A few weeks ago, I was at the Agile 2018 conference. The conference has changed from its beginnings. It’s now full of certifications and big consulting organizations that will sell you “the One Right agile framework,” regardless of your context (my caps). My experience is that if you want any kind of change—personal or professional—your […]
How Can You Understand Someone’s Context? Read More »
You encounter a setback or a loss. Someone, a well-meaning someone, tells you to “just get over it.” How can you? The quick answer is you don’t. (Well, I don’t.) What we do instead is move through the change model. Let me unpack that well-meaning, albeit wrong, sentence. “Just” is not a useful word to describe any
How Can You “Just Get Over It”? Read More »
I recently met a digital nomad. She literally travels the world, writing in various places. She has many chances to experience various cultures. She is open to many possibilities. I said to her, “I can’t do that.” She asked, “Why not?” She’s not the only person who’s challenged my thinking around possibilities or choices. The reality
How Can You Change ‘I Can’t’ to Why Not? Read More »
In the comments for What’s the Difference Between Problem Whining and Problem Solving?, I spoke about a couple of different things: Being attached to the process or being attached to the outcome/result Perceived or real lack of choices with respect to the outcome In this post, I’ll address what we might attach to: the process or
Are You Attached to the Process or the Outcome? 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 »
At the Agile 2017 conference last week, I volunteered for “Agile Therapy,” a chance to discuss a topic of your choice for 20 minutes with an experienced coach. I was the coach. Just in case you weren’t sure. One of the people who came to me asked about automation. We had a wide-ranging discussion which
What Is Your Obligation? Read More »
A few weeks ago, Mark coined the term, “excessively above average.” Since then, he’s used it for his progress on rehabbing his Achilles tendon post-surgery, my hyperbole, and other things, such as my book sales. We laugh every time we use the term. I like to be above average in almost everything. And, that’s quite
When are You Excessively Above Average? Read More »
I was coaching a client recently, and he said something fascinating. “That wasn’t on my life map. I hadn’t even thought of it.” I asked him more questions, and he explained that he had this idea of a life map. He knew where he wanted to go, and he had several ways to get there.
What’s on Your Life Map? Read More »
Long ago, I had a huge fight with my grandmother. She said something untrue. I told her it was untrue and I explained why. Her response was, “You have such a black-and-white view of the world.” That’s true. I don’t believe in what we now call “alternative facts.” I call them “lies.” Notice that I
How Can We Discuss a Difference of Beliefs? Read More »
I was watching John Green’s Who I Was in High School video and I was struck by how much I resonated with it. I wasn’t a poor student in high school, but my teachers always said I wasn’t quite reaching “my potential.” I was curious how they thought they knew my potential when I had no idea.
What’s Your Destiny? Read More »