We live in crazy times. No matter how you analyze it, the events happening around us are often unprecedented and challenging. The gamut of craziness runs from politics and investigations to egregious behavior and accusations to social media, uncivil media, and so much more. I’m not discounting the tremendous opportunities that exist these days. However,…
I’m making a bold prediction about what your holidays will be like: They will be pretty much as you expect. Okay, so maybe it isn’t a bold prediction, but it is accurate. If you go into the holidays assuming they will be a hassle, they will. If you decide they will be a time of joy and celebration,…
Curiosity is a wonderful thing. Being open to new ideas and pursuing new topics is largely beneficial. But is there ever a downside? There is, and it is to be distracted by the interesting. I know. I’ve experienced it. Because I am interested in so many different things, I sometimes follow rabbit holes that are entertaining,…
Growing up my mom often used the phrase, “This will cure what ails you!” The “cure” varied widely as she said it about everything from bad behavior to an upset stomach. As my mom believed, there might be a universal cure to whatever ails you. So, what is it? First, consider: Writer’s often complain of…
A client recently told me about the amazing Halloween celebration they were having for their employees and their families. He made it sound so good I wanted to go, too. Then he said, “It doesn’t make us more productive, but it is fun.” I respectfully disagree. I think having fun does make an organization more…
Your purpose is essential to pursuing your potential. If you want to be everything you can be, you need a compelling reason, and that is your purpose. It takes a strong why to power the what and how of making your best better. In my new book, The Potential Principle, I map out four essential areas to focus on for personal and…
You and I know what is probable, but seldom understand what is possible. Andrew Shapiro is an example of someone who blew through “probable” and set a new standard for “possible.” Inspired by his father’s triumphant battle with cancer, Andrew committed himself to setting a Guinness World Record for pull-ups. He practiced incessantly, building his…
Did you know that Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone and Charles Lindberg were good friends? They had homes in Florida and often fished, dined, and socialized together. These highly successful men shared similar interests and philosophies, and through their individual perspectives and ideas, they challenged, sharpened, and expanded each other’s thinking. We become greater…
Isaac Newton understood the value of focus. He credited his many successes and discoveries as “owing more to patient attention than to any other talent.” How focused are you? How much time do you waste each day on low-priority or ineffective activities? Imagine what you could accomplish if you stayed consistently focused on other, more…
Change is a constant. (Ho hum.) But if you know that, what are you doing about it? If you are committed to making your best even better, you won’t just react to change, you’ll create it. In this blog series, I’ve been sharing tips from my new book, The Potential Principle, on where to focus on…