Kiss of Truth

As unemployment rates rise to levels not seen in decades and our nation faces one of the worst economic disasters in its history, one new company pledges to finance the rescue and creation of thousands of jobs across the country. “The EconoDude.com mission is one of hope and integrity for everyone,” says EconoDude founder, Kurt Turrell. “We cannot rely completely on government or a stimulus package to fix our economy and get people back to work.” According to Turrell, it is the responsibility of every person to help. “I heard this news story about a school in Maine that had to cut several jobs due to lack of funds. Everyone on the staff of the school donated one day’s wage and they rescued those cut jobs,” adds Mr. Turrell. Turrell modeled EconoDude with that philanthropic cause at its heart.

March 6th, 2009 | Tags: business, communication, econodude, economic crisis, economy, hope, integrity, jobs, nation, plan, responsibility, success, unemployment | Category: Consistent Action, Flexibility, Goal Setting, Mental Preparation, Motivation, Research and Development | Comments (5)

Unemployment rates in the nation are above 7.6%! That is the highest since the early 70’s. That means that nearly eight out of every 100 people are out of work. That is an astounding number! Each and every day there are more reports of layoffs from the biggest – and seemingly most secure and solid – companies in the United States. And the number of unemployed continues to grow at an alarming pace. And like all accidents and life-changing events, it is not real until it happens to you! It is unwise to believe a layoff cannot happen to you. Be prepared by being proactive in making yourself more valuable to your employer; consider these ten ways to increase the likelihood of keeping your job:

February 9th, 2009 | Tags: challenge, change, education, Flexibility, giving, goals, idea, interests, job loss, job security, keeing your job, keep your job, Motivation, nation, plan, protection, respect, responsibility, success, thought, unemployed, unemployment, value | Category: Consistent Action, Flexibility, Goal Setting, Mental Preparation, Motivation, Research and Development | Leave a comment

What they should do that makes sense today is what they should have done in past years that would have made sense! Imagine an American car company in the 1970’s or even the 1980’s deciding to copy the best aspects of Japanese production methods while simultaneously taking the absolute lead in researching, developing, and producing alternative fueled vehicles and hybrids! Imagine that same company launching a media marketing / advertising strategy that produced emotional campaigns to explain to the American public what they are doing and why. Imagine that these ads played on the American consumer’s sense of patriotic American product purchasing and exciting innovation, coupled with voicing a deep concern for the future of our planet and future generations. Wow. I imagine that such a company would be kicking-butt right now. Or, perhaps it would have spurred the other car companies to follow suit! Okay…is it too late to try this? I don’t know for sure, but I hope not.

December 4th, 2008 | Tags: American Automakers, anger, auto industry, auto industry bailout, auto workers, bail out, bailout, business, change, depression, Emotions, future, greed, hope, invest, philosophy, politics, productive, responsibility, risk, value | Category: Consistent Action, Flexibility, Goal Setting, Mental Preparation, Motivation, Research and Development | Comments (1)

For the thirty-plus years of my adult life I have watched, read, and learned – albeit somewhat passively – about our national and world economy, the politics of big business, the exclusive world of money, and how it all fits together to affect each of us. But a few days ago, while watching more economic bad news on the television, my teen looked at me with an inquisitive voice and said: “I don’t understand…if all this is based on confidence, perception of value, and speculation…why are we in this mess and how does it all fit together? Can’t we just print more money?” Oh boy, thought I, where do I start? Explaining the complicated components of the economy – in fact the world of money – and why we are in a recession and our economy is failing is not such a simple task.

November 24th, 2008 | Tags: business, confidence, economy, environment, fear, foundation, greed, hope, ignorance, money, nation, perception, politics, recession, responsibility, success, thought, value | Category: Consistent Action, Flexibility, Mental Preparation, Motivation, Research and Development | Comments (1)

I have made a choice for prosperity, but I must consider the price tag. Global warming could end all prosperity and all choices for everyone. Although that price tag seems invisible when I wake on a sunny, beautiful Saturday morning and look out my window, I know that the eventual price tag is completely visible and real. The earth – in its own stormy and turbulent way – has shown us the imminent, lurking cost, and it demands that we all change our individual choices. I must accept responsibility for my actions and inactions, and we, collectively must do the same to save our ailing planet. Demand personal change.

November 3rd, 2008 | Tags: change, demand, environment, future, principle, productive, prosperity, responsibility, thought | Category: Goal Setting, Motivation, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Only days ago there was a story that made national news (on Good Morning America) about a woman who bought a distress property (a foreclosed home) and returned it to the previous owner who is a single mother that could not afford the mortgage and lost the home. Although informal arrangements might be made for the single mom to make payments, as she is able, the overall act is one of highly commendable selflessness. Of equal interest to me is the fact that the story is worthy of national news. Yes, it is a touching, heart-warming story, but why is it so? The reason is because it is never done! It is out of the norm, highly unusual, and might even be viewed as a “foolish act” (of selflessness). Obviously the buyer of the home had the financial resources, and it made sense to her to take such action. I wish that this were not unusual and that this story would therefore not be newsworthy.

October 29th, 2008 | Tags: anger, balance, business, fear, foundation, goals, greed, ignorance, intelligence, love, Motivation, nation, owner, productive, responsibility, sloth, success | Category: Consistent Action, Flexibility, Goal Setting, Mental Preparation, Motivation, Research and Development | Leave a comment