I had a big business surprise from one of my book distribution partners earlier this week. That upended all my careful plans. Since I’d been away from my office, this was my week to “catch up.” Ha! Foiled again. By definition, surprises are things we cannot anticipate. And this one was a doozy. While I […]
How Do You Manage Surprises? Read More »
As a society, we reward grit, that ability to persevere. We tell ourselves, “One more minute/hour/day, and then we’ll get what we want.” I also value perseverance. That grit helps me not just for my walking and workouts, but for my writing and other product development goals. Perseverance is how I accomplish “everything” I want.
When Is It Time to Pivot Instead of Persevere to Accomplish What You Want? Read More »
Back when I was in school, my teachers suggested I was capable of much more. I didn’t live up to their expectations. Now, some people tell me my vertigo is the kind of challenge that fits into the category of: “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” Or, they say, “God doesn’t give us more than
Whose Expectations Do You Choose to Satisfy and When? Read More »
A few months ago, in October 2023, I noticed a strange pimple on my nose that bled after I washed and dried my face. I checked with my doctor who said to see a dermatologist. I didn’t panic, but I made an appointment as soon as I could. (An urgent reaction.) The diagnosis was squamous cell skin cancer.
How Can We Combine Our Feelings of Urgency and Calm to Be Most Effective? Read More »
Last week, I had two major social interactions. First, I spoke at the Tech Leader Summit, which was great fun. I had a blast reconnecting with my colleagues and meeting new people. And I got to talk mostly about the Modern Management Made Easy books. A total win. My role was that of the expert. And my
How Comfortable Can You Be With Your Changing Role, Especially in a Social Setting? Read More »
At my instigation, Mark and I went to Norway last week to see the Northern Lights. We had a terrific time. (If you want to see just one image, go to the online version of the newsletter.) Mark found an accessible tour, so I saw the lights from two perspectives: standing in the cold—and sitting
When Do You Make Assumptions About Other People’s Abilities? Read More »
I feel as if the world is on fire—or is a half-step away from being on fire. The terrorist attack in Israel, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the subsequent terrorist threats across the world. Then there’s our politics in the US. The less said on that, the better. A dear friend and colleague will
How Can You Succeed When the World Challenges Your Problem Solving and Resilience? Read More »
This past week, I allowed other people’s behaviors to irritate me to the point of grumpiness. Even though I know better, I still allowed those people under my skin. I’ve been trying to move to more tolerance for their behaviors—because I can’t change those other people. And, I’m trying to change my reactions, so I
How Do You Move Past Grumpiness to (at Minimum) Tolerance? Read More »
People ask little kids what they want to be when they grow up—to talk about their dreams. Back when I was a kid, I had no idea about all the possibilities. I’d seen doctors, nurses, teachers, and businessmen. (No businesswomen. Yes, I am that old!) And even as a kid, I realized doctors had power—much
When Is It Time to Set Aside Your Current Dreams and Start Over? Read More »
Because I was traveling last week, I had a long list of plans for this week, mostly involving writing. Sure, I need to maintain my workouts and other personal deliverables, but I had big, big plans. Several things derailed my plans: My return flight to Boston arrived at 3:30 on Saturday morning, not 8 pm
How Do You Manage When All Your Beautiful Plans Go Poof? Read More »