Poll Shows American Adults Don't Value Higher Education as Much as Executives

Eighty-two (82%) percent of executives believe that it is very important for people to get a college degree according to a survey by the Association of American Colleges and Universities. You can contrast that to a Gallup Poll that says only 45% of adults have high confidence in the value of higher education. There seems to be a disconnect between companies and people. Americas may not see the inherent value in higher education like they once did. 

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I often wondered what life would have been like if I focused on getting certificates and working without being an intellectual of some type. I cannot say I would enjoy work as much but I don't know. Not having student loans seems to be helpful. Maybe I could just go to my library for free!

Of course one could also argue that you can go to the library and get all the knowledge you want without stepping into a university. This is actually true but you are unlikely to have any guidance on that information. There will be certain topics you will not understand even if you read them. The degree is what sells. 

Executives seem to be focused on broad skills that cut across different degrees. The most important seem to be oral communication, critical thinking, ethical judgment, teamwork, written communication and application of skills & knowledge. Such executives are looking at broad skills and taking into consideration specific skills in their analysis. 

They also found that specific skills are important for functioning within the workplace. Thus curriculum should have the broad and the specific built within it. The specific provides them with the ability to function in their work while the broad skills focus more on developing a framework for understanding their work and continuing to learn. 

AAC&U,  "Fulfilling the American Dream: Liberal Education and the Future of Work", 2018
 https://www.aacu.org/research/2018-future-of-work

Gallup, “Words Used to Describe ‘Higher Ed’ Make a Difference,” Gallup News, February 23, 2018, https://news.gallup.com/poll/228182/words-used-describe-higher-difference.aspx.

Hart Research Associates, Falling Short? College Learning and Career Success (Washington, DC: Association of American Colleges and Universities, 2015).

Tranquility on the Beach-The Way We Live Our Lives-Beach Tranquility Poem

Beaches bring with them a sense of tranquility and quietness. I can't even imaging living in San Diego, or other beach area, and not being on or near the beach. Walking, jogging, surfing, socializing and shopping become a beach community affair. If you spend enough time there you will eventually get to know most of the people that also live in these small communities.

Beach of Tranquility Poem

Soft waves roll their way up the sand. 
Ever reaching for something more in a soft stretch. 
Fingers roll up and roll down. 
Stretching and slowing with each tide. 
Inner tranquility comes from connecting with the beginning and knowing the end. 

People Who Dream! We Need a Few More!

Dreams are the stuff that creates new futures. There have always been dreamers among us that think the world can be a better place. They are the ones who change things, create things, and improve things. Without them we would never change and our society would stay the same forever. We would stop progressing as a species because the dreamers are all gone.

What does it mean to dream? It can be a dream about oneself or the world around them. It could be accomplishing some great feat or something as small as thinking about improvements in your life. It may be to rally a nation or rally a family.

Without the dream there can be no change. One must first think it before one does it. We must dream because we must advance or die. It is hardwired into our system that some of us will always strive to be a little more than what the world tells them is possible.

Not all dreams become reality but all dreams do help improve the world. Some dreams simply don't come true or people are not able to overcome challenges to make them a reality. Yet to dream is still to be a growing and developing person that influences the goals and directions of society. Dream because its in your nature to dream!

Why You Should Encourage Bullies to Get Help? Life Long Disruption

In real life people don't not always have an inner compass or concerned about the rights of others. While the majority of society sort of follows standards and codes of conduct, there are others who seem to violate them on a regular basis. While bullies feel they are entitled to whatever they want they are masking deeper pain and this presents an opportunity. Typically, they are looking for targets so they can feel better about themselves. They also receive the rewards that society gives them...up until a point!


Why is Bullying Bad in the Workplace and In Life?

Society runs by certain rules. If someone is not attacking you and they are living their lives in a way that doesn't bother anyone, they should be allowed to go unimpeded. Bullies don't see it that way! Whether for physical or psychological gain they attack a target and disrupt the course of life in an unfair manner.

Why People Should Encourage The Bully to Get Help?

