How Can You Use Optimism to Achieve Your Goals? I recently learned about “dynamic optimism” and “passive optimism.” Dynamic optimists act. They see their reality, they set a goal. They use a variety of steps to achieve their goal, using the growth mindset all along the way. They persevere. Passive optimists don’t do those things. They hope for […]
CAL Newsletter: How Can You Use Optimism to Achieve Your Goals? Read More »
A colleague worries that his team wants to change too much about how they work, all at once. He said, “They have 47 ideas that they want to use, to change how they work.” I said, “47 seems like a lot.” He nodded. “I suspect there are 46 too many for now.” After we both
Do You Need to Focus or Harness Your Energy? Read More »
I’ve been speaking a ton this year, primarily around the Modern Management Made Easy books. Some meeting facilitators have a little trouble with the idea I wrote 18 books. Some people can’t believe it. (Literally. They say, “I can’t believe it!” I laugh.) Some facilitators ask how many more I plan to write. (Many!) One
Are You Competing With Others or Modeling Yourself After Their Accomplishments? Read More »
I have not created or maintained a sustainable pace this week. I’m finishing books. I discovered my checklists now miss some steps. I’ve been working too early and too late. Sustainable pace? Not right now. Under normal circumstances, I use these tactics: Start work at roughly the same time every day. Stop work at roughly the
When Can You See You Have an Unsustainable Pace? Read More »
I’m holding two opposing views of my work. I see and speak with people all over the world, every week. And, I only see the people in my house in person. I feel as if my world is getting smaller. I have a long list of things I’m not doing: Traveling to clients and working
Can You Hold Two Opposing Views in Your Head at the Same Time? Read More »
You might have heard the phrase, “May her memory be for a blessing,” when people discuss Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s death. Molly Conway wrote a wonderful essay. I encourage you to read it. You also might like Rabbi Sacks’ essay about tshuvah, tfilla, and tzedaka. And, I hope you join me in mourning the loss of
How Will Your Memory Be For a Blessing? Read More »
I’ve been thinking about perfection these days. As a society, we seem to want it all. We want everything open. We don’t discriminate between schools and airplanes. And, several people have written to me, saying they want to be perfect in some or many areas of their lives. I wish I was perfect. Not only
How Much Imperfection Can We Live With? Read More »
Here, in the US, we’re trying to open schools at all levels, play professional sports, and open as much of the economy as possible. We want it all. Now. And, we’re having problems. Some elementary, middle-grade, and high schools have closed because they have too many virus cases. Several universities only opened for a week
What Principles Do You Use for Value Decisions? Read More »
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
When Do We Decide to Persevere or Change? Read More »
Right now, in July 2020, we have several problems: COVID-19 the disease, the effect of the virus on our economy, and a reckoning of our culture. Each problem shares a common characteristic. We can’t see the finish line. We might know what we want, and we can’t see how to get there. This is related,
How Do We Operate When We Can’t See the Finish Line? Read More »