New Cartoon: The Power of Meditation

 

Live the Life You Want to Live

New Cartoon: My Frustration with " The View"

The other day my wife asked me to come  and watch a segment on THE VIEW. I did and was totally frustrated by the absolute lack of listening skills. People were cutting one another off, talking over one another. The poor guest host couldn't get a word in. I had to leave the room - I was so frustrated! This cartoon was the result.

 

Check out more cartoons

New Cartoon: Progress vs Change

Hi To All.  I have just posted another cartoon for your enjoyment. Hope all is well in your life.

Check out my Cartoon Page

New Golf Cartoon: The Stress of Frustration

 

Check out my Cartoon Page

Free Stress Busting Audio HERE

 

New Cartoon: I Wish...

Get your copy of Embracing the Mystery

 

Free Stress Busting Audio HERE



New Cartoon on Living to the Max

For more on living to the max

New Cartoon: Live the Life You Were Meant to Live...Commit to the 4 UPS of Life

As Thoreau once said, " Most live lives of quiet desperation."

Everyone dies. So few really LIVE.

Many should have written on the gravestone... Died at 30. Buried at 87.

Click Here to live the life you want

New Health Care Cartoon

A picture really is worth a thousand words.

 

For more health care cartoons

 

Mike Moore: Have Mouth...Will Travel

 

Get your copy Here

NEW CARTOON: BIG TIME Health Tip

 

A super health tip and stress reliever

 

Free Stress Busting Audio HERE

Men? Anal Retention? NEVER!!!

For over 300 Cartoons by Mike Moore

 

 

Sell Your Wrting While You Sleep

My Manual How to Write and Sell Your Own Information Products can turn you into  a money making writer with NO rejection slips.
Write it once and sell it forever.

Each morning I get up to orders in my email inbox and snail mail. I literally have made money while I slept.

If you're interested in doing the same Visit Here for more  FREE info.

True Story on The Destructive Power of Our Words

A True Story from Embracing the Mystery                                                  

When I was in my late teens something happened that shook me to my roots and yet  started me on a journey to fulfillment that has resulted in me being  the confident,  person /motivational speaker I am today.

Let me tell you the story…

There I was, 17 years old, 6'3"tall and weighing 129 pounds of rippling, power packed muscle. I really did look like a broomstick with glasses.

 

I was standing in front of a full length mirror combing my hair when my aunt, who was  visiting from out of town, passed by , looked at me and said,” You know Mike it’s a damn good thing God gave you personality because he sure  didn’t give you looks.” She laughed and moved on past me.

I just stood there in shock and disbelief not knowing what to say.

 

If you were standing  in my place  and heard these words directed at you how would you have felt?

 

I didn’t realize the long term impact her words would have on me during the coming years and how I would struggle to heal and grow beyond their bite.

 

For many years after I was married whenever my wife and I were dressed to go out on the town she would look at me with admiration and say, “Mike, do you ever look handsome.”

For a long time my response would be, “ Carol, I’m clean and I smell good but don’t get carried away.”

 

The lesson I learned from this is clear:  We don’t always know how our words affect others.  Once they leave our mouth it’s impossible to get them back and their negative, destructive impact can remain for years.

 

Because of this hurtful event I became committed to monitoring my mouth to make certain I didn’t hurt others in the name of trying to be funny. Being human, I sometimes fail but when I do I immediately say I’m sorry and get back on track.

 

I ask you …can you relate to this story?  Has something like this ever happened to you?  How did you handle it and how did you overcome the negative impact on your life?

 

This is just one of the stories from Embracing the Mystery ( Living  the Life You Want)

Cartoon: The Solution to Figure Skating Judging

 

 

How Many Stressful Situations Do You Face Each Day?



How to Manage Stress The Fun Way.

 

Free Stress Busting Audio HERE

 

The Art of Telling a Funny Story



Always include funny stories in your presentations or lessons. Check this out to learn how it's done.

Learn the art of storytelling.  

