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 …

[ > Keep reading ]

Read more articles like this one in: About Happiness, Communication, Executive Coaching, Happiness Tips, Health, Leadership, Meaning, Mindfulness, Strategies for Personal Change
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?” …

[ > Keep reading ]

Read more articles like this one in: Happiness, Health, Leadership, Leadership and Workplace, Meaning, Strategies for Personal Change

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; …

[ > Keep reading ]

Read more articles like this one in: About Happiness, Communication, Everyday Happiness, Happiness Tips, Health, In the workplace, Leadership, Meaning, Pleasure, Practicing Happiness
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 …

[ > Keep reading ]

Read more articles like this one in: About Happiness, Everyday Happiness, Happiness Tips, Health, Leadership, Leadership and Workplace, Meaning, Mindfulness, Pleasure, Relationships, Strategies for Personal Change, Uncategorized

DUST MOTES OF WISDOM

During my search for past writings on Optimism, I came across this article from 2012, LONG before pandemics and 2020’s turmoil – and I was struck by how much of the wisdom from a “normal” year still applies, but feels different, in a pandemic year. With minor tweaks, I share this from the archives. My ambition for this newsletter was …

[ > Keep reading ]

Read more articles like this one in: About Happiness, Everyday Happiness, Happiness, Happiness Tips, Health, Meaning, Mindfulness, Pleasure, Practicing Happiness

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 …

[ > Keep reading ]

Read more articles like this one in: About Happiness, Happiness Testimonials, Health, Leadership, Meaning, Mindfulness, Trust and Coaching

DO I BELONG HERE? REFLECTIONS ON MY WHITENESS

Lily Tomlin saying: I always wondered why somebody didn't do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody.

DISCLAIMER: This post moves into territory I have never before addressed publicly. I recognize that for some this topic may push into what they experience as polarizing space. I offer this essay as MY reflection on MY experience in the world right now, and I make no judgment whatsoever about you and your position in the world. I invite you only …

[ > Keep reading ]

Read more articles like this one in: About Happiness, Everyday Happiness, Meaning
Strategies for Personal Change

My Top Book Recommendation for 2018

My top book pick of last year: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi In my life I’ve read thousands of books. I am typically reading two books in hardcopy, another on my Kindle, and one via Audible in my car. I am generally a one-and-done reader, though I do have handful of books I’ve read over and again in …

[ > Keep reading ]

Read more articles like this one in: About Happiness, Everyday Happiness, Happiness, Health, Meaning, Practicing Happiness, Strategies for Personal Change

WHO will you be next year?

Leadership is Personal I had a stimulating conversation with an amazing person the other day.  She is the president of a company striving to build a better world, and many of her observations and questions revolved the topics of social impact, making a difference, and the power of Leadership. We really connected around a descriptor she used for her company: we don’t …

[ > Keep reading ]

Read more articles like this one in: Executive Coaching, Leadership, Meaning

What to do when someone you love is grieving

A coaching client recently lost a dear aunt to cancer. “She was like a mom to me,” he explained. A day after our last meeting, he wrote to ask for some help. “Hey, Jim, I was talking with my cousin today. He said that his dad isn’t doing well with his wife passing. He cries every time on the phone.. …

[ > Keep reading ]

Read more articles like this one in: Meaning, Practicing Happiness, Relationships