OneSharpSword

It takes effort to inflate a balloon and only one bad or sharp edged experience to pop it. Having come off of a cruise not that long ago, I was reflecting on the exceptional customer service we had. And then, at the end, security called me out for having chosen to purchase a bunch while on my travels. The line stopped moving and I felt like a criminal as everyone wanted to see what the issue was....

I’m not cynical. It’s just this time of year, gratitude seems to feel forced. Personally, I wake up annoyingly perky with “thank you” as the first two words to escape my lips. We don’t need a day for this. We need to decide what or who is in and what or who is out of our circle. Recognize the small stuff. Acknowledge yourself. Take a breath. Celebrate in your own way. I’m grateful for you! If you’...

It used to be that at gas stations, you could get full service. You’d get your gas pumped and you’d learn about the fluid levels in your car. That doesn’t happen much any more and what’s true is that we don’t pay much attention until we get a service notice or until something goes wrong. Even then, we need to take action to get checked out or to get rejuvenated. And that means, drawing from that a...

Nicky Billou (pronounced like Baloo the bear) is a thought leader, business coach, and inspirational speaker. He’s a podcast host and international #1 best selling author. Ultimately, he helps people get out of their own way so that they can value themselves and the work that they do. On our call, you’ll hear him talk about being a Christian from Iran. He reframes sales to being about service and...

You may have recognized that you’re not the same person you were 20 years ago. What matters to you today is different from what mattered, even yesterday. In this episode, one big question, one core observation, three core tenets, and one thing to repeat show up: Do you know what happens if you don’t step out of your comfort zone? Absolutely Nothing Most people spend more time planning their vacati...

We all have so much on our plates and to-do lists, that it’s important to keep that question at the forefront of your mind as you take on something new. Will I Do It? Or, might it just feel like something fun to entertain? I have started so many programs and books with the best of intentions and, when it comes down to “will I do it,” the answer is no. No, I won’t actually do it. And when I make th...

It’s important to redefine success. Winning seems to be about making someone else lose. The truth is, well, that happens. It’s also true that this is an abundant universe and we can support each other in getting better. And that’s the key to this episode - How do you define success? Is it by doing or having more than someone else? Or is it that you got what you wanted and needed and you lifted oth...

You get more of what you focus on. What are you focused on for yourself? I’m not good enough! OR I’m so grateful that life is working for me! What are you looking for from others? What are you looking for from yourself? Focus there!

What’s the actual cost of “expensive?” Because you really have to ask yourself, compared to what?   That’s expensive…  You don’t need that…  That’s not who you are…  Who do you think you are, wanting to have or do that? Those are other people’s voices that no longer need to haunt you. They taught you to keep in your “place.” Don’t be needy and don’t want for yourself. Don’t be...

Every year on my birthday, I look for things to celebrate and recalibrate my values.   If I had things on my goal list that didn’t get completed, I had to evaluate whether I really wanted to do them or whether I couldn’t get them done. If I just didn’t want to, I decide whether it’s something I value or if the task itself was too hard. Usually, if I’m honest, what was on my list was a suppose...

An apologetic leader isn’t followed for very long. Their trust level dips and their judgment of leadership qualities are natural.   Sure, if you’ve made a huge transgression, apologize for it in the context of violating your own values and make a vow to live into your values even more fully.   Instead of an apology, consider acknowledgment and appreciation. Turn, “Oh so sorry I was late”...

Jim’s job is unusual. He leads teams of innovators to continue to innovate. He has created an innovation ecosystem, nurturing ideas and building bridges.   In our interview, he highlights that entrepreneurship is about: Staying open-minded and continuing your lifelong learning Building and nurturing relationships, whether your team or your advisors Leading by being a good person with good val...

How much time do we spend thinking about what needs to get done? Are you caught in the “getting ready to get ready” loop?   One of my 1:1 clients gave me a gem when she had the insight,  I spent more time thinking about doing something than the time it would take me to do it.   Amazing, right?   There’s no “someday” on your calendar. You will be judged for whatever you put out...

