The Modern Observer Group

Dec232019 by Modern Observer GroupNo Comments

Yes Virginia There Is A Santa Claus

Every year we reprint this editorial from The New York Sun. Eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote a letter asking if Santa Claus was real. The answer has become part of history and should never be forgotten. Here is the letter and editorial response. DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.Papa says, ‘If you see it in THE SUN it’s so.’Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus? VIRGINIA O’HANLON.115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET. VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s,…

Dec62019 by Modern Observer GroupNo Comments

To Come Up with New Ideas, Get Out of the Office

Attitude and Mindset, Featured

Every leader needs to come up with ideas that will separate their companies from the crowd. And to do things that your competitors don’t, you need to see things that other people miss. Find ways to expose yourself to new ways of thinking. For example, go on a business field trip and spend time as a customer — of your company’s products or another’s. Look at how employees serve people, where bureaucracy gets in the way, and whether there are opportunities to improve. You might also consider swapping jobs for a day with a counterpart from a different industry. Notice how the other company approaches engagement, motivation, and communication. What can you learn? And if you can’t leave the office, try a simple perspective-swapping exercise: Pretend you’re the CEO of…

Dec42019 by Modern Observer GroupNo Comments

How Leaders Can Make Better Use of Feedback

Attitude and Mindset, Communication, Featured

Do you get real value out of feedback? Sometimes leaders aren’t sure how to move from receiving it to using it to grow. To put your feedback into practice, Harvard Business Review recommends that you take the following steps. First, talk it through with someone who is trustworthy, curious — and not in a position to evaluate your performance. Ask them to listen carefully and help you sort through your thoughts. Next, draft a development plan. It should include a summary of the feedback, questions you have about it, the steps you’ll take to improve, and the help you’ll need. Then share this plan with the people who gave you the feedback, and use the opportunity to ask your questions. Don’t debate or get defensive. Next, revise your plan with…

Dec22019 by Modern Observer GroupNo Comments

Building Your Career While You Wait for Your Dream Job

Attitude and Mindset, Featured

When you’re starting your career, should you hold out for your dream job or take anything you can get? Trick question — the answer is “a little of each.” There is value to be had from almost any role, so while you search for that ideal match, pay the bills with jobs that give you one (or more) of three things: experience, credibility, or income. You’ll need the right skills and background to land your dream job, so in the meantime, look for roles that will let you build relevant experience. And consider jobs at companies with great reputations, even if the job in question isn’t your exact goal. Having a top company on your résumé will make you stand out both now and in the future. Of course, sometimes…

Nov112019 by Modern Observer GroupNo Comments

The Enemy Of Success Is Fear

Attitude and Mindset, Featured

There are always obstacles to success, but the biggest barrier is one that people put up for themselves. In many cases we know what needs to be done to achieve our goals, but we let fear dictate what we do. Fear of losing what we already have, fear of failure, fear of ridicule, the list goes on but it all boils down to being afraid. While fear is a useful as an alarm for danger, letting it decide your actions is almost a guarantee of failure. It's okay to have fear, but you can't give it control. THe first step in dealing with your fear is identifying it. What exactly is it that scares you? When you identify your fear you find it is not as scary as it seems.…

Nov42019 by Modern Observer GroupNo Comments

4 Signs That You’re An Entrepreneur At Heart

Attitude and Mindset, Featured

It hits everyone at one time or another. The idea that you should leave your job and start a business of your own. IS it a momentary whim or are you really an entrepreneur? Entrepreneurs have certain traits in common. Before you jump off into your own venture, see if you match these traits. They are not the end all and be all of being an entrepreneur, but having these traits is a good sign that you can be happy as an entrepreneur. 1. Entrepreneurs are passionate, inside and outside of work. Whatever they immerse themselves in, entrepreneurs typically invest fully and passionately. This extends beyond business building into many aspects of life outside the workplace. 2. Entrepreneurs are committed to building businesses, not just coming up with great ideas.…

Oct302019 by Modern Observer GroupNo Comments

Balancing Mindfulness

Attitude and Mindset, Evaluate, Featured

Mindfulness is sweeping corporate culture. It's the hot buzzword of the moment. It's practice brings great benefits. However it is not the ned all and be all. It needs to be balanced in order for you to succeed. What does this mean? Let's start with what mindfulness is. Mindfulness is the act of being in the moment. It is focusing on what you are doing right now. In practice most people focus on their breathing to clear their minds, but you can focus on any activity you are doing. It is about being aware of yourself, your activity and your surroundings in that moment. It is a great way to resent your mind and stay focused. What do we mean that it needs to be balanced. Like most things, people…

Oct252019 by Modern Observer GroupNo Comments

To Build Resilience, Write Down What You’re Grateful For

Attitude and Mindset, Featured

When it comes to building your emotional resilience, nothing does more good than maintaining a positive outlook and regularly expressing gratitude. These two actions have been shown to decrease anxiety, reduce symptoms of illness, and improve the quality of your sleep. But it’s not enough to be optimistic and say “thank you” a lot. You can increase the effect of these activities by keeping a record of your positive interactions, events, and memories. Maintain a simple list of things you’re grateful for or are looking forward to in a paper notebook, or enter them into a spreadsheet. There are even digital gratitude journals you can download and use. Find a regular time — say, first thing in the morning or at the end of the workday — to review and…

Oct112019 by Modern Observer GroupNo Comments

How To Stop Caring About What Others Think

Attitude and Mindset, Featured

We are hard-wired to want validation from others. Scientists found that babies’ emotions are often drawn from the emotions of those around them. As we get older, relying on others for validation can be toxic and limiting. Doing what you know to be right, regardless of what other's think, is a liberating experience. Here are some tips to separate yourself from the need of others' validation. Accept that external validation is a bad habit. Whether its daily affirmations or a simple acceptance, you need to remind yourself that your opinion of yourself is the most important. Just like any bad habit, reliance on the opinion of others can be broken.Make a list of your convictions. Start with 10 things that are important to you when it comes to character.Having a list…

Sep302019 by Modern Observer GroupNo Comments

Define Your Success

Attitude and Mindset, Featured, Improvement, Process

Everybody says they want to succeed. Whether it is their home life, their job, or their business, people want to be successful. Most of them never feel that are successful for one simple reason. They have not defined what success is. Success means different things to different people. For some it can mean running their own company. For others it means having the time to spend with their family. For still more it can be having the financial freedom not to worry about bills. No two peopled fine success exactly the same way. The first step to being successful is to define what it means to you. Take the time to figure out what success looks like to you. Close your eyes and try to imagine what you would be…