We all have our quirks, the things that make us who we are. When we think about the people we love, some of what makes them unique causes us to laugh, roll our eyes, or shrug our shoulders because we know that is who they are.
I have a fear of deep, open water. Imagine this scene. I am at the beach, vacationing with friends. We’ve been hanging out on the shore for hours, and as the sun lingers, someone says, “I’m roasting; let’s get in the water and cool off.”
Read MoreNearly three decades ago, I decided to transfer to Belmont University in Nashville, Tn. Little did I know that I would sit next to my future best friend, MaryAnn, on the first day of transfer student orientation. We found ourselves laughing about something that no one else found funny, and it became a lifelong bond.
Our friendship included a standing invitation to visit her family each summer. They lived in a small, rural Tennessee town called Smithville. I quickly learned that the best weekend to visit was the 4th of July, when her community was transformed into a bluegrass destination for people across the southeast.
Read MoreThe day began like most non-travel days. I made some tea, grabbed a protein bar and vitamins, and sat down in my favorite recliner. I selected some calming music to play in the background and started checking email on my laptop.
While working, I noticed that I kept rubbing my left eye; it felt irritated. I took a break from my work, walked into the bathroom, stood in front of the mirror, and examined my eye. I expected it to be red, but it wasn’t. I looked for a wild out-of-place eyelash that might be brushing my eye, but I didn’t see anything. I returned to my recliner but couldn’t stop rubbing my eye. A few minutes later, I walked back to the mirror, and again, nothing.
Read MoreI love international travel. I have been to nearly twenty countries and have never regretted saying yes to the opportunity to pack up, go, and explore a new place.
Being in a different culture, tasting new foods, learning about unfamiliar customs and norms, and experiencing a unique pace of life are welcomed disruptions for me. While I return from each trip, having learned a lot about a country and its people, my biggest growth is much more personal.
Read MoreIf you opened my closet, you would likely notice two things; First, I own a lot of blue shirts, and second, I have a wide selection of hooded shirts. What can I say, I know what feels comfortable.
There is a store at the mall that I like. While I like their style, what I like the most is the fact that their sizes are sensible. If you wear a medium in one of their shirts, then you wear a medium in all of their shirts. If one pair of pants in size 10 fits, then all the pants in size 10 will fit. Unlike other stores – where I walk into the dressing room with five sizes of one item – they make it simple.
A few weeks ago, while shopping at this store, I found a hooded shirt that I liked. I tried it on, and I felt good about it. The only issue was that the shirt was yellow. Let me clarify, we are talking about a solid shirt with no prints or patterns. Additionally, it was a soft, golden-yellow, not neon yellow!
Read MoreToday started early. Way too early.
Last night, I arrived at my hotel a little after 11pm. I tried to go right to bed, but my brain would not power down. After a night of tossing and turning and solving all the world's problems, my alarm jolted me back to life at 5:30am.
I took a shower, drank some tea, ate a Power Crunch bar, repacked my stuff, and checked out of my hotel by 6:30 am. I got in my rental car and headed to a college campus for a full day of meetings.
Read MoreFor the most part, I am a rule follower. I get my teeth cleaned twice a year, I regularly change my furnace filters, and I pay my bills on time.
Late last fall, I was getting close to needing new tires. I knew I had a very long road trip coming up, and winter was fast approaching. With all this in mind, before I departed for my trip, I made an appointment to get new tires.
The process went smoothly, and a few weeks later, I hit the road feeling safe. After two days in the car, as I pulled into my Airbnb driveway, I noticed the low tire pressure light was on.
Read MoreI am a creature of habit. When I travel for work, I like to keep things simple. This usually means I have a breakfast bar and a cup of tea poured from my travel-hot-water kettle each morning. However, due to my meeting schedule, one Tuesday in November, I knew I needed to venture out and eat a big brunch before a very long day began.
I did my research, and I narrowed my list down to two options. Both restaurants were within walking distance of my hotel, and each had good reviews. Their menus included what I was craving; French toast, bacon, hashbrown casserole, and tea.
Read MoreAn old pier in Redington, Florida, used to extend nearly 60 yards into the ocean. After storm damage and a lack of maintenance, it finally turned into a public safety hazard. As a result, a few years ago, most of the structure was removed. What remains is about 30 yards long, and it stretches from the parking lot onto the beach, but it only comes close to reaching the edge of the water. On top are some picnic tables and a nice view. Below is a space where people can sit in the shade or hang hammocks.
On this day, as I made my way to the shore, I walked past the pier and tried not to laugh out loud. Below was a 20-something young woman dressed in a way that would have gotten her arrested for indecent exposure in most public places! Not much more than a spool of thread was needed for her outfit.
