I’ve read a few articles about how people are responding to the COVID-19 crisis within the predictable pattern outlined in the 5 Stages of Grief, (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance). Regardless of what stage you fall into today, I want to challenge you to do something special for yourself on Saturday, July 18th, 2020….
Tag: encouragement
Pushing Past Setbacks to Silver Linings…
Setbacks can be HUGE and unavoidable. Instead of living in fear of them, learn to train your eyes on the silver linings they bring.
Comparison Kills Contentment
This morning, I saw a fit-looking man as I headed into the barbell area at the gym, and I subtly checked out how much weight he was using for his workout. God help me, and I know what I’m about to say sounds stupid and superficial, but I felt a little superior when I saw that I was lifting much more than this fit-looking young man –That is until I saw the guy behind him, a guy who could not have weighed more than 130 pounds fully dressed and wet, and that skinny, scrawny kid, who appeared to be all hair and bones, was out-lifting me. Do you know what happened to my contentment level at that moment? PFFFFFT!
Can You Coach As Well As A 12 Year Old?
As a child, I wanted to play hockey like Bobby Hall, Stan Mikita, Tony Esposito, and other Chicago Blackhawks. And when I say I wanted to “play hockey” I mean, of course, that I wanted to hit other guys with my fists and then club them with a hard slab of wood. It’s a guy…
Back-Seat Driver, or Whitewater Rafting Guide?
A whitewater rafting river guide practices at least 5 skills that strong leaders must demonstrate to generate loyal, high-performing teams. How many of those skills do you have?
Are You a Predictable Leader?
Some events are very predictable.When I was a kid, one of the surest signs that I was ready to catch some grief from my mom was her not-so-subtle inclusion of my middle name when she summoned me. When I was in school, I could usually tell I was in trouble when the teacher would add the formal-sounding “Mister” in front of my last name. In the history dating, the phrase “We have to talk” has never signaled the beginning of a big, fat, happy surprise. And if you’re a manager, if the first though an employee has when you call for a one-on-one meeting is, “Crap. I’m in trouble”… there’s a good chance that you’re a BOSS, not a LEADER.
The Lady in my Smart Phone has a Thing for Me…
Human evolution can’t keep pace with the evolution in technology. Humans appeared in the Stone Age 2.5 million years ago, and we still look and act pretty much the same. Contrast that to the telephone that, in less than 15o years, has gone from fixed, hard-wired devices requiring 1.5 billion miles of cable in the US alone to wireless, anywhere/anytime capabilities. Has the time come when technology can provide better leadership than humans?
The 51% Zone: Redefining a “Good Day”
When you’re in the 51% Zone, you redefine a good day as anything above the 50% mark. It takes practice to stay in that zone, and it doesn’t require a car accident or a tragedy as a catalyst. But it does require challenging your perspective when negative events occur.
Encouragement: What the World Needs Now…
I’m going to divulge a man secret, a secret that makes men strong and self reliant. Little has been written about this, and you’ll know why in just a moment. Ready? MEN DON’T NEED ENCOURAGEMENT, MEN DON’T NEED PRAISE. Men don’t need to hear “You look nice today.” Men get no pleasure from hearing “I…
Defeating Discouragement
A few months ago, I gathered with a few former colleagues to catch up as well as revisit old times. When we had worked together years before, our roles frequently put us in the spotlight. Unlike some jobs where you can either fail or succeed in utter anonymity, our job performance was witnessed by every…