I recently came across the results of a 2025 Gallup Poll in which respondents were queried about the importance of praise and recognition at home, in the workplace, and when they’re out and about interacting with others.

It found people who receive regular, sincere, high-quality praise and recognition are significantly more engaged, motivated, and loyal to their organizations, their relationships, and their personal goals. In the workplace, employees who are well-recognized are 45% less likely to leave their jobs, and when recognition is added to the mix, it bumps that retention number up to 65%. Clearly, praise and recognition deepen a person’s commitment to an organization and its culture, individual life goals, and interpersonal relationships.

Honestly, I wouldn’t call this a news flash but I do think the findings serve as a great reminder and reinforcement of what most of us probably already knew but, maybe, don’t put into action on a regular basis. But I wonder … do we [including me] seize opportunities to praise and recognize someone for over-and-above efforts and for reaching key milestones along their personal journeys? I’m not talking about going overboard with excessive quantities of praise because that, like anything, very quickly gets stale and ineffective. I’m talking about quality praise and recognition, the type that flows from one heart and touches another.

Consistently over the decades, research has come to the following conclusions about the positive effects of praise and recognition:

• Boosts confidence and extends motivation — Receiving earned praise confirms the value of one’s actions and encourages further effort and growth.
• Improves attitude and mental health — Focusing on strengths and recognizing accomplishments helps reduce stress, anxiety, and negativity by shifting attention to positive pursuits and away from problems which often garner more focus and attention than they rightfully deserve.
• Enhances and strengthens social bonds — Offering praise builds trust, respect, and a sense of belonging in relationships, whether personal, professional, or social. Recognition before others turbo-charges this effect.
• Encourages resilience — Acknowledging and recognizing progress during challenges cultivates a positive mindset and a greater commitment to persevering in spite of headwinds and difficulties.

When recognition is built into workplace culture, engagement levels rise by nearly 32%, driving higher morale, productivity, and collaboration among teams. In fact, companies with robust recognition programs see up to 40% lower turnover, illustrating how appreciation not only rewards effort but also reinforces positive behaviors that align with organizational values.

We have one client who invites all 750 of its employees to a local convention center for a program that honors their top 10-15 performers. This company-wide recognition fosters respect, strengthens the organization’s cultural bonds, and catalyzes motivation. “What if I was one of those people called onstage next year …?”

Bigger Isn’t Always Better

Small ways to reward performance include verbal praise in meetings, personalized thank-you notes, or social media shoutouts acknowledging good work. Recently, one of our dynami team members did an exceptional job on something and she was rewarded with a dozen tasty cupcakes which had the desired effect of making her feel special. And isn’t that the point?

Other low-cost gestures might be offering a reserved parking spot for the month, a special lunch outing, or a gift card. By contrast, grand ways to reward performance involve higher investment in the individual, whether it’s a salary bump, an unscheduled bonus, elite professional training, additional Paid Time Off, or a mini-sabbatical. And of course, there’s always the opportunity to reward them with a President’s Club slot and send them, along with other high-achieving peers, to a sun-and-sand location, a luxury dude ranch, or travel to someplace offshore and exotic.

Words Matter …

Not to be a chest-thumper but I’d like to brag a bit about the dynami team. Recently, I received the below note from the CEO of a client, commending our onsite Production Team after a well-executed program. It read:

Hi there,

I just want to take a moment to say thank you for the truly outstanding job you did bringing this year’s conference to life. From the earliest planning stages to the very last session, every detail reflected your hard work, creativity, and commitment to excellence. You handled every moving piece — and there were many! — with grace, teamwork, and heart. The result was an event that not only ran seamlessly but left our entire community inspired, connected, and proud to be part of something so special. I keep getting “best conference ever”.

Thank you again for your talent, your teamwork, and for always going above and beyond! If you can please share this with the rest of your team that was there, I would greatly appreciate it! I know we will be in touch soon.

One-hundred and thirty-four words. But to me, and to the entire dynami team, it felt like a million bucks!

Never overlook the opportunity to share praise and/or recognize another when the situation merits. You never know how much a few well-chosen, heartfelt words of praise, or a moment of recognition in front of peers, will mean to another person today, tomorrow, even many, many years from now when they reflect on their careers. And ultimately, you, will likely be rewarded with a happier, more loyal, and even higher-achieving team member.

Cheers,

Kenneth Jones

The post In Praise of Praise and Recognition appeared first on dynami.

Despite our best efforts at multi-tasking, and despite the fact it’s right there as a bullet point under “Skills” on our resume’ or listed on our LinkedIn profile, we have no more mastered multi-tasking than we’ve found a cure for the common cold, figured out exactly why yawns are contagious, or why it is that we sometimes have odd dreams involving people or things we haven’t thought about in years. A friend of mine’s sister said she once dreamed she’d fallen in love with, and was blissfully married to, a strip of  … bacon. Go figure!

Sure, we’re able to juggle multiple tasks in a set period of time, pinballing from one to the other then back again. But at what cost? In recent years, researchers have concluded multi-tasking is a misconception, not a reality. A Stanford University study states there are very real cognitive costs when we attempt to multi-task:

“ … research has shown that when people switch between tasks, there’s often a ‘Cognitive Penalty’ in terms of time and mental energy. This is called the ‘Switch Cost’, as the brain needs time to refocus on the new task, which results in slower performance and decreased accuracy. When switching tasks, part of our attention remains on the previous task. This concept, known as ‘Attention Residue’, reduces efficiency, especially when frequent task-switching occurs.”

Another study [University of London] found that multitasking could temporarily lower our IQ by 10 points, similar to the effects of sleep deprivation or marijuana use. And a more recent study specifically calls out diminished productivity when multi-tasking involves computers and smart devices which certainly applies to all of us in 2024.

So where am I going with this …?

Success Routines

Now that we know multi-tasking isn’t really a thing, it becomes very important to create our own “Success Routines”, habitual behaviors that yield greater focus, as well as higher levels of productivity and excellence. Discipline is the foundation of all success routines. It helps us build consistency, improve efficiency, and reduce the stress we may feel when there is much to be done and little time to do it.

