Mindset – Thought Changer

The sun was a glowing orb framed by dark-rimmed clouds. Ever present the sun. The light. I was reminded again about how the light of the sun is always there. It doesn’t have to try, it’s ready to show up, to shine through as the beacon for all that is and will be. It’s comforting. Light was my word for 2022. As I was filling the dishwasher about a year ago, the phrase flowed into my mind: 2022, the year of light. My intention for the year was to seek the lightness of being, to follow the light of my spirit in all areas of life. Today, there is much to ponder and reflect on. To share. So, what has come to light? In random order, here are a few things that have bubbled up and stayed with me. Perhaps it will spark in you things that have come to… Read more →

One expands your energy, the other puts a lid on it. Guess which is which. I had a discussion with some friends yesterday about phrases we habitually use, whether they are thought connectors, or simply phrases that fill the space. Words like “right”, or “like”, or “exactly.” A phrase that I have used and have started to use again is “it is what it is.” I had even included it in an article a long time ago as an example of an equalizer in a difficult management moment, an momentary acceptance if you will. But, now I realize it’s more a phrase of resignation, of resigning to a less than ideal situation or circumstance. It has shifted my thinking about the notion of acceptance. The very synonyms of resignation say it all: acquiescence, conformity, long-suffering, uncomplainingness. That kind of makes me want to laugh and cry at the same time…. Read more →

Dinner guests were arriving when the electric igniter went out on my oven. And, then a few minutes later I discovered the igniter on my gas grill was also out. After a momentary panic attack I re-thought the evening, ordered in and we got a laugh out of it. But, being aware of metaphor and the subtle epiphanies it can bring, it got me thinking about where in our lives the igniters go out from time to time. For both the grill and the oven it was an easy fix to re-ignite the mechanism. What about re-igniting our lives and careers? It’s a powerful act and allows you to live your life rather than your life living you. Taking it a step further, it got me thinking about the impact other Re’s can have on us and all we do. Think about your own life and career for a moment…. Read more →

“Seeing is believing.” ~ American Proverb The past weekend symbolized for many, new beginnings, re-birth and revitalization. It seemed the perfect time to create a vision board. So, my two best girlfriends, Ferrell and Kelly, and I spent Saturday exploring our goals, dreams and visions and then created vision boards full of images, words and phrases that brought those to life. Yes, mimosas were involved, but we took this very seriously. So much of this process is changing your mindset from one of “maybe, if and possibility” to one of “yes, now and probability.” Possibility is awesome; but probability is the seed of certainty. We brought the goals and visions that we had each laid out at the beginning of the year, educated ourselves about vision boarding principles and then spent an entire afternoon supporting each other’s bold, dream-big-live-big visions. And, what was truly beautiful about it, in that ‘yes,… Read more →

“The key to change…is to let go of fear.” ~ Rosanne Cash I posted this quote on my social media this week and this question came back: How do you do that? It got m e thinking about fear and how just the very mention of the word can stop us in our tracks sometimes. FEAR. It can stop us from making decisions, or from taking advantage of an opportunity that puts us out of our comfort zone. The very notion of fear can cause inertia which is not helping you, or anyone for that matter. It’s helpful to re-define scary terms, to think about them in a new way. Some people define fear as False Evidence Appearing Real, in other words fear isn’t real. And, there is truth to that sentiment. But, when you’re in the middle of a fear it feels pretty darn real. Here are two new… Read more →

Team USA has been having a big week at the Winter Olympics with several visits to the medal podium. My 16-year-old nephew is visiting this week so we’ve been couch fans together. When I spend time with him I can’t help but look for little teaching moments. What can I say? It’s what I do. There’s much to be learned from these incredible Olympic athletes, the greatest being their champion mindset. It got me thinking about how we can apply the elements of this mindset to the betterment of our careers and lives. Snowboarder Shaun White set the field this week in the Men’s Halfpipe event with a first place score in the first run. He didn’t even have to do his second drop; he already had the Gold. But he did it anyway and he raised the bar just that much higher in a sport that he helped put… Read more →

One event that never fails to happen when visiting my parents, naturally happened again over the holidays. It’s an event that causes chuckles and shushes from the backseat of the car as Mom and Dad yet again try and conquer the map directions in the front seat, with Dad driving and Mom navigating. And, I use both verbs loosely because no matter who is behind the wheel, they both “drive” and they both “navigate,” equally and at the same time. And, to add hilarity to the situation, last year they bought a GPS navigation system, named her Gertrude and figured “she” would bring peace and harmony to their journeys because Gertrude would carry the navigation burden. But, no! Somehow they found a way to second guess Gertrude as they settled back into their tug of war bliss. I say bliss because my parents have been happily married for 50 years… Read more →

Let’s begin the year with an admission. I like themes. What can I say, I’m one of those sad sacks who likes (pause for effect) theme parties. I’ve been known, in years past, to host nerd parties, dress-like-your-favorite-dead-celebrity parties, mystery dinner parties, bad prom/bridesmaid dress parties, etc. That scary confession aside, I do think it’s effective to give yourself a theme for the year. In good storytelling the theme is the through line from which the main message is derived, or the main questions are answered. When it’s a successful theme all key aspects of the story connect back, in large or small measure, to that premise. When you give yourself an annual theme it becomes a touchstone statement for you to keep coming back to all year allowing your intentions to remain alive. My annual themes invariably have to do with either a mantra that motivates me, an area… Read more →

Maria Shriver has called this the “year of the woman.” This causes me to think about those who have left their mark. They are remembered for their gifts. One of Eleanor Roosevelt’s many gifts was fearless outspokenness; Jackie Onassis is revered for her grace under pressure; Mother Teresa’s selfless heart set her apart and there are countless others. You may not think you stack up to these women in history, but, you can learn from your own herstory or history. This year instead of making a list of resolutions, putting focus on what you don’t have, try making a list of revelations about the remarkable gifts you already possess and how you’ll make them work for you in 2010. As you zero in on your unique talents, you’ll discover your potential for success. Set aside some quiet time and answer these questions to help re-discover your gifts. A part of… Read more →

The challenging words Ronald Reagan uttered 22 years ago, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall,” still echo today, even 20 years after the actual fall of the wall, this week marking the two decade anniversary. But, who would have guessed then that the “wall” would still exist today for many people in Germany? That being the “wall in the mind.” An article by NBC news producer Doug Adams brings to light how many people in Germany, both in the East and the West, are unable to tear the wall down in their minds. They are locked into the East vs. West mindset where, as Kipling said, “never the twain shall meet.” All sectors, from media to business to government, still compare the two sides which in and of itself fosters the lagging dividing line between them. This particularly clicked in for me after coincidentally visiting the Reagan Presidential Library over… Read more →

“Good leaders know when to follow and when to lead.” ~ Bob Proctor, Author & Business Coach Recently I spent time in Las Vegas with nearly 200 amazing entrepreneurs and business leaders at a conference led by powerful business coach David Neagle. And, throughout his teaching he quoted Bob Proctor several times, crediting Proctor as his own mentor and teacher. “It’s lonely at the top.” I heard a former boss utter that one day and it left me cold. But, it got me thinking recently about where that sentiment came from and if it is indeed true. Was the person who first coined that phrase a good leader? Does someone with that frame of mind create a moat around themselves, isolating themselves from further growth and therefore from creating a greater impact as a leader? In today’s most effective business language, that of being transparent and partner-minded, the second you… Read more →