Life always moves forward, never backward. Your life and career are on a pathway to somewhere, so why not be intentional about your destination and enjoy the journey? Start by asking yourself two simple questions: What would I like my life to look like in a year, 5 and 10 years? When I look…
Success at any level requires the ability to follow through, to execute a plan, to persevere ... to stick to it. Get the success you deserve! Read Sticking to It: The Art of Adherence.
The best way to finish strong is to start strong. Healthy leaders create a 100-day plan, just as each President does, to set the tone for their teams. If you want to reach your goals, you have to mentally see them and then physically write them down. Just seeing them is not sufficient – your…
We work on a project for months hoping to get recognized after it is completed. What if recognizing our own growth during the project work was the real payoff? We jump on a plane to get somewhere. What if one of the best parts is the plane ride? We train for a competitive event. What if…
Although Harry Potter’s cloak of invisibility is a very cool accoutrement, invisibility is really the last thing that most humans want. Humans have a fundamental need to be seen and heard. Simply acknowledging people, their input, or their efforts is validating. We don’t require 1,000 likes from social media “friends,” but we do need human-to-human affirmation…
The fall semester of a college-bound, high school student’s senior year is filled with many decisions about his/her next chapter. One of these is whether or not to select “early decision” for a given college. “Early decision” means that you have decided, in advance, to commit to that university if they choose you and thereby…
Trees grow up through their branches, down through their roots and grow wider with each passing year. As growth occurs, trees eventually shed their protective bark to make way for growth. Humans are the same way. Just as trees need bark as a protective shield while growth occurs, you need boundaries to defend your vulnerabilities…
Sparky was our furry family member for 14 years. He was very smart, spunky, and snuggly. May he rest in peace. I vividly recall taking him for long walks after dinner. I'm not sure who needed the exercise more. Although it was a well-worn path for both of us, one particular walk taught me a…
Building your competence boosts your confidence ... and confidence is a close friend to high achievers. Building your competence is like cleaning your house. If you stop cleaning, dust collects. The need to clean never ends. To achieve the success you deserve, you need to find ways to be constantly improving. The task of building…
Although we look forward to the holidays, it can be a time of overwhelming stress at work and at home. This address given by Wallace A. Kennedy, Professor of Psychology at our alma mater, Florida State University, is powerful and practical. He was talking to the students of Maclay School in Tallahassee. One of their…