Routines also help us establish a rhythm that leads to consistent progress. Success doesn’t typically occur overnight, so routines provide the structure necessary to steadily work towards established goals. We’re not just doing the same thing each day over and over, we’re doing it at increasing levels of excellence.  Repetition, repetition, repetition … success! [Rinse and repeat.]

When repetitive tasks evolve into comfortable established routines, we conserve time and mental energy since we have eliminated the need to rethink every step. We act more instinctively and intentionally which leads to achievement.

And knowing what to expect each day also helps reduce decision fatigue and stress. Routines are like guardrails or lane stripes on our own personal highway. They’re familiar and they guide us forward, ensuring we’re always headed in the right direction. When we follow a set routine, we spend less time worrying about what needs to be done next.

Each New Day

For years, I have put my daily workout routine on my calendar. It’s a regular reminder that my day is not a success without carving out time for my physical health. The very act of entering something on a calendar, written or digital, that I already know I will do reinforces my commitment. It’s an acknowledgement that working out is a priority and it reminds me to honor that priority.

Silly as it may sound, I also assign a specific time for daily lunch. When we work from home, as most of us do at least part of the time these days, we have a tendency to work through lunch, save it for later then suddenly it’s late afternoon. And if I’ve scheduled lunch with a friend or business colleague, I abide by a strict, pre-set time frame [i.e., 60 minutes max] then it’s on to the next priority. We also often forget to build in time for a quick break, to simply get up from time-to-time, stretch, walk outdoors and breathe some fresh air which rejuvenates us, etc.

Another thing I like to do is block out time to read each day, whether it’s an online blog or article, a business book, or a novel. Reading stimulates my brain while relaxing my body, and I’d like to believe reading each day makes me a smidge smarter or more knowledgeable than I was yesterday.

We’re on the cusp of that time of year when everything gets a little busier. OK, a lot busier. We may think work slows as the year winds down but the reality is, work continues and there’s also year-end close-out activity if you’re on a standard fiscal calendar. Plus, we will soon have myriad family and social obligations, personal travel, shopping and cooking and wrapping that all come with the holidays. In November and December and then at the onset of the New Year, we’re busier and more distracted than ever. More reason to follow a success routine!

Routines can sometimes feel mundane and perhaps a bit monotonous, but they help us move towards a predictable outcome. Doing the right things the right way at the right time, over and over again, keeps us on track to achieve our goals – personally and professionally. The key thing is to simply get started. Just Do It as our friends in Beaverton have told us since 1988, or like the ancient proverb states: The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step. That first step and the second and the third and the final one are equally important but none more important than setting a goal, getting started, and sticking with it.

What are some of your success routines? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Cheers!

Kenneth Jones

The post Routinely Succeeding Requires Succeeding at Routines appeared first on dynami.

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The Benefits of Being Grateful

Let’s start with the foundational premise of all Thanksgiving celebrations: Gratitude. Beyond festive gatherings and a welcome four-day break that kicks off America’s holiday season, giving thanks is the gift that keeps on giving.

There are innumerable research studies that prove the beneficial effects of being grateful, not just on Thanksgiving Day but on the other 364 days of the year. They include:

– Improved Mental Health: Gratitude is linked to lower levels of depression and anxiety, as well as a more positive outlook on life and an increased sense of well-being.

– Enhanced Relationships: Expressing appreciation and thankfulness fosters improved bonds with friends, family, and colleagues.

– Increased Resilience: Grateful individuals tend to be more resilient in the face of adversity and challenges; better equipped to cope with stress and finding the positives within difficult situations.

– Better Sleep: Regularly practicing gratitude can improve sleep quality.

– Self-Esteem: Gratitude is associated with higher levels of self-esteem and self-worth. Acknowledging one’s own strengths and accomplishments contributes to a positive self-image.

– Physical Health Benefits: Gratitude also has positive effects on physical health, including lower blood pressure and improved immune function.

– Increased Happiness: Gratitude is strongly linked to feelings of happiness and life satisfaction. Focusing on positive aspects of life and appreciating what you have contributes to a more joyful and fulfilling life.

– Altered Brain Activity: Practicing gratitude actually changes the chemistry of the brain in areas associated with emotional processing and social cognition, leading to improved mental well-being.

– Encourages Prosocial Behavior: Grateful individuals are more likely to engage in prosocial behavior, such as helping others, fostering a sense of community, and social connections.

– Stress Reduction: Gratitude has been shown to help protect against stress, allowing one to better cope with stressors and experience less negative impact on mental well-being.

Incorporating gratitude into daily life can be as simple as keeping a gratitude journal, expressing thanks to others, reflecting on positive experiences, or doing something truly kind for others … and yourself.

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Thanksgiving Traditions Around the World

While Thanksgiving traditions vary greatly around the world, all are predicated on giving thanks for a bountiful harvest, acknowledging blessings from Above, or to honor cultural and historical events. Here are a few:

– Loy Krathong [Thailand] – In The festival of Loy Krathong, people float small, decorated rafts, or krathongs, on rivers to symbolize a “letting go” of negativity and giving thanks to the Water Goddess.

– Chuseok [South Korea] – Chuseok is major harvest festival in which families gather to pay respects to ancestors, share a special meal [including a dish called Songpyeon, a type of rice cake], and engage in traditional activities like folk games and dance.

– Erntedankfest [Germany] – Meaning “harvest thanksgiving festival,” Erntedankfest is similar to American and Canadian Thanksgiving but has more religious overtones. People attend church services, decorate sanctuaries with fruits and vegetables, pray and participate in post-services parades.

– Mid-Autumn Festival [China and Vietnam] – Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for family reunions, feasting, and giving thanks. It also includes a variety of Mooncakes [a traditional pastry] that is shared among friends, families and neighbors during the multi-day festival.

– Harvest Festival [U.K.] – Communities come together to celebrate the harvest season with churches holding special services in which people express gratitude for their bounty and  offer produce and non-perishable goods to be donated to those in need.

– Pongal [India and Sri Lanka] – A four-day harvest festival celebrated in the Tamil region in south India and Sri Lanka, the festival involves cooking a special dish called Pongal, made from newly harvested rice, milk, and jaggery [a coarse brown sugar made in India]. It is a time to give thanks to the Sun God for an abundant harvest.

While these traditions may not be exact equivalents to the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S., they share common themes of gratitude, harvest celebrations, and coming together with family and community.

