Margie Warrell

Over the last few months, I have given myself a self-diagnosis of A.D.D.  While I'm not sure that I meet the criteria to make me a hardcore case of Attention Deficit Disorder, I certainly have been struggling with "Attention Distraction Disorder." And the more I've shared my problem with other people -- whether friends, clients or colleagues -- the more I've realized just how prevalent this problem is. So if you are also struggling with keeping focus in a world brimming with distractions, read on...before your phone rings and your attention is pulled elsewhere.  Between our BlackBerries (dubbed "CrackBerries" for...

There isn't a super hero "out there" who can save you from your situation, fix your problems, or take away your fears. You have to tap into your own super hero; to identify the fears that are holding you back and to make a decision to reclaim the power you have yielded. I recently spoke at a leadership conference for women who work in the consulting industry. About 5 minutes before I was due to begin speaking, a woman attending the event asked if I ever got nervous. "Often," I replied, "Particularly about five minutes before I'm about to take the...

In Zen Buddhism they speak of living with one's "original face." One of the greatest challenges we all face is to be ourselves, to have authenticity, to show your real you. Do you have the courage to be yourself? "To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best to make you everybody but yourself means to fight the hardest battle any human being can fight -- and to never stop." -- e.e. cummings Daniel Goleman's research in Emotional Intelligence found that we human beings are wired for connection. We not only want to belong, we need...

People don't intimidate you. You allow yourself to be intimidated by people. There's a distinct difference. It all boils down to the assumptions you make about what they are thinking, most of which are untrue and born from self-doubt. Are you ready to leave the doubt behind and give up ever being intimidated again? Growing up on a small farm in rural Australia, I often found myself intimidated by people particularly those who came from "the city."  I made all sorts of assumptions about what they thought about farm girls like me often feeling intimidated and inadequate in some way. It was...

You (and I) make assumptions many times each day. Even though some of them may be backed by factual science, most of the time, those assumptions are just plain wrong. Don't let your assumptions limit your possibilities. "Assumptions are the death of possibilities." James Mapes Humans can't fly to the moon.The human body can't run a mile under 4 minutes.Women are too emotional to be leaders.The sun revolves around the earth (which is flat).Telephones are only for talking and listening.Animal species never change.Black people are inferior to white people.I (Margie) can never run 10 miles. Never ever. Some of these assumptions...

So you think you are too old or too set in your ways to change? Not so! Neuro-plasticity research now proves what many have long known:  that you are never too old to change, and more so, that you can rewire your brain to think and act in ways that lead to greater success in work, love and life.  The first time I read that my brain was plastic; I thought it was a joke.  That was until I realized the author wasn't talking about plastic as in a plate, but as in pliable. As brain imaging technology has advanced,...

Today the word "work" has come to mean something to be avoided as much as possible for many people. But there is value in work. Not just for the money you can earn from it, but from the person you get to become. Hard work draws out talents and capacities that may otherwise have laid dormant. Yesterday, a good friend of mine lost in her bid to be elected to public office. Last week, an opportunity for me to contribute to a segment on Anderson Cooper's new talk show fell through.  Last month, my son missed out on making the...

If I had 6 hours to cut down a tree, I'd spend 4 sharpening my axe." Abraham LincolnVery successful people are those who think about what matters to them and take the time to be purposeful about their actions and vigilant about their emotions. What about you? Are you living today by default or design? Recently, just after I'd sat down to work on my next book, I heard a rumble. I initially thought there must be someone (a really BIG someone) walking on the floor above me. But then, as the rumble continued and the entire house began to shake,...

Clinical studies have proven the very real link between the emotion of anger and the development of heart disease and numerous other unsavory ailments and illnesses.  There's only one way to let go of anger.  Do you know what it is?  More so, do you know how to do it?! Last week a friend shared with me about a falling out she's had with her brother and his new wife, following a remark that caused her offense.  My friend promptly issued an apology for her insensitivity once she'd realized her mistake, but her new sister-in-law has refused to accept it...

To be outstanding in life, you must be willing to stand out. When all you do is try to fit in, you negate the difference your uniqueness makes.  Tall Poppy Courage is not about being better than anyone else, just being the best possible version of yourself.  Growing up on a farm in rural Australia meant growing up with something called the Tall Poppy Syndrome. It may sound like some ailment associated with cocaine addiction or a nasty chronic medical condition, but it's actually a cultural condition. While I'm not a cultural historian, I think it stems all the way...