Two Sisters

There once were two sisters who had dreams of growing into a bright future. The first sister was determined to go to college and become a digital technician. She was motivated to get the education she needed and eagerly began applying to schools.

The second sister, however, was less enthusiastic about college. She wanted to grow, but that was not how she saw herself doing it. Four years seemed like an eternity to her. She wanted to find a different path that would give her a future as promising as her sister’s. After much thought, she chose to stay in her current job and focus on self-improvement in small but significant increments.

As it turned out, four years passed by quickly for the first sister. She earned her degree and dedicated considerable effort into becoming a successful digital technician. The second sister, unfortunately, found herself stuck in a job that didn't excite her anymore. It was a hard lesson to learn, but she realized the importance of...

Lessons from children

If you want to see what it means to seize the moment, look at the face of a child on Christmas morning. With all that eagerness and joyful anticipation, the moments before any gift has been opened are as delicious to a child as actually opening a present. What makes this possible?

Children live in the here and now. They don't get wrapped up in an unknown future or mired in past regrets. They take on the world with a fresh mind looking for answers and curious about new experiences.

This is how to seize the moment. Children love to learn and they keep their minds open. That kind of curiosity is contagious. Just watch children on Christmas morning. You will remember your own youth and maybe even feel some of that joy too.

Curiosity is contagious

Recently a good friend shared a photo of her son that captures that powerful moment of awakening curiosity.

Her husband had given her a dozen roses. She'd filled a jar with water, cut the flower stems and arranged the...

Start by having fun

As we enter the holiday season, my husband and I have been spending time in the evenings watching holiday movies. Not many evenings ago, we looked at each other in the middle of one of these movies. We asked something we'd never thought to ask before. What could we do this year that we haven't done before?

Most people have done this before, often since they were children. But we realized there was one thing we had missed out on. We'd never built a gingerbread house, not even when we were raising our kids. We had to giggle at the thought. It sounded like fun.

Join with others

We'd recently been talking to friends who own a successful business. We have known this couple for years, and have supported one another through good times and challenges times. In recent years, we've replaced phone calls with a video chat because it's nice to see each other's face.

As we were talking, we shared the challenges we are facing and opportunities we are trying to create. Then we...

A few words about December

This time of year is particularly busy. You may already be seeing the signs: bright lights on the outside of houses, glossed-over eyes on the people shopping.

It happens every year in December, the season of being too busy. But does it have to be? What if this December you decided to find ways to work smarter, not harder?

I once heard a good story that illustrates this point.

Clearing the view

One day a lady who was walking her dog came upon a man working feverishly to saw down a tree in his yard. His cheeks were red from the cold. Snow covered his lawn.

Offering a smile, the lady asked the man, “What are you doing?”

“Can’t you see?” he answered, wiping sweat from his brow. “I’m sawing down this tree. It blocks the view when I back out of my driveway.”

“You look tired!" she said. "How long have you been at it?”

“Over two hours … and I am exhausted! This is hard work.”

Although...

Move beyond interest into full commitment

On any given day, you make countless decisions. Some of these choices are minor and do not take much focus on your part. Other choices are vital to your success and happiness.

As Kenneth Blanchard said, "There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results."

Only committed decisions take you forward. Only committed decisions help you fulfill your goals. But how do we get into this blissful state of accomplishment?

Three steps towards power

The path towards results is simple. All it takes is three steps:

1. Know what you want.
2. Stay focused on your goal.
3. Make a plan and take action.

Any decision is better than none

It's never easy to make a decision. There are so many factors to consider, and it can be hard to know which option is right for you. But indecision is its own kind of decision.

When...

The Most Essential Leadership Quality

Anyone in a leadership or management position knows that success doesn't come easily. It takes hard work, dedication, and yes, even a little luck.

But the one quality that all successful leaders share is persistence. No matter what challenges successful leaders face, they never give up. They always find a way to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

But What Is Persistence?

Thomas Edison famously said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." This quote is often cited as a prime example of the power of persistence. But what does it really mean to be persistent? And how can you harness that power to achieve your goals?

Persistence is the quality of holding on or continuing in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. It is the ability to persevere in the face of adversity.

People who are persistent refuse to give up. They don't let setbacks or failure deter them from their goals. They maintain their focus...

Furthering Your Education

It's a rite of passage for young people to identify an area of study for their further education. They attend a post-secondary institution and acquire credentials. When they graduate, we celebrate because they have fulfilled a major learning goal.

But learning does not end with graduation. One could argue the opposite—that real learning begins after graduation when we go out into the real world. And it never ends. So long as we are alive, we need to be engaged in growth.

Making Ongoing Growth Routine

If you're not actively pursuing new knowledge and skills, you are falling behind. In today's fast-paced world, it's more important than ever to make learning a part of your daily routine. To keep your mind limber and strong, you need to stay mentally fit.

There are so many benefits to sustaining personal growth. You will remain engaged in life and avoid boredom. People will enjoy your presence and welcome you into their pursuits. You will remain relevant...

A Two-Way Process

To communicate means to exchange information. This involves both speaking and listening. It's a two-way process.

Connecting is also a two-way process. It involves speaking and listening, giving and taking. But the exchange is at a far deeper level.

The Power of Connecting

Of all the forces at play in our world, connecting to others is probably the most powerful. Think about it.

When two people connect, they feel less alone. They can even feel as if they have become larger or more whole because of the interaction. Momentum is created and things are more likely to get done. Plus, connecting simply feels good.

But why does connecting feel good? —The answer is simple: when people connect, they identify and relate with one another. Connecting is affirming to everyone involved.

When people connect, they share more than information; they share themselves.

Leadership

Connecting is crucial for leaders. Groups form and teams come into being as a direct result of the...

Tough Moments Happen to Us All

Do you ever have days when you question the value you bring to the world? Maybe you are between jobs, or facing the end of a relationship, or simply feeling uninspired?

These moments happen to all of us. We all get discouraged at times and may lose sight of what we bring to the world.

Every Life Has Value

What if I told you that even when you feel your worst, you always have value? So does every single other person in the world no matter what their circumstances.

It's important to remember that.

Recognize Your Value

Our value may not always be obvious. It does not have to be tied to a job or physical appearance. The innate value each of us carries comes from a much deeper place.

To live a full life, we need to pause for a moment and genuinely recognize the value we contribute to the world. We need to hold that value with self-awareness and help it to grow.

See Yourself as Others Do

You may never know how much your small acts of kindness towards...

The School of Life

Courses, conferences, and discussion groups are great opportunities for learning. But we don't need to enroll in a program or wait for a gathering of the professionals in our field in order to learn.

We can learn every day of our lives wherever we are and whatever we are doing. The best school is life itself and all that is required to excel in this school is the quality of being teachable.

What Does It Mean to Be Teachable?

Especially in today's rapidly changing world, being teachable is essential to success. To remain competitive, we have to constantly learn and grow.

This means staying open to new information, even when it contradicts our favourite theories or challenges our beliefs. It means welcoming the hard work of learning new skills and allowing ourselves to be beginners.

How Teachable Are You?

Think of everything a person learns in the first few years of life. Simply put, we are born teachable. If only we could sustain that rate of learning, imagine the...