Beginnings Matter

I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past. – Thomas Jefferson You should spend four times as much time dreaming as you do looking at the past. Really, it’s true, there have been numerous studies that have shown . . . . I’m kidding, there are no studies. And…

There’s no shortage of pithy sayings about, or formulas for, living in the world today. At the risk of adding to the “noise,” here is my basic formula: just A.S.K.. First, be Authentic. Easier said than done, especially in the Western/Modern world. In a consumer-oriented culture we are barraged with entreaties to consume this, that…

Some people have to do things. They “have to go to work.” They “have to  pick their kids up.” They “have to [insert the onerous, terrible task].” There’s two levels of dysfunction here: 1) What about people who don’t have jobs? What about people that would love to have kids? Does anyone think they would say…

Don’t do what you sincerely don’t want to do. – Ernest Hemingway The trick to saying “No.” when you should and “Yes.” when you should is clarity. Clarity about who and what you are (and that you do not derive your worth from the opinions of others). Clarity about your values (and that focusing on…

We say we want things, but there’s a way to determine what we really want. Look at what we have. Whatever it is we are creating in our lives is what we want. *  *  * That said, in the absence of clear and authentic desires and goals, we have a default want. One that…

In a video Marshall Goldsmith (a respected and sought-after executive coach) talks about what he learned in regards to what truly matters in life. I am going to briefly summarize the six things Goldsmith says are necessary for a “good” life. *  *  * 1) Health I’ve often told myself the best investment I can make…