I was at the golf clubhouse waiting on a mid-round snack. The kitchen was short-staffed and backed up and all the patrons were experiencing what I figured to be longer than usual wait times. In stormed a lady who's party was sitting on the patio. Several unkind words on her part, several apologies on the staff's part and then she stormed out again slamming the door open with such force as to make everyone jump. Her animated outrage continued in silence through the windows that walled the side of the restaurant.

That outburst got everybody's attention and dampened the mood for that very moment. Then it was over and all that was left was the impression that this person is not pleasant to interact with. The rare occasion we lose our cool?... happens to the best of us, but be warned it leaves a lasting impression. And to what purpose and effectiveness?

A common mom-ism from my youth, "you attract more flies with sugar than vinegar." In my experience, on both sides of the exchange, she's right. Offer kindness when you're feeling wronged and others are more willing to help make it right. Anger has tendencies to escalate, not resolve; kindness creates peace even when it fails to produce your desired outcome.

I don't remember exactly how I discovered DailyLit (but somebody definitely deserves credit) and have been reading Tom Peter's book, 100 Ways to Succeed/Make Money, one page at a time via email every day for free.

Dailylit.com offers over 1000 books which you may read for free via email or RSS.  I use email and set the parameters to receive the installment every weekday at 9AM.  These can be altered to fit your preferences.

I have been at it for about 3 months and LOVE IT!  It's a great way to work in additional reading but in small bites.  In that regard, I'll choose a book that either compliments the subject matter of other books I'm reading/learning from, or one that is completely off-topic for a dose of the unexpected.

I recently added Fred Wilson's, MBA Mondays.  My theme for now has been business in my inbox while my offline reading is philosophy and fiction.

I recently read Dr. David Hawkins' popular book, Power vs. Force.  The book, or references to it, kept popping up in my awareness so I took it as a sign to check it out!

I can't really speak to the kinesiology techniques or quantum physics referenced in the book but the real gem I walked away with was the chart Dr. Hawkins devised.

Basically, he applies a numeric value to various energy levels and emotions and associates a general life outlook and the pro's and con's of each state.  The lowest level on the chart is shame and the highest enlightenment.

I like the chart.  I was unable to locate a good download of it so I made one that you may download for free here: Power vs. Force Chart

I’ve posted about starting not long ago and it’s a key strategy to how I get stuff done. But once started, I’ve found it’s equally important to keep some momentum going. Momentum keeps you energized, engaged, and progressing.

It takes some energy to get started, often a lot, and it’s easy to want to sit back and enjoy that little dopamine burst we get for making it over the first hurdle. Nothing wrong with that but I’ve found that I’m best if I keep moving otherwise it’s like starting all over again; and the second time doesn’t feel as good as the first (and the third and fourth feel worse).

I like to compare it to pushing a car. At first, it’s really tough and takes a bunch of effort but once you get it rolling, it get’s easier and easier until it’s coasting along. But if you start and stop and start and stop, you just end up tired and don't get very far.

I remind myself of this with each project I start and make sure I keep a list of action items to keep moving on before it goes stale in my mind and I have to start all over.

Momentum, my friends, momentum is key.