Posts by Mark Morgan Ford
What to Do When You Lose Your Creative Mojo
All creative people get stuck now and then. Writers have writer’s block. Painters have painter’s block. Even marketers and CEOs will admit that they sometimes “haven’t got a clue.” And if your financial future depends on generating ideas, this can be downright scary. I used to have mornings when I’d sit down to write an…
Read MoreTime-Zone Trouble
Good sleep is essential for good health and personal productivity. But when you travel between time zones (as I often do), it is difficult to get. If jet travel knocks you out, here are some of the things I do that I’d recommend: Don’t drink alcohol on the plane. Eat light. And don’t watch TV…
Read MoreHow to Enjoy the Benefits of Contrary Thinking
If you are (as I am) a contrary person, you may find yourself finding fault with every conventional idea you hear. When this becomes a habit, several good things will happen: You will develop an above-average ability to predict impending disaster. You will become skilled at solving problems. You will seldom be taken for a…
Read MoreIt’s Time to Count Your Real Blessings
I opened this issue by looking at the little things to be thankful for today. Now, let’s get serious… Be thankful for your wealth. You haven’t hit the Forbes list. But you have enough money to put clothes on your back, a roof over your head, and food in your stomach. “The Pilgrims made seven…
Read More10 Little Things I’m Thankful For
It’s Thanksgiving. So let’s be thankful. Later in this issue, we’ll talk about the big things to be grateful for. But let’s start with some little things. These are 10 of mine: 1. Padron Aniversarios — simply the best cigar in the world. I prefer the naturals, which are medium-bodied. They have a superb taste.…
Read MoreSomething to Think About Before You “Let the Good Times Roll”
I tend to up my social drinking during the holidays. Maybe you do too. It’s partly because I have the mistaken notion that drinking makes me more interesting. It’s also because I am certain it makes some of the people I run into at parties more bearable. Those are both bad reasons. Meanwhile, there’s a…
Read MoreHow Often Should a Profit Center Manager Contact You?
Your business is going pretty well. You have 18 employees and three product lines. Each of those three profit centers is headed by a manager — Dick, Jane, and Spike. Dick is in your office five times a day and copies you on every e-mail he sends or receives. When you give him advice on…
Read MoreA Good Day to Write a Thank You Letter
Being the day before Thanksgiving, I have a 30-minute “task” for you that will make you feel good and bring you many future blessings. Step One: Take out five sheets of paper. Nice stationery, if you have it. Step Two: Think about the people in your life who help you. And not just in the…
Read MoreMake Your Praise More Powerful
Your employees want to believe your praise is (a) valid and (b) sincere. That’s because they want to believe that (a) they deserve it and (b) it will ultimately result in some positive action from you. (Such as a raise.) Dish out the same praise routinely (“Good job!”), and your employees will start to wonder…
Read MoreGiving Thanks
Of the many execrable things that happen to you when you approach 60, the recognition of mortality is the worst. You can’t avoid it. People you know — even friends and family members — are seriously sick or dying. I see death is a hateful thief. I know he will steal life from me eventually,…
Read MoreThe “Is It?” Closing Technique
You are trying to persuade someone to do something. He is resistant. You suspect it is because he has misgivings he prefers not to talk about. You don’t want to upset or offend him, but you do want to get his okay. What do you do? According to LL, a young colleague of mine who’s…
Read MoreWhat To Do When Your Boss Is Looking Over Your Shoulder
Second-guessers — bosses who delegate authority and then take some of it back — are a very odious sort. Most management books advise you to confront them. In some cases, that may be necessary. But in most cases I’ve witnessed, second-guessing is a response to a real problem. So before you accost your bossy boss…
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