To text or not to text...that is the question.

Texting Etiquette

Texting sure is a convenient tool, but remember to exercise proper etiquette while doing so.  This article is a good reference for when texting is and is not appropriate.  As an outside sales professional, it's good to know that face-to-face connections are still important in this rapid fire digital age!

Now let's address talking on the phone while you are in the stall of a public restroom... take my poll to the right. 

Are Chinese mothers really more superior?

"Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior" by Amy Chua
The article above, printed in the Wall Street Journal on January 8, 2011, has created a firestorm of responses to the strict parenting tactics used by Amy Chua and previous Chinese Mothers before her.  When I look back on how my parents raised my siblings and I, I would say that they were pretty strict, but not a fearful way.  Although I was never spanked or ridiculed by them, I was afraid of disappointing them.  How did they do that?  They were very loving, encouraging, and nurtured us in finding our own paths in life.  Is being strict and setting boundaries such a bad thing?

Here is another take...
"In Defense of the Guilty, Ambivalent, Preoccupied Western Mom", by Ayelet Waldman

Ayelet Waldman puts it best when she writes, "Amy Chua and I both understand that our job as mothers is to be the type of tigress that each of our different cubs needs".  Thank you Amy Chua for giving us the Chinese Mother's perspective.  You can read all 8000+ reactions to Chua's article on the http://www.wsj.com/ site.

Business travel...a time to relax?

Making the most of a business trip... 

On a recent business trip to Las Vegas, I decided to partake in the hotel's happy hour that they provide to their guests Monday-Friday.  Trying to be obscure, I drank my free beer and ate my free tortilla chips with salsa while standing at a bar top table in the corner, alone, until, that is, a flight crew joined me at the table.  We started chatting and (since I had just read the article I share above) I had asked them if any of them explored the cities where they travel to for business.  They all laughed and said, "no - not really".  Me too, I admitted - thinking back to an earlier blog post about how I was going to make the most of my time in each city I traveled to.  This was my first time at the hotel's happy hour event, so I guess that counts as doing something different and new! 

Anyway, the pilot admitted that his wife always tries to encourage him to do something new and fun while he's away.  On this trip, he decided to walk down the Las Vegas Strip.  He happened upon the Bellagio hotel right when the water fountains started their impressive show.  He stopped to watch the 10 minute show, took a picture of it on his iPhone, then emailed it to his wife.  When it stopped, he thought to himself, "that's cool" and headed right back to the hotel.  He laughed at the fact that he was only gone for about 25 minutes, but his wife congratulated him on "getting out" while in Las Vegas.

What perks me up while on the road is knowing that I'll get a solid 8 hours of sleep, I can watch whatever I want on the TV, that I can actually take the time to groom my eyebrows in the large magnifying mirror in the bathroom instead of the rear view mirror of my car between appointments, and, finally, the venti latte and Big Dipper Donut from Starbucks that I can expense as "Breakfast".  It's the little things...

A New Year...New Resolve

It's the first week of the new year and during this time of reflection of the past year and goal setting for this year.... I just want to say, "blogging is hard". 

One of my New Year's resolutions is to re-commit myself to writing this blog....again.  I still feel that the topics I blog about are relevant to my readers...and I do hope you continue to read and enjoy this blog.  Thank you for your encouragement!

The article I share below gets to the meat of how to keep a resolution.  It can't be a grandiose statement about what you are determined to change about yourself, which ultimately will lead to resignation.  Instead, it encourages you to take the time to set goals for yourself for the coming year.  We all know that good goal-making takes planning, time, and patience.  I have a stack of articles I've ripped out and saved for future blog posts on my desk (neatly tucked away in a file folder, as keeping a tidy desk is another NYR).  I have also blocked time on my calendar (one hour once a week) to commit to blogging.  Consistency leads to success -so does going public with your resolutions, by the way.  What are some of your resolutions?

Good luck to you in keeping your resolutions and meeting your goals in 2011! 

New year's resolutions: Always an uphill climb

10 Tips on How to Shake Hands

Handshakes are an essential part of business etiquette and communication.  #8 from the article linked above reminds me of a true story...I was meeting with a client several years ago who, while problem solving an issue he was having with the carpeting I had sold him, happened to be standing under a very hot spot light.  I also have to mention that he was bald - by choice would be my guess because he was a relatively young man.  In any case, this spot light was generating a lot of heat and the man was perspiring from his temples.  He kept wiping the perspiration off with his right hand...I would also guess that he was becoming very cognizant that he was sweating, but never suggested we move out from under the light.  I had become distracted from what he was saying because all I could think of was, "I'm eventually going to have to shake that hand."  Ever since this meeting, I have carried a small bottle of Purell in my purse...  Is your handshake firm, brief, and hygienic?  If not, practice!  

Friendship in the digital age...not that much different from the stone age.

I thought the following article was very interesting...it is in regards to Dunbar's Number and Social Media friendships.  Dunbar's Number is "the limit on the number of individuals with whom one can have a personalized relationship". 

After an unscientific survey of my FB friends and Linkedin Connections, it seems to be the case that 150 is the average number of friends and connections we have in the digital world.  Let's face it...who has time to keep track of anymore than 150 people on a personal level!? 

I especially like the Community Attributes paragraph:  1. Trust.  If I don't know you or have had a personal experience with you, there is no chance of you being my friend or connection.  2. Peer Pressure.  It's true.  I will admit...if Chrissy is your friend on FB, then I will be your friend too. I always look for mutual friends.  If Chrissy is there, you're in. 

http://www.forbes.com/2010/01/17/internet-facebook-social-networking-business-friends-oxford.html

How many FB friends do you have?  Take the survey to the right.

I love Fall Fashions!

Fall is my favorite fashion season.  Skirts with tights, tall boots, turtleneck sweaters, cable knit cardigans... it kills me that I can't really wear this stuff until January here in the desert.  September is an exciting fashion month!  The  fashion magazines are 3 times bigger than normal and "Back to School" sales are everywhere.  I still go "Back to School" shopping.  This is a great time to update your work wardrobe staples and get them on sale.  The article below gives a great outline of the basic items needed to create a work wardrobe.  What I especially like are the recommendations on how to mix and match the staples into various outfits.  A simple and well thought out wardrobe can go a long way...Happy shopping!

Basic Wardrobe Staples for Work

photo from www.newyorkandcompany.com