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’m on my way to Agile Prague, transiting through JFK. JFK is an older airport and the way you move from a domestic terminal to the international terminal is to take a bus, aka jitney. Yes, they call it a jitney. The jitney has a ramp so it’s easy for me to get on and
When is “Let’s Not” the Right Answer? Read More »
Mark and I both wear glasses. Several years ago, I bought many microfiber cloths so I could clean my glasses, especially at breakfast. For some reasons, my glasses attract fingerprints and smushes when I’m sleeping. (I know, the smushes were there when I went to bed, but I don’t see the dirtiness in the evening.)
What Are You Saving It For? Read More »
I have a form to fill out and return in the postage-paid envelope. I filled out the form. It’s 21 pages. It does not fit into a #10 (business) envelope. I tore the envelope trying to fit the form into the envelope. I called the person who mailed me the form and explained. I planned
How Do You Know It Should? Read More »
I was coaching a prospective consultant. He had big plans for his business. He wanted to make a ton of money. He wanted to run gigantic workshops. (His word, not mine.) He had Big, Big Plans. I asked him what success meant to him. He had an answer all about money. So I asked him
What’s Enough For You? Read More »
I read Jerry Weinberg’s Advice to New Graduates and thought I would ask this question about unlearning. I had to unlearn many things when I started to work. Here are some of the highlights: The myth of the one-person project. I had to depend on other people to finish work I started. Unlike school, I never
What Do You Need to Unlearn? 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 »
So many times we look for perfection—in our projects, in our homes, and in our personal lives. What’s so good about perfection? I see people try for perfection in any number of ways. We added this bathroom in our old house. When the tile guy asked me where I wanted the soap dish, I said,
The comments to How Do You Reply to a Thank You? made me think. (Thank you!!) I realized that being in a position of honor might trigger emotions you (and I) might not feel ready for. The first time someone told me how I had helped his career with one of my talks, I had
How Do You Feel When Others Honor You? Read More »