Self-esteem is like a difficult-to-cultivate flower. It requires frequent nurturing that occurs when you keep your word and follow through on your promises. Derrick Bell This year, I’ve been on a journey to become more impeccable with my word. When I commit to being somewhere, doing something for someone, or following up, I’m more rigorous…
There was a day you decided to start that business. On that day, you had no idea what you were getting yourself into. You just began, and when obstacles came, you learned how to get over or around them to keep moving forward. Since that day, you haven’t stopped. You have consistently taken steps toward…
I like to think of myself as being a coherent whole person, but that description isn’t fully accurate. I’ve got some parts. (I’m betting you have some too.) On the one hand, I’ve got a very analytical, rational, and logical side—that part of me that loved calculus and engineering, who turns everything into a puzzle…
You are responsible for your second thought and your first action. My son and I were having some Father-Son banter a few days ago, and he said something that felt like it crossed a line. It stung, and I didn’t like it. It was one of those quick back-and-forth things, and I didn’t catch my…
I got a call from one of our family’s medical providers this week. I hadn’t paid their bill, and they were assessing us a late charge and threatening to withhold services… I felt irresponsible, careless, foolish, and sloppy when I listened to that message. I could hear myself in my head, “You idiot. You know…
I’ve been thinking and reading about leadership lately. Specifically, I’m trying to more clearly articulate what I mean when I say, “Better humans make better leaders.” What does “better” mean in that sentence? Mature? Enlightened? Capable? These words have the same problem. What do they mean? How do you measure them? So, I’ve started to…
“I tried having a bad day once. I didn’t like it, so I decided not to do it again! ~ My Therapist Imagine you woke up on the wrong side of the bed, your toast fell on the floor (butter side down), the traffic was terrible, the client was a no-show for your meeting, and…
During a recent coaching conversation, I saw more clearly than ever before what needed to change in my life. My behavior, a way of thinking and acting, was holding me back professionally and creating friction in the relationships with those I care for most. My response was to want to change it immediately. But, as…
If you’ve led your agency for any length of time, you’ve experienced some ups and downs. For example, here’s an email I got from an agency owner this week: I thought the deal would catapult us into a new level of stability. I had verbal commitments and contracts out. In the meantime, we were working…
Contented: satisfaction with one’s possessions, status, or situation. Merriam-Webster Part of being grounded is knowing that I have what I need at this moment, and when challenges or opportunities arise, I can meet them with confidence. Another word for that is contentment. When I live from a place of contentment, it’s harder for people to…