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Traditions: In with the Old and In with the NEW!

There’s no rule that says new traditions can’t be created each year when Thanksgiving rolls around. And there’s no generation quite like the Millennials and the early Gen-Zers – two groups that have delayed getting married, are building careers, traveling and often find family among their friends — who have started a variety of new traditions. Here are a few:

Friendsgiving — Friends gather to celebrate Thanksgiving with fellow young adults, students, or those who may be away from their families during the holiday.

Gratitude Scavenger Hunt — Instead of simply going around the table after dinner and sharing what you’re thankful for, scavenger hunts are created that include a list of items, experiences or acts of kindness related to gratitude. Each person is encouraged to accomplish as many tasks on the list as possible throughout the remainder of the day and the following week. The intent is to kickstart a trend towards “being in the moment”, appreciating what you have, and seeking opportunities to extend kindness to another. A follow-up gathering is held 1-2 weeks later during which everyone shares their experiences.

Tasty and A Tale — Guests prepare a beloved family dish and share at dinner why this particular dish is so meaningful to their loved ones. They also distribute copies of the family recipe in hopes something they cherish becomes something cherished by others.

Toast-Around – Each invited guest is asked to come prepared to make a personal toast that includes something in particular about this circle of friends for which they are deeply thankful … but be careful, a large gathering may involve many toasts so moderation is always a wise decision!

Turkey Trot – Each year, participation in community “Turkey Trots” includes more and more Millennials and Gen-Zers. And more and more, they like to dress in costumes and “trot” at a leisurely pace that allows them to converse, sing and joke as they make their way along the course. The event then leads to a gathering of friends for a Thanksgiving feast.

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Speaking of Turkey Trots …

In the spirit of true confessions, I’ll share two personal items. For 20+ years, on Thanksgiving morning, I rise early and run in the Thanksgiving Half-Marathon. [And I will tell you, it’s no trot!]

It’s a great way to burn off a lot of energy and calories in advance of this hungry Irishman sitting down and eating a bit of everything on the table … plus seconds! It also gets me out of the way of the cook in the kitchen. Oh, wait …

My dirty little Thanksgiving secret is that nobody really prepares a turkey in our home. We leave the “heavy lifting” to Popeyes — yep, that Popeyes! It used to be a well-kept secret but now the chain of chicken joints is publicizing its Popeyes Deep-Fried Cajun-Style Turkey which I will tell you is nothing short of absolutely delicious!

Having said that, we do prepare all of our sides for Thanksgiving Dinner. I mean, who whips up a better bowl of mashed potatoes than an Irishman, right?

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CURE Believe Ball 

This isn’t directly tied to Thanksgiving but it does occur in November so I consider it a great way to lead into the next two months of celebrating. Founded in 1975 by an Emory University pediatric oncologist, CURE Childhood Cancer’s annual Believe Ball is, in my mind, one of Atlanta’s premier philanthropic events.

CURE has raised more than $43 million in the past 12 years that has gone directly to funding research to reduce and ultimately eliminate childhood cancers of all kinds, and to support families of pediatric cancer patients.

I am deeply thankful and proud that one of dynami’s cherished clients, Novelis, Inc., is a Co-Presenting Sponsor of the event and dynami has been a proud Gold Sponsor for nearly a decade. I share this with you not to pat ourselves on the back but to let you know how much we believe in the organization’s mission. We believe if we can be even a tiny part of helping to cure childhood cancer, well, for that we would be eternally grateful.

[Click to learn more: https://www.believeball.org/]

Finally, all of us at dynami wish our friends and families, our clients and neighbors, a very happy Thanksgiving. May you embrace gratitude and enjoy great health and prosperity every day!

Cheers!

Kenneth Jones

The post Gratitude, Gratitude … and More Gratitude! appeared first on dynami.

Yep, it’s been a long year or so but the metaphorical sun is rising once again. Folks are venturing out, activities are resuming, and we’re returning to a once-familiar world that’s been on extended walkabout for too, too long. Today is the perfect day to imagine the possibilities.

GETAWAY: TREE-MENDOUS FUN!

Hidden amid Atlanta’s bustling and busy intown section is a most peculiar and perfect escape in the form of a three-unit treehouse named by Airbnb, Inc. as the world’s No.1 Most Wish-Listed Property. Generally, words like “urban” and “secluded” don’t pair well but in the case of Treehouse [with a guest rating of 4.95 stars], it works.

A suite of three cozy and beautifully furnished rooms connected by rope bridges, Treehouse delivers an intimate, simple and restful reprieve from all that sits sideways in your craw. Described on Airbnb as the essence of Southern graciousness, Treehouse’s three areas – Mind, Body and Spirit – sit among a lush canopy of green leaves and chirping birds, creating a dreamy and romantic escape that brings forth the kid in all of us.

Featured on The Today Show and in Architectural Digest, Travel + Leisure and Harper’s Bazaar, Treehouse’s three areas deliver different experiences.

Mind is a sitting room with antique furnishings and artifacts, including 80-year-old windows of pressed butterfly wings, a plaster cast of a Siberian Tiger paw, fossils, a couch and chairs providing the perfect setting for settling in with a great book or a warm chat with a loved one.

Body is the bedroom, accommodating two guests, with high-end Parachute bedding [100% long-staple Egyptian cotton and pure linen].  The bed is wheeled, allowing it to be easily moved into the open air high above a gurgling stream.

Spirit is a hammock deck open to the elements and anchored by “Old Man”, a 165-year-old Southern Short-Leaf Pine and the largest of the seven trees supporting the suite. A highly efficient and quiet fan provides cooling during warm-weather months and a mattress warmer keeps you toasty when fall and winter come around. If it rains, simply sit back and enjoy Mother Nature’s soothing symphony on the tin roof. A completely private full bath is located in the lower level of the adjacent owner’s home for guest use and there’s free parking.

Treehouse rents for $389 per night. No pets, no smoking, no parties and no kids under age 12. [To view the Airbnb listing, visit Airbnb.]

Speaking of kids …

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BE PROUD: RAISING SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE

A recent article by author Amy McCready addresses a phenomenon that seems to have taken over young people in recent years and turned many of them into entitled, “me-centric” challenges.

