• ‘TIME MANAGEMENT’ IS AN ILLUSION. It passes irrespective of our desire, intention or behavior. So framing efforts to improve productivity or efficiency in the context of the ‘clock’ is misdirected. Reality is that the problem in achieving results is “misplaced attention in a distracting world filled with technology designed to persuade us to engage with it, and constantly conspiring to steal time.” [FORBES]  DCG is now presenting, as a courtesy to clients, professional firms & not-for-profit organizations, a one-hour virtual program, “WORKING SMARTER, NOT HARDER,” focused on optimizing efficiency, effectiveness & prioritization in job performance – critical factors for employee job satisfaction & life balance, which impact employer productivity, profitability & continuity.  Stay-at-home employees (somewhat disheveled during this corona-crisis) have been exceptionally receptive to this program. Call to discuss further and schedule a valuable courtesy presentation.
  • IN THIS TIME OF ‘CRISIS’, AS THE BLAME-GAME INCREASES, be cautious of ‘cognitive biases’ which distort the way we collect & process information, and color our judgment in most decision-making. When strategic, financial or any other hard choices are involved, adverse impacts too often result from (1) over-optimism about the likelihood of success; (2) overconfidence leading to under-estimation of challenges; and (3) overemphasis on avoiding losses, which leads to inaction. Decisions with an element of risk, like those being forced now in a period of genuine uncertainty, facing the conflict between expectation of outcome/reward and risk-avoidance, often consider factors (like who & what facts can be relied on, and whose fault it will be if we’re misled)
  •  “TRAUMATIC EVENTS FROM ANY NATURAL DISASTER CAN DAMAGE PEOPLE’S MENTAL HEALTH. The coronavirus pandemic has created huge uncertainly about every aspect of life, and the protracted ‘lockdown’ isolation has furthered loneliness, anxiety and, for many already, depression.” Since touch and social contact are essential to human nature, Social Distancing, combined with lost jobs, identity and routines (like group activities & outdoor exercise transitioned to online classes and living room sit-ups), has increased the stress levels. “Research into previous traumatic events involving types of isolation further suggest that people quarantined more than ten days were significantly more likely to display symptoms of PTSD… Nonetheless, even under the tightest restrictions, people find ways to cope, and those who feel they have ‘supportive’ contacts thru social networks are less likely to react to stressful circumstances.” Technology is the immediate key to maintaining social contact, as long as we don’t lose sight of its downside [https://biggeekdad.com/2014/10/overstimulation-digital-insanity/ ] or that COVID-19 is a temporary crisis, and that Americans will get through this.  [ECONOMIST – 4/4/20] 
  • 8 MILLION AMERICANS APPLIED FOR FIRST-TIME FIREARMS BACKGROUND CHECKS LAST MONTH, the highest number ever according to FBI, and ammunition sales increased in some states by 4,000%. “It’s easy to see why people are worried. While we live in a generally high-trust society, catastrophes can easily disrupt the delicate social order on which that trust depends… and in the current coronavirus crisis, human costs like joblessness, homelessness, mental health issues & drug abuse lend themselves easily to criminal behavior… so having a ‘disaster plan’ is consistent with other routine decisions aimed at mitigating risk (insurance, first-aid kits, flashlights, fire extinguishers, extra supplies, etc.). Better to be prepared than caught off guard… Guns are a perfectly reasonable, cost-effective, safe & convenient form of risk mitigation, and a last line of defense against danger.”  [FEDERALIST – 4/8/20]
  •  WILL THE PANDEMIC IMPACT THE ALREADY TRENDING POPULIST REVOLUTION IN AMERICA? An interesting perspective:  https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/will-pandemic-finally-unleash-the-american-populist-revolution/

      “The six best doctors in the world are sunlight, rest, exercise, diet, self-confidence and friends. Maintain them in all stages and enjoy a healthy life.” – Steve Jobs

It is a slow day in the small town of Pumphandle, and streets are deserted. Times are tough, everybody is in debt, and living on credit. A tourist visiting the area drives through town, stops at the motel, and lays a $100 bill on the desk saying he wants to inspect the rooms upstairs to pick one for the night. As soon as he walks upstairs, the motel owner grabs the bill and runs next door to pay his debt to the butcher. The butcher takes the $100 and runs down the street to retire his debt to the pig farmer, who takes the $100 and heads off to pay his bill to his supplier, the Co-op. The guy at the Co-op takes the $100 and runs to pay his debt to the local prostitute, who has also been facing hard times and rushes to the hotel to pay off her room bill. The hotel proprietor then places the $100 back on the counter as the traveler comes down the stairs, states that the rooms are not satisfactory, picks up the $100 bill and leaves. No one produced anything. No one earned anything…However, the whole town is now out of debt and now looks to the future with a lot more optimism. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how a Stimulus package works.