Dan J. Harkey

Master Educator | Business & Finance Consultant | Mentor

Personal Growth & Development

A practical guide to getting better results in your work, your time, and your life.

If you’ve collected enough advice to fill a bookshelf but still feel like your calendar owns you, you’re in the right place. My articles focus on the successful practices that move the needle: goal setting, time management, sales and relationship-building, negotiation, more intelligent time allocation, and reinventing yourself when the old version stops working. Less inspirational theater. More execution.

Most people don’t fail from lack of talent—they fail from drift. I write about how to build clarity, protect your time, strengthen relationships, negotiate better outcomes, and create a repeatable system for progress. Practical, direct, and occasionally funny—because growth is serious, but it doesn’t have to be grim.

Search Results

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill: Book Review.

Think and Grow Rich (1937) by Napoleon Hill is one of the most influential self-help books ever written, selling over 70 million copies worldwide.

The Illusions That Shape Our Daily Lives

We like to believe what we see in the world. Much of what we accept as “truth” is built on illusions—mental shortcuts and comforting beliefs that help us navigate complexity

History of Manufacturing Consent: Edward Bernays

Edward Bernays was absolutely a propaganda specialist, though he preferred the term “public relations” after World War I because “propaganda” had developed a negative connotation.

Is Affirmative Action Marxist? Separating Myth from Reality

Few topics spark as much debate as affirmative action. Critics often claim it’s rooted in Marxist ideology. But is that true—or just a convenient talking point?

Entrenched Bureaucracy and Legislative Burden: A Compounding Threat to Profitability in California’s Real Estate and Insurance Markets

Bureaucracy, onerous laws, and regulations are the economic cancers that continue to metastasize, inflicting severe damage to organizational efficiency and profitability.

Profitability: What’s Killing It?

10 Hidden Counter Forces (with Practical Examples, Metrics, and Fixes)

Family & Friendship Breakdowns in Polarized Times: Identity, Ideology, and Estrangement

In an era of heightened ideological polarization, families across America are grappling with a painful reality: loved ones becoming so radicalized that they reject facts, embrace illusions, and sever ties with anyone who disagrees.

Personal Sovereignty and Christian Faith

Reconciling Personal Sovereignty with Commitment to Jesus

The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights, reads:

“A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

Structural Shift in Remote Work: COVID-19 and Forward; What Comes Next

COVID-19 has transformed remote work from a niche perk to a mainstream operating model. This structural shift, after a sharp pandemic spike and a partial retreat, has now stabilized at a new equilibrium—sector-specific, skill-weighted, and globally uneven.

Does the Bureau of Labor Statistics Lie for Political Gain or Desired Propaganda to Further Their Agenda and Ideology?

The history of the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides false statistics, then revising them later as a propaganda ploy or political ploy. The BLS routinely overestimates or underestimates when it is politically expedient, and revises when it gets caught.

All About Fiat Currency:

Fiat currency plays a central role in inflation because it gives governments and central banks the ability to control the money supply.

The Life and Times of Elvis Presley: The Undisputed King of Rock and Roll

Bureaucracies Keep Growing: Even When There’s No Productive Work Or Action Items To Be Accomplished

C. Northcote Parkinson nailed it back in 1955:

Parkinson’s Laws - About Personal And Organizational Structure

C. Northcote Parkinson: Timeless Insights for Modern Business

WolfMan Jack: The Life and Times of The Iconic Fugure

Here are some of Wolfman Jack’s most memorable and iconic statements that capture his personality and philosophy: Wolfman was the most iconic radio disc jockey in history. His approach was authentic and truthful to the common person, which made him real in their minds, including me.

American Graffiti, a Movie that left an indelible mark on our culture, particularly for those of us who are more mature, is an iconic piece of cinematic history.

As a junior teenager, I found myself living every minute of American Graffiti. From the car hops on roller skates to the thrill of cruising to show off your car and your chick, it was a world I was a part of.

All in the Family Will Never Be Forgotten: Archie and Edith Bunker Will Never Be Forgotten.

Carroll O’Connor and Jean Stapleton, with their unparalleled comedic talent, brought to life the iconic characters of Archie and Edith Bunker. Their masterful portrayal of ignorance and bigotry, playing off each other, was a key element in the show’s enduring appeal.

The Great Transformation: Transforming Ourselves, Our Country, and Our Way Of Life.

The primary transformation is about ourselves, as we learn and adapt to the rapid changes around us.

Idioms: Learning about idioms is not just an exercise; it’s a fun journey into the cultural history of language.

Idioms are not just linguistic tools; they are cultural treasures that carry the vivid imagery and history of a society. Here are 20 of the most significant idioms, each with its own unique story and cultural significance: