.html SHOW NOTES: In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not. This is Part 1 of a 3 part episode that I feel I need to do in order to address some of the myths, misunderstandings and misconceptions about the Professional Speaking industry. The target for this episode is “Professional Speakers earn $5,000 USD an hour and no education is needed!” (Part 1 of 3) In part 1 of this 3 part episode, we focus on what the speaking industry actually is (I had never heard of it until I stumbled across it in an online job posting). Is it real? Is it a scam? Are there people who make a living as a “speaker”? If so, how? What are the requirements? Is a degree required? First, the speaking industry is one of the joys of my professional life. I am grateful that I was able to enter it and that I have been able to serve clients around the world while growing as a speaking professional and as a person. I have won awards, given hundreds of clients thousands of hours of speaking events and I have worked in the US, Canada, South Africa, India, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Spain, Italy, The Netherlands and Mexico (just to name a few locations). Secondly, the Professional Speaking industry is real. The show [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 017: Is my resume keeping me poor? How do I get a high income?

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 17:30:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-017-help-situation-spotlight-series-is-my-resume-keeping-me-poor-how-do-i-get-a-high-income.html SHOW NOTES: In this HELP! SITUATION™ episode, we explore the reality of the power of the resume in obtaining high income professional opportunities. This episode is based on an increasing amount of individual coaching clients that I have worked with who drastically underestimate the “make or break” impact of their resume (and cover letter, etc.). If a person wants a $75,000 USD annual income yet their resume (and cover letter, etc.) convey that they are worth $12 USD per hour, what will be the result? It appears that some people treat the resume as almost an afterthought and proceed in the professional opportunity search as if they can utilize the same type of resume for a high income opportunity that they used to obtain a minimum wage job as a teenager. The written documentation (resume and cover letter, etc.) is everything in professional opportunity searches. It is the only written documentation that will screen you out of moving forward in the candidate pool or push you to the top of the possible hire list. Nominal information, misspellings, bland generic terms, poor grammar, etc., will doom your opportunities. You cannot “make up” for the low quality resume with a high quality interview. Your written documentation is your one chance to [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 016: I need a mentor!

Tue, 14 Jan 2014 19:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-016-myth-warriors-series-i-need-a-mentor.html SHOW NOTES: In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not. We are warriors fighting to establish clarity between what is accurate and what is simply a myth (or falsehood) in life. All of this is in furtherance of our mission to surpass our goals! In this episode we delve into the somewhat deceptively simple concept of, "I Need a Mentor!" Mentor. Umm…The idea of a protector, supporter, advocate and powerful guide to take us under their wing and lead us toward professional success is alluring. It is wonderful that some individuals were fortunate enough to have been born into (or later joined) a family or group with powerful lifelong mentors (who open doors for elite education, high level employment and exciting professional opportunities). For the remainder of us who were not born into (or have not yet joined in) that good fortune, we can (and should) spend some time and resources seeking out successful individuals to help us achieve our goals. Yet, it is a myth that we "need" them in order to move forward with our goals. If we are lucky enough to have one, that is super! For those of us, myself included, who do not have these personal advocates committed to our success and happiness (seemingly out of a fairy tale), we must move forward on our own. It is a myth that [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 015: REGRETS - Possible to have none? Do we all have some?

Mon, 13 Jan 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-015-joyful-art-of-business-series-regrets-possible-to-have-none-do-we-all-have-some.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series wherein we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). The act of engaging in professional endeavors, in any capacity (i.e., as an employee, employer, entrepreneur, contractor, volunteer, paid, full time, part time, intermittently, etc.) is an expression of our ideas and creative talents (“art”). In this episode we are exploring the specific topic of "REGRETS" and what the impact of living a regret-focused life is on an individual. The challenge we all have in deciding whether to live in the present, project into the future or wallow in the past is a difficult one. The experiences of exposure to those who decide to spend the present time mired in past regret (and the pain, shame, disappointment and bitterness that result) is instructive. How do people grow and nurture their regret into a lifestyle? Why do people decide to invest their emotional, mental and physical behaviors into "What should have been!" instead of "What is!" is fascinating. Why do [...] VISIT THE SHOW SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 014: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Mon, 06 Jan 2014 17:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-014-help-situation-spotlight-series-should-i-stay-or-should-i-go.html SHOW NOTES: This HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series addresses challenges, obstacles and problems (real or perceived) that are preventing a person from surpassing their goals! What is holding you back from surpassing your goals? In this episode we examine the issue, "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" Why am I treated this way? How does this person (or organization) continue to hurt me and not care? I know that I deserve better, how do I get from here (pain, rejection, disappointment) to there (being respected, nurtured, supported)? How do I stop feeling bad and start feeling good? We delve into this topic, "Should I stay or should I go?" by examining three situations with adults who are expressing discontent and/or frustration with not being consulted with or respected by other adults. One is an adult living with their parents, one is an adult that moves in with a romantic partner and one is the adult who expresses frustration about their work environment. The issue is whether these are similar or analogous issues and what an adult should do from the perspective of increasing their personal contentment. The ideal situation in life is for all adults to respect each other and collaborate to work towards compromised outcomes (with our family of origin, with our family of choice/ creation and with our professional endeavors). The question is what do we do when that is not occurring? How should an adult address a situation where they are not respected, consulted or part of a collaborative process? Should they stay or should they go? Let's discuss! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 013: Ms. Barbara Largent Interview (TheBaronessSalon.com)

