A surprise discovery comes on someone else’s birthday
I attended a friend’s surprise 50th birthday party on Sunday. On the birthday card I got for her I added the note, “Welcome to the 50’s!” And as I sealed the envelope it occurred to me that it won’t be too long before I’ll be waving goodbye to the 50’s from the other direction. A similar realization struck me not long ago, as Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season approached. I follow my faith’s Lenten rules of fast and abstinence, [...]
A morning meeting generates dynamic dialogue
I’m generally not fond of meetings that start at 6:30 or 7:30 in the morning, but lately it seems I’ve been going to more and more of them. When my alarm goes off, I often ask myself, “Why am I doing this again?” But then I get there and remember, “Oh yes, this is why.” That was certainly my reaction one day last week when I attended a meeting whose purpose was to talk. Just – talk. Actually, there was [...]
Motivation and momentum from an unexpected source
Sometimes, things that we think are minor or relatively unimportant turn out not to be so minor after all. They end up taking on a life of their own. Their significance is more widespread than we realized at first, and the changes and results that come about because of them are more profound and impactful than we ever imagined they could be. It seems that that’s going to be the case with a new project I’ve just taken on, and [...]
Loaded with email – and ready to change
A newspaper article I read last week talked about people using their email inboxes to stash hundreds – or even thousands – of emails in much the same way that people who are packrats stash their physical “stuff” into the attic or garage. A few days later, I received a newsletter – by email, of course – that had an article on the same subject. But this was more business-related, talking about how an inbox full of email dilutes our [...]
Working and playing can lead to success
Not long ago, I had a day when it felt like I was playing all day instead of working. The morning started off with a breakfast meeting at a Rotary Club. On my way home from that, I dropped off an item I was donating for an educational foundation’s Silent Auction Fundraiser. Later, I had lunch with someone who’s a former coaching client and now a wonderful friend. By mid-afternoon, I felt as though I hadn’t really done any work [...]
Others are watching – and listening!
I got taken to task on Saturday – not once, but twice. Actually, that wording is a little too strong. What happened is that I was reminded – in a gentle and encouraging way – that I haven’t been living up to some of my responsibilities and expectations. I was at a Toastmasters Educational & Leadership Institute, which is held twice a year for the training of club officers, presentation of educational sessions, and announcements of the winners of various [...]