As I went about my normal routines the past few weeks, I listened closely for some attention-grabbing examples of sarcasm to include in today’s lesson. I was dismayed at the amount of sarcasm I heard.

When I began to intentionally evaluate the damaging effects of sarcasm, I was utterly shocked at how inappropriate, culturally offensive, and downright cruel most of the sarcastic, off-the-cuff remarks turned out to be. A few decades ago, they were called cut-lows—what a fitting label.

This experience only reinforced my belief that sarcasm doesn’t belong in our interactions with one another…read more

Today, we will be exploring the hidden value in the opinions of others, and I urge you to be open-minded and receptive as you read this blog. This is capable of affecting your potential for better on a number of different levels.

Opinion can be defined as a thought, a view, or a concept formed in the mind about a particular subject. It’s a conclusion or belief held with confidence but not substantiated by positive proof or knowledge. Because of this, many people are fearful of accepting someone else’s opinion. Elizabeth Cady Stanton—an activist and leader of the early women’s rights movement— said, “The moment we begin to fear the opinion of others…the divine floods of light and life no longer flow into our souls.”…read more

Author: Joy Smith (Todd’s wife)

One of the biggest “little things” we can do to make a difference in every relationship in our lives is to identify the way the people around us need to be loved. When we love people the way they need to be loved, it draws them closer to us and us to them.

The premise of Dr. Gary Chapman’s book The Five Love Languages is that we all have a “love tank” that needs to be filled every day. We all have primary love languages, ways in which we prefer to be loved, or ways that communicate love and affection most effectively…read more

Think of something you want to achieve that is really important to you? (Don’t continue without selecting one of your top goals.)

Now imagine having achieved it? You’re basking in the satisfaction of a job well done. What does it look like? What does it smell like? What does it taste like? What does it feel like? How do you feel?

The ONLY way in which you will experience the joy, beauty, and fulfillment that will come by achieving this goal is if you use your personal initiative. It won’t happen without it…read more

Does it bother you when someone thoughtlessly cuts you off in traffic? How about when you’ve been waiting in an endlessly busy line and someone waltzes right in and slips ahead near the front?

When these things happen to me, I usually end up thinking something along the lines of, “Hey buddy, I’m just as busy as you!” or “Oh really, you think you’re more important than the rest of us?”

Sure, these responses may sound a bit silly after the fact, but we all have similar reactions when someone barges in and unfairly imposes their agenda on us…read more

Think of the last time you saw a young toddler taking his or her first steps. Most likely Mom or Dad was standing right there, ready to help. When she tripped or leaned a little too heavily to one side, she was gently steadied and put back on course for the next step.

Believe it or not, constructive feedback involves much the same process of careful, consistent course correction. While the benefits of receiving constructive feedback are rather well known—improved performance, a shorter learning curve, and personal growth—the benefits of giving good constructive feedback are not as widely recognized.

Specifically, when you show someone that you care by taking the time to give constructive and supportive feedback, it’s natural for them to care more about you as well as take a greater interest in your relationship…read more

Can you recall a time when you were reprimanded, criticized, or put down in front of someone else? If so, you know that it’s quite humiliating to be on the receiving end of public criticism.

“Praise in public and criticize in private” is a golden rule of business and social etiquette. Yet, this wise communication advice often goes unheeded. Even though most of us agree with this rule on the surface, it isn’t always easy to make sure we’re not the ones doing the public criticizing.

Today’s message is about how best to handle disputes, problems, and constructive feedback privately and why this benefits you…read more

Let’s face it; most of us rely on the help and assistance of others throughout our day—at work, home, and out in the community. Sometimes we may not even realize how much we’re relying on others to accomplish what we need to get done. Every great leader will tell you that you can’t rise to the top without the help of others.

Saying please to everyone when asking for anything—regardless of whether or not it’s a person’s job or responsibility to help you—is a principle so important that I’m devoting today’s lesson to helping you tap into the “Power of Please.”…read more