I’m writing this during the July 4th holiday, though you’ll be reading it the week after. To be honest, not everyone felt deeply celebratory this year about America’s birthday. A lot has changed in recent months that makes you wonder about our country’s commitment to those “inalienable rights,” such as life, liberty and the pursuit…
career
Grace Under Fire (When the Pressure’s On)
Lately, I’ve been having a familiar conversation with clients over and over again. They’re stepping into new roles, new markets, and new strategies, and they’re feeling the heat. They’re hopping on sales calls for the first time, making high-stakes presentations, testing new offers, and launching new things – all in this wildly unpredictable world. The…
Perfectionism: The Smart Person’s Trap
Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot from clients who are wrestling with perfectionism. Some of them don’t even realize it’s at the root of what’s draining them. If you’ve ever felt like you need everything to be flawless to feel okay, welcome to the club. Here’s what I’ve learned over decades of coaching (and living)…
You Can’t Build Success on a House of Cards
Lately, I’ve found that far too many of the people I talk to have been telling me they feel stuck. They’re overwhelmed by the economy, discouraged by the job market, or trying to grow a business without any traction. I have to say, it’s tough to hear. It sounds an awful lot like defeatism, which…
Facts vs. Feelings
We can be our own worst enemy sometimes. The negative self-talk gets brutal some days, doesn’t it? As hurtful as the meanest bully on the planet. “Nobody likes me here. I shouldn’t have even come.” “That was the dumbest idea ever; no wonder it flopped.” “I’ll never hit my revenue goals. I should just quit…
Is It Time for a Reframe?
You’ve probably heard that mindset can make or break you, but it’s really just about how you frame what you’re seeing. This has been a theme in recent coaching sessions, so I wanted to break it down. Think of those old black and white prints: Two people can look at the same image and see…