parenting

Economics: Economists are Irrational!

I would love to put these economists on the couch and explore what is going on in their heads that enables them to observe the objective reality of the recent economic devastation, yet still hold as sacred their most basic, yet obviously flawed, beliefs about a free-market-driven financial system.READ»

Psychology of Technology: Horse or Cart: Technology is Actually in Front

A fascinating new book, The Nature of Technology: What It Is and How It Evolves, by the economist W. Brian Arthur, was just published that challenges much of the conventional wisdom that we hold about the relationship between science and technology. Most notably, the notion that science is the horse to technology’s cart; in other words, scientific advancement results in technological innovation.READ»

Work/Life Balance: Part II

In my September post, I introduced you to my perspective on work/life balance: what it is, the causes of work/life imbalance, and the basic process for how you can create better balance in your work and personal lives. This post will focus on specific and practical strategies you can use to actually establish better work/life balance.READ»

Parenting-App Developers Hot in Pursuit of Exploding "iPhone Moms" Market

People tend to think of iPhone users as young, tech-savvy professionals. But there's an emerging consumer segment could be an attractive target for app developers and advertisers: the "iPhone mom." A Greystripe research report (PDF ...READ»

Prime Business: A New Perspective on Corporate Performance

What level of performance do you want to attain? Do you want to achieve "peak performance?" For many people in the business world, that is the goal to which they aspire. Peak performance has become part of our language of achievement, first used by coaches and athletes, it has since been adopted by businesspeople, consultants, and motivational speakers. People typically think of peak performance as performing their best, as being at the top of their game. That sounds good, doesn’t it? Who wouldn’t want to achieve peak performance? READ»

Psychology of Technology: Ad Out!

No, I’m not talking about the U.S. Open Tennis Championships being held in New York recently. I’m talking about the invasion of Web site real estate by all manner of ads. Have you looked at your most frequently visited Web sites lately, I mean really looked at them. Go back to a few and take a really careful look. What do you see? That’s right, you may not have noticed it before because you’ve become so inured to them, but you may actually see more ads than content on any given Web page.READ»

Psychology of Technology: The Blogosphere Jungle

I can tell you this: It’s a jungle out there. I don’t mean the real world in which most of us inhabit; that world is pretty tame. I’m talking about the blogosphere. I’ve been blogging for about eight months now and, up until recently, it was a pretty unexciting experience. Then a few weeks ago, I published a post both complimentary and critical of Steve Jobs and the iPhone on a prominent computer-technology Web site for which I write a blog as the Tech Shrink. When I first logged on after the posting, I noticed that the number of views was much higher than usual as were the number of comments. I then went to the comments and was totally unprepared for what I read. READ»

Work/Life Balance: Part I

With the challenges we all now face in the global economy, many people feel pressure to work harder and put in longer hours at work. That commitment may enable them to keep their jobs or maintain a certain lifestyles, but at what cost? In my consulting practice, I have seen a rise in stress levels, unhappiness, and family conflict among businesspeople with whom I work. Clearly, the lives of many businesspeople are out of balance. While all businesspeople have to do what is necessary to survive this economic crisis, a short-term focus can take a toll that isn’t beneficial in the long run. The ability to maintain some semblance of work/life balance is essential for both immediate functioning and long-term health and well-being. READ»

Does Technology Connection Mean Life Disconnection?

When teenagers tell me that they have friends all over the world whom they’ve “met” on the Internet, I pause. When NBC’s David Gregory has to tweet that he’s having a bagel before he goes on the air, I wonder. When I see people walking down the street with headphones on, I question. When research has shown that young people spend nearly six hours a day in front of a screen outside of school, I worry. I ask myself, is that life they’re engaging in? I guess it depends on how you define “life.” Has computer and communication technology allowed us to connect more deeply with life? Or, as we become more connected with this technology, are we becoming more disconnected from life? READ»

Psychology of Technology: Twitter Attack: Crisis of Disconnectivity

Unless you've been living under a rock lately, you've heard that Twitter was the victim of a cyberattack causing the popular social media to shut down for two hours last week. Well, if you live in the Land of Twitter you would have thought that it was 9/11 all over again. CNN.com quoted one Twitter user as saying, "I was pretty upset, actually. It feels like a lifeline for me." "It's like my heart was gone" and "I felt so empty inside," came from several other Tweeters. "Naked" and "jittery" were also used to describe how Tweeters felt during the blackout. READ»