What’s a parent to do? Change, that’s all.

McCready points the finger squarely at parents who don’t put down boundaries to keep kids in check and to teach them accountability and responsibility. Here are five practical strategies for saving your sanity and raising a son or daughter that you’re proud to say, “That’s my kid!”

Expect more. — Give your kids some credit. They can and should make meaningful contributions to the family. Expect “Family Contributions” [notice the word “chore” wasn’t used there?] on a daily basis and expect them to take on increasing amounts of responsibility through the years. When you hold your kids to a higher standard, they will meet, and often exceed, it. They’ll learn life skills and you’ll have paved the way for happier, more successful and self-sufficient human beings.

Give up on giving in. — Do you hear yourself saying “Yes” even when your brain says, “No”? It’s time to step up and have the courage to serve your kids with a firm “No”. They soon discover life won’t always go their way and, no, the world happens not to revolve around them. Stand your ground despite the unavoidable fit-throwing, eye-rolling, and pouting. You’re not “the bad guy” or a “meanie”, you’re being a good PARENT. 

Hand over the reins. — When we rescue kids from their mistakes, intervene on their behalf, or smooth the way so life is easier for them, we are doing them a disservice. We’re robbing them of a learning opportunity — the chance to be responsible, to figure it out for themselves [which builds character and boosts pride], or to face a scary situation.

If kids don’t need to try, they generally won’t. It’s their responsibility to be responsible, plain and simple. Role-play with them so they learn how to have respectful conversations and learn problem-solving skills. You’re still there to support them — but they’ll feel so empowered by knowing they can handle challenging situations without you rushing in to rescue them.

Shut down the ATM. – You aren’t rich and money really doesn’t grow on trees [or in treehouses]. OK, maybe you are rich and you can lavish things on your kids. Don’t.

Instead, set a specific allowance amount per week for each kid in exchange for “Family Contributions”. Develop a list of expenses your child is expected to cover – a tasty treat at the candy counter, school lunches, school clothing, entertainment and, later, gas and auto insurance. Kids need to “learn to earn” and that starts at home.

Un-center their universe. – Research consistently shows those with an “attitude of gratitude” in life are happier, less depressed, take stress in stride, and approach life with healthy optimism. Yes, it takes practice but it’s a critical life message for the young ones. Model responsible behavior and let them know the world doesn’t owe anyone anything. We all must do our part to make it a better place. Practice daily gratitude rituals at home, do random acts of kindness, and seek opportunities to serve others throughout the year. Your reward and theirs is a more rewarding life. [To order The “Me, Me, Me” Epidemic on Amazon, visit Amazon here: Amazon Books ]

Speaking of rewards …

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DISCOVER: PETIT ST. VINCENT

A rewarding experience awaits you on the privately owned island Petit St. Vincent, the southernmost link in the St. Vincent and Grenadines archipelago.  The entire island is a resort, featuring 22 one- and two-bedroom cottages and villas. “PSV”, as it’s colloquially known, is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the Worldhotel chain.

Rimmed with two miles of white-sand beaches, PSV also includes gently rolling hills and tropical woodlands in its interior region. Temperatures are a steady 84-86 degrees year-round and tradewinds keep the air refreshing.

In 1963, Haze Richardson and Doug Terman hosted a family aboard their 77-foot schooner, Jacinta  During the three-week cruise, one of the guests expressed interest in purchasing an island and building a small hotel. Richardson and Terman eventually purchased Petit St. Vincent from a lady on Petit Martinique, oversaw construction of the resort and never left. PSV now includes recently renovated cottages, a new beach bar and restaurant, and a spa. A dive center was opened by Jean Michel Cousteau in 2014. Is it time you booked a reservation? [Visit the resort island’s website at: https://www.petitstvincent.com/ ]

Speaking of books …

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GREAT READ: SOCIALNOMICS

If you’re looking for a fascinating read, I recommend Socialnomics by Erik Qualman who also happens to be a captivating motivational speaker.

Amazon says, “Socialnomics is an essential book for anyone who wants to understand the implications of social media on our daily lives and how businesses can tap the power of social media to increase sales, reduce marketing costs, and reach consumers directly”. Recently updated, Qualman presents fresh material based on recent meetings with 75 Fortune 1000 companies, 50 colleges and universities, and more than 100 small businesses and non-profits. Qualman’s theories are embraced by corporate giant IBM, NASA and Harvard Business School.

In Socialnomics, you’ll read about:

• Top-10 easy opportunities companies and organizations miss with social media
• Where social media belongs in an organization and necessary building blocks for success
• Why more than 50% of companies still block social media to employees and how this is a detriment to success
• Proper social-media training methods for your entire organization
• Reviews of companies, organizations and individuals effectively leveraging social media, including what helps them stand apart from the competition

[To order Socialnomics: How Social Media Transforms the Way We Live and Do Business on Amazon, visit here: Amazon ]

Speaking of social …

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PLATEVIBES: OPEN YOUR HOME TO A MASTER CHEF!

For an over-the-top hosting experience, gather up to 18 friends at your home and have PlateVibes and Master Chef Liz Linn [or one of her cadre of trained chefs] demonstrate their culinary wizardry. A 2019 finalist on Gordon Ramsay’s popular television show, MasterChef [Season 10], Chef Liz teaches “on-the-fly” cooking lessons while you and your guests relax and let the salivary glands go into overdrive.

She specializes in “seasonal, vibrant food with exciting flavors”, sourcing locally grown fresh ingredients and/or preparing a customized menu based on your taste preferences. If you happen to find yourself heading to sea — perhaps aboard your own 77-foot schooner — welcome Chef Liz aboard. She recently completed her Ship’s Cook 2020 training and certification and is now available worldwide for freelance chef bookings on private yachts and charters, and at offshore estates. [To learn more about PlateVibes and Chef Liz Linn, visit: PlateVibes ]

Let me just say, it’s grand to once again be able to relax and imagine the possibilities!

Cheers,

Kenneth Jones

The post 5 Exceptional Ways To Soothe Your Soul appeared first on dynami.

One of the great curiosities of the human psyche is our innate ability to find goodness within the badness. Silver linings are always there, we just have to look a little closer to find them, at times. No doubt, 2020 has been a year of heartbreak and sorrow. Loved ones and normal routines have been snatched away and there are simply no words to describe that profound emptiness.

