When You Lose

According to Webster’s New Twentieth Century Dictionary (Unabridged, Second Edition) there are 16 definitions of character; I will list those relevant here: 7. an individual’s pattern of behavior or personality; moral constitution; 8. moral strength, self-discipline, fortitude, etc.; 9. reputation; 12. a statement about the behavior, qualities, etc. of a person; recommendation. What character does is…

After reading a message from a (virtual) mentor, Steve Chandler, I was inspired to write about the difference between “have-to” and “want-to” or “get-to.” To boil it down, if you’re an adult and you don’t view everything in life as something you want to do or get to do (or, I suppose something you are…

Today’s post is simple. It’s a supposition really. Putting aside the fact that mastery is an on-going, never-ending process, a practice (for life), what are the keys that fuel a practice of life mastery? Can we distill such a practice to a few elements? I believe we can. First, there’s the fundamental challenge – and opportunity – of…

No great thing is created suddenly. – Epictetus It can seem that way, but that’s not how it works. Anything takes time, great or not. To paraphrase Earl Nightingale, the time is going to pass anyway, why not do something towards greatness – it takes time after all.

Recently I was watching the Tavis Smiley show and he mentioned to a guest something his grandmother used to say: “There’s a lesson and blessing in everything.” Now, of course, the lesson can be hard to see (and accept) sometimes, and is usually more evident later, but the blessing can be almost impossible to see…

One theory says that if you treat people well, you’re more likely to encourage them to do what you want, making all the effort pay off. Do this, get that. Another one, which I prefer, is that you might consider treating people with kindness merely because you can. Regardless of what they choose to do…