Fri, 03 Jan 2014 18:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-013-entrepreneur-exposeacuteseries-ms-barbara-largent-interview-thebaronesssaloncom.html SHOW NOTES: In our ENTREPRENEUR EXPOSE´™ series we explore the reality of business opportunities for "non-traditional" individuals and organizations. By "non-traditional" we are referring to everything outside the traditional concept and stereotype of a person born into a wealthy and/ or powerful family who uses their connections and resources to start a business or join an already successful family firm. No matter where you born, your family of origin, your age, ethnicity or any other characteristic, you are a unique individual who can achieve what you desire! In this episode we have the pleasure of interviewing businesswoman, Barbara Largent. Ms. Largent is the owner of the Baroness Salon in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (thebaronesssalon.com). The salon is located in Las Vegas, Nevada at: 4401 E. Sunset #1, Henderson, NV 89014. Ms. Largent has been in the beauty industry for over 20 years. She shares in this episode her journey from earning minimum wage (then in the $3 USD an hour range) in her first position after completing cosmetology school and gaining her license to now having her own salon and working part time (earning up to $8,000 USD per month). Her family (including her husband, children and grandchildren) is very important to her and she balances her enjoyment from her work with her happiness in her personal life. In this honest and revealing interview, we found out the real “dirt” on owning a beauty salon in this highly competitive field. Hard work, a focus on long-term client relationships, and ongoing education in the beauty field make it possible to succeed! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 012: Does a Power of Attorney have any real power?

Thu, 02 Jan 2014 19:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-012-law-lovers-lounge-series-does-a-power-of-attorney-have-any-real-power.html SHOW NOTES: Our LAW LOVER'S LOUNGE™ series addresses a general overview of some of the most important issues to the general public! Attorney Courtney E. Anderson has owned a general practice law firm since 1998 in Texas, USA. We call this series its title because we do love law! Seriously. When laws are absent individuals have no impartial ability to resolve conflict or protect their personal interests (sometimes known as rights). What happens in societies with no laws or no functioning legal system? How do you purchase an item or service (a house, a car, a chicken dinner, a dental cleaning etc.) if you have no laws in place to ensure that the item is safe, functions as intended, or actually is what it purports to be (is that person claiming to be a dentist someone with no education but a teeth fetish, who knows)? This is a lounge because these are general discussions on general legal topic for public information purposes. There is no client relationship created between this show and Attorney Courtney E. Anderson, or The Law Offices of Courtney E. Anderson (Litigation-Mitigation.com). These disclaimers are very important. The content in these shows is for general educational purposes and is not the delivery of legal services. This episode addresses the topic of, “Does a Power of Attorney have any real power?” We address the following in the show: 1) What is a Power of Attorney? 2) How do you [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 011: I have 70,000 thoughts per day?! Really?!

