No matter what your goals are in 2017, staying pumped and staying energized usually begins at an inspiring moment, but action steps maintain this momentum. Remember this: "Success is attracted to action." To boost self-confidence, take action with steps, "sub-steps," and if needed, "sub-sub-steps" so you don't feel overwhelmed. Expect normal lulls in motivation and you will plateau through them faster instead of giving up. Hang out with like-minded persons pursuing goals like yours. Celebrate…

Here's a switch: For your New Year's resolution this year, commit to planning your time off more effectively and start checking off all those items on your "bucket list." Avoid the result of not thinking through your time off - often it becomes watching TV, "hanging out," or having time nibbled way to have Monday morning sneak up on you. You plan your work, so why not your leisure? If your answer is "no way, that's the one part of my life I don't want planned! think again. Memorable leisure…

Since decisions can have life-changing consequences, it's worth studying the mechanics of how to make a good one. There's lots of advice out there, but most tough decision making involves common "pieces" in the process. They include weighing the information and the choices, examining potential outcomes, paying attention to your feelings and your instincts as you go through the process, and stepping away from the pressure or urgency (if possible) to ensure that it is not interfering with making…

How's your cell phone etiquette? Ninety percent of people surveyed by Intel insisted serious improvement is needed in people's technology manners. Rule #1 is being aware of your use of technology when you are around others. Be with them, not the technology. Nearly all cell phone etiquette tips flow from this adage. We learn to keep elbows off the table growing up. Is it time to begin to instill text, chat, and snap manners? 

Does a fresh start in 2017 with a coworker with whom you were in conflict in 2016 sound like a good idea? Repairing the relationship may improve your mood, bring workplace fun back, and prevent you from going home feeling tired and tense. Being straightforward and admitting it's your fault is the most powerful fix-up strategy, along with expressing the desire to start over. Before rejecting this idea, realize most conflicts are fueled by both parties. Admitting fault can "reboot" your…

According to a study published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology up to 90% of workplace conversation is gossip. It appears that this type of natural human interaction is driven by the desire to warn group members against the harmful or inappropriate behavior of others. So, not all gossip is strictly bad, but a few rules for the modern workplace are important: 1) Don't try to eradicate gossip or scold others for engaging in it. Judging others won't work. Instead, model proper behavior…

If you discover yourself slipping back into old habits - returning to behaviors you committed to giving up in your pursuit of new goals - commit to not beating yourself up over failure. The nature of change isn't a straight line to the goal. There's an old saying saying that "defeat is temporary; only quitting makes it permanent." Instead, remember that tomorrow is another day to try again. Search for hidden opportunities to tweak, and, like the scientist searching for a cure for cancer, try…

Listening well isn't just about hearing information. Listening well builds relationships. Remember this crucial role of communication and you may be motivated to do away with some of these common annoyances that sabotage relationships. 

• Distracting yourself-texting, picking up, straightening things-when someone is speaking.
• Interrupting because you are suddenly reminded of something "more important" to say.
• Showing impatience by responding to the speaker before information has been…

If you haven't committed to any New Year's resolutions, you'll most likely still hope for a productive year. Productivity is about getting things done, and that means fending off procrastination. To fire up your commitment to follow through, experiment this year with letting people know that you are going to complete whatever difficult project you have in mind so they are positioned to hold you accountable. Really put yourself out there, even if it means supplying a calendar marked with the…