The Fudge Factor

Let me invite you to think of the last time you filed your income tax returns. Did you write off your car repair as a business expense? Did your beach trip or your trip to Europe suddenly become a work-related conference? Did you claim that some of the alcohol you bought was really for a […]

Read More

Agreements With Self Lead to Higher Self-Esteem

Looking for better self-esteem?  Higher self-worth?  Increased self-confidence? The following ideas about how to achieve a better relationship with yourself—which are really good rules for living—are taken from Don Miguel Ruiz’s excellent book The Four Agreements (Amber-Allen Publishing). If you want better self-esteem, make the following four agreements with yourself and then be sure to […]

Read More

Are You A Mensch?

Are you a mensch? A mensch is a person of integrity and honor.  A good person.  Honorable. Trustworthy.  Reliable.  Someone who does the right thing the vast majority of the time.  Someone whose word you can hang your hat on.  Kind.  Compassionate.  Gentlemanly or gentlewomanly.  Someone who treats people right. So, are you a mensch? […]

Read More

Integrity is Within Your Control

Dear Neil: I am having an extramarital affair, and I am wondering where integrity fits into the picture for me. Could you address the subject of integrity? Unfaithful in Atlanta, Georgia Dear Unfaithful: Integrity combines our ideals, convictions, standards, beliefs and behavior. When our behavior matches our values, when our ideals and our actions are […]

Read More