When it comes to investing, learning what you are supposed to do is relatively easy. As they say, it is not rocket science. But doing what you’re supposed to do can be surprisingly hard. A key quality that separates top professionals in the world of financial investing from the rest of us takes years to … Read more

We sometimes hear people make this statement: “Life is a marathon, not a sprint.” And there’s much truth to that. Many people can look good for a short distance. In fact, in a sprint even a slower person might take the lead for a step or two. But a successful life is not measured in … Read more

When you think about the rules and regulations that affect you in the workplace, whether they are broad-based laws that apply to everyone or statutes that were designed specifically for your industry or profession, how do you deal with them?  Do you comply only to the minimum extent required, choosing to abide strictly to the … Read more

There is a tendency for many of us to live our lives out of “compartments.” We segregate our lives into independent sections that rarely intersect – our work, our home life, our hobbies and special areas of interest, such as volunteering. “Never the twain shall meet” seems to be the philosophy of keeping different facets … Read more

We all have seen this phenomenon: Star athletes, basking in the adoration of their fans, exhibiting various kinds of disgraceful behavior. Entertainers and media celebrities acting very unlike the kind, friendly, engaging personalities they seem to be on TV or the movie screen. Politicians, so endearing during their election campaigns, displaying arrogance toward all that … Read more

In the 1880’s, George Eastman invented a process for applying a photographic emulsion to flexible film. He soon brought out a simple camera he called “The Kodak” to take advantage of this new photographic film. This little camera changed the world by allowing anyone to take pictures and, in the process, gave birth to the … Read more

Some time ago, my wife, Kathy, and I received a surprising offer of financial compensation from a major chemical manufacturer for damage one of its products did to our pine trees. Their settlement offer not only compensated us for actual losses, but also included an additional 15 percent for restitution. With this gesture, which the … Read more

Traditionally, the first Monday of September in the United States is observed as “Labor Day.” Citizens are asked to recognize the diligent work of men and women through the generations, people who have applied their skills and talents to provide services and produce goods of benefit to many. Sadly, statistics continue to show the vast … Read more

(Editor’s Note: Charles Monroe, a CBMC member in Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S.A., submitted this prayer poem for leaders, written by John O’Donohue.) May you have the grace and wisdomTo act kindly, learningTo distinguish between what isPersonal and what is not. May you be hospitable to criticism.May you never put yourself at the center of things. May … Read more

If I were to ask who your boss is, what would you say? You might say, “I report to the CEO (or the owner of the company).” Another might say, “I am the CEO, I don’t have a boss.” Still others might say, “I report to my board of directors,” or “My customers are my … Read more

When color photography began taking over black-and- white in the 1950s and ‘60s, experts knew a secret few other people knew: Unlike black-and-white photography, color film and paper were not permanent. (This is one reason my business consisted of exclusively black and white photographs for many years.) Today, 30, 40 and 50 years later, we … Read more

“If you had the opportunity to do anything you wanted to do, and money (financial compensation) was not an issue, would you still do what you are doing right now?” When a good friend asked me this question years ago, it caught me by surprise. I paused as I considered how to respond. Finally, I … Read more