Bullies not only disrupt life they also damage people and relationships. Because Bullying is a pattern of behavior that has been learned over life and through deep pain they naturally are not going to stop. A single person could damage 10 or 20 people in their lifetime with no regret. With help they can discover their own personal pain and work on it so they don't project it onto others.

What Drives the Bully?

Bullies are driven by lots of cognitive dissonance (the image they have of themselves vs what the world sees) as well as pain (inner emotional turmoil that wants an outlet). There is a psychological benefit by projecting pain on others. They wish they could hurt themselves but find it easier to attack others. The more pain and disruption they create, the more powerful and lowered dissonance they receive. Their inner hate also leads to depression and other mental health issues.

What is the Bully Personality?

Bullies come with problems and issues that they are having a hard time overcoming themselves. You may not know it but they are suffering on the inside. Unfortunately, they infect other people around them with their toxic behavior and try and isolate anyone who finds such behavior inappropriate. They are often addicts of one type or another as many of the same mechanics that push them to be a bully also push them to hide their pain in alcohol or drugs.

Why Are Passive People Also Guilty?

Society owns part of the bully problem. If you see a crime and don't call the police or take some type of action you allowed the behavior to continue. Bullies only do things because others around them accept that behavior. Bullying is a social affair and anyone who either engages in the bullying or doesn't encourage the bully to stop if they have a reasonable opportunity to do so is also morally guilty.

Who is a Bully?

Bullies can be kids or adults, men or women, American or foreign, etc... Those bully kids in high school don't grow up to be mature adults without working on themselves or getting help. It can happen at work or it can happen within families. It could even happen in retirement facilities or churches. Wherever there are people their is also the possibility of dysfunctional personalities. Bullying is a toxic negative lifestyle that can impact anyone.

What the Bully Does?

Bullying is a method of control and projection. They lie, triangulate arguments, encourage collective bullying, isolate people, "snub" them, and act superior. There is an inherent flaw in their character that doesn't turn off hostile feelings that would allow more rational minds to move forward. Their core assumption about their worthlessness is covered by feelings of superiority that help protect their fragile egos from the truth. The key to discovering bully behavior is to look for damage, manipulation and control.

What to Do?

Remember that a bully is a weak person on the inside that feels pain and can't process that pain effectively. Each bully hides their pain and shame with anger. One wrong word could set them into a rage. They deserve a little empathy for their toxic plight but not at the expense of your safety. Standing up is important but don't get angry and engage in a battle. Stand your ground and disengage because bullies are very unlikely to stop once they get started. The self-reflection that represents highly developed adults simply doesn't exist here.

Bullies to Spread Rumors to Gain Flying Monkey Supporters (Proxies)-A2

Sibling to Sibling Aggression is a Sign of Bigger Problems-A3

Protecting Small Business and Local Wealth Through Legislation

Small businesses were always part of the American landscape from the beginning. While many small businesses still thrive there are many more that are going out of business because they can't compete against the large corporations. The businesses simply must have a higher margin simply because they don't have the volume of sales. Protecting them helps create a more vibrant economy that keeps money local.

You can have 5 good family businesses or you can support 1 larger business and a bunch of minimal wage workers. Ok...maybe things aren't this black and white. There are many shades of grey when evaluating the benefits and detractors of consolidating businesses.

Many times value of actions are evaluated by how much they contribute to the economy. The biggest question is not how much money is made but who actually receives this money and where does it go after? We will find that money is made, moves to fewer hands, and then out of the area.

Local businesses keep money local. They do that through rooting the business with their families and workers who spend money in towns. They also ask for business related services that are also very local. At the end of the day the create positive impact on businesses.

How do we support small businesses? Mostly through legislation. Legislation can be very important for helping protect the environment or workers. That is great! Unfortunately, legislation is also adjusted to support larger corporations through government action. Small businesses might be legislated out of the market giving larger businesses government sanctioned advantages based in part on political donations and self-interest.  We can support small business legislation that ensures well balanced policies that not only keep money local but also improves the economy of the nation.

