When things go wrong, we tend to blind ourselves to other’s feelings. We are more likely to fall into a destructive behavioral trap. Sadly, when we do, we cannot be empathic. We weaken that human bond that’s vital to re-grouping and resilience. These blinding mindsets make us feel dumb, powerless … and alone. (Of course you don’t make any of these mistakes yet someone you know might, so it may be worth reading on.)

Only 10% of our mind is conscious while 90% is unconscious. The conscious mind is our analytical, rational and logical mind and is said to hold our temporary memory. The unconscious mind on the other hand is irrational; it is where we form our habits and our beliefs.

A few months ago I got some specific feedback that it would serve me, my work, and my growth to start practicing the art of allowing in a more conscious and deliberate way. While I was familiar with the concept of allowing, I realized I had very little awareness or experience of it in actual practice.

The heroic leader, the charismatic, goal-scoring superstar who doesn’t mind carrying the team on his back, is out. Enter the post-heroic leader, the quieter, engaging team player who brings every player into the decision-making process. In fact, today’s complex business environment requires a leader who combines the best of both styles.

‘The twentieth century will be chiefly remembered in future centuries not as an age of political conflict or technical inventions, but as an age in which human society dared to think of the welfare of the whole human race as a practical objective.’ - Arnold Toynbee.  Toynbee might have been on the right track but he missed the century. Perhaps his prediction will come to be in the 21st Century? In my view, it had better be this one and the sooner the better! We don’t have another ninety years to turn around all our crises worldwide. The window for changing course is closing and even the next few years could be pivotal.

I've been scanning the internet for 2010 workplace predictions and it's got me thinking about how all these trends are going to change the way we communicate. It's my birthday - and I remember when you needed a carbon copier between two sheets of paper in a typewriter to make two copies of my television scripts. Since I'm going out on a limb with predictions I'll expect someone to haul these out next year and see whether I was right.

Socrates said that the unexamined life is not worth living. For years in my corporate and arena speaking engagements, I have challenged my audiences by telling them that most people spend more time planning their three-day weekend than they spend planning what they are going to do for the rest of their lives. This accurate self-evaluation is extremely difficult.

The Winter Olympics in Vancouver have captured the attention of the world. Having been a live spectator at both the Atlanta and Sydney Summer Games, I've experienced first-hand the true spirit of the Olympics - which has been on display these past two weeks in Vancouver in a beautiful way.

Did you ever consider that a stiff neck might be your body's way of telling you that someone or something in your office is a being "pain in the neck"? Or that the dream you had about the vacant corner office might be a foretelling of a management position opening up? We all possess intuitive intelligence, yet many of us don't how to consult our "inner coach." As a psychiatrist who incorporates intuition in my practice, I have learned that our body's wisdom is rarely wrong. Best of all, I've found that when employees learn to consult their intuition at work, great things begin to happen to their career.

There are many negative emotions that can arise on our quest to live and work more sustainably. We can imagine these as being like weed seeds in our minds. If we feed them they will grow. All we need to do to ensure that they remain dormant is deprive them of nourishment i.e. stop dwelling on them, and instead focus on growing the seeds that are good for us.

The circumstances of our lives, especially when they seem stressful or intense (as is the case for many people I know and work with these days) do have an impact on us, for sure. However, all too often we give away our power to these circumstances and situations.

Excuses are those stories we tell ourselves and repeat to others in order to justify our own lack of performance. I understand and am fully aware that bad things happen to good people. Current conditions and factors often get in the way of our plans; however, for every person experiencing an obstacle that uses it as an excuse to justify their failure, I will show you another person facing the same obstacle who has used it as a springboard to even greater success.

Have you been as puzzled by how Bernie Madoff pulled off possibly the biggest and longest running scam in U.S. history? How did really smart people fall for his $50-65 billion Ponzi Scheme* and remain gullible for decades? My curiosity about this seeming impossibility prompted me to dig a bit into the Madoff con, read his pre-trial plea confession, review the history of his career and research articles and interviews since his scam came to light in late 2008.

