In episode 119 of How To Matter, I look at the keys to being a successful writer. Paul, Tom, and James each provide a perspective with tips about strategies writers can use to get beyond simply staring at the keyboard. We learn that the same strategies are key anytime success matters. Those same strategies apply to writing the great novel as well as to helping your neighbor, making a difference with people who make a difference to you.

James is back to encourage you to disclose, to always give people the unvarnished truth. They need to know what you think, know your perspective. They also need to know your feelings about the situation, your fears, your reservations. James says to avoid ever dealing in half truths.

In episode 118 of How To Matter, I focus on the risk we all face of being boring. Whatever our point, our message may not survive the telling. Please listen if you want to avoid being one of the talkers who made a perfect point but no one stuck around long enough to listen or benefit from the wisdom.

James is back to give us the skinny on success vs. failure. Are they life conditions or mere events? Listen and decide for yourself.

In this belated episode of How To Matter, I admit to being abandoned by my muse but am happy to let you know that there are signs of her return. The question is whether the experience has made me a better person, a better podcaster, someone who is happy for the unhappy experience. It's that silver lining thing. Does the darkest cloud always have a silver lining? Why don't you listen to the episode and come to your own conclusion.

Welcome back to Leadership Shop. In this episode of the podcast, I have returned from slacking and otherwise procrastinating to give you something more or less serious to consider. Where do leaders come from. Do they gradually develop or perhaps just magically emerge from the ether. Do children come into the world as future leaders or is the process more nuanced? Listen to the podcast to get the answer.

In episode 116 of How To Matter, I conclude the series on helping children with school and learning problems. In this final section, focus is on children who have simply quit caring about school, learning, and too often quit caring about what happens to them. The final step is to skip school, quit going to school and concluding their school days by dropping out. It is a sad ending to a very young journey.

I, James, have been a shirker. It's that procrastination thing. It does look like no longer than I have been at podcasting, I would be more on my game. At least I am being up front with you about my lapse.

I have posted my explanation. You can listen and judge for yourself.

I know, it's a pretty feeble substitute for a real podcast but it might be worth a little chuckle at my expense. Don't worry. I have it coming.

In episode 115 of How To Matter, I continue the series on helping children with school and learning problems. This is the next to the last section of the series. I am thinking about making a single recording that includes all 11 sections of the series, including the last episode. If you are interested in this free recording, please let me know. If there is enough interest, I will produce the recording and make it available on How To Matter. To express your interest, just drop me an e-mail at [email protected].

In this episode, focus is on 3 signs of school and learning difficulty. They include children who need constant supervision while doing their school work, children who disrupt the classroom and the activities of other children, and youngsters who feel like the adults at school have it in for him or her. The episode includes tips and suggestions for helping children with these issues.

In episode 114 of How To Matter, I continue the series on helping children with school and learning problems. In this section, I focus on children who have unusual trouble dealing with criticism, children who always have excuses for their performance difficulties, and children who usually blame others or external circumstances for their problems. Working with these children is both difficult and frequently tedious. In the podcast, I offer some tips and suggestions for helping these young people.