And while businesses have closed and jobs have been lost — and I mean this in all good taste — others have prospered through innovation, creating new spaces to conduct business. Imagine what 2020 will look like on the year-end balance sheet if you toil in those industries that produce toilet paper, hand sanitizer, plastic shields, latex gloves and commercial tents, for instance.

Some say 2020 has moved at a slow slog for them while others say it’s been a whirling dervish. In some cases, it has been a combo of the two. Now just might be the perfect time to slow down for a minute or two and revisit a wonderful story written in 1905 at Pete’s Tavern in New York City by the great essayist O. Henry.

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The Gift of the Magi

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A buck, eighty-seven.

That’s all Della had after paying the rent, the light bill and the weekly grocery tab. A buck, eighty-seven.

And tomorrow is Christmas Day.

It wasn’t just the frustration of being down to a few last coins, it was looking around at the shabby New York City flat she and Jim, her recently wedded husband, lived in and realizing this was all they could afford. As hard as they both worked – she in the home and he at a nearby business — they never seemed to be able to get ahead.

“Poor” wasn’t the way Della saw herself but she was, indeed, poor when it came to the checkbook. It hadn’t helped that the economy had softened and Jim’s meager $30 a week salary had been cut to $20. She felt utterly overwhelmed. Her resolve wasn’t up to the task this day and the dam broke on a torrent of tears.

And again, tomorrow is Christmas Day. And she had less than two dollars to spend on a gift for her husband whom she loved more than anything.

Gathering herself, Della stood in front of the mirror – actually a piece of pier-glass that held her reflection – and let her hair down, down, down. All the way to her knees. She may not have much but all agreed Della’s beautiful, shiny, brown locks were the finest in town. She brushed her hair as a way to calm herself and metaphorically brush away her tears.

Meanwhile in his office, Jim glanced at his prized pocket watch, handed down through generations of his family, then looked up at the calendar. “Oh, no …” he thought. “It’s Christmas Eve.”

He’d dreamed of giving his beloved wife the fine set of brushes and combs with the polished  tortoise-shell handles he’d seen every day in the shop window on his way to and from work. But the cut in pay had drained him of the very few extra dollars he’d managed to squirrel away.

And tomorrow is Christmas Day.

Back in the flat, Della is suddenly struck by an idea, gathers her coat and rushes out the door to Madame Sofronie’s store, Hair Goods of All Kinds. She walks up a flight of stairs and asks to speak to the owner. Madame Safronie, a fine weaver of wigs and other hair adornments, eyes Della and asks, “How can I help you?”

“I want to sell you my hair!”

Fifteen minutes later, Della leaves the shop, her locks barely reaching her shoulders, and clutches tightly the $20 bill she’d just received. Heading directly to the men’s store, Della purchases a shiny, platinum chain for Jim’s cherished pocket watch … for $20.

Tomorrow is Christmas … and it will be wonderful!

Back at the office, Jim reaches for his satchel full of papers, turns out the light and locks the door behind him. It’s five o’clock and he’s on a mission. He walks quickly to the jewelry store on the corner and asks the owner if he’d be interested in buying the cherished pocket watch, the one carried by his father, his grandfather and, before that, his great grandfather. The shop owner examines it closely under a magnifying glass, turning it over and over again, and listening closely to the rhythmic ticking.

“Twenty dollars,” he finally says.

“I’ll take it!”

Jim rushes out of the store and down the street to Madame Safronie’s store because he knows they close at 5:30PM sharp. And this was Christmas Eve so they might even close earlier. Relieved to see the “Open” sign still on the door, he enters and points to the beautiful set of brushes and combs in the window, the ones with the tortoise-shell handles, and says, “I’d like to buy those, please … and can you wrap them, too?”

Back in the flat, Della is trying desperately to curl what’s left of her beautiful hair. One by one, a curl is formed and, just as she tousles her hair to complete the styling, she hears Jim at the door. Would he still love me without my long hair, she wondered?

The key latch clicks open and Jim enters the room. He stops when he sees Della and a confused look crosses his face. “Oh, no” she thinks, “I’ve made a terrible, terrible mistake.”

After a moment or two, Jim crosses the room silently and slumps into a chair. When Della approaches, he hands her a delightfully wrapped box and says, “Open this. You’ll understand the look on my face.” Della carefully and timidly unwraps the box, confused and worried. Lifting the lid, she gasps when she sees the beautiful assortment of brushes and combs. For the second time today, her resolve isn’t up to the task and the dam breaks on a torrent of tears. Jim holds her tightly until the sobbing stops.

Della then reaches into a drawer and pulls out a delightfully wrapped box and hands it to Jim. “Open this. You’ll understand why I’m crying.” He carefully and timidly unwraps the box, curious but concerned. Lifting the lid, he gasps when he sees the beautiful platinum chain for his treasured pocket watch.

Looking into her eyes, he says, “Della, my love, I sold my watch to buy you the combs.” Now, both were sobbing though it was a joyous flow of tears because they knew, more than ever, how deeply they loved each other and how far each would go to make the other happy.

They put away their presents and sat down to a wonderful dinner, aglow in each other’s love and the knowledge they are like the magi, the wisest of anyone who understands gifting.

Tomorrow is Christmas Day … and what a wonderful Christmas it already was!

“Going Beyond The Pale”

Hundreds of years ago in Ireland, an expression was born and it lives on today – “going beyond The Pale”. You may not have heard it so let me explain. It began as a bit of an eyebrow-raiser and generally carried a harsh, judgmental tone. Over time, that has softened considerably.

Back in the mid-1600s, The Pale was a strip of land that stretched from Dundalk in Louth to Dalkey in Dublin and became the base of English rule in Ireland. It was considered the area where civilized folks lived and to stray beyond its borders – hence, beyond The Pale — meant someone had gone “outside the bounds of acceptable behavior”. Over time, the expression has evolved and generally when Americans use it, they’re describing someone who goes above and beyond the personal or professional call-of-duty.

The connection I make between The Gift of the Magi and “going beyond The Pale” is a willingness to create real meaning for another; finding a profound purpose and going out of your way to help someone else.

