We're conditioned to react negatively to the word "no." We don't like to hear it… and we don't like to say it. We thrive on saying "Yes" to ourselves—to our own wants and desires—to a new car, the latest gadget, an expensive vacation. So why are we surprised when our kids expect instant gratification. If we can't say "No" to ourselves, how will they learn to say "No" to themselves and realize the rewards of...

If you look at how many of us live our lives, you would think the answer is clear… image is key. Your image is how you're viewed by others. We spend a lot of time creating our image… with our house, our car, our clothes, our friends . . . just so people will see us a certain way. Sometimes it's real, sometimes it's not. But your identity is who you are. It's real…it never changes. When you're clear about your...

It happens a lot... after the kids go off to college. Mom and Dad wake up the next day, sit down at the breakfast table, and wonder who the person is they are looking at. Reality strikes. They realize they don't even know each other anymore. Somewhere over the last few years, they've gotten so involved in their children's lives that they forgot about each other. Well, the best way to prepare to be an empty nester...

It's not something that's in your job description at work. It's not something that you think about as a husband, wife or parent. But it's critical in any position of leadership. It's establishing the climate… the right kind of climate. A mother or father establishes the climate when they walk through the door at night. A worker sets the temperature for co-workers at the office. A coach sets the climate out...

There's no such thing as not having time. When we say "I don't have time," what we're really saying is that we don't choose to make certain things a priority right now, or, there's something else we'd rather be doing. Think about all the demands on your schedule and take a look at the things you spend the most time on. The truth is we make time for the things we want to make time for. But that isn't always...

I'm not talking about last night's dinner. I mean what we end up giving our spouse at the end of the day. We give leftover time—after too many hours at work. We give leftover affection—after loving on the kids all day. Those leftovers don't satisfy, they leave us craving more. What our spouse wants—and deserves—is our freshest and best. There are 4 ways to serve your spouse something fresh. First, post-it. Put a...

By the time boys are 4 to 6 years old, they often feel the need for a masculine role model. And that need doesn't change as boys grow older. If your son's father is not in the picture, another adult male you trust needs to be involved in his life. You might find a man to mentor your son through a mentoring program. Or, you might have some male relatives, friends, or neighbors who would be good role models for...