◙ SECRETS TO SUCCESS Kathleen Pagana, PhD, RN, believes purpose drives, protocols facilitate and passion propels.

Do you know how to make a proper business introduction? Do you know on which side of the entrée plate the salad dish should go? You should. Understanding proper business etiquette, along with healthy doses of passion and purpose, will create the momentum you need to achieve personal and professional goals, says Kathleen Pagana, PhD, RN, a former healthcare administrator who now motivates leaders to maximize their potential.

Purpose drives, protocols facilitate and passion propels, says Dr. Pagana. Accept challenges and opportunities and proactively position yourself and others for future successes. And never stop learning — investment in knowledge pays the best interest, she says.

She believes successful people are constantly productive. "Procrastination doesn't just impact you," she says. "It affects your colleagues, too. It's poison."

How do you stop spinning your wheels? Act on inspiration, even if the concept isn't 100% developed. "The idea doesn't have to be perfect for you to implement it," says Dr. Pagana.

Dedicate 20-minute blocks of time to new projects. It's a manageable amount, and you'd be surprised by how much you can accomplish. Work with an "accountability colleague," someone who encourages you to push forward with an idea or program.

Dr. Pagana implored the audience to regain focus after minor setbacks, telling them there's often unexpected opportunity in not getting what they want. And if you've lost the passion for your career, do something else, she says. If you're not sure what the next step in your life's journey might be, Dr. Pagana suggests you take a leap of faith. "Sometimes you have to jump off the cliff and build your wings on the way down," she says, quoting her favorite Indian proverb.

So what about that proper business intro? First say the name of the person with the higher title, introduce the other person by name and title, and then announce the title of the superior. For example: "Mark, I'd like you to meet Sue Smith. Sue is our new CRNA. Mark is our VP of Nursing." And the salad dish? It's on the left in a formal place setting.