Thu, 02 Jan 2014 18:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-011-help-situation-spotlight-series-i-have-70000-thoughts-per-day-really.html SHOW NOTES: The HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series addresses challenges, obstacles and problems (real or perceived) that are preventing a person from surpassing their goals! In this series, we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared. This episode is, "I have 70,000 thoughts per day?! Really?!" In this show we are exploring the data regarding regarding quantity of thoughts provided by the Laboratory of Neuro Imaging at UCLA. "How many thoughts does the average person have per day? 70,000" (Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, UCLA) One of the foundational principles of individual and organizational change is the concept of changing our thought patterns to increase the probability of better outcomes. If a person thinks to themselves, “I am a loser, no one would ever listen to my ideas at work because they suck,” they will be more likely to experience a death of optimal outcomes at work. If you think your ideas are awful before you even say them to other people, it is doubtful that you will present them with the confidence and persuasive skills necessary to convince other people to follow your leadership. Yet, if we are thinking around 70,000 thoughts per day, even [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 010: Be careful what you pretend to be because you are what you...

Wed, 01 Jan 2014 18:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-010-joyful-art-of-business-series-be-careful-what-you-pretend-to-be-because-you-are-what-you-pretend-to-be.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series wherein we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). The act of engaging in professional endeavors, in any capacity (i.e., as an employee, employer, entrepreneur, contractor, volunteer, paid, full time, part time, intermittently, etc.) is an expression of our ideas and creative talents (“art”). In this episode we are exploring the specific topic of “Be careful what you pretend to be because you are what you pretend to be.” Authenticity is a "buzz word" in business. Is it hype, hyperbole or accurate? The episode title is a quote from author Kurt Vonnegut (who I encourage you to read if you have not previously done so as part of our overall knowledge base in life). Are we pretending, is everyone else is doing so and what that means for reaching our desired outcomes in life? In order to discern whether we are pretending to be someone that we are not, we have to address the underlying issue of who we actually are. That may be obvious to some individuals but other people struggle to define what they want, how they feel, what they desire, what their dreams are as separate and original apart from their family, friends, and cultural/ media messages of who they “should” be. "How many thoughts does the average person have per day? 70,000" -Loni.usc.edu Wow! With this many thoughts per day, what [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 009: You are the only you (e.g., age, gender, etc.) in the group!

Tue, 31 Dec 2013 19:30:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-009-help-situation-spotlight-series-you-are-the-only-you-eg-age-gender-etc-in-the-group.html SHOW NOTES: The HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series addresses challenges, obstacles and problems (real or perceived) that are preventing a person from surpassing their goals! In this episode we are exploring the reality of being the only person in a group who is “different” (or who appears to be so). It might be that you are (or are perceived to be) younger than everyone else, or older, or the only person of your gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, color, tribe, disability, marital status, etc.. The dynamics of power in both social and professional settings are impacted by perceived and observed authority. From Eleanor Roosevelt: - "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." - "No man is defeated without until he has first been defeated within." - "You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do." How does it feel to be the only 'you' in a room for an important work event? When no one else in the room is even aware of the the unique challenges you may face? For example, you are the only person with mobility challenges who uses a wheelchair. You are consumed with worry about navigating your exit (while also trying your best to focus on the meeting content) and no one else in the room is even aware of the multiple issues you are facing. They do not have the mobility challenges that you do, so they don't even stop to think about how [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 008: I can't go on!

Mon, 30 Dec 2013 20:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-008-myth-warriors-series-i-cant-go-on.html SHOW NOTES: In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not. We are warriors fighting to establish clarity between what is accurate and what is simply a myth (or falsehood) in life. We are deploying our highest level critical thinking skills in this series to fight to ensure that we are not taken advantage of or exploited by information disparities. We don both defensive protective gear and offensive weaponry to thrust forward, testing and examining content to discern if it should be defeated and discarded (as a lie) or retained and utilized in our lives in our mission to surpass our goals. Quote from Alice Walker: “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” Our minds are nimble, we are eager to learn and we understand that we do have power. The power to think, analyze, strategize and execute our plans! A few years ago I gave a keynote speech (great one by the way!) and afterwards a man in the audience snarled at me, "I bet when you go home at night, you kick your dog!" I interpreted his point to be that I was a fraud with my uplifting motivational keynote speech and that he knew that behind closed doors I was really bitter and violent. He believed that the emperor had no clothes and he was going to expose me as a fraud to everyone. It was interesting as I also [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 007: I don't know what to do?!

