Decisions, Decisions When I was growing up and having a difficult time making a decision, my father would tell me about the proverbial horse that starved to death while deciding between two bails of hay. This story has its origins in a similar tale told by Aristotle in which a man who has access to […]
A 60-Second Strategy The last two issues have addressed what to do When Overwhelm is on the Rise. This uncomfortable feeling can actually be a helpful indicator, if you pause long enough to ask, “What do I need?” The answer might point you to: a better organizational system, communicating more clearly, letting go of something, or […]
“I’ll have one of everything.” Imagine you are out to dinner with a friend at a popular new restaurant. The waiter asks what you would like to have and you proceed to order every item on the menu! While this may be tempting, you know that it is neither possible nor desirable to consume all […]
Pressure Motivates Pressure is a necessary component of life. Without it, many things would never be accomplished. A looming deadline, for example, spurs a project to completion.
What is Freedom? Is freedom something bestowed or declared? Is it earned, claimed, or innately present? Ask ten people and you will receive as many answers. In the personal realm, we measure freedom in terms of our own health, our work, our choices, time, finances, and obligations. In the larger context of society and the […]
Don’t Throw Away Your Flight Plan 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 […]
Three Worthy No’s #1 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 […]
Making Room for Growth 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 […]
Regaining Perspective 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 […]
The Kind of Phone Call I Like to Get 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 […]