https://rickbaker.ca/category/emotions-feelings-work/ Rick Baker's Thought Posts — plain-spoken writing on leadership, business values, communication, habits, and the people side of building a business. Publishing since 2008. en-ca https://rickbaker.ca/post/good-news-you-have-an-emotionally-charged-group-of-leaders-now-how-do-you-convert-that-energy-to-the-positive/https://rickbaker.ca/post/good-news-you-have-an-emotionally-charged-group-of-leaders-now-how-do-you-convert-that-energy-to-the-positive/Sun, 05 Dec 2021 07:30:00 -0500When our ancestors first saw fire, the first things they saw and understood were destruction and danger. As time passed, as they became more thoughtful and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/leaders-make-sure-your-confidence-does-not-threaten-your-followers/https://rickbaker.ca/post/leaders-make-sure-your-confidence-does-not-threaten-your-followers/Sat, 04 Dec 2021 07:27:00 -0500Some followers are intimidated by Leader's self-confidence. Here are some Spirited suggestions, to make sure you do not come across that way: Be authentic…it… https://rickbaker.ca/post/good-things-come-in-little-packages-thats-the-key-to-excellent-work-process-success-process-task/https://rickbaker.ca/post/good-things-come-in-little-packages-thats-the-key-to-excellent-work-process-success-process-task/Thu, 24 Jun 2021 07:38:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Dr. Richard Carlson taught - " Don't sweat the small stuff ". That's good advice as long as it confined within the following… https://rickbaker.ca/post/organized-people-get-work-done-disorganized-people-get-work-repeated/https://rickbaker.ca/post/organized-people-get-work-done-disorganized-people-get-work-repeated/Wed, 23 Jun 2021 07:04:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Disorganization = more errors = more fixing of errors = repeated work. And, of course, disorganization consumes time and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/yes-it-can-be-difficultthats-why-its-called-work/https://rickbaker.ca/post/yes-it-can-be-difficultthats-why-its-called-work/Wed, 16 Jun 2021 07:49:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet But, Difficult should not mean Unpleasant . Physically-difficult work burns up energy in muscles, etc. It strengthens the… https://rickbaker.ca/post/workplace-high-pressure-does-it-cut-the-feet-out-from-under-your-smartest-people/https://rickbaker.ca/post/workplace-high-pressure-does-it-cut-the-feet-out-from-under-your-smartest-people/Mon, 14 Jun 2021 07:00:00 -0500The Thinking Behind the Tweet A high IQ doesn’t necessarily mean a high ability to work under stress . In fact, it is possible the opposite is true. Do you… https://rickbaker.ca/post/negative-feelings-cheat-us-they-take-much-energy-from-us-and-they-give-little-of-value-in-return/https://rickbaker.ca/post/negative-feelings-cheat-us-they-take-much-energy-from-us-and-they-give-little-of-value-in-return/Sun, 13 Jun 2021 07:46:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet We feel good when we participate in fair & square deals! We would be annoyed if someone else came by and started stealing our… https://rickbaker.ca/post/anxiety-be-present-dont-fret-over-it-observe-it-in-real-time-learn-what-it-takes-to-control-it-if-it-gets-out-of-hand/https://rickbaker.ca/post/anxiety-be-present-dont-fret-over-it-observe-it-in-real-time-learn-what-it-takes-to-control-it-if-it-gets-out-of-hand/Sun, 13 Jun 2021 07:22:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Anxiety is in our genes...what we feel now is the legacy of the fight or flight 'wiring' that allowed our ancestors to bring us… https://rickbaker.ca/post/fear-is-a-an-impulse-b-a-habit-c-a-disease/https://rickbaker.ca/post/fear-is-a-an-impulse-b-a-habit-c-a-disease/Sat, 05 Jun 2021 07:33:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet That's a quote from Frank Channing Haddock's ' The Culture of Courage ', (1910). What an interesting view of fear. What an… https://rickbaker.ca/post/our-intrinsic-goals-feel-rightthey-align-with-our-talents-strengthsso-they-inspire-they-energize-us/https://rickbaker.ca/post/our-intrinsic-goals-feel-rightthey-align-with-our-talents-strengthsso-they-inspire-they-energize-us/Wed, 19 May 2021 07:34:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Intrinsic Goals mesh with life purpose, mastery of task, and self-actualization. Naturally, intrinsic goals align with