Psychology of Technology: Microsoft Has Lost its Mojo: An Open Letter to Bill Gates

Dear Bill, I know you've been retired from Microsoft's day-to-day operations for about a year now and Steve B. is running the show, but you are still Chairman of the Board and the public identity of Microsoft. That's why I'm writing you, Bill, because Microsoft is still your company and it needs you. Think modified Pottery Barn rule: you own it, you broke it, you fix it. READ»

The Myth of Multitasking

Like many businesspeople, you probably take great pride in being a multitasker. You talk on your mobile phone, send email, check the stock market on line, and perhaps even read a letter and jot down notes for an upcoming meeting all at the same time (or so you think). Why do you multitask? Well, how else are you going to get everything done that you need to get done (and still have time for a life!). You believe you are the epitome of efficiency, getting so much done all at once. There’s one problem with this scenario: there is no such thing as multitasking. The fact is that multitasking is a myth that has been promulgated by the “technological-industrial complex” to make overly scheduled and stressed out businesspeople feel efficient, productive, and, well, businesslike.READ»

Psychology of Technology: Disconnectivity Anxiety

Do you freak out when you lose your mobile phone signal? Do you get stressed when your Internet goes down? Are you mortified if you have to use dial-up to access your email? If so, you may be suffering from “Disconnectivity Anxiety.” Though not an official psychiatric disorder, I see it as a growing problem in our “gotta be connected 24/7″ culture. I define Disconnectivity Anxiety (DA) as: “a persistent and unpleasant condition characterized by worry and unease caused by periods of technological disconnection from others.”READ»

Master of Crisis

How do you deal with crises? Are you fearful, negative, and panicked? Or are you cool calm, and collected? This blog post will explore the psychology of crisis using the current economic crisis as a laboratory.READ»

Transformative Leadership

Have we ever seen a leader quite like Barack Obama? His combination of intelligence and calm may be the defining form of leadership for the next generation. What makes him such a transformative leader? Let's find out.READ»

Turn Off Your Blackberry

Are you addicted to your Blackberry? Can you ever turn it off or leave it at home? Do your family or friends get annoyed with you because you're always checking your Blackberry when you should be living life? Then you need to read this blog.READ»

From Kindergarten to the Boardroom

A Kick in the Career: Has the over achievement of some adults resulted in achievement obsession for their kids? In this week's column, humorist and careers expert Tom Stern ponders whether we're preparing our kids to take over the world far too early in their lives. READ»

• The 9 Most Humorous Websites

THE LONG-GAME: Why the doldrums are more critical than the fanfare.

THE LONG-GAME: Why the doldrums are more critical than the fanfare. I love coming out with something new and exciting - a new brand, a new website – and having it lauded… I love the hype! Love the fanfare! And than ...READ»

Free Barbie!

The Barbie Thing  A few days ago, in a conversation with women in the office, the topic of Barbie dolls came up. As the mother of a 23-year-old daughter, I wondered what these younger women thought.    I was curious if ...READ»

Coming Soon: Nontrepreneur Nation

Coming Soon: Nontrepreneur Nation How parenting and education are killing American entrepreneurship and innovation Despite how U.S. students continue to lag far behind those in Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and ...READ»

Women With Children First?

It's the new workplace battle -- employees juggling work and kids versus childless colleagues who resent having to pick up the slack. Read our debate about "the culture of parental privilege" -- and then weigh in with your views.READ»

I Spy

The newest Big Brother gizmo lets you track the movements of your kids or spouse.READ»

Preparing Kids for the Future Economy

Want your kids to be ready for tomorrow's workplace? Make sure they get some free, unstructured time.READ»

Hot Wheels

How do you get a soccer mom to shell out $749 for a stroller? Design it so it'll grow right along with junior. Dad will think it's cool, too.READ»

Balance <amp></amp> Balance Sheets

By now most of the world (outside of the occasional football coach) knows that a woman-friendly workplace is good business. But while many big companies have all sorts of programs to retain and promote women, one obscure accounting firm has been particularly successful at doing so. So what do they know?READ»