Where have you let judgment stop you from showing up as your authentic self? We all do it. We all have rules in our heads that stop us from fully expressing who we are because, “what would other people think?”   The lesson here is simple: If you want people to accept you and trust you, then you need to accept and trust yourself first.   If you want to go deeper, take a look at www. Expon...

They’re not stupid, they just can’t read. Colleen is a woman of service with a great heart. She grew up in Southern California and became a nurse. But she was called back to something closer to home as her father had revealed a deep secret. At 48 years old, John Corcoran let his family know that he couldn’t read.   Having grown up in what she thought was a “normal” home, she now sees how her...

You’d think that the president of a bank, of BofA in New York state, would be stuffy. You’d think he’d be all about the numbers. And you’d think he’d be hard to talk to. And, refreshingly, you’d be wrong on all counts!   Jeff Barker is the Market Segment Executive for Bank of America’s Metro Markets. Oh, and he’s also the President of Bank of America in New York State.   Growing up in a...

Brandon Fong, founder of www.7figuremillennials.com shares valuable information and insights on building connections that leverage you to the next level.   He offered insights on the REAL framework to use when connecting with anyone. Respectful Effortless Appreciative Loving   That’s the opposite of being MAD: Misaligned Annoying Draining   On the podcast we spoke of worthiness and...

When you realize that YOU are the one responsible for the drama in your life, your life changes. There’s only one person who is giving meaning to any given situation that affects you. That’s you. Other people will give meaning to a situation in their own way. Their drama isn’t yours.   Stop making excuses. Stop using drama to excuse why things didn’t happen in your life.   Choose. Decide...

Your life isn’t static. When you stop moving or stop growing, you’re dying or… dead.   Success isn’t static. Success is very much Dynamic. What you thought looked like success some time ago may not feel so monumentally amazing now. That’s because you’ve changed along the way. You’ve gained new skills and a new perspective. What felt like it’d be a huge accomplishment just isn’t. It was, but i...

It wasn’t unkind. It wasn’t malicious. It was a simple statement - “You’re not doing these things you said were important to you because you just don’t want to do them.” What?  You’re not doing the things on your to-do list because you don’t want to do them. It’s that simple.   It could be that your subconscious sees a change as a threat to your identity. Well, in order to grow, you get...

From Montreal to Toronto to Queens to Denver and back to New York City…! Morrison has had some amazing adventures, personally and professionally.   She works for the Warren Law Group , specializing in the cannabis industry.    Listen in as she shares her life path that includes being told she was supposed to be a lawyer to starting a family, and giving it up when, she so matter of f...

We often put off what we want to do for the sake of doing what we “should” do.  Yes, be responsible. AND Listen to your desires. Listen to the subtle call that says, “over here!”   It is possible to do both - be responsible AND do/get/have/be what you want.   It all starts with a decision and the how sorts out.   What’s calling you? What are you hoping for that you’ve put off?...

The hard stuff is what gets you through to the next level. You’re the one that puts the hard stuff in your path. And if you approach it with gratitude, as something you get to do, and you take on the lessons that get you through it, you will breakthrough to Exponential Success.   This podcast is a reminder of who you are and what you’re capable of.   And be sure to check out www. Exponen...

As with most everything new, it’s hard. Learning to drive is hard. Learning a new language is hard. Letting go of old habits and stepping into an upleveled version of yourself is hard.   You leave something behind. You learn a new skill. You gain confidence. You practice more. It becomes a part of you. It’s no longer hard.   From going to the dentist to taking on a new job, relationship,...

Leaders (that’s you because you’re influencing anyone in your circle) believe that they’re doing a good job, great job, or maybe even just fine job. Seldom will leaders evaluate themselves as less than. And that’s okay.   If you’re leading, though, you need to know that there are blindspots and you’re missing something really important:  each team member has different needs and every tea...