While driving to West Palm Beach yesterday, I passed the cutest car, a Cube by Nissan. It's a compact car similar to the Scion but the design is very futuristic - the window in the rear back right side curves around from the back to the side without a post support. Nissan has been making some very attractive cars the past two years as their other models are just as attractive and most importantly, the brand is very reliable.

I am very blessed to be able to experience beautiful sunsets every evening from our balcony. We have a direct, unobstructed view right to the horizon. Each sunset is different each night, some have clouds and some are just the sun going down in the distance. The palette of color is spectacular and this I am appreciative of.

Have you taken time to notice how automated everything is becoming, for our convenience? The latest things that have been helping me be more efficient is the automatic check-out system at Costco where you scan your merchandise, bag your stuff and leave. So much faster and easier to get in and get out.

This week I had the pleasure of processing film off my digital camera chip at CVS. You simply input what you want to do, input your chip and away it goes. Within 10 minutes I had my developed photos at a nominal price.

The latest automated processing is going to be the check-ins for rental cars at the airports. You can simply check in and go right to your car without having to wait in line for service. I don't do that anyway, thank goodness because I am a Hertz Gold Club member but this process will help many, many other people.

Given the popularity of the movies Avatar and Alice in Wonderland, 3-D TVs are appearing in the marketplace. Although I think we will wait a couple of years until the prices come down and the technology get tweaked, it will be exciting to feel you are part of what you are watching.

What's next?

New Rules for Renewing Driver's Licenses in Florida

Thank God I did my research when the driver's license renewal notice came in the mail in January. I went to the state government's website to check out what I needed to do. Effective January 1, 2010 in Florida, you have to go to a Driver's License office to renew as they are requiring complete information on you, I think to cut down on fraud and identify theft. Once you have brought all this information into them, you don't have to do it again in the future, so they say. Here are some tips that are important to make the process go smoothly:

1. Make an appointment at least 30-days in advance

2. When you do this, you should be in and out within an hour if you bring all your paperwork with you. If you don't have an appointment and you simply show up, expect the process to take 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

3. Go to the official Florida government website to find out exactly what type of paperwork you need to bring with you. This will include a second identification like a passport or birth certificate; you will also need to take an original social security card; two copies of certain documents with your address listed such as voter's registration, mortgage payment statement, insurance documents or car registration.

4. You may have to take an eye exam but they will let you know that on your renewal notice.

5. There is a cost to this process which you pay when you are done and you can use credit cards.

Long lines outside the door for those unfortunate souls who just showed up. Glad I went prepared. I was in and out in 50 minutes.

Power of Healing Energy of Horses

In my coaching community more and more coaches are practicing Equine Coaching using horses to help people heal emotionally and break down fear and unblock negative energy. I was fortunate enough to get to experience this by being in a ring this week with a beautiful horse. He could sense my energy - if I was in the present moment, I was relaxed or tense and if I was fully present. When I tried to force him to move even gently, he would not. I had to step back, breathe and be totally centered before proceeding and him allowing me to lead him around the ring. My fellow coach who

Communication

The importance of Communication cannot be stressed enough. Too many people express their opinions and perceptions and assume everyone else thinks the same way and guess what -they get so frustrated when you do not agree with them!!!! We are all individuals with our own methods and styles of communicating. It's all right to not always agree with what is being said and to state an opinion. Once there is an awareness of not making people wrong or judging them on what they say, a more relaxed conversation can occur and a common ground may show up.

Many leaders and managers need to know and practice this. A typical scenario in companies is that there is an assumption that "everything is fine" because no one is saying otherwise. If senior management simply took a few minutes to acknowledge people and maybe develop a policy of meeting once a month to get a sense of understanding of what's happening with everyone, a new sense of pride and ownership could start appearing. With the help of a coach, they can learn to be more open and transparent and create a space to create collaboration and good synergy.

God gave us two ears, two eyes and one mouth. There is tremendous value in listening to what is being said and seeing the reaction. Before you speak, step back a second and breathe , you could possibly react differently and be more profound in what you are going to say.

Leaders Who Care About Their People

On Sunday evening at 10:00 EST there is a great show on television called "Undercover Boss". CEO's from large corporations are going undercover for one week inside of their companies to find out what's working, what is not working and who their people are. I have seen three shows and as a coach, I want to share how exciting it is to see these CEOs really engaging people. They are hearing stories of personal challenges, challenges of the goings on inside the company and meeting some amazing employees who go the extra mile in their jobs. The CEOs are taking this information back to their executive committees to talk about needed changes and recognition of some folks.

Wouldn't it be less stressful and more motivating for employees to know senior management cares about who they are and how they contribute to the success of the company. Engaging people to find out better ways to be processing the work and improving systems creates a culture of pride, responsibility, contribution and success.

Hopefully this new awareness will mainstream to more and more companies wanting to explore how they can be better by engaging their workforce. Less Ego and more flexibility and open communication.