In case you haven’t noticed, life doesn’t always go according to plan. Even the most carefully planned strategies and very best intentions get derailed by the unexpected and the unavoidable. It’s not just the big things, like career paths and families, that don’t always turn out the way we’d envisioned; we frequently get …
I am an admitted news-junkie, avid-reader, and life-long-learner. I consume hours of news stories and dozens of articles every day, and I love it. I enjoy being informed, knowing what’s going on in the world, and – most importantly – learning new things. I also have a lot of other things I want …
Last year the world lost a remarkable man, talented speaker, and incredible teacher. Though several months have gone by since Zig Ziglar passed away, I still frequently reflect on the awesome legacy he left behind, and hardly a day goes by when one of his quotes or some of his advice doesn’t pass through my …
When planning and anticipating something important, it’s very easy and very tempting to spend time and energy thinking about all the negative possibilities. Perhaps, if you consider from every angle each scenario where something might go drastically wrong, then you can proactively avoid those scenarios! Seems logical, right? In reality, thinking about everything …
Author, speaker, and sound expert Julian Treasure is passionate about the often overlooked power and importance of sound. In a 2011 TED talk, Treasure addressed a critical concern, that “We are losing our listening.” He explained that since we’ve invented ways of recording, there’s become less of a premium placed on accurate and careful …
There are a lot of things in this world over which we have little or no control. We have little, and many times no control over weather, some illnesses, traffic, the attitudes and actions of other people, and the cost of necessities such as fuel and groceries. The reality is that sometimes, a significant …
Whenever you first begin a new pursuit, whether it’s building a new business, working on an advanced degree, changing careers, training for an athletic event, or anything else, it’s easy to get discouraged when you think about how many steps are involved and how far away your goal appears to be. I believe that …
While we all appreciate hearing the words, “Thank you,” the value of this simple phrase can vary greatly from one utterance to another. We all know that when those words pass some lips, they mean very little, while those same words can mean the world coming from someone else. Context matters greatly when it comes …
Whether it’s a presentation to a conference room full of senior executives, a speech to a crowd of your peers, a blog article on an important topic, or a book that just went to press – whenever we “put ourselves out there,” we tend to hold our breath and wait for the feedback. Every …
Twentieth century American philosopher Will Durant succinctly distilled a thought from the work of Aristotle in two short sentences: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” I have long believed in the power of habit. If you really stop to think about it, you’ll be …
We all like to get out of something as much or more than what we put into it. When we work hard, we expect to receive fair compensation, respect and appreciation. When we sow seeds, we anticipate reaping the harvest. So naturally, when there’s not enough to go around, we each worry about our fair …
If you’re like me, the word stamina brings to mind physical energy and athletic ability. It’s that physical drive that enables a person to push their body’s limits, stave off exhaustion, and just keep going. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have as much physical strength and stamina as I’d like. Even though I …
You might be wondering what lessons from the plains of Africa could possibly be relevant to you and your organization! Well, I believe in making every experience a learning experience. If you pay attention, business, leadership and success lessons can be learned in the most unlikely places. You might just be surprised by what can …
A recent issue of The Modern Servant Leader blog (http://modernservantleader.com) featured an article by Benjamin Lichtenwalner asking readers to think about whether they are a climber or a contributor. This is an excellent question worthy of careful thought, conclusions and appropriate actions! Which are you, a climber or a contributor? The honest truth will …
I have always been a people watcher. Not in an inappropriate way – I simply like to spend my time in a crowd noticing the details of that crowd. Whether sitting in my favorite coffee shop, strolling through a museum, or relaxing in a park, I keep my eyes open for interesting people. It might …
Inspiration is more than motivation. Inspiration is greater and more powerful than motivation. A person can be motivated by a number of factors. Fear is a common motivator, and so is money or other rewards. Guilt, or a sense of duty or obligation can also be a motivator. Inspiration, however, is birthed from …
An article written by Michael Hess for CBS Money Watch serves as a reminder that customer service really is not customer service when done begrudgingly. In the article, If You Do Something For A Customer, Do It Happily, Hess relates a story about a very poor customer service experience that could have been completely different had …
I have long admired the leadership and wisdom of General Colin Powell. I had the privilege several years ago to spend about thirty minutes alone with the General, and my positive perception and respect for him did not diminish one bit – in fact, it increased exponentially! Here is a man who not only possesses …
Gratitude is a truly refreshing sentiment. We all enjoy being the recipients of genuine gratitude – it feels good to be recognized and appreciated! But more than receiving gratitude, I think nothing does the soul more good than feeling and expressing heartfelt thankfulness. Think about it, when we are truly grateful toward others, when we …
I recently wrote down something Michael Hyatt said and with which I absolutely agree: “There is no failure unless I quit.” I’ve written on this topic several times, including an article just a few months ago titled The True Definition of Failure, but I believe in this concept so strongly that I can’t help but revisit it, particularly …