Accidental soccer coach Ted Lasso is famous for telling his players to “be a goldfish.” Why? Because a goldfish has a ten-second memory and can’t dwell on its mistakes. That’s a plus, but there’s a downside. Research shows a connection between working memory and our ability to focus. “Individuals who perform well on memory tasks […]
Habits
You See, You Do: The Importance of Visibility
Bad news first: You don’t default to doing good, hard things. You probably default to conserving energy and hedging your bets. It’s nature’s way of protecting us. But it’s not very satisfying, is it? Most of the time, it’s the struggle and sense of adventure a challenge presents that leads to the greatest personal satisfaction. […]
The Power of Attention
Too often, “gratitude” is one of those “should” disciplines—right alongside flossing your teeth and changing the oil in your car. We know it’s good for us, but we avoid it, except for (perhaps) an obligatory annual reflection over family dinner. It seems trite, underwhelming: like the “one more thing” our life doesn’t need. But what […]
The Gift of Being Human: You Can Change
When was the last time you looked through childhood pictures? It can be a strange experience to see yourself in your much younger self: your hair is shorter and darker now, your face a bit less round, but that mischievous grin and some fierceness in the eyes haven’t changed a bit. The same goes for […]
Stay Calm and Ride the Q4 Crazy
For most people, life seems to accelerate during the fourth quarter. There are big goals to reach, personally and professionally. There are extra obligations around the holidays. And the pace of incoming requests speeds up as everyone around us feels the same urgency. So, what are we to do? The temptation during the fourth quarter […]
Finishing Strong: Gearing Up to End the Year
Where Did I Win? Listing your wins helps you begin from an abundance mindset. And it’s easy to lose track of just how much you’ve accomplished. So make a list. Review your calendar, journal, and planner (especially your Weekly Previews). What did you make happen in the last three months? What has that made possible? […]
4 Tips to Make a Journaling Habit Stick
The usefulness of journaling is uncontested. It clarifies our thinking and improves our decision making. It helps us notice our feelings and connect with our inner life. It captures the questions we’re mulling over. It grounds us in where we are, who we are, and where we’re headed. But most people don’t journal. If you’re […]