I recently met two engineering managers: Joe and Mary. Both 55. Both are bored with their jobs. And taking totally different approaches to their boredom problems. Joe decided to hang out in his current position—for the next 12 years, until he meets the retirement age of 67. He’s choosing personal stability. Mary is gathering her …
When Do You Choose Personal Stability Over Professional Change? Read More »
When you were a child, your parents made all the decisions for how you lived. I distinctly remember thinking it was “so unfair” that I had to go to bed and not read more. Yes, I was one of those kids who read under the covers with a flashlight. Even as adults, we live in …
How Do We Balance the Power to Make Decisions with Who Feels the Outcomes? Read More »
Despite all the uncertainty we see these days, some people still value predictions and certainty over adaptability and resilience. Then, when their predictions and certainty don’t work, these folks suddenly value adaptability. When we show others the value of our flexibility, we don’t surprise ourselves with fake certainty. We can, especially if we show others …
Three Ways to Show Others the Value of Your Adaptability and Resilience Read More »
CAL Newsletter: Where Do You Choose to Draw Your Boundaries? Sometimes, people ask us for more than we want to offer—or can reasonably achieve. When people ask us for more than we want to offer, we have many options for responses. Each of those responses reflects our boundaries. That means we need to know how …
I’ve been shopping for a dress to wear to my younger daughter’s wedding. (I’ll call her YD because that’s definitely not her name.) I have many criteria for a dress. Aside from flattering me, the dress has to work with my rollator. That means the dress can’t be chiffon. At OD’s (Older Daughter) wedding, I …
When I was a kid, I went to summer camp. I loved it. In the last week, I would say to myself, “This is the last Monday. How can I make this my best Monday?” I decided on one thing and did that. Those last weeks were my best weeks. A couple of years went …
How Can You Use Your Projected Last Moment to Create a Great Present Moment? Read More »
My expertise spans several dimensions. So does yours. Professionally, I’m an expert in many aspects of management and product development. Personally, since I’ve spent so much time in physical therapy over the years, I know what kinds of PT tend to work for me. And let’s not forget my vertigo. I’m an expert in vertigo. …
I hear a lot of “either/or” language in work situations: We “must” do this thing. Here’s an example: We’re not agile if we don’t do some practice, such as standups. We “cannot” do exactly the same thing. We can’t do that practice, such as standups, and be agile. I hear either/or language in personal situations, too: …
When Can You Recognize and Avoid the Trap of Either/Or Thinking? Read More »
Over the years, I’ve been reading about stoicism in small doses. (I can’t stand some of the acceptance nonsense.) I suspect I’m not a very good stoic. I’m too loud and excitable. However, I do find much of stoicism’s ideas useful. That’s because I suggest: We see our reality, first and foremost. We start small …
As I write this in August 2020, the schools are planning how to open in the fall. And, the various college sports are trying to decide how or if they will play. How do we decide to persevere or to change? Schools fulfill many vital roles in a child’s life. The younger the child, the …