How to Cope with Difficult People at Work

All workplace problems are people problems. When you solve people problems you solve workplace problems. With this firmly in mind I would like to offer you a FREE copy of my popular  Special Report  " How to Cope with Difficult People at Work"
Click Here
Need a great message in a fun package?  Click Here                

You Know You Need to Be More Assertive When...

You know you need to be more assertive when you find yourself saying the following far too frequently:
Can I ask you a question?

I'm sorry to bother you but...

I was hoping you could...

Could you spare a minute?

Thanks for listening to me...

I was just wondering...

I know you're busy but this will only take a second...

For more on  becoming more assertive Click Here

The Saddest Thing in Life

"The saddest  thing in life is an adult who has forgotten how to play."
Click Here

Dr. Phil Cartoon on Parenting Teenagers

This is my latest creation inspired by Dr. Phil.

For More Cartoons Click Here

Save 14% Per Year Managing Workplace Stress



Free Stress Busting Audio HERE

How to Save 14% Per Year Managing Workplace Stress with Humor,
Attitude and Appreciation   By Mike Moore

It is generally accepted that the health and viability of any
company or organization is directly related to the emotional
and physical  health and well being of its employees or
members.  If you have a happy and healthy staff you are going
to be able to minimize people problems and people problems
make up most of the workplace problems.

 I think it was Henry Ford who said,” Why is it that
when all I need is a good pair of hands, they have to come
attached to a human being?” He too realized that workplace
problems are inevitably people problems and when you begin to
solve people problems you begin to solve problems in the
workplace.

 In a recent Ipsos-Reid poll it was revealed that 60
percent of all employees surveyed are dissatisfied with their
job and that 43 percent of these are actively or passively
looking for other employment.  The cause of this  was
discovered to be a lack of appreciation and praise, poor or
nonexistent communication between worker and supervisor and a
lack of autonomy on the job.

 William James once remarked that we all have an
insatiable hunger to be appreciated and it is so true.  When
we feel that we are appreciated by those with whom and for
whom we work job satisfaction increases dramatically and work
place disease diminishes. People do not want to leave a job
where they are appreciated and where their contributions are
praised and celebrated.  On top of this if you really want a
happy, productive and loyal workplace add humor and fun to the
equation.

 When you commit yourself and staff to the HA Principle
(Humor, Attitude and Appreciation)  you vaccinate your staff
against the six deadly dis-eases that are plaguing workplaces
throughout the world.

Workplace Disease

* Stress
 Employee stress is definitely on the rise and is
causing serious problems for both employers and
employees. It has been determined that unmanaged workplace
stress is a 300 billion dollar profit killer in workplaces
throughout North America. According to author Ravi Tangri
companies could boost profits 14 percent per year by dealing
with workplace stress and that stress management programs pay
for themselves in six months. I read recently that half of all
Long Term Disability claims are stress related and that a good
number of worker absentees throughout the year are stress
induced.

* High Employee Turnover
  When people have to function in an unhealthy stress
filled work environment where appreciation and praise are
absent they want out and begin to look elsewhere for
meaningful and more satisfying employment.

* Low Morale
 I believe that low morale is the inevitable result of
a lack of personalism in the workplace. When your staff
perceives that they and their well being are priorities for
management morale begins to improve.  It is in the best
interest of management to care for the health and well being
of its employees.

* Low Productivity
 People who don’t feel valued don’t produce as well as
those who do.  This is a basic axiom in my opinion. It rings
true in every area of human interaction.  I once had a woman
approach me with glowing praise for her supervisor. When I
asked why she felt this way she handed me a brief note written
by the supervisor. It contained two lines and they said. Dear
Joy. Just a note to let you know how much I appreciate your
presence and hard work in our department. We are better for
having you among us.”  That’s all it said, but the impact on
this woman was profound. She would have walked over a field of
razor blades in her bare feet for this person. Two little
lines.  People  produce when they feel cherished.

