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A “Murphy’s Law” day wreaks havoc with schedule

The column "Find Your Buried Treasure" appears weekly in the Chanhassen (MN) Villager. This column was published on June 23, 2011. I had a crazy and challenging day not long ago. It was a Tuesday, and I had a coaching call first thing in the morning with a client who lives out of state. We usually do video sessions via Skype, but for some reason we couldn’t get a connection and had to do our call the old-fashioned way – by phone. This wasn’t a [...]

By |June 24th, 2011|Accountability, Coaching, Columns, Family, Values|Comments Off on A “Murphy’s Law” day wreaks havoc with schedule

A new challenge and new choices can change the world

The column "Find Your Buried Treasure" appears weekly in the Chanhassen (MN) Villager. This column was published on June 16, 2011. “We can change the world, but we’ve got to raise the bar.” That was the message – one of them – that I got from Jason Saul during the American Cancer Society’s Corporate Impact Conference last week. Saul was the keynote speaker at the Awards Breakfast on Friday morning....

By |June 17th, 2011|Columns, Values|Comments Off on A new challenge and new choices can change the world

You’re never too old – so what are you waiting for?

The column "Find Your Buried Treasure" appears weekly in the Chanhassen (MN) Villager. This column was published on June 9, 2011. Several people have told me how impressed and inspired they were by the woman I wrote about in my column last week. She’s in her late 70s, and contacted me recently about Dream Coaching because she knows she’s got some talents and gifts that she’s not using, and she doesn’t want to waste them. “I’ve got 25 good years left,” she told me, “and I want to make the most of them....”

By |June 10th, 2011|Coaching, Columns, Family, Values, Writing|Comments Off on You’re never too old – so what are you waiting for?

New friend gets – and gives – a fresh new outlook

The column "Find Your Buried Treasure" appears weekly in the Chanhassen (MN) Villager. This column was published on June 2, 2011. I can’t wait to tell you about the crazy lady from Wisconsin. But there are a few other things you need to know about her first. One is that she gave me not only her permission, but her encouragement to write about her. I think she knows what an inspiration and role model she can be for others, and she is happy to do so....

By |June 3rd, 2011|Coaching, Columns, Values|Comments Off on New friend gets – and gives – a fresh new outlook

Looking forward to attending this weekend’s wedding

The column "Find Your Buried Treasure" appears weekly in the Chanhassen (MN) Villager. This column was published on April 28, 2011. Much of the world is preparing to watch the royal wedding this weekend. According to magazine polls and newspaper articles I’ve read, over 80% of us here in the states will be watching the ceremony as Prince William and Kate Middleton become husband and wife. Restaurants, organizations, and individuals are planning activities and events that include watching the ceremony on television as it occurs, even though the wedding will take place very, very early in the morning, our time...

By |April 29th, 2011|Columns, Family, Values|Comments Off on Looking forward to attending this weekend’s wedding

Are we done yet? For sure this time?

The column "Find Your Buried Treasure" appears weekly in the Chanhassen (MN) Villager. This column was published on April 21, 2011. The forecast we had for snow last week – followed by the layer of snow that we actually received – left many of us frustrated and annoyed, and saying things like, “What? Again?!” Enough, already!” “I thought we were finally through with this!” By the middle of April, most of us had finally said goodbye to winter, and were welcoming Spring with open arms....

By |April 22nd, 2011|Columns, Values|Comments Off on Are we done yet? For sure this time?

A caring volunteer could be Nobel Peace Prize winner

The column "Find Your Buried Treasure" appears weekly in the Chanhassen (MN) Villager. This column was published on April 7, 2011. I had breakfast last week with a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize. And if someone hadn’t told me she was a nominee, I never would have known it. She doesn’t look like Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, or the Dalai Lama, who are some of the people I think of when I hear the words, “Nobel Peace Prize.” Instead, Stephanie Smith looks like a suburban mom – which, in fact, she is...

By |April 8th, 2011|Columns, Values|Comments Off on A caring volunteer could be Nobel Peace Prize winner

“Impossible” songs inspire impossible achievements

The column "Find Your Buried Treasure" appears weekly in the Chanhassen (MN) Villager. This column was published on March 31, 2011. “Impossible” songs inspire impossible achievements “To dream the impossible dream, To fight the unbeatable foe, To bear with unbearable sorrow, To run where the brave dare not go...” Many of you immediately recognized – and may already be humming – the opening lines of “The Impossible Dream,” from Man of La Mancha. It’s one of my favorite songs, from one of my favorite musicals....

By |April 1st, 2011|Accountability, Coaching, Columns, Music/Singing, Values|Comments Off on “Impossible” songs inspire impossible achievements

Getting to know someone means sharing the fun

The column "Find Your Buried Treasure" appears weekly in the Chanhassen (MN) Villager. This column was published on February 17, 2011. I had coffee with a new member of our Toastmasters Club after our meeting last week. She offered me part of the whole-wheat croissant she had ordered, and I took a small piece, just to have a taste. It was delicious, much more so than I expected. I thanked her for sharing it, and for introducing me to something I might never have ordered on my own....

By |February 20th, 2011|Columns, Toastmasters, Values|Comments Off on Getting to know someone means sharing the fun

Feeling secure is more important than feeling comfortable

The column "Find Your Buried Treasure" appears weekly in the Chanhassen (MN) Villager. This column was published on February 3, 2011. My husband and I flew to Chicago last weekend. It was the first time I’ve been on a plane since full body scanners were installed at the airport and the controversy began over the pat-down of passengers who refused to go through full-body scans. A number of people have complained – and even initiated lawsuits – over the pat-downs they describe as an aggressive and humiliating violation of their rights and their privacy. For several years now, I’ve had to go through the full pat-down every time I travel by air. Not because of any issues over a full-body scan, but because I’ve had a pacemaker implanted due to heart damage caused by chemotherapy years ago...

By |February 4th, 2011|Accountability, Columns, Family, Respect, Uncategorized, Values|Comments Off on Feeling secure is more important than feeling comfortable