talents… https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-will-must-win-at-all-costs-expectations-become-blind-to-the-realities-of-situations/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-will-must-win-at-all-costs-expectations-become-blind-to-the-realities-of-situations/Sat, 15 May 2021 07:41:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Some people cannot adjust their thinking to fit the realities of the situations at hand. Some people cannot even begin to untie… https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-simple-advice-when-people-are-annoyed-with-setting-goals-dont-fight-against-the-flow-help-them-make-predictions/https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-simple-advice-when-people-are-annoyed-with-setting-goals-dont-fight-against-the-flow-help-them-make-predictions/Mon, 26 Apr 2021 07:03:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Some people, perhaps many people, are annoyed by the pressure of setting goals. Many people, if not most people, love to learn… https://rickbaker.ca/post/anticipate-situations-you-cannot-control-train-yourself-so-you-avoid-feeling-anxiety-or-stress-when-they-arrive/https://rickbaker.ca/post/anticipate-situations-you-cannot-control-train-yourself-so-you-avoid-feeling-anxiety-or-stress-when-they-arrive/Sun, 18 Apr 2021 07:26:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet When people find themselves in situations they cannot control their reaction is, naturally, one of discomfort. For some people… https://rickbaker.ca/post/negative-feelings-by-their-very-nature-tend-to-alienate-and-isolate-us-then-they-go-about-wasting-much-energy/https://rickbaker.ca/post/negative-feelings-by-their-very-nature-tend-to-alienate-and-isolate-us-then-they-go-about-wasting-much-energy/Mon, 12 Apr 2021 07:12:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Feelings are mind states where egos are at work justifying their appetites. While the voices of ego are little, they are… https://rickbaker.ca/post/it-seems-you-can-build-a-business-on-very-complex-things-and-on-very-simple-things-but-not-in-between-2021/https://rickbaker.ca/post/it-seems-you-can-build-a-business-on-very-complex-things-and-on-very-simple-things-but-not-in-between-2021/Tue, 06 Apr 2021 07:06:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Simple things, especially those that touch the emotions , form the foundation of many successful businesses - from your… https://rickbaker.ca/post/its-okay-to-yell-and-scream-at-workcelebrations-do-not-have-to-be-subdued/https://rickbaker.ca/post/its-okay-to-yell-and-scream-at-workcelebrations-do-not-have-to-be-subdued/Sun, 04 Apr 2021 07:04:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Baby Boomers , an interesting ' generation ': grew up under pressure ...watched the first steps on the moon...survived disco… https://rickbaker.ca/post/strategies-for-managing-error-induced-anxiety-can-lead-to-happier-more-productive-lives/https://rickbaker.ca/post/strategies-for-managing-error-induced-anxiety-can-lead-to-happier-more-productive-lives/Thu, 01 Apr 2021 07:00:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet When we make errors we feel at least a little anxiety . Anxiety is a dangerous state of mind because it can lead to rumination… https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-decisions-as-a-general-rule-avoid-making-them-when-you-are-stressed-or-pressed/https://rickbaker.ca/post/about-decisions-as-a-general-rule-avoid-making-them-when-you-are-stressed-or-pressed/Mon, 08 Mar 2021 07:35:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Only on rare occasions do we need to deliver decisions with urgency. For the vast majority of situations we can take time to… https://rickbaker.ca/post/mistakes-become-demons-only-when-they-know-you-havent-learned-their-lessons/https://rickbaker.ca/post/mistakes-become-demons-only-when-they-know-you-havent-learned-their-lessons/Thu, 04 Mar 2021 07:15:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet We give life to our mistakes when we allow them to get the better of us. As we worry about them, we give them power...the power… https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-we-were-newborn-babes-we-somehow-knew-the-best-way-to-get-what-we-wanted-was-kicking-and-screaming/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-we-were-newborn-babes-we-somehow-knew-the-best-way-to-get-what-we-wanted-was-kicking-and-screaming/Sun, 28 Feb 2021 