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In life there will be times when it is our time to serve, to use our talents or in some cases to know our limitations and allow others to use their strengths.  We must be ready when our turn to "serve" comes around. We must also take time to celebrate our successes and our efforts.  Doing this builds stronger team bonds and the sense of team is important for team success.

First a reminder that September is Suicide Prevention Month, Call "988" for the Suicide and Crisis Helpline. "You are stronger than your toughest day."  Seeking help is a great first step to better days, contact a helpline, call "911" for emergency assistance, speak to your doctor for care or referrals, Check with your Employer benefits or Employee Assistance Program for referral options, con...

Sometimes we make things hard on ourselves by not wanting to accept the help.  We want to prove to ourselves that we can do it or have what it takes. In some cases there may be some undesirable strings attached to help, which we definitely should consider before making a decision.  However, in instances where the help will allow you to move toward your goal with greater speed and momentu...

Sometimes people like to appear that they have everything in order and are living carefree.  This is rarely reality if ever for most people.  In my professional and personal life, it has been my experience that often times work can provide a respite or normalized space to an otherwise chaotic or unordered existence.  This can also be true of schools for children - which is one reaso...

When we care about those we teach and we teach with a perspective of wanting them to succeed, it makes a positive difference. Ask How will this benefit this student? How can I share in a way that it will be heard, received, and stick? Every day is not a good day for everyone. Not everyone is in the right space for learning. Exercise compassion, it provides an invitation for relationship and follow...

I've had the opportunity to work with a number of business leaders over my career.  In their roles they are tasked with making many tough decisions, the kinds of decisions that keep you up at night and consume your thoughts during the day.  Many of these decisions have great impact on the people they serve today and those that will be a part of the organization in the future.  They...

Our lives are a series of lessons.  Sometimes we repeat lessons before all the learning sinks in.   Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with a business person who worked in retail banking.  This person's hours were reduced due to the pandemic.  During that time he was able to enjoy his new family and help around the house.  He also started a side gig to make use of hi...

Yesterday it was announced that the Queen of England passed away.  Previously it had been reported that she was under doctor's care and that her family had joined her. There has been an outpouring of love and support for the the Queen's family.  What resonated with me at this time was the impact the Queen had on so many contrasted by the common experiences of life of family and loss. Whi...

We grow when we have the opportunity to stretch and expand.  When we keep ourselves and others in a box bound by a current skill set we can become stagnant.  To ensure we have skills that remain relevant to changing circumstances, we must remain open to continuous learning and growth.  Learning and growth is accompanied by some failure, which can help us to refine our approach. Some...

We often hear the phrase, "Putting in the work."  But what does "putting in the work" actually mean and what does it look like? Putting in the work implies going through a process of change, growth, and work in order to advance toward a goal.  One can put in work that is physical or one can put in work on a mental or psychological level, and make advances. The meaning of this phrase is t...

I had a great conversation with a friend of mine who has overcome a lifetime of challenges.  The challenges my friend faced are the kind many of us can unfortunately identify with, ranging from being the target of insults and exclusion as a child to unwelcome sexual assault, and people taking advantage of the benevolence and kindness my friend offered in personal and business relationships. &...

Today we're talking about some important aspects of Labor Day. Labor Day reminds us to recognize those who perform work that serves us...and to do our best to serve others through our work.  Remember not all work is  "employment-based." Labor Day also reminds us of the importance of taking time to rest from our labor in order to be able to perform to the best of our potential and ability...

Encouragement is important.  It is like a healing balm or energy that is shared.  It helps bring out the best in others.  It also helps us to see things from a positive perspective.  Encouragement helps us realize potential. Today I share a few stories on important times of encouragement in my life, from different time periods that had a positive impact. !. Tell It Like it Is 2...

Procrastination, if you don't do it yourself, you likely know someone who does do it.  I personally only have to look in the mirror to see someone who practices a selective art of procrastination.  I like to think it is only around things that are not important or don't really matter.  however, if that is truly the case, why do these things stay on the "to do" list?  Recently I...

We often take time to check in with others, which is great.  However, it's important that we take time to check in with ourselves. This is something i have found very helpful. Take some time to be intentional about checking in with yourself? How are you feeling?  How do you want to feel?  Do you need to give yourself the gift of time to think or do something that increases your leve...

The saying: "I wish I knew then, what I know now," pays great hommage to the idea of figuring things out.  We acknowledge that we've learned a great deal and figured out many things over time that would have been very useful earlier on in life.  When we begin to truly understand that life is a constant series of figuring things out that leads to growth, greater opportunities, and expande...

Making decisions can range from small things like which grocery line to stand in to bigger things, like what investment to make on behalf of a client. One thing is for sure and that is that decisions can be challenging.  But why is that?  Usually decision making seems difficult when we must decide between what we see as two bad choices or two good choices.  In one instance, we feel...

This final piece of advice for the week is to for those impacted by the layoff process, both employers and employees.  I have been on both sides of the layoff table and I've taken some lessons from both sides that I'll share as advice, as follows: Treat people with respect. Exercise empathy and do your best to support everyone in the process Other opportunities await - though it may take time Fini...

Advice 4 of 5: Understand the cycle of something first before implementing changes. In my various leadership roles, I have had the opportunity to see many people eager to make change Or significant contributions, when they initially  join an organization or group, or when they take on a new role.   I've found it's best to learn about the organizational culture and how processes impact on...

Advice 3 of 5 is to say Yes to Opportunity, no matter how it may be disguised.  It has been my experience that some people miss opportunities because they say "no" or avoid the short term opportunities that will propel them in the long run. However, it has also been my experience that many successful people have an eclectic experience that serves them well in terms of skill set and connection...

This second piece of advice has been helpful for building relationships and being able to use and grow my skill sets.  I call this "Shake It Off and Learn."  In life, there will be more imperfect situations than perfect ones. When we get tied up in the emotion of a situation so much that it causes us to demonstrate regrettable behaviors, it does nothing to serve us.  However, when w...

This week, I'd thought I'd share some advice I 've found to be helpful.   So let's start by talking about responsibility.  Specifically, that you are responsible for you. You can embrace that responsibility and control or you can give it to others, it is up to you. Being responsible for you, means you are responsible for figuring out what you need, what you want, and how you will work to...

The fifth life lesson I take from marathons is that where there is a will, there is a way.  Many people run marathons for a variety of reasons.  Some marathon runners are professional runners, others come from every walk of life to conquer the physical challenge of a marathon.  Some run as individuals, some come in groups, some come in memorial, some come on behalf of a cause, some...

The 4th Life Lesson and reminder I take from Marathons is that each marathon has a prescribed course.  It is important that the course is identified, and it is important that participants follow the course in order to actually receive the recognition for finishing the race.  No matter where you run a marathon the distance is always 26.2 miles.  The course for marathons may vary in t...

Life Lesson Number 3 that I have learned from marathons is that it takes effort of many people with different responsibilities to make the marathon a possibility.  There are always people in supporting roles for who we can be grateful.  Besides those running, there are organizers, spectators, people helping to register participants, provide hydration, set up the course, people to assist...