Certainly, 2020 has been a year of more “downs” than “ups” and many, many thousands, if not millions, of people have gone “beyond The Pale” to help others in need. We know the obvious ones – healthcare professionals, first-responders, teachers, etc. – but there are countless more who have also gone the extra mile for another with little to no awareness or notoriety. Clearly, angels walk among us.

Whether it’s Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa or another holiday you celebrate, I hope you’ll find time to brush away the challenges of the past nine months and reflect on the spirit of so many wonderful people around you, including yourself.

Cheers,

Kenneth Jones

The post The Gift Of The Magi … And “Going Beyond The Pale” appeared first on dynami.

Let’s get it out of the way and go bad news first: It’s still 2020 and we’ve got more than four months to go ‘til we flip the calendar, close the books, and begin anew.

Four long months. Ugh. But at least we have a holiday a month to look forward to. 

But there’s also some good news …

No, I don’t have a vaccine. You haven’t won the Lotto. And, no, the political campaign season hasn’t ended. My good news isn’t even diamond-in-the-rough stuff because that implies you serendipitously stumble across something other-worldly wonderful. It’s not quite that.

But then again, maybe it is.

This isn’t a news flash. It doesn’t demand a drum roll or trumpeting fanfare. But it’s worth sharing: There’s goodness all around us.

That’s it. That’s my good news. There’s goodness all around us.

I know, you’re officially underwhelmed but don’t be because there’s goodness all around us. But to see it, embrace it and share it, we may have to first push aside a few things, turn off the news, bow out of cheeky chatter, maybe unfurl the yoga mat and re-ground ourselves. 

It’s so easy to get sucked into the vile vortex that has branded 2020 as a year to forget. [Paradoxically, a year whose numbers implied focus, clarity and vision has been anything but.]

So, don’t go there. And if you’re already there, extract yourself. Come back to a place where smiles not only come easily but they spread like a good kind of virus. For when we slow down and look around, we realize goodness sprouts like a million little seedlings all around us.

So in no particular order, I’d like to share with you a small collection of goodness-in-action stories that I’ve personally experienced or heard about; nuggets that warmed my heart in a year when all hearts need some warming. Here goes …

CELEBRATION, FL – My oldest son recently turned four, but obviously traditional birthday gatherings are on the back-burner. Improvising, we made arrangements for a surprise drive-by for Eddison. Three Osceola County Sheriff’s patrol cars drove slowly by our house with lights flashing. One even played the Happy Birthday tune over the loud-speaker. At a time when cops are being pilloried, these public servants were working hard to create a lifelong memory. And to add a little moo to the ado, the Chick-fil-A cow even made an appearance, not only surprising Eddison but making me feel like a true Southerner!

BROOKLYN, NY – In a high-rise apartment building where scads of elderly folks live, a kind soul named Amanda Bateman recently posted a sign-up sheet in the lobby with the following: With Coronavirus anxieties rising right now, I thought it may be a nice idea to have a sign-up for those in the building who are less vulnerable and willing to help out our neighbors who are.

The left column read Residents looking to help, the right column read Residents looking for help. The sheet quickly filled with names, unit numbers and contact info as those comfortable with venturing out picked up prescriptions, did grocery shopping, and ran miscellaneous errands for others. The final line on the sign-up sheet: Let’s take care of each other. Indeed.

MARIETTA, GA – On a recent weekend in the overnight hours, someone left notecards on all 96 mailboxes in a subdivision. Each envelope had a small magnet attached to the back so it could be placed on top of the mailbox. The cover of the notecard was a metallic gold array of cheery flowers. Inside, the scratchy, rolling-downhill handwriting read:

Hello Neighbor:

With all the things going on right now, I thought it would be nice to send a note to say hi and thank you for being our neighbor. I hope you are well and staying safe. Have a great weekend.

The card wasn’t signed, adding a touch of intrigue and magic. Penmanship held all the signs of a school-aged child. Maybe it was a home-schooling assignment from a Mom or Dad teaching a curriculum based on kindness. Within hours, the subdivision’s Facebook page was flooded with appreciative comments and confessions of teary-eyed reactions. Many said the note immediately found a home on the family refrigerator. “It serves as a friendly reminder that, in the grand scheme of things, we’re all neighbors,” one person posted.

UNITED KINGDOM – In my native U.K., people would gather on a Thursday night at 8 o’clock to “Clap for our Carers” and show support for front-line medical workers. Children helped to raise money for the National Health Service by doing the Hokey-Cokey, our version of America’s Hokey-Pokey. Others sang and played musical instruments. It was all designed to elicit smiles and applause, a weekly round-of-appreciation for healthcare professionals and key workers who were working too hard to take time to put the left arm in, pull the left arm out.

In addition, many U.K. children show appreciation for first-responders and other vital service workers by displaying rainbows in the windows of their homes. Colorful arcs are appearing everywhere … handcrafted, knitted, painted, colored or crocheted. Others went the extra mile and decorated their home, brick-by-brick, with multicolored sidewalk chalk. Making someone’s day, or simply reminding them they’re loved and honored, by displaying rainbows is worth any pot of gold anywhere.

CELEBRATION, FL – Two years ago, I started painting rocks, some with motivational sayings, others with cute designs or popular cartoon characters. I hid them around town and posted clues and photos on our Facebook page hinting at where the rocks had been secretly stashed.

After a while, life got in the way with my kids needing more of my time, so my much-loved hobby fell by the wayside. But a few weeks ago, a neighbor lady picked up the effort and, once again, I’m back painting stones alongside her in hopes of lifting spirits by creating a little mysterious fun. [Recently painted stones include Disney characters wearing protective masks.]

The “About” message on our Facebook page describes our Mission: Painting/coloring stones to hide around the town with the aim of making someone smile. Paint them, hide them, find them, share them. Keep it going … [Feel free to search Smile Stones Celebration” on Facebook and join, or follow, the fun!]

Recently, several of my neighbors put together a socially distanced, drive-through Rockin’ & Rollin’ Mobile Concert. A map was sent out in advance with the planned route so neighbors could gather on their lawns and jam out as the musicians passed by! Also in Celebration, many of my neighbors volunteered time, materials and skills to create protective masks when they were in short supply.