07:06:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet When we were newborn babes, we somehow knew the best way to get what we wanted was kicking and screaming. At first, really nice… https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-troubles-consume-your-thoughts-remember-your-tooth-will-cease-aching-if-your-house-is-afire/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-troubles-consume-your-thoughts-remember-your-tooth-will-cease-aching-if-your-house-is-afire/Sat, 27 Feb 2021 07:34:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet " Your tooth will cease aching if your house is afire... " Frank Channing Haddock made that point in his 1910 classic, ' Power… https://rickbaker.ca/post/you-cannot-be-worried-be-angry-be-frustrated-and-make-money/https://rickbaker.ca/post/you-cannot-be-worried-be-angry-be-frustrated-and-make-money/Thu, 25 Feb 2021 07:23:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet You can be habitually worried, angry, and frustrated...many people prove that. But, how many successful people have you met who… https://rickbaker.ca/post/for-one-reason-or-another-we-human-beings-were-born-with-egosso-be-itdont-fight-itlive-learn-with-it/https://rickbaker.ca/post/for-one-reason-or-another-we-human-beings-were-born-with-egosso-be-itdont-fight-itlive-learn-with-it/Sun, 21 Feb 2021 07:40:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Egos - Can't live with them; can't live without them. Egos - life's biggest challenges. https://rickbaker.ca/post/battles-require-people-people-require-battles/https://rickbaker.ca/post/battles-require-people-people-require-battles/Sat, 13 Feb 2021 07:29:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet We all have heard it takes two to tango . Tango requires people...two. Battles require people... at least one . Battles are a… https://rickbaker.ca/post/choose-your-battles-well-choose-the-battles-that-align-with-your-talents-strengths/https://rickbaker.ca/post/choose-your-battles-well-choose-the-battles-that-align-with-your-talents-strengths/Fri, 12 Feb 2021 07:40:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Battles require people; people require battles. We all have heard it takes two to tango . Tango requires people...two. Battles… https://rickbaker.ca/post/wow-you-seem-surprised-to-find-others-become-silent-when-you-put-down-their-ideas-criticism/https://rickbaker.ca/post/wow-you-seem-surprised-to-find-others-become-silent-when-you-put-down-their-ideas-criticism/Mon, 08 Feb 2021 07:49:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Try putting an end to receiving input from people then vetoing their ideas and shutting people down. Even better, try putting… https://rickbaker.ca/post/for-situations-you-cannot-control-learn-how-to-avoid-feeling-anger-anxiety-fear-frustration/https://rickbaker.ca/post/for-situations-you-cannot-control-learn-how-to-avoid-feeling-anger-anxiety-fear-frustration/Fri, 29 Jan 2021 07:40:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet When people find themselves in situations they cannot control their reaction is, naturally, one of discomfort . For some… https://rickbaker.ca/post/in-days-of-old-fear-made-us-fit-and-functional-now-with-many-options-as-close-as-our-remote-we-rarely-allow-that/https://rickbaker.ca/post/in-days-of-old-fear-made-us-fit-and-functional-now-with-many-options-as-close-as-our-remote-we-rarely-allow-that/Mon, 25 Jan 2021 07:48:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Fear is the part of the human condition that provides us a fighting [or flighting ] chance to survive. In tougher-times-of-old… https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-we-had-not-learned-the-word-no-when-we-were-young-we-would-spend-a-lot-less-time-ruminating-about-our-mistakes/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-we-had-not-learned-the-word-no-when-we-were-young-we-would-spend-a-lot-less-time-ruminating-about-our-mistakes/Sun, 24 Jan 2021 07:58:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet When we were young a lot of people started to say "No" to us. We were made to believe it was wrong to say and do certain… https://rickbaker.ca/post/so-you-have-a-mind-like-a-steel-trap-do-you-then-you-will-know-intelligent-life-forms-choose-to-avoid-traps/https://rickbaker.ca/post/so-you-have-a-mind-like-a-steel-trap-do-you-then-you-will-know-intelligent-life-forms-choose-to-avoid-traps/Wed, 13 Jan 2021 07:02:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Illustrations