Category: 1-Minute Strategy

Every hour, stop what you’re doing, look at your to-do list and reflect on your past hour. Was it productive? What can you do to make the next hour productive?

Boost the morale of everyone around you by “noticing out loud.” It sounds simple but it takes empathy and awareness. Test the technique with a waiter or salesperson (“You’ve pointed out features I didn’t even notice. That was so helpful!”) then watch how his or her attitude and service improve.

Improve your health by learning how to forgive someone who has hurt you. Holding a grudge can affect the cardiovascular and nervous systems, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Enjoy less drive time by staying off your cell phone. Motorists who who talk on phones drive slower, pass sluggish vehicles less often and take longer to complete their trips, according  to a University of Utah study. Besides, it also makes it four times likely that you’ll be in an accident.

Understand the cost of gossiping at work: You will acquire the reputation of someone who should not be promoted into positions requiring confidentiality.

Use these seven words more often: “I don’t know, but I’ll find out.” No one has all the answers; a person who can speak with candor then follow through, gains the trust and admiration of colleagues.

Volunteer, if you want to feel better about your life. Generally, people who say they volunteered in the past month–no matter what their age–experience a higher sense of personal well-being, according to a Gallup poll.

Create a gratitude journal and write down three things you’re grateful for each day, suggests Jan Fraser, public speaker and author. Scientists who study happiness say that daily process can actually bring happiness into your life.

Take a tip from Shakespeare. Distill your thoughts into a single, clear comment or question. Scarcity creates the perception of value, so use your words prudently.

Give employees, customers or internal clients a positive feeling about engaging with you by saying, “I took your suggestion.” Telling them that you valued their ideas enough to use them makes a powerful impact.