Triangulating Data and Business Research

While conducting research and other ideas it is helpful to use triangulation to help determine the validity of a finding. In general, triangulation includes the use of two or more data points to references and cross-check the conclusion. This cross-validation helps in ensuring accuracy and lends additional support of the findings for implementation.

If you are working in for a business and want to conduct a study on how a company can improve employee perception you will not want to use a single data sources. The same can be said of using data to determine the effectiveness of a particular skill in the market.

If you were an executive making a decision on how to invest money, or what strategic choice, or where to move your business you are likely to want research. That research can be supported by a single data source or multiple data sources that are triangulated. If it was me....I would want multiple data sources before I make a big mistake!

Why Wisdom Should be Encouraged In Politics and How to Foster It

When we look at politics and behavior in today's world we might be shocked by how certain concepts such as wisdom is not as important as say concepts like power, strength, and "being right". Our culture has shifted somewhat in political landscape to be something less than its full potential. Wisdom is an idea that encompass using past experience and reflecting on knowledge to make the best decision. It is a fundamental guild to "doing the right thing" in any given circumstances.

It is important for people in society to reach beyond the debase into some loftier idea of how humans can be. They are thinking and feeling creatures that have the capacity to take a moment and be objective about life. Wisdom is the highest form of knowledge that should be encourage among our politicians and our youth to ensure they are helping society.

How to Improve Wisdom:

1. Recognize your emotions and let them go before making judgement.

2. Reflect on behavior and choices.

3. Learn from your environment what works and what doesn't.

4. Seek knowledge from a general and specific mindset.

5. Trust those who believe it is possible to be wrong.

6. Talk to people and gain multiple perspectives.

7. Take your time before making decisions.

Got to Love the New One Almond Bliss!

Eating protein is a natural part of getting in shape. Your body needs protein to repair muscle and grow. Browsing the Trader Joe isles I made my way up to the selection of health bars. Young people seem to like them a lot and they have lots of different kids. I grabbed a couple different types to try them out. 

The One Almond Bliss bar was fantastic! Some protein bars are pretty good, some not so good but....this one was fabulous!

Chocolate and coconut reminded me more of an almond bar but with a healthy twist to it. It packs about 20 grams of protein and 1 gram of sugar with 230 calories. That is pretty good if you can also get the taste with it. 

You may need to keep it out of arms reach as it is soooo good you just might eat more than one and pack on the pounds. 

Protein, Eggs and Avocado After a Workout

I like to workout but don't always get the results I want. Through trial-n-error, reading and talking to people I found that eating an adequate amount of protein after a workout helps in improving your muscle tone and fitness levels. Having eggs and avocado after a work can make a big difference in your health.

Eggs are high source of protein punching somewhere around 80 calories and 6 grams of protein. Having 4 or 5 eggs puts in your body 30 grams of protein.

Avocado has great fats that help your body with good carbohydrates, fats and potassium. It will ensure greater electro activity in your body.

The key is to each something within the first hour after working out. Your body is in need of nutrition and will likely begin to use this food to help encourage muscle growth. The best bet is to eat within a half hour because this is when it counts!

Make Choices by Focusing on the Long Term

Each decision we make moves from one possibility to the next one. We are the sum of the choices we make as they represent how we view and navigate through the world. Each time we face a problem we make another choice. So on and so forth each and every day. One could theoretically go back and check all your choices throughout your life and determine your patterns of thinking.

We are Limited by Imperfect Information.

Of course we also know that "perfect" information isn't always available when we make these choices. We are at a disadvantage with our limited understandings so looking at short term gains is not always helpful. Without perfect information it is often wise to make choices so you maximize opportunities. Limited information poses a risk.

Make Choices that Maximize Opportunities.

Likewise, it is helpful for being strategic about your life and about business. Having some goal that maximizes opportunities in the future allows you to weigh and balance the different options using the same vantage point. If you consistently apply the goal you will be able to connect all of your choices.

Evaluate Your Choices

Finally, it is also helpful in reducing stress. If you focus on the long-term then small set backs are not the end of the world. You just adjust and keep on moving toward your goals. There will be lots of different roadblocks and obstacles on the way so you might as well minimize their stress value.

Minimize Impact