of mental prowess can put people off....especially when performed by braggarts and wiseacres. https://rickbaker.ca/post/even-when-happiness-appears-to-be-all-thats-happening-it-brings-value/https://rickbaker.ca/post/even-when-happiness-appears-to-be-all-thats-happening-it-brings-value/Wed, 30 Dec 2020 07:34:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet There are many reasons why this is true. Here's one: when we are happy our faces show it, then others register that fact, and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-you-design-change-you-must-do-it-in-a-way-that-helps-people-get-over-their-fears/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-you-design-change-you-must-do-it-in-a-way-that-helps-people-get-over-their-fears/Sun, 27 Dec 2020 07:42:00 -0500The Thinking Behind the Tweet Dr. Jonathan Haidt described people’s behaviour using the following metaphor. People behave as if they are Riders on Elephants… https://rickbaker.ca/post/love-success-and-kill-yourself-striving-for-it-or-hate-fear-so-much-you-do-whatever-it-takes-to-remove-it/https://rickbaker.ca/post/love-success-and-kill-yourself-striving-for-it-or-hate-fear-so-much-you-do-whatever-it-takes-to-remove-it/Sat, 26 Dec 2020 07:38:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Based on all the ‘ Can’t Do ’ stuff I have seen and heard, if you must hold fear in your mind then I’d suggest you work on your… https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-you-criticize-people-their-brains-scream-no-and-constructive-communication-is-over/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-you-criticize-people-their-brains-scream-no-and-constructive-communication-is-over/Fri, 25 Dec 2020 07:37:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet When 'No' thoughts are filling the brain there is little room for 'Yes" thoughts. In fact, chances are 'No' and 'Yes' thoughts… https://rickbaker.ca/post/fear-is-neither-our-birthright-nor-our-destinyit-is-simply-a-bad-habit-we-picked-up-and-chose-to-live-withor-overcome/https://rickbaker.ca/post/fear-is-neither-our-birthright-nor-our-destinyit-is-simply-a-bad-habit-we-picked-up-and-chose-to-live-withor-overcome/Thu, 24 Dec 2020 07:43:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet To overcome fear people must do small amounts of the thing they fear and experience small successes. Positive thinking is… https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-we-had-not-learned-the-word-no-when-we-were-young-we-would-spend-a-lot-less-time-thinking-about-our-mistakes/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-we-had-not-learned-the-word-no-when-we-were-young-we-would-spend-a-lot-less-time-thinking-about-our-mistakes/Sun, 20 Dec 2020 07:32:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet When we were young a lot of people started to say "No" to us. We were made to believe it was wrong to say and do certain… https://rickbaker.ca/post/prediction-is-very-difficult-especially-if-its-about-the-future/https://rickbaker.ca/post/prediction-is-very-difficult-especially-if-its-about-the-future/Thu, 17 Dec 2020 07:08:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet While those words could have come from the lips of Yogi Berra or Mark Twain, they did not. It is a quote from the Danish… https://rickbaker.ca/post/it-takes-two-to-tug-of-warunless-of-course-you-choose-to-battle-people-in-your-head/https://rickbaker.ca/post/it-takes-two-to-tug-of-warunless-of-course-you-choose-to-battle-people-in-your-head/Tue, 15 Dec 2020 07:44:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet It takes two to tango; it takes two to tangle; it takes two to tug-of-war. And, more often than not, the two must bring an… https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-are-uncomfortable-with-your-work-thats-contagious-if-you-enjoy-your-work-thats-contagious/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-are-uncomfortable-with-your-work-thats-contagious-if-you-enjoy-your-work-thats-contagious/Wed, 09 Dec 2020 07:10:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet What type of attitude are you spreading? How much is your attitude affecting the people you work with? Are you inspiring people… https://rickbaker.ca/post/understanding-fire-thats-one-of-mans-greatest-achievements-that-applies-both-externally-and-internally/https://rickbaker.ca/post/understanding-fire-thats-one-of-mans-greatest-achievements-that-applies-both-externally-and-internally/Sat, 