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A Lesson On Perfection From Jeff Bezos, Founder Of Amazon
It’s common knowledge that when people obsess over ”things not being perfect” it can cause them to become frozen with the fear of failure. Still, many people still struggle with it. So, what can be...
View Article[VIDEO] Duncan Nugget® #56: Point Of Differentiation
*Yawn*After interviewing a dozen students for a job in the restaurant that I was managing, that was all I could do—yawn. They all gave similar answers:“I’m a hard worker…“I’m a fast...
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[POSTER] Duncan Nugget® #257: Giving Up vs. Getting Up
Sometimes, when it seems like you’re giving up…You are really GETTING up and moving on. Million-Dollar Question:Is it time to walk away or try harder? ____________________ ACTION STEPS/DISCUSSION...
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[ACTIVITY] Soft Skills Questions You Could Be Asked During An Interview
Here are 29 sample behavioral-based interviewing questions that companies and organizations use to help assess a person’s leadership ability, teamwork and other soft skills. (Below the questions there...
View Article[VIDEO] Duncan Nugget® #198: Outside Or Inside Your Head
“Mr. Duncan, this is crazy! My biochemistry book costs $120!” “Didn’t you just spend $125 getting your hair done?” “Yeah.” “So, it’s cool to spend that kind of cash on the outside of your head, but...
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5 Steps For Dealing With Worry
NOTE: Be sure to answer the discussion questions at the end of this article. After a seminar one day, I was talking to a young lady who spends too much time worrying. She was worried about getting off...
View Article[VIDEO] Duncan Nugget® #77: When The Pot Is Hot
Any great cook or professional chef knows that it’s best to start cooking when the pot is hot. That goes for ovens, pans, and grills, too. They should be the ideal temperature when you start cooking....
View Article[VIDEO+ACTIVITY] Duncan Nugget® #60: Present Yourself In High Definition
High Definition (HD) videos and images are clearer, sharper, and more vivid than normal videos and images so, they’re worth a premium.The same thing goes for high-definition people—exceptional...
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The Young And Exceptional™: Adora Svitak
Adora Lily Svitak is an American child prodigy and internationally published author, known for her essays, stories, poems, blogs, and full-length books. In 2010 Adora spoke at the prestigious TED...
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[VIDEO] Duncan Nugget® #344: Your Strategy For Dealing With Failure
A professor once asked me, “Al, in your opinion, why do students cheat?” “Because they have an ineffective strategy for dealing with failure.”Think about that. When people don’t know how to deal with...
View Article[VIDEO+ACTIVITY] Duncan Nugget® #330: Blame Is Lame
Here’s a cool little story about blame. Maybe you’ve heard it before. “This is the story of four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and...
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[POSTER] Duncan Nugget® #240: Purpose Called
Purpose called. But…She was sent straight to voice mail.She didn’t leave a message. But Purpose is persistent so…she will call again.Million-Dollar Question: Will YOU answer the...
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The Young and Exceptional™: Iman Victoria Wilson
Iman Victoria Wilson is the 2012 national winner of the Blacks In Government Information Superhighway Student Competition. An honors student in the 11th grade at Monroe Comprehensive High School, Iman...
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[ACTIVITY] Million-Dollar Questions To Ask Yourself At The Beginning Of The...
If you are going to start then make it a good start. I know… “Duh!” Who doesn’t know that, right? But yet and still many people fail to set themselves up properly. The following questions are ideal...
View Article[VIDEO] Duncan Nugget® #311: The Amazing Effects of Your Expectations
Which tastes better, Pepsi or Coke? In a study done at Baylor College of Medicine, most people said they preferred Coke. But the researchers also monitored people’s brains while they tasted Coke and...
View ArticleFeatured Video (Week of 8/25/13)
Duncan Nugget® #344:Your Strategy for Dealing With FailureClick here for action steps, discussion questions, and the original post.
View Article[VIDEO] Duncan Nugget® #131: Personal Branding Starts on the Inside
It’s a crazy, competitive world. So, in order to succeed, people are always looking for a competitive advantage. Developing a strong personal brand is a part of that process. Unfortunately, many...
