Things are quite simply out of balance. We are called on to do more and more and more. The pressure is ever increasing. There is a great deal of anxiety. We don't know when - if ever - things will return to an easier time.

Since we can't change it, the key is to learn how to deal with it.

I call this session, "What's in it for me?" because -- if you're like me -- you, now, more than ever, really want to do well. In addition, I have a lot of my self-image tied up in doing a good job, as an employer, as a spouse, as a parent, and as a community member. I forget that there's more to me than a non-stop career. I also forget that if I don't get something from that job, I'm just getting older.

This session is designed to not only help you feel good about what you do, and remind you to stay in touch with what's important on the big picture, but to give you some essential tools to stress less, communicate better, increase productivity - and have fun in the process.

In this session, we'll:

• Realign life and business priorities
• Develop some tools to handle people with "badittude"
• Come up with some methods to help us when our own attitude gets "out of whack"
• Learn ways to be more productive
• Develop tools for improved communication
• Have a good time

(Again I'd welcome your feedback on a short questionnaire I put together on this session. You can take it by following this link.)

In order to be fair to you, you probably need to know a little about me so you know what to expect.

1. I am not a "talking head." My presentations tend NOT to follow a script. I interact with the audience. I welcome your opinions. I tend to be "off the cuff," informal, impromptu, and prone to engage in (bad) puns.
2. I use a learning technique called "sculpting" a lot of time. It's fun and engaging and my audiences seem to get a lot out of it. (You can see some examples of sculpting by following this link.)
3. I believe the number one rule of change is: If guilt and shame were motivational, we'd all be more successful. I believe we're really quick to beat ourselves up and very slow to reward ourselves. I want to help change that by being supportive and encouraging.
4. I call myself a THINspirational speaker and columnist (I've had a syndicated column for four years) because I became a professional speaker after losing 70 pounds in 1994. Although I am a Weight Watchers leader and I write about weight loss, I will not be watching what you eat. I would prefer you do not watch what I eat. (Is it a deal?)

As past president of the National Speakers Association (Northern CA chapter), I do this for a living. I am honored to have spoken to audiences across this country and it is my pledge to you that I will do everything I can to make sure the time you spend with me is worth your time, motivational, and educational.