14 Nov 2020 07:15:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Where would we be without an understanding of how to use fire? Wouldn't we be cold and uncomfortable? Wouldn't we be uninspired… https://rickbaker.ca/post/people-mirror-trust/https://rickbaker.ca/post/people-mirror-trust/Sat, 07 Nov 2020 07:02:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Trust: it's a dynamic thing; it flows 2 ways; you must extend it in order to receive it; it starts with Thought, then it… https://rickbaker.ca/post/unresolved-lingering-problems-gnaw-away-at-brain-energy-attack-problems-and-pluck-that-destructive-power-away-from-them/https://rickbaker.ca/post/unresolved-lingering-problems-gnaw-away-at-brain-energy-attack-problems-and-pluck-that-destructive-power-away-from-them/Sat, 31 Oct 2020 07:04:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet The brain represents 2% of body mass while it consumes 20% of body energy. The brain is 'energy intensive'. Much brain energy… https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-leaders-fail-at-the-little-details-especially-the-interpersonal-details-trust-erodes/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-leaders-fail-at-the-little-details-especially-the-interpersonal-details-trust-erodes/Wed, 28 Oct 2020 07:30:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Trust is pretty much everything. Followers look to leaders for positives, subliminal or overt justifications for building trust. https://rickbaker.ca/post/top-performers-feel-disappointed-when-they-make-errors-then-quickly-they-replace-that-thinking-with-confidence/https://rickbaker.ca/post/top-performers-feel-disappointed-when-they-make-errors-then-quickly-they-replace-that-thinking-with-confidence/Mon, 26 Oct 2020 07:46:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Self-confidence is precious. Self-confidence is self-grown. Self-confidence is essential. https://rickbaker.ca/post/a-true-sense-of-urgency-thats-doing-things-promptly-when-you-know-the-right-things-to-do-and-you-know-how-to-do-them-well/https://rickbaker.ca/post/a-true-sense-of-urgency-thats-doing-things-promptly-when-you-know-the-right-things-to-do-and-you-know-how-to-do-them-well/Fri, 23 Oct 2020 07:34:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Anything shy of this isn't a successful sense of urgency. Anything shy of this is guesswork, bad planning, or fighting phantom… https://rickbaker.ca/post/most-people-tend-to-express-problems-in-ways-that-do-not-reveal-the-true-source-of-their-pain/https://rickbaker.ca/post/most-people-tend-to-express-problems-in-ways-that-do-not-reveal-the-true-source-of-their-pain/Thu, 22 Oct 2020 07:55:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet And most people reply to such cries for help with cries for help. [a helpful message from Eckhardt Tolle] It's all about the… https://rickbaker.ca/post/its-ok-to-have-an-ego-its-not-ok-when-an-ego-has-you-ego/https://rickbaker.ca/post/its-ok-to-have-an-ego-its-not-ok-when-an-ego-has-you-ego/Mon, 19 Oct 2020 07:03:00 -0500The Thought Behind The Tweet When it comes to ego, I believe moderation is the right course. Eastern philosophies teach the merits of reduction of… https://rickbaker.ca/post/most-people-dont-notice-they-are-problem-magnets-attracting-an-ongoing-series-of-similar-problems/https://rickbaker.ca/post/most-people-dont-notice-they-are-problem-magnets-attracting-an-ongoing-series-of-similar-problems/Sun, 18 Oct 2020 07:18:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Many of us don't see the problems coming let alone see we are the specialists who create them. For some people - problems get… https://rickbaker.ca/post/better-to-be-skilled-at-puzzles-than-cross-words-2020/https://rickbaker.ca/post/better-to-be-skilled-at-puzzles-than-cross-words-2020/Fri, 16 Oct 2020 07:49:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet When you are skilled at puzzles you deliver value. When you are skilled at cross words you remove value. Constructive criticism… https://rickbaker.ca/post/trust-is-gained-in-small-increments-one-consistent-action-at-a-time/https://rickbaker.ca/post/trust-is-gained-in-small-increments-one-consistent-action-at-a-time/Wed, 14 Oct 2020 07:11:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Trust is lost in large lumps, one misunderstood-inconsistent action at a time. So, the scale is weighted against you ...or, is…