Finding Your Path to Success
Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.
— Abraham Lincoln
With less than a month to go before the next Presidential election, I thought a quote from a former office holder would serve as inspiration for the day.
In pursuit of life and career goals your resolve is the power behind your vision. Equally important as knowing what you want, is knowing why you want it - this core value is an essential navigational tool. Your resolve is your guide for plotting a powerful course of action and evaluating opportunities to determine if they serve your vision.
Held firm, your resolve can help you to overcome fear, detractors, road blocks and even failure along the way. Without resolve, you are ambling toward a desire, a wish. While you may achieve your goal either way, with resolve the destination purposeful, designed, intentional. Without first establishing the why, you may find yourself asking the question after you have arrived.
Any time you are charting a new course, you will encounter those who will tell you why it isn’t the “right path“ and your own fear may offer a few objections as well. Your job is to establish your own resolve to succeed, set your feet firmly on the path and then decide how to make it your path one step at a time.
I do not believe in wrong roads. There is only the road you are on and the turns you choose to make.
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Riding Out the Financial Storm
With each hour, the financial whirlwind feels more like waiting for a Category 5 hurricane to hit land- and from the looks of it, this one will have the impact of Gustav, Hanna, and Ike combined.
Over the past few days, I have received phone calls from friends and colleagues expressing emotions from anger and concern to outright fear and confusion. We have discussed what banks hold our savings accounts, where is it safe to put our money, what impact will this crisis have on our communities, schools, health care, what should we worry about - and the big one - what can we do?
I am by no means a financial expert. I am simply someone who believes asking questions and discussing the situation openly multiplies the power of information - and it is certainly better than keeping our heads buried in the sand
There is not much you can do about the larger national problem, but you can take a few concrete actions in your own life. (more…)
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To Boost Your Energy, Start Noticing
My clients are the most energizing part of my work. They are people who want to shift or improve some part of their professional or personal lives, and know they have the power to create the change, even when the path may not be clear.
If you are want to create a change of your own, a great place to start looking for clues is energy - where we allocate it, what gives us a boost and what drains us. (more…)
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September Rev Up!
Toward the end of August a number of clients contacted me to talk about issues with such consistent themes, that I decided it was the perfect time for a September Rev Up!
There have been emails from people worried about impending layoffs, others with severance packages running out but no idea what to do next, people considering a change but overwhelmed by the options. I’ve heard from new small business owners fearful about the economic downturn, and, I’ve spoken with executives looking for a new way to invigorate their careers.
In the dwindling days of August, there is much to do. The rhythm of summer draws to a close and evening arrives a bit earlier. When school buses start rolling and vacations begin to recede into our memories - we emerge from our summer repose to reclaim the vigor and focus of a ‘new school year’. How do we shake off the lethargy and regain our momentum?
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It Takes a Woman, W-O-M-A-N!
Women have been fighting to break into the highest ranks of government long before they had achieved the right to vote. It started in 1864 when Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton formed the National Woman Suffrage Association, and they have been making great strides ever since.
Victoria Woodhull was nominated for President of the United States by the newly formed Equal Rights Party in 1872, on a ticket with Frederick Douglass.
Belva Lockwood ran as the candidate of the National Equal Rights Party in 1884 and 1888. Her running mate in the first election was Marietta L. Stow - an all female ticket! (more…)
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Toward a Dream Realized
Watching Barack Obama accept the nomination at the Democratic National Convention, I was stunned by how proud I felt to see people of every race, gender and creed taking part in the process - speaking, debating, protesting, nominating, conceding, championing, building, educating…and making history
Regardless of your politics, today is a day to celebrate. We have turned a new corner as a nation, and it will have deep and lasting implications.
Today, our country, a symbol of freedom and equality to many beyond its borders, breaks through a new boundary - taking that symbol to new heights.
Today is a day of historic import, commemorating civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr’s landmark speech describing his dream of justice and racial equality. It is a momentous day, as Barack Obama became the first African-American nominated by a major political party for the Presidency of the United States of America. It is a meaningful day, as we renew the self-evident truth that all men are created equal.
Today, we are offered a reminder of our responsibility to wake ourselves up, to dream beyond what others think possible, to be courageous, to break down walls, to build up others, to scale new heights, to never accept “impossible”, to face the odds, to remember our strength, to seize the day. And we are offered a challenge of mutual responsibility to build communities and lives worthy of the opportunity before us.
Or to paraphrase Mahatma Gandhi, We must be the change we wish to see in the world.
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A Corporate Revolution: Downsizing with Respect
Often when companies are faced with the grim task of downsizing, focus is placed on the details of headcount, organizational charts and numbers, while the basics of how to communicate the change is given the short shrift.
In a recent New York Times article, After Downsizing, How to Motivate?, Kelley Holland explores this issue.
The wobbly economy is producing a steady stream of layoff announcements — the number of extended mass layoffs rose 8 percent in the second quarter, based on preliminary numbers, versus the period a year earlier. So it’s more important than ever for managers to understand how best to handle these downsizings, not just for those who lose their jobs, but also for those who are still working.
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Randy Pausch Dies Leaving us the Last Lecture Legacy
On July 25, 2008, Randy Pausch, the professor at Carnegie Mellon University who inspired students in the classroom and audiences around the world with his Last Lecture, died of complications from pancreatic cancer. Pausch, 47 years old, died at his home in Chesapeake, Virginia surrounded by his wife Jai and their three children: Dylan, 6, Logan, 4, and Chloe, 2.
ABC release this statement from Jai Pausch:
“I’d like to thank the millions of people who have offered their love, prayers and support. Randy was so happy and proud that the lecture and book inspired parents to revisit their priorities, particularly their relationships with their children. The outpouring of cards and emails really sustained him.”
The Carnegie Mellon University website posted news of Randy Pausch’s death with an article describing An Enduring Legacy.
Indeed, Pausch’s legacy will endure. Each time I listen to the lecture I walk away with a new insight. And this evening is no different. As this day draws to a close, Randy beacon remains bright…“If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself. The dreams will come to you.” (more…)
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What Does Your Dance Look Like?
You have probably heard of Matt Harding by now - in which case there you are already smiling as you read these words. If you haven’t, this will make your day!
Matt is a 31 year-old man known for a goofy little dance he would perform randomly. While in Hanoi in 2003, a friend suggested Matt’s dance his jig and a star was born. Upon his return, Matt edited his two-step from various stops on his journey into a video and put it up on his website Where the Hell is Matt?
The video became a viral favorite, found its’ way around the web and eventually Stride gum came calling. Stride offered to fund his travels. Over the past few years Matt has made three videos. The latest, features Matt dancing with people all around the world.
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Stress Busters, Just Walk this Way
A few weeks back we celebrated the summer solstice. For many, the day came and went without much notice. Others may taken the time to admire the beauty of the solstice moon hanging full and bright in the sky. Some held parties and events.
I recently learned a more traditional way to celebrate the official start of summer - a labyrinth walk.
A labyrinth is not a maze designed to block you, rather a circular path that leads you into the center and back out again. Labyrinths are an ancient tradition used for spiritual growth, centering and discernment. Labyrinth walks are sometimes called a walking meditation. There is no right way to walk a labyrinth…each person will meander, following their own path. (more…)
