Boundaries without Excuses

There is a great way to practice owning who we are. Next time we are asked to do something we’d really rather not do, we can just say, “No thank you.” We will make every effort to express it kindly, without offering any explanations or excuses. If we...

Why People Lie

The most common reason people lie is to make themselves look better in the eyes of others so they might feel better about themselves. They embellish or spin facts they think will place them in a favorable light. Even though many such lies have no impact or are...

Honoring Our Word

Being trustworthy doesn’t just inspire others to feel good about us, it enhances our own self-esteem. When we’re steadfast in keeping our word, we not only trust ourselves, we communicate an attractive dependability to others. There’s a compelling...

Hidden Agendas

Trying to covertly steer others into doing what we want might work occasionally, but it doesn’t often create good will, because no one wants to feel manipulated. We might get our way in the short term, but the cost may be a slight souring of the relationship....

Your Word Is Your Integrity

Improved self-esteem is the natural outcome of honoring your word. Doing what you say you’re going to do keeps you in your integrity and earns the admiration of others. When you have a habit of canceling or changing plans, it’s hard for others to take you...