* Lack of Creative Problem Solving
  When people work in a climate of encouragement,
empowerment and appreciation they are more willing to
contribute their creativity to the solution of company
problems.  Every organization needs creative employees and
creativity thrives in a climate where people are listened to,
valued and encouraged to laugh. Always remember that there is
a huge reservoir of creative potential within the individual
and collective wisdom of the group.  All one has to do is tap
it.

* Lack of Effective Communication
 Communication is fundamentally the sharing of self
with others. In an effective workplace employees need to be
encouraged to honestly and comfortably say what is on their
minds.  I once asked a manager, “ Who tells you what you need
to know and don’t want to hear?” He thought for a moment and
said, “ Nobody”.  This is a tragic situation but a very common
one. Most workers keep their opinions to themselves for fear
of being labelled  a boat rocker.  I have news for you.  A
company who wants to maximize the potential of its staff and
reap the benefits of their collective wisdom must encourage
people to be boat rockers. Boat rockers are a valuable asset
to any company or organization.  Isn’t it sad that they are
considered liabilities?  It is in the best interest of any
company to encourage people to give their opinions whether
they are dissenting or not.  No one person has a monopoly on
wisdom, insight or correct thinking. We are richer when we
access the attributes of the group.

How Humour Combats the Toxic Workplace
 A few months ago I received a call from a supervisor
in a large company in New York City asking me to work with his
organization on implementing a humour in the workplace
program.  In the course of our conversation he said, “ Now
Mike I’m not going to end up with a bunch of people sitting
around telling jokes all day am I?”  I assured him that this
is not what humour in the workplace involves.  His question
did, however illustrate the misconception and the reservations
that many managers and supervisors have about humour in the
Workplace.
  I don’t like the incessant telling of jokes in the
workplace or in a social gathering.  Sharing humourous
experiences and stories  yes, jokes no. The reason why I don’t
like jokes is that the telling of them tends to be
competitive. I tell a joke and before the listeners have a
chance to laugh someone jumps in with another and someone with
another. On it goes.  It is almost as if the tellers are
trying to better one another. The other problem I have with
jokes is that they can be offensive to someone in the group
and that is not what humour is meant to do. You want humour to
entertain and united not offend and divide.

 When I talk about humour in the workplace I am talking
about fostering and encouraging a climate where humour,
laughter and fun are seen as vital ingredients to a heathy,
happy and productive place of business.

The Social Benefits of Humour

1. PROMOTES BONDING
 Humour has been called “ Social Glue” because of its
power to bond people to one another. People do gravitate to
those who laugh easily and have a great sense of humour.  Just
watch the next time someone in your organization tells a funny
story about something that happened to them.  Not only are
people eager to listen to a funny story but the shared
laughter seems to bring the group closer together.  When a
supervisor tells a funny self-deprecating story to his/ her
department   the resulting  laughter seems to promote a, “
hey, we’re all in this together” attitude.

 When you consider what organizations spend to send
their employees on team building seminars cultivating a
climate of humour makes a lot of financial sense.  It is the
ultimate team builder.

2. BANISHES BOREDOM
 Humour and laughter tend to banish boredom and boredom
has been identified as a destructive reality within a 
workplace.  Laughter, by its very definition, implies fun and
fun is never boring.  I once asked a member of my audience if
he liked his job. He replied, “ No I hate it, but I do enjoy
coming to work. When I asked him why he said, “ The people I
work with are a lot of fun to be with and we have a lot of
laughs.” The most tedious of jobs can be enjoyable if humour,
and fun are present.

3. HEALTH AND HAPPINESS
 Health, happiness and humour go hand in hand. When you
have a workplace where people laugh easily and often chances
are that you are going to have a health and happy workplace. a
place where employees like to be.  This kind of positive
environment is conducive to high morale and high productivity.
The fact that humour cuts stress in half and enhances our
immune system adds to its value to any employer.

