I got out of the habit of good habits. My Mom visited me a few weeks ago. The following week I celebrated a birthday over the course of a few days. Then we welcomed a new nephew to our family. We spent time in the hospital and visiting. I loved seeing my Mom. I had a great time for my birthday. It was wonderful spending time with family to celebrate the nephew. I changed my routine that week. I adapted it to the circumstances. I had been working out 6 days/week. I lost 10 lbs. … [Read more...]
What are you waiting for?
September 9, 2011 by
Nothing can make you happy! This is a very positive and hopeful statement. Nothing can make you happy. It's possible. If you let it be. Most of us are waiting for someone or something to make us happy. I'll be happy when I get the raise, the business is profitable, my marriage is fun, my kids go to school, I get a promotion, I get married, I get a new car, we get the bigger house, I get pregnant, I lose 10 lbs ... We make being happy conditional upon receiving something else. How … [Read more...]
What bed are you sleeping in?
September 8, 2011 by
I got an email from a friend a few weeks ago. Leslie was looking for advice. She was trying to make a decision. The looming fear behind the decision was "What if it doesn't work or if I don't like it?" She didn't want to make a bed or lay in one ... because it might be the right one. Goldie Locks broke into a bear's house and tried 3 different bowls of porridge, 3 different size chairs and 3 different beds before she found the ones that were just right for her. What are you willing … [Read more...]
Are you a champion?
September 7, 2011 by
I hear bad advice a lot. The most common I people tell each other is "You should just do 'insert action'." You don't ask your infant to walk when they can't even crawl. Why do we ask adults to do things that they haven't demonstrated an ability to do? Just because you know how to walk doesn't mean the person you're trying help does. Telling them to walk produces one thing. Frustration. You're frustrated with them for not listening. They're frustrated with themselves for being stuck or … [Read more...]
Is it time for a new standard?
September 6, 2011 by
I screamed out of frustration. I hit another ball into the net. I was taking group lessons after not playing for 10 years. I expected myself to be the second coming of Roger Federer. The tennis coach came over. He scolded me. He said, "You don't have a right to get frustrated with how you're playing. You haven't practiced enough to expect yourself to do consistently well." I expect more from myself than I rightfully should. I'm not Wolfgang Puck. I don't have an professional … [Read more...]
Are you on the right path?
August 31, 2011 by
I got in my car. My intuition told me to go to the Pearl Cup. The one downtown. I've never been there. Downtown has no parking. I begrudged to my intuition, "There won't be parking. I don't want to." I drove to the Downtown Pearl Cup. I figured I was supposed to meet someone. A mysterious crossing of paths. I arrived. I circled the block. Then peered in. There was nobody inside. I came to a stop when my wife called. My intuition chimed in when I was on the phone. "Drive … [Read more...]
What if you don’t want to?
August 30, 2011 by
There will times that you don't want to work. There will be times that you don't want to smile. There are times you don't want to be friendly. There will be times when you don't want to deliver. Do it anyway. It doesn't have to be perfect. I just has to be done. … [Read more...]
Is your hole deep enough?
August 26, 2011 by
Rich told me he had no room for error. He has no money in the bank. If the business he bought doesn't turn around - quickly - his family doesn't eat. Rich is motivated. He's in a pretty deep hole. Joe just had to sell one of his businesses. He wasn't investing in it. The business got pretty run down ... Like an old house that hasn't been maintained. Joe is on the tail end of his business life. He's got the money he needs to finish this ride called life. Joe doesn't have a very deep hole. … [Read more...]
Dictate the future
August 24, 2011 by
I asked the group to close their eyes. I suggested they think about a day in the future (You can do this, too). I guided them with some questions. "Go six months out. Create a picture as vivid and real as possible. What goals have you achieved? What big wins are you celebrating? What is happening on this day 6 months out that isn't happening today? What clients are you talking to? What deals have you closed? What have you created? What's your business model? What's happening with … [Read more...]
