Think back to January. Did you have certain ideas about what you wanted to accomplish by December? What were they? It’s just about the midpoint of the year, so now is a good time to check-in. If you can’t quite see a straight line to your intended destination, don’t worry. Read more
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Michelle was looking forward to spending more time with her newborn son and toddler. It had been difficult to decline the promotion, so it was a great relief when her boss reacted positively and supported her request to reduce hours. That’s why it surprised her when, several weeks later, her boss began to hard-sell the promotion. She could still picture the spreadsheet turned toward her side of the desk and her boss’ pen, pointing to the salary and bonus that could be hers. The prestige and money associated with the offer were tempting, yet Michelle was at peace with her decision to go part-time. Read more
Nature teaches us that pruning is necessary for continued growth. In horticulture, pruning is “the removal or reduction of certain plant parts that are not required, that are no longer effective, or that are of no use to the plant. It is done to supply additional energy for the development of flowers, fruits, and limbs that remain on the plant.” (1) Read more
Recently, while at lunch with a friend, I mentioned a challenge I was having with a certain business initiative. He must have detected a hint of frustration and gave me a surprised look that said, “You’re not giving up, are you?” Of course not, I reassured him. “Oh good,” he said relieved, “…because you’re just getting started.” Read more
One evening last summer, my phone rang and displayed the familiar Florida area code. My father-in-law’s voice sounded pleased. “I’m calling to tell you that Sandi and I were just out to dinner and as we were driving home, I made a left instead of a right and now we’re at the beach, looking at a beautiful sunset.” Read more
In the biographical movie “For Love or Country,” we learn about the life of the uniquely talented Cuban trumpet player, Arturo Sandoval. Despite being raised in extreme poverty, Arturo realized his boyhood dream of becoming a musician. He experienced popular success and critical acclaim while living in Cuba. (1) Read more
You can do it before rushing out the door in the morning or at the office before turning on your computer. You can do it during the day or before going to bed. It doesn’t matter when, as long as you do it. Giving yourself 15 minutes of quiet time each day is a small habit with a big impact. Read more
I was sitting in the chair and chatting with my hairdresser, covering a variety of subjects as usual. The conversation turned to things we want to do before dying. “I have a list,” she said. “Visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC, volunteer as a reader at my church, build a snowman…” Read more
Many of you responded to the previous issue and are busy forming your goals. I have a confession to make. I did not set goals this year! Lest you think I’m some kind of “goals hypocrite,” allow me to explain. In essence, I still have personal and business goals which I am pursuing. It’s just that I didn’t write them down formally this time. I am progressing with the vision and goals I created last year and allowing them to continue to guide me. So, it is not that I am without goals; it’s just that I am proceeding with less structure. For me, a planner by nature, this is progress. It finds me making intuitive choices and tapping into: flexibility—spontaneity—present-mindedness. I continue to use my natural strengths of organization, planning, and breaking it down… just in a more relaxed way. Read more
Every January, I hear the same conversations and read the same articles. They pose the question of whether resolutions and goals are worth the effort. After all, they argue, so many people fail at this process and just feel worse later. Some people don’t like the word ‘goal’ and would rather replace it with some other euphemism. Call it whatever you like, but as Shakespeare said, a goal by any other name is still a goal. (Okay, I stretched poetic license on that one.) Read more