4. FOSTERS FLEXIBILITY
 People with a good sense of humour and a ready laugh
tend to be more flexible.  They usually take their job
seriously but not themselves and therefore are more open and
receptive to the ideas of others. People who take themselves
too seriously are often difficult to work with and
inflexible.  The term uptight comes to mind.  When a company’s
supervisors or managers have a great sense of humour and take
delight in the humour of other staff members they give people
the freedom to try and the freedom to fail. When this is
present comfort levels, and  creative achievement are high. 
People can soar to great heights of creativity when they know
that they are free to fail.  Wisdom helps us avoid mistakes
and comes from making a ton of them.

5. RELAXATION
 Laughter cuts stress levels in half thus lessening
employee anxiety.  If stress is a major cause of absenteeism
among employees it is vital to reduce stress and in the
process decrease a high rate of absentees. People don’t want
to stay away from a place that is fun and people who are fun
to be with. When absentees are reduced you save money.
Laughter also  impacts positively on the bottom line when you
consider that happy people tend to be more productive.

6. REDUCING CONFLICT
 Earlier in this article I mentioned that all workplace
problems are people problems and if you solve people problems
you solve workplace problems. Well humour goes a long way in
the solution of the inevitable conflicts that arises in human
relationships.  People that laugh together like one another.
You don’t laugh with people you don’t like. When conflict does
arise among people who like one another it is more easily
handled.  You might get angry at someone you like but odds are
you won’t stay angry long and in no time you will be back
enjoying one another. One thing you can count on when
employing a  humor program and that is you will
increase co-operation and mutual support among your staff.

7.  INCREASED ENERGY
 Humor increases the oxygen levels in our blood
resulting in increased energy. What organization couldn’t use
a dose of increased employee energy at specific times
throughout the day. To illustrate my point consider for a
moment how tired you feel after a week of hard work on the
job. You come home on a Friday night worn out. All you want is
a quiet, restful weekend doing as little as possible. 
 Just as you walk through the door your significant
other tells you that you have been invited to a party that
evening.  You immediately make it clear that you DON”T want to
go. After being convinced that a party is just what you need 
you give in.  At 1:00 a.m you return from the party. It was a
lot of fun with a great deal of laughter and good company. You
get into bed and you can’t get to sleep. You are filled with
energy and sleep is impossible.  What happened to the fatigue
that was plaguing you hours earlier?

CONCLUSION
When you consider workplace dis-ease and its negative impact
on your business or organization you will be hard pressed to
find a more effective, cost efficient solution than a program
including humour, laughter, appreciation and praise.  They fit
together like hand and glove and are very simple to implement.
All you need is a commitment from upper management and a few
training sessions to teach the hows and whys of such a
program. Once you have your people on board you will be able
to see your workplace culture improve significantly.


Check out Mike's complete Humor in the Workplace ebook "Thank God it's Monday"

Mike Moore is an international authority on humour in the
workplace and humour and health. For more information on the
subject you can contact him at 519 753 0702 or at
Motivational Plus

A Speaker's Favourite Audience

Last week I had the pleasure of speaking to 180 women in Burlington On. As usual they were a great audience. I love speaking to women. They are spontaneous, generous with their laughter and open to self growth. While I do love my gender,men, in general, have a tendency to be rather tight in the anal area, less generous with their laughter and more resistant to self growth. I know these are generalizations but they have been formed over many years of speaking to both genders. Give me women any day.
Visit my Speaker's Page                                            

Humor Coaching for Speakers

How to Avoid This Life Tragedy

One of the great tragedies of life is coming to its end and realizing that you never really lived.MM
Don't let it happen to you.

Need a speaker with a great message in a fun package?
http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?mmspeaks  

My Drug of Choice Cartoon

For 300 cartoons in jpeg format Click Here

Jungle Mouth Cartoon

For 300 Ready to Use Cartoons
Great for fridge doors, bulletin boards, staff memos, staff in-service, newsletters etc.

