The Importance of Clarification

My son's idea of putting away his clothes

As the mother of three children, I am constantly reminded of the importance of clarification.  I have found that I have to be very clear about what I mean when I say something.  For instance, my idea of clean your room is apparently quite different from the definition that my kids have. To get the results I want, I need to be very specific and clearly state what my expectations are for any task I ask them to do.

It is not enough to say, put your clean clothes in the closet because my children assume it would be perfectly acceptable to just pile the clean clothes on the floor inside the closet door. When asked why they didn’t hang them up, they look at me with blank, questioning faces saying, “Why? What’s the problem? I put them in the closet like you said.”

And of course they’re right. Since I did not spell out my expectations clearly, then technically I can’t fault them for interpreting them in their own way (which generally means the method involving the least possible effort).

When you think about it, isn’t this also true in business as well? To avoid misunderstandings, clear expectations must be set. Especially in today’s digitally connected world where we often work with clients and colleagues remotely, the art of effective communication can be even more challenging. So much can get lost in the interpretation of quick email and text messages, Twitter and Facebook postings.

To overcome potential communication pitfalls, keep this in mind with all your communication efforts. Your results will be better when you take the time to be sure your message is clear.

How to stay motivated on a gloomy, gray day

The view from my back deck

The calendar says it’s April, but it sure doesn’t feel like it. Instead of a warm, bright day, it’s cold and foggy. If you are anything like me, you find that your moods can be affected by the weather.

I think for most people this is, at least partially, true. It’s much easier to be cheerful, upbeat, and productive on a nice sunny day. Conversely, gray, gloomy days can make it tough to feel chipper and constructive.

So what can you do to stay motivated on a gray, gloomy day?

Get Moving
One of the best ways to beat the bad weather blues is to get your body moving. A proven mood elevator, exercise releases endorphins, nature’s Prozac if you will. These powerful “feel good proteins” help the body fight pain, reduce stress, and provide a general sense of well-being. So get up and get moving. Go to the gym. Throw on a coat, grab an umbrella and take Fiddo for a nice brisk walk.

Turn Up the Tunes
Want a fun, easy way to energize yourself? Crank some tunes. The ultimate mood management tool in my arsenal is music. Jamming out to some upbeat music is a sure fire way to get your creative juices pumping.

Try Some Chocolate
I tell my kids that dark chocolate is Mom’s medicine. Maybe it is a stretch, but research has shown that chocolate, especially dark chocolate with at least 60% cocoa solids, have a significant amount of antioxidant flavanols, which improve blood flow in the brain. The result? A calmer, happier Mom.

Surrender
Sometimes it is ok to surrender. It is good now and then to have a down day. I think gloomy days are nature’s way of saying take a break, slow down and recharge. Then you can face tomorrow revitalized and refreshed.