I could go on and on with little anecdotes and stories of random acts of kindness, they’re everywhere! The key is to slow down, breathe, chill and open your eyes. I promise you, you will find them and when you do, you will smile and know, indeed, we will get through this together.

When times get tough, remember … there’s goodness all around us. Always.

Cheers,

Chloe Gibbons

The post If A Smile Is What You Need Right Now, Please Read This … appeared first on dynami.

THE LITTLE WHITE ENVELOPE

Mike hated Christmas. Not the holiday itself or its origins but all the for-profit hype and hoopla that had all but suffocated the essence of the season. He despised the foolish overspending and last-minute rush to buy gifts out of duty, not desire. As such, he was not the easiest person to shop for – would he like the item or simply put on a happy face before stowing the gift in a closet somewhere, never to be seen again?

One afternoon, home alone and lost as to what to do, Mike’s wife was suddenly inspired. She had a gift idea that truly was something special, something necessary, and something that would make Mike smile; the kind of smile that starts in the heart and warms the room.

Recently, she and Mike had attended their young son’s home wrestling match against a poor, inner-city school. As the visitors walked into the gym from their locker room, she was taken aback by the contrast.

Her son’s team looked sharp in their new blue and gold uniforms and matching wrestling shoes. Each had in their hands a padded helmet of sorts, designed to protect the ears during competition.

Meanwhile, the visitors came dressed in faded and worn uniforms that had seen many seasons of competition and countless cycles in the washing machine. Their shoes were no better and not one of them had the protective headgear. By the end of the afternoon, the scoreboard showed a clean sweep of matches in every weight class for the home team.

“I wish at least one of them could’ve won their match,” Mike said to his wife. “This kind of thing can kill a kid’s spirit.”

And so it begins…

A week passed and she suddenly recalled what he’d said to her after the wrestling match. She pulled out a small, white envelope, wrote Mike’s name on it and tucked it in the branches of their Christmas tree [at eye-level so it couldn’t be missed]. It didn’t take long for the envelope to catch Mike’s eye and since Christmas Day was still a week or two away, it naturally created a curiosity, an intrigue and a touch of magic.

On Christmas morning, after all the kids had torn into their colorfully and carefully wrapped packages, and she’d opened a few items Mike had bought for her, Mike’s wife said, “It’s your turn.”

Mike went to the tree, removed the envelope and sat down, conflicted a bit. He wanted to open the envelope but wondered, after all this intrigue, if it simply held a boring gift certificate for a local mall store. Timidly, he opened the envelope, taking care to untuck the flap that hadn’t been moistened and sealed. Inside was the following note…

“On your behalf, I went to the sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the kids at the inner-city school. I know how you love kids. This is my Christmas gift to you. – Love, Nancy.”

The gift of a smile…

Mike’s smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year. And for every Christmas that followed, the same little white envelope became the highlight. The kids even stopped and watched quietly as the envelope was opened by Mike and the message was read. Each year, it was a gesture of kindness for a deserving cause – sending a group of mentally challenged children to a hockey game, a check to an elderly couple whose home had burned to the ground the week before, a sizeable donation to a children’s cancer hospital, and on and on.

Ironically, cancer eventually claimed Mike and the year following his passing, it took everything Nancy had to put up the tree. On Christmas Eve, she dutifully placed the little white envelope in the tree’s branches and went to bed, misty-eyed and melancholy, and missing Mike terribly.

The next morning, the little white envelope had been joined by three more; one from each of her children. In honor of their Dad, each had given what they could to a needy person or organization and added their own note. And now 37 years later, Nancy’s grandchildren are carrying on the tradition.

Somewhere, Mike smiles that bright and joyous Christmas smile.

A SIMPLE CORK BULLETIN BOARD

A little closer to home is a wonderful organization dedicated to conquering childhood cancer. Much like the famed St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN, Atlanta-based CURE Childhood Cancer, funded in 1975, raises money for research and provides support and assistance to young cancer patients and their families. dynami group is a proud supporter of CURE, as well as St. Jude’s.

In a breakroom at CURE, there’s a simple cork bulletin board tucked between the refrigerator and a water cooler. Visitors seldom see the bulletin board but for the staff, it comes alive this time of year with handwritten notes, greeting cards, and pictures of healthy youngsters whom staff first met when they were bald, pallid and ailing. In some cases, there are notes of gratitude from families whose loved ones lost the battle. Here’s one from this past January…

“My family dearly thanks you for your help with our utility bill last month. It could have meant less food, waiting for winter jackets, or quite a small Christmas for our family of 6. But you stepped in. You’ve truly blessed us.”

And another…

“Thank you all for looking out for my family this Christmas, because this year was NOT looking like a Christmas for us at all, but because of the CURE program we will have one.”

That simple cork bulletin board inspires staff members and reminds them that what they do is noble and worthwhile. And it infuses them with inspiration and energy in the toughest of times.

The awesome power to bring hope to another is within each of us…

As we lean full-bore into the crazy pace of the holiday season with so much last-minute “stuff” to get done, or gifts to buy, or events to attend, consider taking a moment to reflect on the spirit of the little white envelope or the simple cork bulletin board. If you’d like to support CURE Childhood Cancer, please go to https://curechildhoodcancer.org/ways-to-give/ . Or simply look around and find a person or organization in need and do what you can to lend assistance. The awesome power to bring hope to another is within each of us, not only at this time of year but throughout the year.

All of us at dynami wish you and yours a warm and wonderful holiday, whichever holiday you celebrate.

Cheers,

Kenneth Jones

The post Holiday Spirit: A Little White Envelope & A Simple Cork Bulletin Board appeared first on dynami.

