As much as we like to hold on because we all want to feel like it’s the right thing to do in our personal lives, at the office, or with a friend, sometimes it might be best just to let go, because holding on can sometimes do more damage than letting go. Now, to be fair, that is hard to do. I don’t think most of us are wired to let go; I believe we’re wired to try, try, try, and try again to make relationships work, and office politics work out to some manageable agreement or to stay connected with […]
Outside of the Box
I was reading an article online last week and came across an interesting job interview question for one of my clients that involved thinking outside the box. I know you’ve heard that phrase over and over, so it is not new, but I wonder why so many seem to stay in their boxes instead of moving forward, sideways, or upwards in life. Is it because they are so comfortable in the rut of sameness? Or have they become so deeply entrenched in the mud that they can never extricate themselves and go anywhere interesting? You’re familiar with the famous quote by […]
Do What Is Best for You
I was listening to a story about the famous basketball player Rick Barry and his underhanded free throw shot that he made popular back in the day. It was a great story that he told about why he developed his underhanded toss and how it became a force for his team’s free throw points. He recounted for the reporter that his underhanded toss never took off in the big leagues because of the simple fact that no one wanted to be seen as doing a “granny shot.” Imagine being so cowed by others that many basketball players would not even […]
The Reason Most People Give Up
Today, I want to encourage you to keep on keeping on. I saw a quote recently that said, “The reason most people give up is because they tend to look at how far they still have to go instead of how far they have come.” And isn’t that true? Most people give up because they tend to look at how far they still have to go instead of how far they have come. For many of us, we become discouraged by what seems to be either a lack of progress, the slow pace of the journey, or the length of […]
Dreams are Free
I have a lot of great opportunities, but one of the ones I’m privileged to be a part of is TEDx, for which I am the speaker coach. TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment, and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics— from science to business to global issues—in more than 100 languages. For several years, every Sunday, it was my practice to choose and watch five TED Talks on subjects […]
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 […]
Oh, To Be Remembered
Oh, To Be Remembered This time of year, I often think about Lucille Ball. We lost her 20+ years ago, although it doesn’t seem that long. I can remember coming home from school and watching I Love Lucy, laughing along with the cheesy laugh tracks on the screen. Or, when I was homesick, I could still find her show on some off-channel for reruns. I often use her life adventure in one of my leadership talks. If you know her story, it is an amazing tale of survival. To have the star power she had for over 30 years in Hollywood […]
What is Taking Up Space?
What is taking up space? (The parable of the fig tree) During the Easter weekend, I came across a reading about the parable of the fig tree, and it got me thinking about the truths in the story and how they relate to me, and perhaps to you. (Mark 11:12-14) The story relates the incident of a fig tree that had leaves but no fruit, and since it was not producing, it had no value. Was it a beautiful tree? It had a larger purpose, and that was to bear fruit. How disappointing to see and assume the tree produced […]
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 […]