Candlemas 2010 offers unique, rich opportunities for clearing, visioning, and setting or empowering our intentions. Why? Because it follows a powerful lunar and solar eclipse cycle, and occurs in what Steve Nelson, author of Mythic Times, calls a 'Venus Year' -- a time in which "all things Venusian prosper." Let's look at the symbolism, in which we can ground ourselves for rich inspiration as we look into this Venus Year, 2010.

I have a love-hate relationship to conflict. I love it when things “work out,” but hate it when they don't. My fear of things not working out, of people's feelings getting hurt, or of me losing something important are usually high on my list of justifications for not saying certain things, not engaging in the conflict at all, or selling out on my deepest truth even in the midst of it.

We human beings live with the interesting paradox that we seem to want that which we can’t have and despise that which is readily available to us in abundance. Scarcity becomes attractive, and quantity is ignored. Whether it’s a car, a club, clothing, jewelry, or travel, when we have acquired or experienced things that others have not, we feel the value. On the other hand, if everyone has experienced something, we take it for granted. This can be important to us both personally and professionally.

There is a saying: "Pain pushes, until vision pulls." A vision reflects our sense of purpose. A clear vision is like our North Star, rich with a sense of who we are, what we're doing, and what we're doing it. It gives us a sense of direction and momentum, and guides inspired, efficient action. With our intention and attention on that vision, we navigate whatever is before us more easily, supported by the courage vision bestows.

Apparently January 25th is set to be the most depressing day of 2010. Called “Blue Monday” the Monday on the last week of January each year is the day when we’re most likely to feel down and lack-lustre. This is often attributed to the combination of debt from Christmas, cold and wet weather, suffering from colds and flu and the lack of a public holiday on the horizon! What can we do when we succumb to the Winter Blues? The usual distractions of overeating, drinking alcohol or vegging out in front of the TV that many of us are tempted by can lead to addition physical and emotional difficulties. What simple, sustainable alternatives are there?

As a motivational speaker for Fortune 500 companies and an Olympic gold medalist, I have seen what makes an individual most successful in the boardroom and on the slopes. Over the last five years, I have researched the similarities of forty different highly-successful individuals -- including the likes of Tommy Hilfiger, Prince Albert of Monaco, Dr. Stephen Covey, Shaun White and many more. And no matter the field or endeavor, I have found The Turtle Effect philosophy at the core of everyone's success. This philosophy was taught to me by my mother, who told me that I could achieve anything I wanted. I always held it close and adapted it to every situation I encountered. I'd like to help people breathe in this confidence and share the secrets that are common to those at the top of their given field.

Many people are not able to articulate what they really want in life in clear and concise language. Oddly enough, people are generally pretty good at articulating what they don’t want. So it’s no wonder that a large percentage of the population go through life getting what they don’t want and don’t fully realize their goals and desires. You get what you focus on!

As we embark on another new year of life, I find myself experiencing a mixture of emotions about 2010. I'm excited about the possibilities of this New Year and inspired by the energy of creation that exists at this special time. Similar to last week, there is a magical quality to this first week of the New Year that I always appreciate.

Recently, I was in a meeting of executives and business owners. The conversation turned to work ethic and the length of their work day and work week. I heard several individuals who were intending to brag state, “I haven’t had a day off in six months,” or “I haven’t taken a vacation in five years.” In my mind, these ludicrous statements are like someone discussing car maintenance stating, “I haven’t changed the oil in my car since 1998,” or “I’ve ignored a Check Engine light on my dashboard for a whole year.” There’s a big difference between working smarter, working harder, or working longer.

Have you ever wondered if the debates, discussions and general conversations that occupy our consciousness most of the time are all essentially “small talk” when it comes to what’s really important? I’m not saying that constructive discussion about the crises facing us today – the economy, climate change, population growth, terrorism, environmental sustainability, and other such things - are not important. But don’t you have a nagging feeling that these situations – serious as they are – are simply symptoms of some larger crisis?

Whether you're into the Law of Attraction, cultivating a strong vision and brand, looking for improved communication, or wanting to experience better relationships and interactions with others, positive expectancy is an essential component of your approach.