Tag Archives: courage
Just jump off the damn ‘frig!
Quick back-story: My sister decided to sand and paint her kitchen cabinets. Screwing the newly painted doors back into their frames was definitely a two-person job, so I spent a couple of fun-filled afternoons helping with that. The very last … Continue reading
Mistakes are our friends! (Gag.)
Last week I mentioned a YouTuber who did an entire video on the value of making mistakes. As I said then, I’m pretty sure he intended this message for me. All of us, if we’re honest, acknowledge that we’ve learned … Continue reading
The power of acting as if.
Uncomfortable situations are a fact of life. Whether in the professional or personal arena, events will occur which require a response from you, and many times the most effective and appropriate response will not be comfortable. So what do … Continue reading
What’s the worst that can happen?
The other day, Joseph (my hubby) went in to purchase an amp for his electric guitar. While he was willing to spend the money on it, he naturally wanted to get as good a deal as possible. So when … Continue reading
Quit. I dare you.
“She’s a real quitter.” How many of us would consider that to be a compliment? Not many, I’m guessing, because the concept of quitting typically carries a tremendous amount of negative baggage. And that’s a curious thing. The dictionary … Continue reading
Do you flex or do you just cave in?
Too much of anything is toxic. Sun, self-control, cats, cholesterol…anything, no matter how enjoyable, helpful, or even essential it may be in appropriate quantities, can turn and bite you on the behind if you get too much of it. … Continue reading
If it feels good, should you do it?
Some would-be successful entrepreneurs may be tempted to look at their peers who are already enjoying success and wonder if those peers are simply lucky. After all, why else would they be getting the results that are currently eluding … Continue reading
Time for a change! 5 ways to squash your stress
Are you normal? For your sake, I hope not. “Normal” entails—at least in America—feeling overwhelmed, under-appreciated, tired, and stressed out. And while that may be the norm, that doesn’t mean it’s natural, and it’s certainly nothing that most of … Continue reading
3 clues there are chickens in your family tree
In U.S. vernacular, “chicken” is synonymous with “coward.” While it’s most often used by and applied to children, even we grown-ups can get scared. The difference is that adults have (one hopes) more effective ways of dealing with the … Continue reading
Is “power” a four-letter word for you?
What do you picture when someone says the word “power”? Do you think of it in terms of physical strength? Great intelligence? Lots of money? Does “power” have very positive connotations for you, or do you … Continue reading
Is your glass bigger than it needs to be?
George Carlin once made the following observation: “Some people see the glass half full. Others see it half empty. I see a glass that’s twice as big as it needs to be.” There are an infinite number ways to view … Continue reading
5 steps to saying “no” without guilt
For far too many entrepreneurs, especially women, “no” is a four-letter word: rude, crude, and socially unacceptable. What’s with that? Helping others and making a difference are two of the reasons many entrepreneurs start their businesses to begin with. That … Continue reading
How to move from chaos to calm: 5 steps to making easier choices
One of the most common self-sabotaging habits out there is indecisiveness. For a business owner, the number of choices to be made each day is truly staggering. What are my top three priorities for today? Is this prospect likely to … Continue reading
How to work on YOUR goals, not theirs
In last Thursday’s post I posed some questions intended to challenge you, all revolving around one crucial success factor: Are you working on your goals, or someone else’s? If you’ve read this far, chances are you have at least some … Continue reading
Do you really want that, or do you just think you SHOULD want it?
Choice is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, knowing you have options to choose from creates a sense of personal power and calm. On the other, the sheer number of options and opportunities facing you can easily lead to … Continue reading
Better a potty mouth than a potty mind
Few clients or strategic allies would find use of obscenities an acceptable business practice, so most of us make sure to avoid inflicting a “potty mouth” on our important stakeholders. However, as awkward and unprofessional as it would be to … Continue reading
How do you prefer your discomfort?
Only the masochists among us are truly into discomfort, but all of us experience it sooner or later. When it comes to doing those important-but-uncomfortable activities that lurk in Quadrant II, here’s a question worth asking: Do you prefer your … Continue reading
Are you playing to win or playing not to lose?
Successful entrepreneurs know there’s a big difference between playing to win and playing not to lose. I reluctantly admit that in years past I became quite familiar with what playing not to lose looks like. Fortunately, those experiences now serve … Continue reading
What are you hiding?
Super-heroes wear masks. Costume-ball guests wear masks. The lucha libre wrestlers of Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries wear masks. Entrepreneurs wear masks. This is not necessarily a bad thing. It’s not necessarily a good thing, either. As an entrepreneur, a … Continue reading
How to receive more by refusing more
Have you heard the old story about the student and the tea cup? A young man who’s very proud of his existing knowledge seeks to learn even more from an older, wiser man, but the student’s pride and arrogance are … Continue reading
Five strategies to keep yourself safe – and small
Many of us talk about wanting to grow our businesses big. What’s curious is how frequently the “big” talk is sabotaged by small thoughts and small actions. You may have found yourself in that very situation: You have great ideas … Continue reading
Three ways to baby-step your way to brave
Anyone who looks like they’re fearless is a great actor. Everyone is afraid of something: snakes, clowns, cats… This doesn’t even begin to consider one of the biggies—fear of public speaking. But one of the most powerful habits of successful … Continue reading
What are YOUR clubhouse rules?
Back in the old days, children would create clubhouses for themselves and their special friends. Membership was by invitation only, and—depending on who “owned” the clubhouse—highly coveted. In a way, things are not that different today for adults who have … Continue reading
Are you willing to claim your power and let your light shine?
One of the most compelling and empowering writings I’ve ever encountered is called “A Return to Love.” While often attributed to the late Nelson Mandela, it was really Marianne Williamson, author of A Course in Miracles, who first challenged us … Continue reading
Are you making yourself a victim with these 7 power-robbing phrases?
Wow – another year has flown by. Happy New Year to all! I wrapped up 2013 talking about how every self-fulfilling prophecy can work for or against you, and about how distorted thinking is a dangerously effective way to sabotage … Continue reading
Are you sacrificing results just so you can stay in your comfort zone?
It’s been said that the purpose of the ego is to save us from anticipated future pain. I can totally see this being true, and it makes me wonder: Just how much have all of us sacrificed by allowing our … Continue reading
How to change fear and inaction to excitement and progress with one simple phrase
One phrase can make the difference between mediocrity and rock-stardom. How will you choose to use it? Continue reading
Warning! Your “practical reasons” are often nothing more than excuses for playing small.
Are you kidding yourself that you’re logical when really you’re scared? It’s okay if you are. It’s just time to do something about it – NOW. Continue reading
Five crucial business lessons from the movie “Up”
If you thought the Pixar animated movie Up was strictly a children’s film, think again. In reality, it’s a cleverly disguised business-building primer. Here are five of its key lessons that every successful entrepreneurs should learn and apply. 1. Think … Continue reading
Baby Steps or Long Jumps: Either Will Get You Where You Want to Go.
Small bits of progress may be less dramatic than big ones, but enough of them, taken consistently and faithfully, will get you where you want to go just as well as a few giant (and often exhausting) leaps. Continue reading