View ArticleFeatured Video (Week of 9/1/13)
Duncan Nugget® #60: Present Yourself In High DefinitionClick here for activity, discussion questions, and the original post.
View Article[VIDEO] Duncan Nugget® #136: Who Is Motivating You?
Before a recent speaking engagement, a superintendent of schools and I had a conversation. “We’re glad you’re here. These students need some motivation.”“I’m here to help, but I don’t really motivate...
View Article[VIDEO] Bullying Prevention Message: Build People Up
Duncan Nugget® #319:When you build people up, you build yourself up.SUMMARY: In honor of National Bullying Prevention Month (October), Al talks about why you can’t bully your way to...
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A Lesson On Belief From A Two-Legged Dog
A few years ago, I caught a glimpse of a talk show and I couldn’t believe my eyes. I started talking to myself. (Don’t act like you’ve never talked to yourself.)Did I just see what I think I saw?!Yeah,...
View Article[VIDEO] Duncan Nugget® #36: Individuals and Issues
Whether it’s parents fussing at children, students complaining about teachers, co-workers arguing, or couples fighting, conflicts often end with a stack of hurt feelings and enraged people. If you...
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3 Keys To Help Young People Track Progress On Goals
On the way back from a gig in Brooklyn, N.Y., my flight was delayed. Same old story, right? Nowadays it seems as if I have a better chance of seeing a two-legged dog walking upright like a human than I...
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Q & A: What Is Your Take On Professional Resume Writing Services?
Q: Hi Mr. Duncan, I wanted to know your take on professional resume writing services. Do you feel that it has a higher chance of impressing or do you think if one had the main key points their resume...
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5 College Interview Questions You Could Be Asked
In most cases college interviews are not mandatory. They are, however, highly recommended because they can give you a competitive advantage. A great interview could be the difference between acceptance...
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Q & A: Why Did Your Income, Employment Cease In Regards To Playing The Sax?
Q: Hello Mr. Duncan, I had the pleasure of listening to you speak today at The Hilton in Danvers, Ma. I was a parent supplying transport who was able to attend as a student was absent from our...
View Article[VIDEO] Duncan Nugget® #346: Overcome Cognitive Bias
In 1945, psychologist Karl Duncker gave research subjects a candle, a book of matches, and a box of tacks. He asked them to stick the candle to a wall so that when lit, wax wouldn’t drip on the floor....
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[PICTURE] I’m Thankful For…
A lesson we all know, but sometimes forget: Always be thankful. Million-Dollar Question:What are you thankful for? HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
View Article[VIDEO] Duncan Nugget® #499: Resourceful As A Turkey
It’s Thanksgiving and I’m running around asking people if they remember the “Five Fat Turkeys” song. Nobody remembers. They’re just looking at me like I’m crazy. Lol.Do you remember the song?Five fat...
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[POSTER] Duncan Nugget® #24: Your Comfort Zone
One way or another, you end up in your comfort zone.
View Article[VIDEO] Duncan Nugget® #78: Seize The Opportunity
Recently, I asked a friend, “Why are you procrastinating about this opportunity?” He answered, “I’m not procrastinating. I’m being patient.” There is a thin line between patience and procrastination....
View Article[VIDEO] Duncan Nugget® #37: A Step Towards Mastering Your Emotions
Your limbic system is the part of your brain that produces emotions. Did you know it initially responds to mental and emotional threats exactly like it does to physical threats? If your character or...
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[INFOGRAPHIC] Teens, Texting, and Driving
An “LOL” or “OMG” while driving can get you killed. Not worth it. At all. Click the “read more” to view the infographic. Courtesy of: Online Schools
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[POSTER] Duncan Nugget® #14: Your Performance Today
Million-Dollar Question:If your life wasremembered based onhow well you performed today,would that be okay with you?LEARN. DO. IMPROVE.TODAY._________________________DISCUSSION QUESTIONS/ACTION STEPS1....
