Dwelling on Past Mistakes?

My pal Julie, an incredibly gifted and creative marketing exec, recently took a job she was certain would be fantastic, only to find three or four weeks into things that the new organization was rife with problems, infighting and chaos. Julie made a quick exit and is now looking for a new opportunity, but her confidence, she tells me, is shaken. "How did I make such a bad choice?" she asks herself constantly, and the follow up to that of course is, "Will I do it again?"

Today's Wall Street Journal article about the parallels between professional athletes who encounter slumps (such as Jack Nicklaus and Alex Rodriguez) and executives who lose their swag is worth reading, particularly if you've been second guessing yourself. According to the WSJ, the ways in which self-confidence and a more positive attitude are regained for golf greats and baseball legends are the same for the rest of us.

The article lists some tips to silence those inner negative voices, including a favorite of mine: "List your strengths and assets and refer to the list in stressful moments." To get back on the All-Star roster, list 10 positive traits you bring to the table on an index card and look at it any time you feel your confidence falter, and remember that the first sale is always to yourself.

Tying the Knot - Plaid's Your Best Bet for Fall

According to GQ Magazine, plaid ties are all the rage this season: "We're in an era in fashion where all things traditional look modern again. Wear an amped-up plaid tie with a chambray shirt or a white oxford, and put a skinny suit on over it, and you'll look unimpeachably cool." Who among us doesn't want that?

Once you select your plaid, be it a family tartan or gorgeous Alexander Olch cashmere Glen Plaid (second from the top), learning how to properly knot the tie will separate the men from the boys. Once again, Brooks Brothers comes to the rescue with an informative tutorial here.

Never heard of Alexander Olch? Check out GQ's interview with the tie guru here.