Read MoreThere is a fascinating concept that emerged after World War II called the Loyal Soldier. This term developed when Japanese soldiers found themselves alone or in small groups on remote islands. Because they were isolated, many of them did not know the war had ended. They stayed committed to fighting even after the war was over; they became known as Loyal Soldiers.
The most well-known case of a Loyal Soldier features a man named Hiroo Onoda, a soldier assigned to a post on Lubang Island in the Philippines. This island was sparsely populated, and over time, everyone in his unit either died or surrendered. Hiroo was committed to the task, and he remained alone, in hiding, defending his post for three decades! While locals tried to approach him, he stayed in an active war mindset and took fire at anyone who came near.
Read MoreRecently I was in Florida for a few weeks. Part of my daily routine included outdoor exercise. On this day, I decided a 4-mile walk on the beach would be the assignment.
After a solid morning of work, I walked a quarter of a mile to the beach. The sun was shining, and people were fishing, swimming, and playing in the sand while others were simply enjoying the beautiful weather with the company of friends.
I approached the water, took off my flip-flops, and tucked them into my sling bag. I cued up a good podcast and headed south along the shoreline. As I walked, I said to myself, “Whoa, the water looks really choppy. A storm must be coming.”
Read MoreOver the last few months, I have experienced a feeling that I cannot shake. The truth is, it is more than just a gut feeling or a hunch. As a systems thinker, I have noticed some shifts and patterns that lead me to believe a change is coming.
This may sound like a bold statement, but I believe we are on the verge of a cultural awakening. Everything in my being says that in a few hundred years, stories will be told about this era. This time in history may have a recognizable name, much like the Age of Enlightenment or the Industrial Revolution. I believe there will be a clear way to mark the beginning and ending of the season we are in.
Read MoreOn average – maybe once a week – someone reaches out to me and says something like, “Hey, can we talk? I’ve been thinking about a career change. I know you did it, but how did you know it was the right time to quit?”
This question comes up in my Masterminds, in Group Coaching, at team events, and in one-on-one settings. I hear it from entrepreneurs, coaches, and leaders in all industries. So many people are unsure if it is ok to make a change.
I understand the pain in the question; we live in a society that prides itself on not quitting. Our love of sports reinforces the idea that we are not quitters. We will support a team with a decade-long losing record, all in the name of not giving up on them!
Read MoreTime is an interesting thing. I would panic if you told me I had to get my blood drawn for 10 minutes. However, if you told me I would get a massage for 10 minutes, I would be disappointed.
If I had an upcoming flight and my ticket said it would take 31 hours to travel from St. Louis to South Florida, I would look for a new travel agent, but a 31-hour trip from St. Louis to South Africa sounds exciting.
So, was the year 1633 a long time ago? Compared to my time on Earth, yes. Compared to the dinosaur footprints I once visited in Bolivia, 1633 does not seem so long ago.
Read MoreA few months ago, a famous author with several hundred thousand followers posted something on social media that felt dangerous. His words seemed shortsighted, potentially harmful to people struggling with mental health, and lacked sensitivity and compassion.
I rarely comment on social posts. A stranger’s opinion does not have much leverage, but I draw a line regarding mental health. I understand that a thoughtless post by a well-respected celebrity with a platform may be triggering to someone in pain.
Read MoreThe year is unclear, but I know it was very early in my coaching career. In fact, it was likely 15 to 20 years ago when I boarded that plane. It was long before airline travel had become a regular part of my life and certainly prior to any frequent flyer status that ensures a decent seat on most of my flights.
On this day, I found myself walking toward the back of the plane with a paper ticket in my hand. I took a deep breath as I discovered I was in the last row.
Read MoreOver the weekend, I found myself mindlessly scrolling through the television channels. I paused and smiled when I realized a 2004 comedy-drama, The Terminal, was playing. As an avid traveler, I have found much joy in this film.
The Terminal features Tom Hanks, who plays the role of an international traveler named Viktor Navorski from the fictional country of Krakozhia. While in transit, a war began in Krakozhia, and a military regime overtook the government.
Read MoreA common question I have heard this year is, “Why are so many leaders failing?” I certainly don’t think leadership has even been easy, but I do believe a global health crisis – resulting in face-to-face jobs shifting to hybrid or remote work – has directly impacted our tolerance for poor or unqualified leadership.
I have noticed a pattern. I believe there are three types of leaders who are being called to step up or step aside.
First, we have the Loud Leader. This individual has been able to hide behind their bravado. Typically, they are the loudest voice in the room.
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