Mon, 30 Dec 2013 18:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-007-myth-warriors-series-i-dont-know-what-to-do.html SHOW NOTES: In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not. We are warriors fighting to establish clarity between what is accurate and what is simply a myth (or falsehood) in life. We don both defensive protective gear and offensive weaponry to thrust forward, testing and examining content to discern if it should be defeated and discarded (as a lie) or retained and utilized in our lives in our mission to surpass our goals. In The Art of War, Sun Tzu wrote that "It’s more important to outthink your enemy than outfight him." In this series we are sharpening our skills of inquiry and we are harnessing our resources to do everything in our power to outthink our enemy (which is ignorance). Quote from Alice Walker: “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” Our minds are nimble, we are eager to learn and we understand that we do have power. The power to think, analyze, strategize and execute our plans! Belief in myths may destroy our ability to create the outcomes that we desire in life. We are warriors fighting against these pernicious and destructive myths that condition us for failure to thrive in life. So, the lie that we are attacking and slaying in this episode is, "I don't know what to do?!" This is a lie we tell ourselves to prevent us from achieving and surpassing our goals. Let's delve into why [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 006: I don't have the time!

Sat, 28 Dec 2013 20:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-006-myth-warriors-series-i-dont-have-the-time.html SHOW NOTES: This is the debut of a brand new series, MYTH WARRIORS!™ How exciting! In the MYTH WARRIORS™ series we are targeting ideas to begin to assess whether they are credible or not. We are warriors fighting to establish clarity between what is accurate and what is simply a myth (or falsehood) in life. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela This is not a series for the weak minded or fearful as we will leave no stone unturned in our quest to ensure that we are not exploited, not ignored and used as pawns by powerful people. Our education is our most powerful weapon to equalize our opportunities for success (on our own terms). In The Art of War, Sun Tzu wrote that "It’s more important to outthink your enemy than outfight him." In this series we are sharpening our skills of inquiry and we are harnessing our resources to do everything in our power to outthink our enemy (e.g., ignorance). Quote from Alice Walker: “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” Our minds are nimble, we are eager to learn and we understand that we do have power. The power to think, analyze, strategize and execute our plans! This specific episode will address the retort that people don't "have the time" to surpass their goals. This is another narrative that I have heard countless times when trying to work with a client to draft a plan for them to reach and surpass their goals. I have heard people from 18 to 80 years old lament that [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 005: What's holding you back from surpassing your goals?

Fri, 27 Dec 2013 17:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-005-joyful-art-of-business-series-whats-holding-you-back-from-surpassing-your-goals.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series wherein we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). The act of engaging in professional endeavors, in any capacity (i.e., as an employee, employer, entrepreneur, contractor, volunteer, paid, full time, part time, intermittently, etc.) is an expression of our ideas and creative talents (“art”). In this episode we are exploring the specific topic of "What's holding you back from surpassing your goals?" This show was recorded at the end of a year (2013). Looking forward to a new calendar year this episode asks, "New year, new you? Or, same stuff, different day?" As we head into a new calendar year this is the perfect time to be brutally honest regarding your true intentions. Let's explore what really stops us from surpassing our goals. How do we get ahead instead of simply getting by? Have you ever known someone who waited their entire life 'for their ship to come in' or for their 'numbers to hit?' That is not who you are. You are alive now. You are going to take action to make today a life that exceeds your wildest dreams. You know that Langston Hughes was accurate that, "a dream deferred is a dream denied." This is the time to wake-up and [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 004: How to get interviewed by leading media organizations...

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 18:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-004-joyful-art-of-business-series-how-to-get-interviewed-by-leading-media-organizations.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series wherein we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). The act of engaging in professional endeavors, in any capacity (i.e., as an employee, employer, entrepreneur, contractor, volunteer, paid, full time, part time, intermittently, etc.) is an expression of our ideas and creative talents (“art”). In this episode we are exploring the specific topic of "How to get interviewed by leading media (starting from zero)!" My bio states, "A globally recognized expert, the media turns to Ms. Anderson for answers. Courtney Anderson, JD, MBA, MS, “the workplace relationship expert,”™ practices the “Joyful Art of Business”™and is an attorney, author, internationally renowned business strategist, keynote speaker, professor and television legal analyst (FOX News – THE O’REILLY FACTOR with Bill O’Reilly, CNN HLN – Nancy Grace, MSNBC – SCARBOROUGH COUNTRY with Joe Scarborough, FOX News – ON THE RECORD with Greta Van Susteren, etc.). A globally recognized expert, her numerous media appearances include CNN HLN, BusinessWeek, CNN International, The Wall Street Journal Radio Network, FOX News, The HuffingtonPost, MSNBC, COSMOPOLITAN, The Christian Science Monitor, USA Today and many other media outlets." In this show we discuss how I have garnered these interviews starting from zero with no [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 003: Business Solutions (results are rewarded)!

