March Newsletter - Spring Forward with your Powers of Observation

Posted by Mindy Tulsi-Ingram on 1st Mar 2024

March Newsletter - Spring Forward with your Powers of Observation

Spring Forward with your Powers of Observation

March is noted for many observances and holidays, including:

  • Employee Appreciation Day – March 1
    • Opportunity for organizations to create recognition experiences for their employees.
  • Women in Construction Week – March 4-10
    • This year’s theme ‘Keys to the Future’ celebrates the strength and knowledge of women and the vital role they play in shaping the future of the construction Industry.
  • International Women’s Day - March 8th
    • Celebrate the actions, achievements, and contributions of women around the world and a call to action for gender parity.
  • Pi Day - March 14th
    • Started in 1980’s is observed on 3/14 as a fun way to recognize the mathematical constant pi π. (3.14159265…………) and to promote awareness and appreciation of mathematics.
  • St. Patrick’s Day - March 17th
    • Celebrated around the world in honor of St. Patrick of Ireland.
  • First Day of Spring – March 19
    • Change of season, change for new beginnings and opportunity to make some good things stick!
  • International Day of Happiness - March 20th
    • Established by the United Nations to recognize the universal goal of happiness and well-being of people around the world.
  • World Water Day - March 22nd
    • To advocate for and focus on the importance of freshwater resources.

Possibly the most prominent and well-known, celebrated on March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious holiday commemorating the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. However, over the years it has evolved into a worldwide celebration for people of all backgrounds to come together with music, Irish food and beers, and dancing.
When we think of St. Patrick’s Day we think green – shamrocks, music, dancing, and parades. Green clothing, hats and accessories predominate.

This St. Patrick’s Day, think Green & Green! Check out our website for gift and food items as you get together with family and friends to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
Reinforcing Good Behaviour
What do the words scuba, radar and laser have in common? These abbreviations have become such a part of our everyday language, and we may not realize that they are acronyms.
  • SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus)
  • RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging)
  • LASER (Light-Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation)
Acronyms such as NASA, FBI, NATO, ATM, GIF, JPEG and PIN have joined these words as part of our daily conversation but are still recognized as acronyms. In the last few years, COVID (Coronavirus Disease) and SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) have quicky taken a prominent place in our vocabulary, and have become part of our daily conversation.

Indirectly, it shows that the more you repeat a word or activity, it becomes part of your daily routine. Hence, the acronym becomes a word, an action becomes a habit, and repetition becomes the norm.

It has been said that you must repeat a behaviour for 21 days before it becomes a habit. While the concept is real, constant repetition and reinforcement of behaviour is key (not the specific number of days), as it depends upon each individual and various factors.

The key to changing behaviour is establishing a routine and consistently reinforcing a behaviour until it becomes automatic.

Smile at a stranger, (not in a creepy way, or you may be arrested). Say hello and make eye contact with someone to make a connection. Say please and thank you.

Your powers of observation can be developed by cultivating the habit of watching things with an active and inquiring mind.

Be a positive, ‘glass half full’ individual. By repeating these behaviours, they become automatic and spread positivity to those you encounter.


A recent Forbes Magazine article about Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) stated “Human behavior and decisions are products of each person's neural programming, which find expression both verbally and non-verbally. Human behaviors are the total sum of one's thoughts, feelings, experiences and beliefs, which can be loosely termed as one's "program."”

Simply put, it’s not just what we say, but how we say it. What does your body language say?

The effect of non-verbal communication is significant. During COVID we were all wearing masks and couldn’t see smiles or frowns, relying on communication using our eyes and body language to convey meaning and intent.

Some examples of non-verbal communication are:

  • Leaning forward to demonstrate closeness or agreement
  • Raising eyebrows to show surprise
  • Frowning to indicate displeasure
  • Crossing arms showing defensiveness or possibly hiding something

In a positive way, you may want to increase rapport between yourself and another person. You want to make them feel understood, and that you have a common bond. For example, instead of appearing as a stereotypical “used car salesman” it is better to demonstrate how the product can help the customer.

To build rapport, use NLP mirroring, a technique of subtly emulating the person’s behaviour and body language, which allows the person to better relate to what you are saying or doing.

It may feel awkward at first, when a person leans forward, you lean forward; when they raise their voice, you match the volume. The more you do it, the more natural it feels, and the habit becomes ingrained.

Read the full article on Three Ways to Use Neuro-Linguistic Programming to Increase Your Sales to learn more.

Remember, repetition is critical to creating a new habit.

Happy Spring and spring forward with your positivity. Your powers of observation can be sharpened and you just have to be present.


All the Best,