Happy Monday!

We all experience the seasons of the year and the seasons that span of our lives. I am becoming convinced we also experience mini-seasons - perhaps as short as a few days at a time.

I believe I am coming through one of those myself - a season of summer. Externally I've been busy and probably seen by those around me as pretty productive. Internally though, I know I have been coasting. Times of rest are important, and when I was younger I often mentally chastised myself for this summer mindset.

Now that I am older and wiser (?), I understand it as a season. I am still vigilant that summers not become extended vacations, but I have increasingly become more aware of the seasonal changes in my life.

I awoke this morning feeling that my season has changed. I am revived, refreshed and ready to move forward in some exciting new ways. The ideas and plans already existed - now I am ready to fully re-engage.

I encourage you to think about your seasons, and mini-seasons. Reflect on where you might be, how long you have been there and whether it is time to shift your calendar. Your thinking and reflecting time will be well rewarded!

Before we get on to a fabulous issue, let me tell you the story that led to this week's article. In 2006 (yes, 2006), I wrote a blog post about great handshakes. Just recently a producer for the Morning Living Show on Sirius Radio's Martha Stewart Network read it and asked me to guest on the show. So, this Thursday (September 2) at 7 am ET I will be on the show talking about first impressions.

Today's article is a preview of that topic; would love to "see" you on Thursday morning for the entire conversation. If you're not a Sirius subscriber and want to listen, you can get an internet-only free trial of the service. Make sure to call in if you're listening - I'd love to answer your questions (plus it's always good when the guest generates calls)! (Of course you can always ask your questions via email or as comments on the blog post too.)

Enjoy this issue, have a great week, and remember that . . .

. . .You are Remarkable.

Yours in learning,

Ten Ways to Make a Great First Impression

We all meet new people, in all phases of our lives. In some of those situations we may not be consciously thinking about the importance of making a good first impression; however, conscious or not, we are always making an impression.

Sometimes - be it the person we are meeting, the situation we are in or just that we are more consciously aware - we want to more than just make an impression, we want to make a great one.

The good news is there are things you can do to make great first impressions happen regularly and almost predictably. The surprising news is these suggestions may not be all the things you have thought or been taught.

Remember, since the impression is actually formed by the other person, in the end, what they ultimately think is out of your control.

Even so, using these ideas will give you a greater chance to create impressions that lead to further conversations, goodwill, new relationships, additional business, greater job and life satisfaction and greater success.

Bury My Heart at Conference Room B:
The Unbeatable Impact of Truly Committed Managers
by Stan Slap

This is fast becoming one of the most talked about business books of the year, and for some very good reasons.

It discusses in a new way a very important topic - what are the underlying keys to management and leadership success.

It outlines different success factors than many other books do.

It comes from a pragmatic and real-life perspective.

It talks about things that often are overlooked and undersold - things like values and commitment.

It provides a framework and action steps for you to use what you are learning.

Bury My Heart at Conference Room B is a book that illuminates a process developed by Stan and his organization to help individual leaders draw out their core values and build greater commitment to organizational success. The book does a great job of using examples from their sessions and provides exercises for you to use personally - all honed from their work with 10,000 managers.

Because it deals with values and commitment, this book may challenge you. But it may also make you hopeful, joyful and see a new way to integrate who you are with what you do.

The book shows you how to do it, gives examples of many others who have done it, and proves why that is important personally and professionally.

This is not a book to buy because it is the cool next read. This is a book to read, reflect on and use.

One final note: a friend of mine clued me into an interesting thing that is going on through September 9 that includes a chance for you to win a copy of the book. Use this link to learn more about what's going on and to get your name in the hat: http://t.co/KzWc6dS.

Learn more about the book at www.BuryMyHeart.com and download a complimentary PDF resource: Tough Times, Tougher Teams while you are there!