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Q & A: What Are Your Weaknesses?
Q: Al, I really enjoyed ur speech at the 4-H conference. u are funny! How do u answer the question “what are ur weaknesses?” when u in an interview? -4-H student Thanks for the love. Answering that...
View Article7 Online Soft Skills Quizzes
Duncan Nugget® #312:Accurate self-assessment is crucial to exceptional performance. Where do you stand on your soft skills? If you are not sure, here are 7 quick and easy quizzes about a few of your...
View ArticleLeadership Lessons From Nelson Mandela and Stephen Covey
In the world of exceptional leaders it’s been a week of sorrow and joy.On the sad side of things, Dr. Stephen Covey passed away on Monday, July 16, 2012. Covey was an educator, best-selling author,...
View Article[VIDEO+ACTIVITY] Duncan Nugget® #84: Genuine Open-Mindedness
Is it just me or have you ever noticed that once somebody thinks something negative about a person or a group of people s/he can find all the evidence in the world to prove it, but none to refute it?...
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[PICTURE] Hating On Your Dreams?
Million-Dollar Question:Why do people who are too weakto follow their own dreams always find a wayto hate on yours?! ________________________ ACTION STEPS/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Write down 3-5...
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Q & A: The Benefits Of Individuality
Q: What are the benefits of being an individual, as opposed to someone who just wants to be like everyone else? -Jennifer M., graduate studentAsserting your individuality will increase your sense of...
View Article[VIDEO+ACTIVITY]] Duncan Nugget® #103: Focus On The Task At Hand
Picture this: I’m standing 3 feet away from my 5-yr old son, Mekhi. I call him. He doesn’t answer. Hmm… I say his name a little louder, “Mekhi!” Still no response. Grrr… “MEKHIIII!!!” Believe it or...
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What Are Soft Skills? – A List Of Soft Skills And Related Terms
Soft Skills, Related Terms, and ResourcesNOTE: This is a BETA version. The list is still a work in progress and some definitions and commentary are incomplete, but I decided to post it anyway hoping...
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The “I” In Team: 4 Philosophies Of An Awesome Team Player
“Just win the game!!!”Although he was in extraordinary pain, that was Kevin Ware’s message to his teammates. There was 6:33 left in the first half of a 2013 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Elite Eight...
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[AUDIO] A Lesson On Soft Skills Mastery From Martin Luther King, Jr.
The above audio is a 7min. excerpt from my MLK Keynote Address at Darton College. I recently gave a MLK Celebration Lecture at Darton College. The overall theme for the celebration was “What are you...
View Article[VIDEO] What Are Soft Skills? A Simple Definition
This is part 1 of a 3-part power point video series. In this video I give you a simple definition of soft skills—one that works well with teens and young adults. Time: 6min 18sec Up next (both will be...
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6 Reasons Young Employees Need Better Written Communication Skills
“Well… what happened?” “I told him if he wanted a job, send me an email and he sent me a text disguised as an email.” “Nooo. Really? Man… that’s messed up. I think he’s doing pretty good in school.”...
View Article[VIDEO] What Are The Most Important Soft Skills To Master?
This is part 2 of a 3-part power point video series. In this video I group soft skills into 5 Soft Skills Clusters and help you figure out which ones you should focus on so that training and...
View Article[VIDEO] Soft Skills: Building Your Competitive Advantage
This is part 3 of a 3-part power point video series. In this video I give you 4 main reasons that soft skills help you build a competitive advantage and several suggestions for improving your soft...
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7 Business Writing Tips For Students In The Workplace
Maybe you can help me out. I have been banging my head against my desk for about 10 minutes now trying to remember the name of a movie.It’s the one where somebody leaves the wrong voicemail on a...
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[VIDEO] Duncan Nugget® #355: Think. Slowly.
Pop quiz.A bat and ball costs a dollar and ten cents together. If the bat costs one dollar more than the ball, how much does the ball cost?Got it? The ball costs ten cents, right? Wrong.When Daniel...
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