Ever find yourself plagued by thoughts that run counter to your goal? A timely example for many right now is if you’re trying to find a job while also thinking: There are no good jobs out there in this economy. Whether true or not, thinking that thought makes it hard to take action. Like a virus that slows down your computer, doubts that lurk in your mind make your performance sluggish, too. Read more
I should clear up that mess. I should make that call. I should get moving on that. What I really should do is… Yikes, that list is endless! And while, yes, sure, we all should do a lot of things, the problem is that when you overuse the word “should”, all it does is produce a heaviness that is anything but motivating. It makes you feel like you’re already behind. Read more
Last Wednesday morning was my third opportunity to be on a local AM radio show. I had been a guest once, and then a co-host, and now I was taking another turn at co-hosting. Due to the fact that I had arrived 45 minutes early twice before, I figured I could leave the house a little later this time and still get there comfortably. Over coffee at home, I finished reviewing several articles published by the business author whom I’d be interviewing and felt well-prepared with my supply of thoughtful questions. Read more
Has anyone ever asked you to do something and you reluctantly replied “I’ll try”? That person may have walked away wondering whether you were really going to make the effort. Perhaps you’ve been on the receiving end of a compliment that went something like this: “You did a nice job but next time I think you should…” Most likely it was the second half of that sentence that you remembered. Read more
A few years ago, my husband was discussing a business issue with a friend and was anxious to decide the best course of action. After Jess described what was perplexing him, Bill said, “Well, you have a decision to make. But remember, what you’ve got here is a high-quality problem.” Jess appreciated Bill’s reminder that his problem wasn’t in the category of something to worry over. It simply called for his creativity and either way, he couldn’t lose. Read more
Ever hear yourself singing this refrain? I certainly used to but not anymore. Despite being organized by nature and a good planner, I was still often frustrated when the day ended and I glanced at what was left to be done. Then I discovered the missing piece. I realized that I had a deficit mentality with regard to time, a defeatist approach that set me up for frustration. If I believed there were not enough hours in the day, then you can bet this proved itself to be true every time. I was only defining success by if I did it all (which, of course, was impossible). Read more
The report of Christopher Reeve’s death was the first news item I heard yesterday morning. The newscasters said his legacy was not his acting career, but the way he championed the crusade to find a cure for paralysis. I recalled hearing Christopher Reeve speak at a seminar I attended four years ago. He said he had discovered that “you can do a lot more than you think” and that it’s amazing what inner resources we have that we don’t even know about. He came to understand that our relationships are “more important than doing stuff.” I believe his openness to these lessons and his very decision to live are the heart of his legacy. Read more
At the end of this year, I’ll be celebrating one of those ‘big decade’ birthdays. A goal I have is to arrive at my birthday in the best physical condition ever. Part of what this means to me is taking my exercise routine to the next level. I’m on track now, but a couple of months ago this wasn’t the case. I heard myself lamenting to a friend about how disappointed I was in my efforts for the first half of the year. I was mid-sentence when he interrupted me and said, “Yeah, but that’s history.” Read more