“There are two great days in a person’s life—the day we are born and the day we discover why.” ~William Barclay
The word “capacity” has many definitions. It can be summarized as the maximum measure of innate potential and the ability to understand and demonstrate one’s optimal capability and power in a specified role.… Read More
When I was 24 years old, I learned that some dreams are actually avoidance tactics, and some discouragement is a very good thing.
I was relatively new in New York City, and I felt overwhelmed by the prospect of failing if I tried to pursue my passions. I’d learned a lot about failure in the six years prior, and the only thing I knew for certain anymore was that I had to become someone important.… Read More
“He is able who thinks he is able.” ~Buddha
How would you answer the question: “Are you successful in life?”
I know many people who would say that they are not successful; at least they have not reached success in the areas that feel important to them. I have been one of those people.… Read More
“Life is actually really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” ~Confucius
While I have always piled a lot on my plate professionally, I’ve recently introduced more varied elements. Formerly, I may have devoted a long workweek to freelance writing, but I’m now juggling writing, consulting, speaking, editing my upcoming book, and promoting my recent eBook.… Read More
“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.” ~Thomas Merton
The vast majority of people I know have two different types of work: the kind that pays the bills, and the kind they wrap their heart around.
For some people, those are one and the same, but often that takes time, dedication, and a willingness to blur the traditional boundaries that separate work and social life.… Read More
A professor once told my class, “In order to live your life to the fullest, you must think about your death every day.”
At the time, I felt too busy to think about my death because I was consumed with law school applications and endless deadlines. But the words came creeping up to haunt me one day.… Read More
“Happiness comes when your work and words are of benefit to yourself and others.” ~Buddha
It seems like the vast majority of people compartmentalize themselves.
There are the people they show to family and friends, built upon authenticity and genuine passions, and the people who wear work-appropriate masks to make a living from day-to-day.… Read More
“Be bold, be bold, and everywhere be bold.” ~ Herbert Spencer
I’m actually much more of a proponent of “going with the flow” then going against it. And sometimes forcing yourself to do something you don’t want to do can be considered going against the flow.
But I do that for a different reason, and not everyone would agree.… Read More
“Life is what happens when you are making other plans.” ~John Lennon
There have been times in my life when I believed all my happiness revolved around how busy I was. If I was busy, I was using time wisely. If I was busy, I was proving to myself that I was valuable.… Read More
“Don’t let today’s disappointment cast a shadow on tomorrow’s dream.” -Unknown
Have you ever looked back on your life, exactly a year ago, and felt amazed by how much has changed?
Last year at this time, I’d only just started this site and I was competing in a blogging contest. Ignite Social Media, the marketing company behind the mood supplement SAM-e, had come up with a clever crowdsourcing campaign to generate awareness for the product.… Read More
Update: This giveaway has ended, but I’m excited to offer you a 25% discount on the Fear to Fuel eCourse. Use code yourluckyday when you make your purchase here.
Two years ago, I was working 70 hours per week without a sense of purpose, passion, or joy. As I wrote before in my post Do, Adjust, Do: A Journey to Meaningful, Satisfying Work, I’ve held nearly 100 different jobs in my time if you count my various freelance and contract gigs.… Read More
“If we are not fully ourselves, truly in the present moment, we miss everything.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh
While in the process of “re-branding” my business, I’ve been reading a lot about business marketing. One of the articles that I really loved contains an analogy of a lighthouse for a business model, but to me, it speaks of so much more.… Read More
“It is better to take many small steps in the right direction than to make a great leap forward only to stumble backward.” ~Proverb
Two years ago, after hearing Gretchen Rubin of the Happiness Project, talk about setting up one’s own blog, I went home and did just that. It had been something I had thought of doing, one day, when I would get over my “fear” of technology and decide I can do this.… Read More
“Life is what happens while you are making other plans.” ~John Lennon
I am someone who enjoys doing a lot of different things, and yet I don’t always enjoy being busy. Sometimes when my schedule gets full, I feel almost as if I’ve lost a part of me.
Just like some people become codependent in relationships, I can be codependent with work.… Read More
“Don’t let today’s disappointments cast a shadow on tomorrow’s dreams.” ~Unknown
One of the most difficult parts of reaching your goals or making positive change is pushing through discomfort.
This is where a lot of people give up—when the process inspires all kinds of challenging feelings.
If you’ve quit your day job to pursue your passion, and after six months you need to sell your car to keep going, a cubicle may appeal to your need for security.… Read More
“To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.” ~Unknown
There are certain events that can rock us to the core: starting a new job, moving across the country, ending a relationship. Within the past three months, I’ve experienced all three of these things.
For someone who is resistant to change, it can be difficult when everywhere I look there’s a new sight to take in, new people to meet, and even a new industry to learn.… Read More
“The greatest obstacle to connecting with our joy is resentment.” ~Pema Chodron
Today, I hopped in the company van for a trip I make once a week with one of two primary clients. In the mental health division of my company, driving is a requirement. Most of the clients don’t drive, and they need coordinated transportation to and from their appointments and leisure activities.… Read More
Up until recently, I received communication online in 10 different places.
In addition to getting messages through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and StumbleUpon, I got emails through six different email accounts. I have not always managed this ever-flowing stream of information in the most mindful and productive way.
Studies show we actually get a little endorphin rush when something new pops up in the inbox.… Read More
“The saddest summary of life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.” ~Unknown
This is a phrase that had become a central theme in my life. One night, during one of my all too frequent bouts of insomnia, I sat at my computer and decided to write about my discontent, my middle aged angst.… Read More
“We must never forget that it is through our actions, words, and thoughts that we have a choice.” -Sogyal Rinpoche
Our work lives are made up of a million tasks, relationships, deadlines, duties, commitment, and goals. We are often at a loss as to how to communicate difficult news, create consistency, or even just feel less stressed during the day.… Read More
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