Workplace Cartoon

Free Copy of Humor in the Workplace

Ride with Grandpa Cartoon

300 More Cartoons

Another Great Reason for Having a Dog

This cartoon was inspired by a true story shared with me at the grocery store.

For more cartoons to brighten your day

Global Warming Cartoon

 

For over 300 fun cartoons  for fridge doors, office memos and bulletin boards

Click Here

 

Learn How To Be Funny Without Ever Having to Tell a Joke

Click Here

Cartoon: Why Single Men Should Adopt a Pet.

Hope you enjoy this one.
For over 300 cartoons sent as ready to use jpeg files Visit Here

Cartoon On Questions That Drive People Nuts

Have you ever noticed that there is one form of question that really threatens the heck out of people?
If you ever want to gain the upper hand just ask this question quietly and calmly and sit back and listen and observe.

For over 300 individual jpeg cartoons at a super price Click Here

Cartoon...Will I Ever Learn?

This was inspired by my wife's response to a similar question. Will I ever learn?

For over 300 of my cartoons at a fantastic price. Click Here

Do This if You Have Ever Considered a Pro Speaking Career

I have put together a  Series of 121 Tips based on frequent requests I receive for info on how to get started in the profitable business of public speaking.

If your are interested or curious why not take a look.

It might just change your life. Click Here

Cartoon: The Real Value of a Keychain

" We begin to change things when we begin to see the humour in them."

 

For More Cartoons

High Speed Cartooning For Speakers and Teachers

Ever since I discovered the importance of cartoons as a young teacher I have been committed to their use.  My students were so taken with my ability to draw well and quickly that they wanted me to teach them the art. This I did eagerly.

I drew this in seconds.

 

Now, many years later, I still use my high speed drawings in every presentation I deliver. If you are a teacher or speaker/ trainer and would like to learn the art of high speed cartooning just drop over here and pick up your FREE Mini Course.

FREE Copy of " 45 Ways To Supercharge Customer Service"

 



Hi. We all have experienced POOR Customer Service. It seems to be everywhere these days.
With this in mind I wrote a special report on how to improve it and would like to give you all a FREE copy. To access the download VISIT HERE

If you find it helpful do let me know.

121 Tips to Get You Started As A Well Paid Motivational Speaker

No matter where I go someone always says, "I wish I could do what you do."

So I put together 121 fantastic tips to show people just like you  how to become a well paid  speaker.

If you're interested visit  Here

You can't beat the price.

The Mediterranean At Sunset

This was taken this past May on our 12 day Greek Island cruise.
Embrace the Mystery

Two Examples of The Sky Being Food For The Soul

Get Your Copy of Embracing the Mystery Here

Photos of our fish

 

 

Many have asked for photos of the actual fish. Here is the result of our first day.

Let's Go Fishing

 

 

Just returned from a fishing trip in Ontario Canada's north country. Borden Lake near Chapleau.

 

The fishing was fantastic and the solitude and silence refreshing.

How to Identify and Cope With a Toxic Boss

Characteristics of Toxic Bosses

Toxic Bosses ....

* come across as charming but are cold, cunning and manipulative.

* constantly use the terms “ My people”, “My department” instead of “our”

* take credit rather than give credit for work well done by others.

* direct the focus of all conversation to themselves. They are “ME DEEP” in conversation.

* put others down in an attempt to make themselves look good.

* bend the truth to make themselves appear competent and in control.

* value no one’s sense of humor but their own.

* are competitive and will crush you if you get in their way.
* regret very little about their actions and attitudes.

* will hang you out to dry without a second thought.

* don’t get headaches, they give headaches.

* have an office support system of people who are afraid of them and they use this system to enhance and promote their career and self interest.

* are toxic because it works for them and they get away with it.

* look upon office conflict as a positive thing they can use to their advantage. ( divide and conquer)

* are insensitive to the feelings, needs and well being of others.


Not all toxic bosses possess all of these characteristics but even if they possess some of them they can make your life miserable and be hazardous to your health.

