Practicing is a lost art. In a world of instant gratification, many have forgotten the value of practicing. Being a beginner, feeling frustration with what seems like a vast divide between where you are and where you want to be. The benefit of doing the work without immediate gratification, trusting the process, and believing in the void of evidence that…
Have you ever had a really challenging person in your life? Of course you have. We all have. The great news about being in their presence, especially if it’s with frequency, is that they are showing you exactly what NOT to do on a daily basis. Some may get exasperated, but if you come from a space of gratitude, they…
In a recent session, one of my clients shared an insightful quote about conflict: “We debate to learn, we don’t debate to win.” This is a simple phrase which keeps the outcome clear. It’s about debating ideas, opportunities, the search for the right answer or the pursuit of truth – all of which produce healthy conflict. This kind of conflict…
When things change it opens up space. Space in your mind, your environment, your beliefs, and your possibilities. You can focus on what you’re losing, what’s going away, how “hard” it will be or what you don’t like about the changes. You can also focus on what you’re gaining, what’s emerging, how “fun” it will be to learn and grow,…
When you have a challenging message to deliver, a sensitive conversation to have, a crucial conversation waiting to happen, it’s better to ask yourself how much trust you have in the relationship than plan the right words to say. If trust is high, you can use the wrong words, muck up the details, and basically enter into it unprepared because…
What if you treated every conversation as if it were the last opportunity you had? How would you relate differently to them? How would you listen? What difference would it make in your relationships? As I worked with a team recently about communication, I was reminded of how challenging it is to balance the demands of the day with the…
Changing behavior is challenging. When your habits have led you to success in various forms as a direct result of those habits, they’re doubly hard to break. When I think of being productive, it’s in my nature to use as many minutes of my waking hours as possible to create results. This leads me to push myself and work harder…
If you’ve heard the saying “absence makes the heart grow fonder,” you might apply it to being away from your loved ones and teammates as your longing for them increases while you’re away. However, there are situations where this phrase does not always apply. When you’re absent, physically, mentally, or emotionally from teammates at work, it can work in your…
“What can I help you with?” What a great question. It opens the door to learning, partnership, and collaboration. Many years ago, when I was in a state of overwhelm, I called a friend to talk and in the process of doing so I broke down in tears. She patiently listened and when I finished verbally vomiting on her, she…
Transitions. They’re challenging. Transitions require you to let go while you are also fumbling to embrace the emerging space of what’s next at the same time. Transitions are neither here nor there. Both places are uncertain. One is about completion, one is about possibility; and either way, you don’t know for sure. Like the acrobat shifting from one trapeze to…