Granted, we don’t and shouldn’t have them every day, because if we did, such moments would not likely rise to “Eureka” status. Eureka moments are breakthroughs, realizations or discoveries which we experience suddenly and unexpectedly. And unless they’re captured, they will vanish as quickly as they were recognized in the first place. […]
I meet people all the time who seem to be stewing about issues in their lives. They’ll reel off a series of complaints or worries about this and that, seemingly lost in a sea of words that are going nowhere — certainly not in a solution-focused direction. I’ll ask them “are you seeking any guidance or getting any help with this”? Most often the response is “oh no, that wouldn’t help, and people would think I’m weak or unable to [...]
The first step in any infection process is to colonize the host. This process runs a similar course in those infected by a seemingly never ending litany of self-directed negative barrages. Like bacteria and all viruses, self-criticism is ever in search of a victim. And the thing is there’s no amount of external validation from others, awards won or accolades proclaimed that have the power to cure or arrest negative self-talk. And boy, does self-loathing just love corroboration! Corroboration is [...]
If you want to change a behavior, follow these 4 steps. […]
If you’re either gripped by fear or wish to avoid having to face it, here’s what to do: Encase yourself in your own version of a protective bubble of some sort; that is, isolate yourself. Then tightly control who or what you allow into this world. Take absolutely no risks, even reasonable ones. Play it as safe as you possibly can. Guard against setting any goal that may be a harbinger of failure. This will protect you from disappointment and [...]
Every year I speak at a conference that allocates one block of time to an aspiring speaker. This year when I sat in, Jim was well prepared, enthusiastic and worked the audience to a fault. He made himself available at break time and took every question asked of him, thus his program ran over 15 minutes, cutting into the next speaker’s time. Jim received polite applause at the end. The conference organizer greeted Jim backstage and thanked him for presenting. [...]
I’m no “Mr. Fix It” by any stretch of the imagination, so last week when I found my toilet running excessively long, I placed a call to my plumber. He came out on the scheduled day and time and immediately went about the business of assessing the situation at hand. He told me it was an easy fix, that he had all of the necessary replacement parts in his truck and that he would be done and gone in 30 [...]
As in much of the country, October in New Orleans is a transitional weather month. There are still some rather warm days though when swimming is still possible. On one such day last week as I was sitting poolside in the courtyard of my building, I observed a number of swimmers testing the waters. Some of them dived right in while others dipped in a toe and adjusted to the water temperature more slowly. At least half of the "plungers" [...]
I know a fellow who speaks to various groups across the country in a way similar to what I do. We hooked up for a conversation recently and he told me something that I was unaware of regarding how he approaches each upcoming engagement. A week before he is to speak to another group, he begins bracing for what could be wrong with the room set-up, whether the microphone will work properly, whether the background color scheme he has chosen [...]
I lost my sister – my only sibling – to cancer a few years ago. She was an elementary school teacher and every now and then I recall some of her excellent teaching qualities. On one occasion in particular, she was swimming in her pool accompanied by her two young daughters. The two girls were attempting to abandon their swim floaties while venturing into the deeper end of the pool. As they struggled a bit, she told them “if you [...]
