Strategies for Personal Change

Book Reviews – Top 2 for ’21

I used to curate an Annual Reading List, but after a while I learned two things: 1) a LOT of people and organizations do the same, to the point where mine felt redundant, and 2) based on click-tracking, I determined what people most appreciate is the surfacing of the BEST of the best. So I stopped publishing lists of what …

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Leadership and Workplace, Strategies for Personal Change

ThanksGETTING – How do you receive a Gift?

As the saying goes, It is better to give than to receive. But if you pour water into a leaky glass, it won’t slake your thirst. So, let’s look at the receiving end of the process.  Do you have a friend who is impossible to praise? If you say, “I appreciate the work you did,” might they say, “thank you for saying that?” …

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ThanksGIVING – How do you offer it?

As the American Thanksgiving holiday approaches, our thoughts turn to Giving Thanks and the emotion of Gratitude. This emotion is so foundational to the experience of all the Positive Emotions that I believe it is impossible to oversell its importance or speak of it too often.  Gratitude is defined as, the quality of being warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; …

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My Origin Poem

The Origin Poem This second origins exercise (as mentioned in my previous post on Cultural Bio) — a fill-in-the-blanks worksheet — took far longer to complete and required that I decide which memories really define me. ‘twas a mostly positive and joyful exercise. I’ve uploaded instructions here if you’d like to try it (Word file) Why bother? Sharing who you …

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Leadership and Workplace, Strategies for Personal Change

Three Simple Rules

Wisdom shows up when you’re ready A few months ago I posted these “Three Simple Rules In Life” on my wall after I read them in a blog post. At that precise moment I needed a kick in the butt to get moving on a project. The rules felt fresh and brilliant to me. If you do not go after …

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Strategies for Personal Change

Will I Ever Feel Safe Again?

Chapter One: Hugs Imagine standing on a street corner wearing a t-shirt that reads “Free Hugs.” In 2019 it might have gotten you a few strange looks, probably a lot of return hugs, and possibly a touching viral YouTube video. In 2020 you might have been arrested. In mid-2021 you will still get strange looks, inquiries as to your vaccination …

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Leadership and Workplace, Strategies for Personal Change

LESSONS LEARNED FROM A PANDEMIC

Lessons Learned from a Pandemic Year As we wrapped 2020 I asked members of my tribe to reflect–in a positive way–on what you learned from the “dumpster fire” that was 2020. I continue to ask that question in every meeting and talk I attend. And what rich sharing it has been! While media headlines have highlighted gloom and despair, your …

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Special Request from Jim – What did you learn in 2020?

What did you learn this year?  In a normal year it is a common practice to look back to reflect on accomplishments before looking forward to plan for the next. Janus, the ancient Roman god of beginnings and endings, represents this duality. As this Dumpster Fire of a year blessedly draws to an end, I’m looking forward to 2021 and …

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Why Listening Is Important

Oprah-Winfrey-Importance-Listening

  Why Listening is Important.  In this interview clip, Oprah – who made her living by listening – describes the insight that informed much of her career: The One Question Every Guest Asked.

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Leadership and Workplace, Strategies for Personal Change

Lessons From The Muck

Muck [muhk], noun, moist farmyard dung, decaying vegetable matter, etc.; manure; a highly organic, dark or black soil; mire; mud. From 1200–50; Middle English muc, muk <<Old Norse myki cow dung Say WHAT?? When we moved to a new home in 2016, we inherited a large, reed-infested marshy pond that had been neglected for 30 years. We mostly avoided it because the area was …

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