We live in a world filled with constraints. Sometimes, those constraints are on where we can travel or be. Sometimes, those constraints are about our physical capabilities (such as my vertigo or my height). Many constraints we impose on ourselves or allow our organizations to impose on us. Often, we fight against those constraints inside our organizations, […]
When Do Constraints Help? Read More »
It’s the beginning of a new year, and that means many people have resolutions. They’re thinking about what they will add to their lives. While addition might be helpful, what about removing things from your life? What would that look like? Here’s what happens to me if I’m not careful. I see a good idea
What Can You Remove? Read More »
In my coaching and consulting, I often encounter people who think in “or.” They ask, “Should I take this action or that action?” (They might talk about decisions, but it’s the same idea. It’s one or the other.) I’ve been asking them this question, “Can you mash those two ideas together to use an “and”
How Do You Create a Third Option? Read More »
At this time of year, many people start their todo lists or write down resolutions. Actions and resolutions are about the “what we want to accomplish.” Many people start with “what” instead of “why.” For example, many people (including me) want to lose weight over the coming year. You might want to learn a new
How Can You Think About Who You Want to be Next Year? Read More »
I find the current sexual harassment and discrimination scandals dispiriting. Regardless of the good work these men (and some women) have achieved in their lives, their legacy will always be one of sexual predation, an abuse of power. (I wrote a little about this and how it plays out in work in Power, Management, and
How Do We Reconcile Our Perceptions vs Our Realities? Read More »
I was watching Ken Robinson on Passion. He made the claim that too many people live lives that are not fulfilling. Your work drains you. Instead, what energizes you? I reflected on my life. I am lucky. I found many parts of my professional life that energize me: Anything about product development energizes me: programming,
What Energizes You? Read More »
I wish I was perfect in many things: in my writing, in my coaching, in my personal life. I’m often good, sometimes great, and sometimes a disaster. I can only be a disaster if I’m willing to try an experiment. That means I try to live Voltaire’s quote: The perfect is the enemy of the
How Perfect Must You Be? Read More »
One of my readers sent me a private email responding to the When Are You Excessively Above Average? question. The reader felt as if he should want to master some learning. However, the work had no meaning for him. Too often, people feel stuck in their roles, because they should want to master them. Or they should
Are Your Shoulds Trapping You? Read More »
I was talking with my father recently about my writing workshops. I’m finishing the last touches on the first one and hope to finally make it available for registration any day now. (Famous last words.) I explained that even though people signed up for the workshops knowing they would do 15-30 minutes a day of
When Do You Suffer from FEAR? Read More »
I was walking briskly with a client between buildings on the campus. He told me he’d lost five pounds will all the running around he did all day. He said, “I never feel as if I accomplish anything. I want to be successful!” (He might have said I need to be successful. I no longer remember.)
What Does Success Mean to You? Read More »