The Inner Bottom Line ® ..where Choices & Values meet

“Scarcity or Abundance”

March 29th, 2014   •   no comments   

I had my own ethical dilemma this week during which I got a good look as well as a healthy reminder about the choices we get when faced with a difficult moment and have the chance to take the higher road. Now we all know that one likes to have their back up against the wall with seemingly no place to go. No one likes to have to reveal, especially to a stranger much less a friend, that they’re lacking in anything – resources, answers, cleverness, courage, etc. And no one enjoys being stripped down, figuratively, in front of others, [ Read More ]

“While You’re Spring Cleaning, You Might…”

March 11th, 2014   •   no comments   
“While You’re Spring Cleaning, You Might…”

In the past week, at least three clients have said to me, “I’m so ready to start taking things apart and clean out the clutter. It always makes me feel better.” Spring cleaning. http://is.gd/nTZUQA Simplifying. Organizing. Music to my ears. As well as a prompt for the sun to come out and show me the way to those ever-present smudges on the windows that are invisible when it’s raining and gloomy. Now I recognize for some that the mere idea of straightening anything is depressing, even unnecessary. But for a much greater percentage of us, there seems to be an [ Read More ]

PERSONAL BEST® CEO OLIVE GALLAGHER RESUMES TEACHING THE INNER BOTTOM LINE

March 10th, 2014   •   no comments   

March 10, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Julia Botts (503) 908-7842 [email protected] PERSONAL BEST® CEO OLIVE GALLAGHER RESUMES TEACHING THE INNER BOTTOM LINE Lake Oswego, OR – On March 13, 2014, Olive Gallagher, founder and CEO of Personal Best, will begin teaching classes twice a month on The Inner Bottom Line® for the Lake Oswego Adult Community Center. “Regardless of how many exciting ways I’m given to deliver the ideas and philosophy of The Inner Bottom Line – interviews, seminars, speeches, media appearances, retreats, the column, or even my radio show – returning to the immediate, one-on-one exchange that happens [ Read More ]

“Will You Be Mine?”

February 12th, 2014   •   no comments   
“Will You Be Mine?”

If you are a part of any culture that celebrates St. Valentine’s Day in one form or another , this is a question as old as time. It’s one that most of us, in some secret part of our heart, dreams of being asked for real at least once in our life. And it’s one that’s going to be echoed over and over again during the next few days – on the air, in social media, and on the street. Along with advice about what to give your loved one, what to wear for that special night, where to dine [ Read More ]

“I’m More Than Mad as Hell.”

February 9th, 2014   •   no comments   
“I’m More Than Mad as Hell.”

“I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.” God bless, Howard Beale. And Paddy Chayefsky. And this morning, Maureen Dowd in the Sunday NY Times. I couldn’t say it any better. The thing is, I’m so far beyond mad. I’m exhausted. Exhausted from buoying up everyone else, along with myself, with words of encouragement, optimism, hope, determination, and surety. It takes every ounce of conscious will and energy to keep that fatigue from dissolving into defeat and depression. Which, of course, is what makes me a cock-eyed optimist than a dark soul certain the world will [ Read More ]

“I Divorced Facebook”

January 8th, 2014   •   no comments   
“I Divorced Facebook”

Yesterday, I honored my own Inner Bottom Line. I got a divorce. I ended an abusive, one-sided long-term relationship. No, it wasn’t easy, and yet, in a way, it was simple. But to do it quickly with clarity, and without hesitation, I knew I had to face the facts and rely on the tools and premises I created so many years ago for my clients of The Inner Bottom Line. First, I asked myself those four, hard, tried-and-true questions – what’s at stake, who’s in control, how long has this been going on, and what price am I going to [ Read More ]

“Never Soon Enough”

December 6th, 2013   •   no comments   
“Never Soon Enough”

As Christmas approaches and choices become stressful, realizing what we have and how our example can impact those we love grows more apparent. Nothing makes that more evident than this heartbreaking message. Dear Olive, I’m writing in the hope someone else will learn from my mistakes. I’ve been a cheat, a louse, and an all around nasty guy for a long time. I was unfaithful to my wife, I gambled and lied about it, I never missed the chance to make a buck, even at the expense of someone else, and while I’ve never broken the law, I’ve walked a [ Read More ]

“Early Holiday Stresses”

November 26th, 2013   •   no comments   
“Early Holiday Stresses”

Due to popular demand, I am happy to share once again this letter and answer as we approach Thanksgiving. Dear Olive, It’s fall and the holidays are coming and that makes me nervous. Every year I go through this stress. No matter who I read or talk to, it doesn’t help. This year, I’m even more upset because my folks have planned a family reunion on Thanksgiving. Relatives I don’t remember meeting are coming. My mom loves to organize everything. Yesterday I got a letter listing my room assignment and suggestions about what to wear. I cried for an hour [ Read More ]

“How to Hold a Pigeon in Your Hand”

September 15th, 2013   •   no comments   

It may seem way off target to write a column always focused on ethical dilemmas and personal choices to pen a restaurant review, but really, go with me on this, because it’s completely on the mark. Last night, I had the distinct pleasure of taking my beautiful older daughter and her darling husband to dinner to celebrate their wedding anniversary at Le Pigeon, http://lepigeon.com/, a small restaurant in Portland, OR listed as one of the city’s best. And yes, it certainly is. But it’s also a whole lot more. The restaurant business is considered to be one of the toughest, most unforgiving [ Read More ]

PERSONAL BEST® ANNOUNCES OPENING OF PRIVATE EXECUTIVE COACHING PRACTICE IN PORTLAND, OREGON

August 31st, 2013   •   no comments   

July 1, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Julia Botts (503) 908-7842 [email protected] PERSONAL BEST® ANNOUNCES OPENING OF PRIVATE EXECUTIVE COACHING PRACTICE IN PORTLAND, OREGON Lake Oswego, OR – Olive Gallagher, founder and CEO of Personal Best, a creative marketing and ethics consultancy specializing in consistent, accountable brand messages and delivery, announced the relocation and opening of its private executive coaching practice in Portland, Oregon. “While Personal Best started off offering unique creative consulting services to large corporations like Toyota, Avon, PG&E and IDG,” Gallagher explains, “I’ve always worked in private session with clients who ranged from major CEO’s to small [ Read More ]