You should and here’s why …

Recently, ABC’s Good Morning America ran an extended segment entitled Five to Thrive with popular blogger, author, and motivational speaker Rachel Hollis. It focused on Hollis’ simple and doable daily habits she swears by:

1. Hydrate. Drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day [i.e., if you weigh 120 pounds, drink 60 ounces of water daily … if you weigh 180 pounds, drink 90 ounces]. This flushes toxins from your body, heads off sleep-inducing dehydration, and ensures you don’t mistake thirst for hunger.
2. Wake up one hour earlier than you typically do. You’ll be amazed at how much more productive you can be in the quiet of the early morn.
3. Give up one category of food that doesn’t serve your body well for 30 days [i.e., fried foods, sweets, carbohydrates, etc. You know, all those things that taste the best.]
4. Move your body every day. Whether it’s a formal exercise regimen or simply raking leaves or mowing the lawn, get moving for a minimum of 30 minutes each day!
5. Practice active gratitude. Every day, proactively take notice of all the wonderful facets of your life [even the simplest of things like a well-padded carpet underfoot, a favorite item of clothing, your dog, the meal you enjoyed last night]. It’s ridiculously easy to get sucked into a vortex of negativity in today’s world. Resist this by starting and ending your day with a moment of grateful reflection. And sprinkle some gratefulness in at different times during your hectic day.

What makes these Five to Thrive items appealing is they’re all simple, cost nothing, and are eminently doable. But like any behavioral change, it requires getting started and being repetitive.

But the secret is …

The wisdom within the wisdom shared by Hollis on the morning news show is get started now! Don’t wait for New Year’s Day to make healthy and wise habits a part of your life. Hollis told the interviewer, you’re more likely to make meaningful changes and stick to them if you begin before the madness of the holidays kicks in — meaning more social events, more eating and drinking, less sleep, more spending, more pressure to get everything done, year-end close-out activities at work, etc.

“If you start now, you’ll already have several weeks under your belt and you’ll be better prepared to make wise decisions during the holidays,” she said. “When New Year’s Day rolls around, you’ll already be on your way.”

Yikes … look at those numbers!

According to Statista, a German online portal for statistics that aggregates and analyzes market and opinion research and economic data, the overwhelming majority of people who are genuinely “resolute” to make a lifestyle or career changes on January 1^st are colossal flops by … January 12^th!

“You have to ditch the ego-based fear that comes with thinking others are watching you,” Hollis explained, “and just waiting for you to come up short. Who cares? Forget them and focus on you and what’s best for you.”

Studies show:

• 37% of New Year’s resolutions are to eat healthier, exercise more and save money
• 24% focus on self-care [i.e., get more sleep]
• 18% say they want to read more
• 15% want to make new friends
• 14% involve a new job
• 13% want to take up a new hobby
• 32% say they can’t be bothered with New Year’s resolution

According to Statista, a whopping 80% of people with good intentions abandon ship in less than two weeks while only 8% are wisely navigating their lives. The remaining 12% are semi-committed to new habits but not entirely disciplined in their approach. But getting started now – before the holidays – will turbo-charge your chances of success.

This got me thinking …

As I mentioned above, Hollis’ Five to Thrive list is simple, realistic and doable [with a little discipline]. I wondered if the same simplicity and wisdom could be applied to work-related resolutions that make you more productive, more time-efficient, more fulfilled, and a more valued professional. Now, today, no waiting for January 1^st to start on New Year’s resolutions.

Here are some things to consider:

• Spend one hour each month researching new productivity apps for your mobile devices. Don’t just say you’re going to do it, formally schedule a full, uninterrupted hour for a specific day and time and see what you can download free or for a nominal cost that will help you better manage your workload and your life load.
• Write better emails and save yourself an hour a day. A recent article by Vickie Mitchell in Insights magazine suggests:
  • Write better subject lines. Use the header field to write an eye-catching headline. Maximize the 60 characters or so you have in that field. For example, write Bid needed by Oct 1. for Nov 15-17 Board Meeting [49 characters] or Referred to you by Vickie Mitchell [29 characters].
  • Write tight. Say in 100 words what you tend to say in 200. Be succinct and get to the point, calling attention to action needed.
  • Keep it simple. Stick to basic fonts like Georgia, Verdana, Times New Roman or Arial. They’re easier to read and less distracting than fancy-pants fonts. Consider increasing the font size in your email settings since 75% of adults wear glasses or contact lenses.
  • Bypass “Ta-ta!”. It’s an email, not a love letter. Don’t worry about fond send-offs. You’ll save words, time and your key messaging won’t be diluted by unnecessary “stuff and fluff”.
  • Proof is in the proofing. Before hitting send, read your clearly headlined, simple, tightly written, no-frills email. Be sure to proof your own words. Check grammar, spelling and punctuation. Don’t cc: anybody that doesn’t need to be in this particular loop. Also, consider starting a new email thread on the same topic/issue to keep things fresh and draw more attention [and action].
• Eat lunch with a colleague you’ve never eaten lunch with. Get to know and understand others who aren’t in your day-to-day circle at work. You may be amazed at what you learn. And you may discover ways you could help advance their career, or vice-versa.

• Control your own calendar. On one hand, freely accessible, shared calendars in Google or Outlook are great for scheduling meetings. But if you’re not careful, you’ll cede control of your own time if you don’t protect it. It’s perfectly fine to schedule blocks of time that won’t be occupied by meetings or appointments so you can shield that time you need to actually get your work done. Empty spaces on a shared calendar look like freely available opportunities to schedule you into a conference room for an hour or two. Protect your valuable time.
• Consider standup meetings. Years ago, the Richards Group, a wildly successful [and productive] Dallas-based agency, pioneered the “stairwell meeting” in which invited members literally gather in a stairwell for meetings versus a conference room. As you might expect, nobody wants to sit on the steps or stand in a stairwell for too long so these meetings tend to be direct, to the point, and short [with pretty good acoustics, too]. Consider stand-up meetings or stairwell meetings. They work for a reason. [What, no stairwell in your one-story building …? Well consider scheduling 15-minute meetings versus 30 minutes. It’s amazing how many 30-minute meetings actually only accomplish about 15 minutes of work.]
• Just say no, seriously. Just because someone asks you for something or some time doesn’t mean you have to say yes. Discipline yourself to say no, delicately and professionally, when your own priorities must take precedent over someone else’s. It’s your time, own it!

These are just a small sampling of simple and doable New Year’s resolutions you could make that will make you more productive, more valuable and more fulfilled at work. And maybe get you out of the office on time for a change.

But don’t wait! Get started today and you’ll have a six-week head start on everyone else.

Make it a truly Happy New Year … starting today!

Cheers,

Kenneth Jones

The post Here’s Why You Should Make New Year’s Resolutions … Today! appeared first on dynami.