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 22:30:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-003-joyful-art-of-business-series-business-solutions-results-are-rewarded.html SHOW NOTES: This episode is part of our new JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series wherein we explore how to combine the positive benefits of our professional endeavors (“business”) with the overall positive emotional return on our efforts (“joy”). The act of engaging in professional endeavors, in any capacity (i.e., as an employee, employer, entrepreneur, contractor, volunteer, paid, full time, part time, intermittently, etc.) is an expression of our ideas and creative talents (“art”). In this debut episode of this series we are exploring the specific topic of "Business solutions!" In my professional life, my job is to solve challenges (some people use the word, 'problems'). As an attorney I am retained by my client to provide solutions (results). I am not fulfilling my responsibility if all that I do is contemplate various outcomes (assuming that is not the only limited engagement service my client requested). Action is required. As a consultant and corporate educator my marketing materials state, "Passionate. Pragmatic. Problem-Solver." That is the core of my professional services (and my personality). I elect to accept work assignments and projects that I am enthralled with! I am always prioritizing the real life application and outcome of organizational actions. Above all, I love puzzles, challenges, problems! I am not happy with [...] VISIT THE SITE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 002: How to Keep Your Composure at Work (the no-crying zone)

Thu, 17 May 2012 22:30:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-002-help-situation-spotlight-series-how-to-keep-your-composure-at-work-aka---the-no-crying-zone.html SHOW NOTES: The HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series addresses challenges, obstacles and problems (real or perceived) that are preventing a person from surpassing their goals! This episode is, "How to Keep Your Composure at Work (aka - 'the No-Crying Zone)!" I know it is hard. We have all been there. Our emotions are welling up inside of us and we are on the verge of having our hearts and our pain spill out into tears streaking across our face. Under intense pressure (from a boss, a co-worker, a client, a friend, a family member, and/ or ourselves) we bend (but we don't break). It would feel so good to let it all out. To stop trying to hold back the tears brimming in our eyes and to just relax. Everyone cries. It is a normal human emotion. What would be the harm? The harm would be that we could potentially destroy our career if we are perceived as too weak to handle the pressure. If we aspire to additional income that usually means that we will have to accept additional responsibility. If we demonstrate in a flow of tears that we are not able to handle the responsibility we will most likely not receive the additional income and opportunity that we desire. But, the demands placed on us are unrealistic! There is no way that all of the tasks could be done by any human. The pressure is unrelenting. We are not robots. We are human and we all have limits. Yes. The challenge is that extraordinary compensation is [...] VISIT SITE FOR THE REST OF SHOW NOTES! © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC / CourtneyAnderson.com / Info@CourtneyAnderson.com

SwCA Episode 001: How to appear on a national TV show and not embarrass yourself

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:00:00 GMT

SITE: http://www.courtneyanderson.com/swca-episode-001-help-situation-spotlight-series-how-to-appear-on-a-national-tv-show-and-not-embarrass-yourself.html SHOW NOTES: In this HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series episode we address, "How to appear on a national news/ talk show and be a star (or not embarrass yourself and get asked back)!" A globally recognized expert, the media turns to Ms. Anderson for answers. She is a trusted global media expert on business, legal, entertainment and personal empowerment issues and appears in print, on radio and on television as a relatable, authentic, voice of authority. Courtney Anderson, JD, MBA, MS, “the workplace relationship expert,”™ practices the “Joyful Art of Business”™and is an attorney, author, independent hearing examiner (administrative law judge), internationally renowned business strategist, keynote speaker, professor and television legal analyst (FOX News – THE O’REILLY FACTOR with Bill O’Reilly, CNN HLN – Nancy Grace, MSNBC – SCARBOROUGH COUNTRY with Joe Scarborough, FOX News – ON THE RECORD with Greta Van Susteren, etc.). A globally recognized expert, her numerous media appearances include CNN HLN, BusinessWeek, CNN International, The Wall Street Journal Radio Network, FOX News, The HuffingtonPost, MSNBC, COSMOPOLITAN, The Christian Science Monitor, USA Today and many other media outlets. © Courtney Anderson Enterprises LLC CourtneyAnderson.com Info@CourtneyAnderson.com