Margin

There seems to be a quiet agreement among Americans today to tolerate a growing epidemic in our culture. While we disguise it with many different names, they all ultimately boil down to a lack of margin.

Kaizen

Those that believe the New Year has promise for lasting change know that casual resolutions don’t last.

Personal development is a process that comes with discipline, grit and time – like a silversmith who refines his ore over and over through fire, drawing out its impurities and molding the metal with careful attention. The craftsman continually shapes the silver until it is pure, brilliant and useful.

The Art Of A Toast

Some men live for this moment, others dread standing solo in front of a captive audience with a raised glass attempting a complicated combination of inspired eloquence and humor. Regardless, at some point in your life – a party, wedding, holiday dinner or New Year’s Eve – your turn to toast will arrive.

The Art Of Conversation

Now that we’ve entered the holiday season, odds are you’ll be making an appearance at your share of parties and dinners in the coming weeks, putting your conversation skills to the test. While there are a select few that seem to effortlessly master the English language, exuding wit and charm regardless of the situation or crowd, most of us find ourselves needing social support more often than we’d like. It’s one of the core characteristics of being human – the need to connect with others – yet, like most things, our innate ability generally takes us only so far. Whether it’s a business lunch, dinner date, neighborhood party or a night on the town, here are a few tips for refining your conversation abilities, helping you emerge intelligent, competent, charismatic and interesting.

The Thanksgiving Rivalry

In 1876, the men drafting the Texas state constitution could not have imagined that the two universities they were founding would end up so different. The University of Texas sits in the center of the city and is viewed by many as diverse, liberal and relaxed. In contrast, Texas A&M is based in a small town and often seen as a conservative, military-inspired agricultural school. For die-hards from each institution, there is hardly a tolerance of the other’s location, culture and – especially – their football team.