I have written about the issue of clutter in our lives a few times, but I keep coming back to it because I find, over and over, that there just might be that one thing that you’re holding on to that is holding you back from achieving what you want in your life. When I talk about clutter, I don’t just mean that you need to clean out the attic or garage (although those are good places to start). For a bigger life impact, you might want to consider tossing out a few things that are more personal to you–things […]
The Emotion of Scarcity
I am continuing my series on emotions. I started the series with the emotion of anger because anger is a cancer to your soul. So, to have any chance for a successful and happy life, friend, you have to let it go. Then, I talked about the pain of personal shame. Shame is a failure to meet your own standard of behavior, and this emotion will wreck your life if you’re not careful. And I added in the thought that you should stop thinking that others have to accept your forgiveness for you to be forgiven. They don’t. Once you’ve […]
Set Your Life on Fire
I am blessed with the opportunity to travel around the world, teaching public speaking, presentation, media skills, and crisis communications to elected officials or those who would like to be. When I was speaking in the Middle East a while back, I was training some dynamic up-and-coming young women who were seeking a seat on their local council, and one day at lunch, I noticed that one of the ladies was reading a book of poetry by Rumi, a Persian poet, and philosopher. It struck me as unusual that someone would be carrying around a book of ancient poetry, and […]
You were born with the ability to change someone’s life
You were born with the ability to change someone’s life; don’t ever waste it. As I prepare for my weekly radio show and blog post many times, I speak with the larger listening audience in mind. I fully understand it is Saturday, and you’re busy with chores or errands, house cleaning, or finishing up lunch with the family, but today, I want to talk about you and speak to you directly. As I work with presidents of corporations, sales team leaders, authors who are out selling their books, or wise folks who are working to better their speaking ability, I […]
If You Want to Leave a Footprint
If You Want to Leave a Footprint, Don’t Drag Your Feet I came across today’s theme by accident when I was looking for some other information about leaving a legacy that I spoke about last week. If you want to leave a footprint, don’t drag your feet. —Arnot L. Sheppard This quote just stuck with me, so much so that I couldn’t shake it to work on something else. There is just something about the phrase that makes me stop and think…probably because I am very mindful that we will all leave a legacy of some sort, but in […]
People will kill you
“People will kill you over time, and how they kill you is with tiny, harmless phrases like be realistic.” Dylan Moran I cannot begin to tell you how much I hate it when people give backhanded, up-front, or behind-the-back slights to one’s life dreams, hopes, and ambitions. And, yes, I used the word hate because, like you, I heard these phrases from others as I wandered through my early work years. And, because it frustrated me so much, I made mental notes to stay away from those who would be so bold to say something so ridiculous to me or […]
Everyone thinks of changing the world
Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself – Leo Tolstoy. Change is a funny thing. We all want it for about a week, then it loses its shine, and we’re back to being the same. Not that being the same is all bad–we seem to revel in it since that is “who we are” –but remember that for a fleeting minute, we dreamed a bit higher and considered the option of being a bit more noble and a bit more… well… better, but, alas, it was just a quirky consideration best left for another […]
They Broke Your Expectations
No matter who you attribute the quote to, the idea that Expectation is the root of all heartache speaks truth to a level that most of us would rather not see or ever have to deal with, yet it is a daily occurrence, one that can fell the mightiest of men and women who, under the weight of innocent hope, will crumble when expectations (real or perceived) are not met. It’s true in life and love: They didn’t break your heart; they broke your expectations. They broke your expectations, that expectant hope that something or someone you held dear and […]
Great Things Are Done by a Series of Small Things
Today, I want to encourage you to keep on keeping on, and my theme is a quote that is new to me; it’s by the famous artist Vincent Van Gogh. He says that, “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” I love that line because it is so true. I know that sometimes it feels like you are spinning your wheels when you are trying to create an opportunity for yourself or others, or you sometimes feel alone as you’re building a business or as you do the daily work of the job and responsibilities […]
