In the discussions around “digital transformation” and “innovation” and “agility” and our “VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) world” – we forget that safety and security is a significant human need. Instead, the discussion centers around how we all need to be more innovative, agile, flexible, and better able to cope with chaos. I think […]
The Step Before the System
Perks are great, but they are detached from the day-to-day. Often, perks are a way to “shield” managers and executives from the sticky task of creating a healthy, humane, and sustainable day-to-day environment. “We have a wellness program, what’s your problem?” What if you have me on so many disparate projects that I don’t have […]
How Our Attention Gets Hijacked
We are easily manipulated into compliance with someone else’s demands. Robert Cialdini, Regents’ Professor of Psychology at Arizona State University, identified six principles that, when used deftly, can cause an individual to say “yes” to a request: Reciprocation Consistency Social Proof Liking Authority Scarcity Think about the number of people taking up residence in your […]
What Are You Amplifying?
What are you amplifying? All that is “wrong” with the world? All that is “right”? All that you want? All that you don’t? Oneness or separation? Love or hatred? Joy or sorrow? It’s become clear, to me at least, that it’s time to become mindful and careful about what we are amplifying. We have been […]
What ‘Decision Criteria’ Looks Like in Action
I’m going to share some of my decision criteria when faced with choices. Remember the 4 questions from last week: What area of your life are you focusing on right now? What are your goals – long and short-term? Which relationships are important to you? What values do you wish to demonstrate? Here are my […]
Developing Decision Criteria
When faced with a new idea – what decision criteria are you using? Have you defined it? Or are you just saying “yes” to whatever is in front of you? Not that saying “yes” to whatever is in front of you is a bad thing. At certain times of life, it’s a great way to […]
Move to the New or Stick with the Old?
When you have hit a sticky part of your project and a new opportunity or idea presents itself, what is your default? Do you quickly move to the new and get started – abandoning the thing that you were trying to do? OR Do you keep plugging away at what you are doing, even if […]
Dealing with the Siren Song of Distraction
It was amazing. The deeper I got into the book writing process, the more I wanted to distract myself. I had to keep reminding myself that we were past the point of “just one more source” and keep writing. I had a couple of epic ideas that just wouldn’t die, despite my attempts to keep […]
Busyness – Not Just You
When we’re busy and have that high-octane, panicked feeling that time is scarce …our attention and ability to focus narrows. Behavioral researchers call this phenomenon “tunneling.” And, like being in a tunnel, we’re only able to concentrate on the most immediate, and often low value, tasks right in front of us. (Research has found we actually lose […]
Adding vs Embedding in Real Life
I decided during a trip to Mexico that I was going to learn how to surf. I was over 40 and wasn’t known for my grace and balance. I had a great lesson, which sadly ended in a wave catching me and the board I was carrying, twisting me awkwardly as I walked onto the […]