We are what our habits allow us to be

Human development can be seen as a process of waking up to the choices that were there all the time. When we witness the nature of our habituation, when we open to the possibilities that our habits previously screened out, we have a moment of real choice. (and this is where Coaching emerges as midwife to the birth of a new ways of being in the world)

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I Don't Want to be a Superstar; I just want to be ME!

I wish inspirational commercials like this were actually run on television, where they could reach more people and offer positive messages in the media. It’s a minute and a half, and the most powerful message comes right at the end: I don’t want to be a superstar; I want to be better than that. I just want to be me!

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14 Life Lessons from a Trip to Italy

Immersion in a foreign culture refreshes the way I view the world. First, the “different-ness” of life in another country or region opens up new awareness; then, my newly expanded lens causes me to review habits and beliefs that were previously “invisible” to me. Through the lens of learning, I share with you my most powerful life lessons from my family’s recent trip to Italy:

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What would you get on your tattoo?

Last week one of my clients confessed to me that, “I’m thinking of getting a tattoo.” I was amused for a moment, as this client is a high-powered top executive with a very conservative organization– and who has teenagers in the house. The conversation continued, “I’ve always loved the Celtic symbol for Balance, and now that I’ve made such great …

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There are Reasons for Optimism

I keep a running list of my favorite inspirational thoughts for use when I need a little lift.  This one just jumped out at me today — a great reminder that whatever I/we might be struggling with today, it’s all temporary. I subscribe to (and HIGHLY recommend) the daily Note From the Universe from www.tut.com (TUT stands for Totally Unique …

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The Point is to Live the Question

At a recent coaching conference, a wise colleague shared a very powerful practice: the 10-Year Question. In coaching, questions are the primary tool: the probe, the lever, the dynamite that can explode a story, the key to unlocking awareness.  What sort of question, I thought, could take ten years to answer?  That would be a powerful question, indeed! “So,” we …

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Happiness is Flying High!

Zip Lining over the Costa Rican Rain Forest I had a lot of adventures on my recent vacation in Costa Rica — I explored coral reefs, climbed a mountain on horseback, and allowed myself to be strapped to a steel cable and pushed out of tree — upside down.  Yikes! I took this video on one of my right side …

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The Unforgettable Commencement Address 2009

This speech was delivered this month at Commencement for the University of Portland, where the speaker, Paul Hawken, received an honorary doctorate.  I find it inspirational — he points to the huge difference that just one person, working for a cause, can make in the world.  You can also find the complete talk at the University of Portland’s website Commencement: …

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Questioning the Need for Answers

I fear that one of the biggest obstacles to solving our world’s many problems is that we’ve become a society where, if you don’t have THE answer — and the CORRECT answer — on the first pass, you are labeled ineffective.  You are a failure if you don’t have the answer. I got to thinking about this after a colleague …

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