Several years ago, I decided to enter a piano competition. I had about six months to prepare and my goal was to practice two hours a day during the week…
Browsing Categoryproductivity
How to Escape the “Do-Everything-Yourself” Trap: Delegate
You have way too much on your plate, you’re juggling multiple roles, there’s never enough time to get everything done and there doesn’t seem to be a solution. Well, actually,…
The Real Reason You Don’t Focus on What’s Important
Bruce Lee said, “The successful warrior is the average man, but with laser-like focus.” He should have added: laser-like focus on what’s important. Because, you know what’s most important, don’t…
How I’m Breaking My Emotional Addiction
Standing at the crowded coffee bar, I waited patiently to catch the attention of the server frantically busy filling orders. A tall German woman strode up next to me and,…
Are You Working Hard Enough?
Hard work: it’s the secret to success, we’re told from an early age — by our parents, society and pretty much every person who achieves notable success. But what exactly is “working hard” and how do…
The Real Secret to Work-Life Balance
“I’m home!” When I was growing up in Iowa, my dad, an engineer at John Deere, came home every night, like clockwork, at 5:00 pm. We’d all sit down as…
Five Strategies for Staying Mindful on “Social”
Ever noticed how dogs behave when they’re taken for a walk — easily distracted, stopping to sniff and/or chase everything along the way, the smellier the better? That’s our minds…
Yes or Yes: How to Make Fewer Decisions
A married couple was celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. At the party everybody wanted to know how they managed to stay married so long in this day and age. The…
10 Tough-Love Rules For Writing Compelling Email
Crazy, isn’t it, how much of our work revolves around email these days. As the sheer volume has increased, the cumulative effect of unnecessary back-and-forth is keeping us chained to…