How optimistic are you? I am optimistic. I learned that when I read Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life by Martin Seligman. Yes, there’s a test for how optimistic you are. Why does it matter how optimistic you are? Optimists do better in school, college, at work, and in sports. He […]
Book Review: Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life Read More »
Some people fear failure. Some people, like me, fear mediocrity. Other people, fear success. Don’t worry. You can be human and fear all of them in different circumstances! But if you fear success, you are not alone. Maybe you’ve been trying to accomplish something for a long time. You may have convinced yourself that what
What If I Succeed? Read More »
We all have rules. Some of our rules arose from our childhoods. “Look both ways before crossing the street,” is an example of what might be a good rule. Of course, it depends which way you look first, depending on the country you’re in, right? Our rules can help us live productive lives. They can
Do Your Rules Prevent You From Solving Problems? Read More »
Some people are afraid of failure. I’ve already said that I’m afraid of mediocrity. But that’s me. Sometimes that fear of failure is so fierce that it is paralyzing. Sometimes, even worse, the fear of failure produces the very thing we fear. I see this a lot in my clients. They want assurances that their
Many years ago, I asked Mark, “Where do you go when you sleep?” I was curious. I was thinking of things such as “the soul takes over,” or “your dreams take you away” or some such philosophical waxing. Mark answered, “First I start on my left side. Then I go to my right side. Sometimes
Which Problem-Solving Picture Are You Seeing? Read More »
I want lots of things in my life. Some of them are not in my control, such as growing 6 inches taller. Sigh. But, many of them are in my control. I can get them just by asking for them. I can ask for help, as I’ve suggested several times. Asking for help is a
Ask for What You Want Read More »
Are you afraid of success? Maybe you’re afraid of failure? I’m afraid of being mediocre. Sometimes our fears lead us to not even try. And that’s a shame. Because we can work on all of these fears. Sometimes I have to as, “What’s the worst thing that could happen?” I might fail in public. Well,
What Are You Afraid Of? Read More »
I’ve been exploring adaptability in this blog for several years now, but I haven’t defined it rigorously. I discovered this report: Training Adaptable Leaders: Lessons from Research and Practice, RR1844_Adaptive Ldrs, from the US Army, and I’m slowly digesting it. Here’s how the report defines adaptability: an effective change in response to an altered situation. Well,
What is Adaptability? Read More »
In a comment on Forwards, Backwards, Who Cares?, Sherry noted that she recently started to wear progressive glasses. I’ve been wearing them for more than a decade. So, when I had my first eye exam after my vertigo, my eye doctor wondered if she should take them away. “Why would you do that?” I asked.
I’m More Capable Than My Docs Think I Am Read More »
I was sitting on the wall, chatting with Eddie, a colleague, at the Gaylord mega hotel in Nashville. I’m at the Agile 2013 conference. I recognized the female gardener as she walked by and greeted her. She asked if the Eddie, the gentleman sitting next to me was my son. I was nonplussed, surprised, and
How Old Are You on the Inside? Read More »