Accountability – Page 9 – FindYourBuriedTreasure

Ancient wisdom, modern guides

The more time I spend coaching others – or being coached myself in different areas of my life and work – the more power and perception I see in age-old sources of wisdom. Though written eons ago, sayings that date back to Shakespeare, the Bible, Aesop, and whoever came up with the advice we now refer to as “old wives’ tales,” these deceptively simple sayings from ancient times can provide invaluable insights and guidelines for our lives today. “Say what you mean, and mean what [...]

By bettyliedtke|April 25th, 2013|Accountability, Coaching, Quotes and Sayings|Comments Off

Something lost is found – and profound

I finally found it. It’s something that was missing for quite a while. At first I searched frantically for it, but then I just let it go. I knew it would turn up eventually. I also knew that when it did, finding it would represent an accomplishment in itself – and the information it contained would probably be even more relevant and timely than it would have been earlier. The missing item was an envelope containing a list of my professional dreams and goals for [...]

By bettyliedtke|March 22nd, 2013|Accountability, Columns, Organizing|4 Comments

Inspiration, innovation, and hope for the world

There are some days – as I’m reading about the latest scandal, shooting spree, or stalemate in Washington, for instance – when I wonder if and how we as a nation and a society are going to survive. On days like this, I truly worry about the fate of our country and the world. There are other days when I see such exciting signs of promise and potential that it’s all I can do not to jump up and cheer out loud. Last Friday was [...]

By bettyliedtke|March 15th, 2013|Accountability, Columns, Values|Comments Off

Still going strong – and seeing great results

The stacks of books are gone from the end table next to the sofa. So are the magazines, mail, and other papers that used to live and grow on my kitchen counter. The desk in the kitchen is so empty and inviting that I actually sit down and work there. And several shelves, drawers, and cabinets in my home and office look like the “after” photo in a before-and-after makeover. Which, of course, is exactly what they are. My New Year’s Resolution this year was [...]

By bettyliedtke|March 1st, 2013|Accountability, Columns, Holidays|Comments Off

Putting an End to Disasters and Diseases

It’s kind of ironic. We’re finally past all the end-of-the-world predictions and fears that had to do with the Mayan calendar, and now we’re hit with this flu epidemic. I haven’t heard any predictions that the flu is going to wipe out civilization as we know it, but I’ve read enough novels and watched enough disaster movies – where a medical research project goes awry, or a virulent strain of something-or-other gets out into the general public – that I’ve at least considered a “What [...]

By bettyliedtke|January 18th, 2013|Accountability, Columns, Health and Well-being, Respect|Comments Off

A Table Topics question revisits resolutions

“What New Year’s Resolution did you make this year, and how long did you keep it?” I was asked that question last week during Table Topics at a Toastmasters meeting I attended. Table Topics is the time, during every Toastmasters meeting, when we practice thinking on our feet and organizing our thoughts on the fly. The Table Topics Master asks a question, and then calls on someone to answer it. That person then has to spend one to two minutes responding to the question. Note [...]

By bettyliedtke|April 13th, 2012|Accountability, Columns, Toastmasters|Comments Off

Motivation and momentum from an unexpected source

Sometimes, things that we think are minor or relatively unimportant turn out not to be so minor after all. They end up taking on a life of their own. Their significance is more widespread than we realized at first, and the changes and results that come about because of them are more profound and impactful than we ever imagined they could be. It seems that that’s going to be the case with a new project I’ve just taken on, and it’s the one I wrote [...]

By bettyliedtke|March 9th, 2012|Accountability, Columns|Comments Off

Loaded with email – and ready to change

A newspaper article I read last week talked about people using their email inboxes to stash hundreds – or even thousands – of emails in much the same way that people who are packrats stash their physical “stuff” into the attic or garage. A few days later, I received a newsletter – by email, of course – that had an article on the same subject. But this was more business-related, talking about how an inbox full of email dilutes our focus and concentration, and breeds [...]

By bettyliedtke|March 2nd, 2012|Accountability, Columns|Comments Off

Others are watching – and listening!

I got taken to task on Saturday – not once, but twice. Actually, that wording is a little too strong. What happened is that I was reminded – in a gentle and encouraging way – that I haven’t been living up to some of my responsibilities and expectations. I was at a Toastmasters Educational & Leadership Institute, which is held twice a year for the training of club officers, presentation of educational sessions, and announcements of the winners of various awards and contests. One of [...]

By bettyliedtke|February 17th, 2012|Accountability, Columns, Toastmasters, Values|Comments Off

First response to New Year’s Resolution

My New Year’s Resolution for 2012 is to become a First Responder. This doesn’t mean I’m going to train to be a police officer, fire fighter, or EMT – the people equipped to be the first ones on the scene of an accident or other emergency. Instead it means I’m going to train myself to get in the habit of responding immediately when I get an invitation, request, or a question from someone in person, by mail, or by email. What it really means is [...]

By bettyliedtke|December 30th, 2011|Accountability, Columns, Holidays|Comments Off

Stay Up To Date

Categories