For Effective Strategies for TAMING YOUR TOXIC BOSS and other toxic people in your life click HERE for a Kindle copy...


Click Here to order a hard copy

A Short, Funny Story Starring Sherlock Holmes

I love this story...

Sherlock Holmes and Watson went hiking in the mountains for a few days. After a long tiring day they stopped to bed down for the night.

As they lay in the darkness staring at a star studded sky Holmes asked Watson what he could deduce from looking at such a beautiful sky.
...
After 15 minutes of sharing his deductions with his detective partner Holmes asked him if that was all he could deduce.

Slightly irritated Watson replied," I just spent 15 minutes covering all possible deductions. What can you possibly you add to my list?

To which Sherlock Holmes replied, " SOMEONE STOLE OUR TENT."

Check out my popular book Light Up With Laughter

" If it feels good to laugh then laugh to feel good." Mike Moore

Staggering Statistics on Stress

I was just reading an article related to one of my most frequently requested speech topics, "Managing Stress with Humour and Attitude." These stats caused me to sit up and take notice...
1. 240 million Americans manifest symptoms of stress.
2. 40 million experience sleep problems.
3.121 million live with some form of depression

 

I wonder how Canada shapes up.

 

For more on the absolute need to manage our stress  click here

 

Free Stress Busting Audio HERE

Our Need for Listening Points

We all need listening points on the planet where we can feel and respond to the rhythms of the Universe as they touch our lives in so many ways. This is one of mine...Point Pelee Ontario Canada at Sunset. We will be heading there soon for our annual 2 week stay.

For more on living  the only life you have to the fullest....Click Herehttp://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?mystery

FREE REPORT: The Healing Power of Laughter

I would like to give you a copy of my popular report "The Healing Power of Laughter" (How to Improve your life and relationships with laughter)

To download your free report click on this link...http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?healing

Have a fun day.   Mike

Need a speaker with a great message in a fun package?
http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?mmspeaks  

New Cartoon: Computer Jargon

Hi to All.   I now have a best selling book " The Art Of Verbal Self Defence" . It outsells all my other books  by far.  Take a look here

 

 

300 ready to use cartoons for newsletters, memos, powerpoint presentations, bulletin boards etc. Check Here

New Cartoon: Two goldfish

We just arrived home after a two week Greek Island cruise. Had a super time. Now it's back to work.

 

For 300 Cartoons in ready to use jpeg format with permission to use Visit Here

Customer Service...MY FOOT!!

Just yesterday I was being waited on by a sales clerk at one of the  local mall stores.
While she was serving me the phone rang and she immediately left me standing there while she rushed to answer it.
I stood there with my finger in my ear while she spent at least 5 minutes answering the questions of the person on the line.

When she finally got off the phone she said," I'm sorry." as if that would excuse her insensitivity to a present , paying customer.

I couldn't leave it alone as this has long been a pet peeve of mine. It happens all the time. A phone call takes priority over a present customer.

I very firmly told her that I refuse to accept her apology and proceeded to give her a lesson on customer service ending with my strong belief in the importance of a present, paying  customer over someone miles away who is in no position to purchase anything.

I left the store without making a purchase and,hopefully,with my lesson ringing in her ear.

All she would have had to do is say. " I'm sorry, I'm with a customer right now. Can I take your number and call you back or would you like me to put you on hold?" Simple, effective and fair.

Have you ever had such an experience and how did it make you feel?

New Cartoon: A Quality Every Leader Must Have...

If you liked this cartoon why not check out my collection of 300 cartoons in jpeg format ideal for blogs, webpages, newsletters, presentations etc.

Cartoon: Is Laughter Really the Best Medicine??

This is from my popular book Embracing the Mystery

300 cartoons in individual jpeg format with permission to use.

New Cartoon: Believe in Angels?

300 original cartoons for memos, bulletin boards, newsletters, presentations etc. Click Here

Now this guy knows how to feather his nest.