Have you ever felt embarrassed? Well yesterday was one of those days where I made a huge presentation and the client tried to belittle me and embarrass me. I took the high road, even though I wanted to pack up in the middle of the presentation and say that they were not a good fit for us to work with, along with some other thoughts that were going through my mind. The experience humbled me and I am committed to never ever making anyone I have to work with or have personal dealings with feel the way they tried to make me feel. I was able to chalk it up as a new experience and laugh it off. I truly believe that my goal is to build others up and to help them become better than they were before they knew me. I am committed to treating others as I want to be treated. Won't you make that commitment with me and model the way for others. After all it's the right thing to do.

Your attitude determines your outcome. We've all heard the saying, "if you think you can or you can't, you're probably right." What you think will happen is usually what does, both positive or negative, so choosing your attitude and what you think is ever so critical in today's business world. Crossing your arms and or legs with a scowl on your face in a meeting gives off a certain energy to those around you. Pay attention to the energy your attitude is sending and check yourself up to make sure you have a positive attitude. If you need an attitude adjustment, first look at the people you surround yourself with and ask yourself the question, are those around me building me up and adding to my positive energy or are they doing the opposite? You may need to change who you hang out with as well as work on your own attitude and energy output. Pay attention to both your attitude and your energy and work to become positive instead of being a victim. It's the right thing to do and it models the way for those around you.

Whenever I was sick as a child, I usually just wanted to be with my mom or dad. Even though I felt terrible and was usually just given medicine by the doctor, it somehow helped me feel better by having one of my parents hold me. Now that I have children of my own and I can recall the impact of a parent holding me when I didn't feel well as a child, I pass it on by dropping what I need to do and holding my sick child to hopefully comforting them and making them feel better. Yesterday, I came home from work to have dinner at our usually 6:30pm time, only to find my daughter was sick and wanted her dad to take her to the doctor. So I skipped dinner, whisked up my little girl, put her in the car, drove to the doctor, and picked her up and carried her in and held her until the doctor came in. Once the doctor determined what was going on and called in a prescription, we left and I carried her out to the car, headed home after getting an ice cream cone (to help her throat feel better) :) and then picked up the prescription and went home to have dinner and then put my little girl to bed. I ended up holding my daughter until she finally went to sleep. It won't always be this way, so I plan to cherish these times by being her "brave protector" (as she calls me) and doing all that I can to help her feel better. What can you do to help those around you that may not feel well to feel better. I believe being a brave protector is a noble and worthy cause and it's the right thing to do for those around you and it models the way for those you love.

Picking the right time to deliver a massage is key, both personally and professionally, when the person is ready to receive it best. For example on a sales call, you shouldn't make a recommendation for a client until you increase the client's productive tension through a series of high-gain opened ended questions that uncover a need you can satisfy. Some of the best presentations and recommendations are never bought because the potential customer never understands why it is you are recommending what you are recommending. Earn the right to recommend after you uncover at least one or more needs you can satisfy. It's the same for any conversation, even with your spouse. Listen first, and maybe you don't try to solve her problem this conversation. Learn about timing and improve both your sales and your communication with your spouse. It's the right thing to do and it models the way for others.

The best way to create great memories is to celebrate milestones. Whether a birthday, anniversary, or a special or significant date...make time and take time to celebrate. These will be the great moments in time you will remember and cherish in the months and years to come. It's the right thing to do and it models the way for others.

"So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet."

John 13:4-5

As I wrote about smiling yesterday, I need to make sure to write about the importance of taking care of your mouth and especially your teeth. Brush and floss your teeth atleast 2-3 times per day and see your dentist 2-4 times per year. Take care of your teeth to get your best smile. If you grind your teeth, wear a mouthguard every night and most days so you don't grind your teeth down. If you have an overbite, an underbite, or crooked teeth, then see an orthodontist to have them corrected. Tests have shown beautiful teeth can impact children and adult's confidence level. And confidence can impact school grades, who you marry, and even how much money you make. It's the right thing to do and it models te way for others.

Increae your daily smiling quotient to improve your attitude. I believe the more you genuinely smile on a daily basis, the better your attitude will become. On a daily basis...learn how to deal with stressful situations, plan accordingly for each day, don't procrastinate, have joy in your heart, be at peace, have faith, express love as a verb, be confident but not arrogant, choose your attitude, view others as more important than yourself, do what you say you are going to do, be grateful, and extend grace. When you are able to do each of these more consistently, I have found that the outcome is that you smile more often. It's the right thing to do that can brighten up your days and be contagious to those around you, plus it models the way for those you love and those that look up to you..

Make sure to ask questions. For example...if you ever have to have a removable stint put in, make sure to ask how long the stint is. There is a big difference between 2 inches and 14 inches when you have to pull it out, trust me. It increases your level of engagement, prevents surprises and models the way for others.

Make sure you prepare. Being prepared can go a long way, whether it's preparing for a big presentation, a sales call, or even for bad weather or a storm. Preparation builds confidence and can help lead to a successful meeting, s big sale, staying comfortable during a storm, or even in some cases staying alive. Don't procrastinate now for what you know you need to do. It's the right thing to do and it models the way for others.