The Good Wolf Wins: Prioritizing Thoughts and Actions
In a Cherokee legend, a grandfather shares deep wisdom with his grandson in an important life lesson we can all learn from. He says: “Grandson, inside me there’s a battle going on between two wolves. One wolf is evil. He represents regret, resentment and anger. The other wolf is good. He represents love and joy…
Read MoreLeaning Into Discomfort to Fuel Personal Growth
You’ll hear this concept in books and from motivational speakers: growth happens when you can get comfortable with being uncomfortable. It’s easier said than done, right?! Most people don’t want to live in a way that they are experiencing ongoing suffering and discomfort. In fact, it’s human nature to move out of discomfort and find…
Read MoreTwo ways of living: survival and contribution
So as part of an assignment, I’m pondering answers to these questions: What is my life about? What am I giving myself to? …and out of the shadows of my mind comes this: “surviving.” Wow. That’s not good. Survival is important, of course, but not very inspiring. Imagine someone greets you with, “How’s it going?”…
Read MoreTake a stand.
When you take a stand for something, risk evaporates. The course of action is clear. All there is, is action. With action comes results. You cannot fail, unless you take no action at all. What are you standing for? Do you truly stand for that happening 24/7? Maybe you need to take a stand for…
Read MoreBe uncomfortable…really?
You’ve probably heard this one before: “To be outstanding, get comfortable being uncomfortable.” Huh? That’s like saying “Get happy being depressed.” Or, “Life is hard. Get used to suffering.” No thanks. I understand that significant performance jumps (breakthroughs) may come from doing things that are outside your so-called comfort zone, but do you really shine when you’re…
Read MoreWhat was the first promise you broke today?
Was it when the alarm clock went off? Wow. Starting the day with a broken promise. Nice. “What promise? I didn’t make a promise,” you retort. Sure you did. You set your alarm, making an agreement with yourself to get up at a certain time. Then the alarm goes off and the justifications and rationalizations…
Read MorePerception is reality. I don't think so.
A friend and I recently met for a beer. I engaged him in a conversation we’d had before around my disdain for the phrase perception is reality. My rational mind – I am a trained scientist, after all – tells me that reality is constructed of concrete elements: data, facts, evidence, and the like, with a little…
Read MoreStop Making Sense!
Stop Making Sense. You may think I’m referring to the Talking Heads’ concert film. I’m not. Consider this instead. When what you say about yourself and your business “makes sense” to others, you lack distinction. You are categorized. You are pigeonholed. You are commoditized, indistinguishable. That’s not what you want. That’s not who you are.…
Read MoreCount Your Lemons!
Recognize this? That’s right, it’s a lemon. But did you also know that it’s an insecticide, and a disinfectant, and a battery if you put electrodes in it? It’s also a source of revenue for farmers, pickers, packers, truckers, grocers, cashiers, and even for my 10-year-old son who likes to do lemonade stands. So, what…
Read MoreDon’t Mind the Noise
I was listening to an audio recording of a conference the other day and I heard the speaker pause. Apparently there was some kind of commotion going on in the hallway outside the conference room and apparently all the people in the audience were distracted by it and that’s what caused him to pause. He said,…
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