You Have To Knock If You Want To Enter I recently onboarded a new client who self-described as “super excited” to begin and confessed that he’s “been waiting forever for this opportunity.” Knowing that his organization has invested in coaching for many years, I was curious: “Why have you been waiting?” His reply: “I didn’t know … Read more
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 … Read more
It’s no secret that this year has been…challenging. Just a year ago the first COVID vaccines were rolling out to front-line caregivers and those most at risk, and I shared in the general optimism that in 2021 we’d get past this Pandemic thing. Thus, my plan for 2021 included all the ideas that had been … Read more
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, … Read more
I. ACT HAPPY WEEK, DAY 4: I WROTE THIS FOR YOU I wrote this especially for you, because after the past year I know you need it: 75 happiness exercises that take anywhere from a minute to a lifetime. E-book requires a download. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ II. An Offer: Dance Differently with Stress and Confidence This is a … Read more
I. ACT HAPPY WEEK, DAY 2: FROM JIM’S KITCHEN, HAPPINESS How do you feed your soul? Do you grab pre-packaged Pleasure from the freezer, microwave it, and eat on the run; or do you cook up your Joy from scratch using organic, locally sourced ingredients? Perhaps you have a saucepan of Gratitude constantly simmering on a … Read more
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 … Read more
I began this blog 18 years ago, in November 2002, before social media was even a thing. I started the dance with 100 subscribers and over the first two years I slowly unpacked The 13 Principles of Happiness that were central to my work at that time. While my focus has expanded and shifted and gone … Read more
COVID Brain Part 3: Awesomeness One of my favorite writers has been posting daily bits of Pandemic Awesomeness. Inspired, I’ve been working on my own list. Discovering that I DO have the motivation to exercise even though the gyms are closed Having fresh baked bread twice a week for the past 20 weeks – because … Read more
COVID Brain Part 2: Coaching Conversations I have a client who has struggled w/ depression in the past and is struggling with isolation now. In a recent coaching session (in which he wanted to “work through some of the negative shit”), I asked him this question: What are you learning about yourself as a result … Read more