We all experience moments of fear. Fear can help fuel us to success, but far too often, we let it stop us from doing things we are capable of. It becomes our enemy instead of our friend. My timid dog, Grace, fears children, loud noises, and a long list of other things. She can be …
As 2017 looms just ahead, it’s the perfect time to undertake some planning activities. As Yogi Berra once said, “If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” Do you know where you’ll be going next year? In late January of this year, I wrote of my new year’s aspirations for 2016. …
Why is it that someone feels compelled to operate in the silo mentality? Grace gave me the opportunity to ask that question the other morning when she had an unexpected reaction to a stray cat in our garden. What is the silo mentality? The silo mentality is rampant in organizations. It’s a well documented and familiar …
January is coming to an end, which means it’s getting a bit late for me to announce my new year’s resolution. I bet that folks who have declared their goals are either well on their way or have already given up. I’m in between. It’s been a back burner activity so far, but I do …
Ever had an employee who raised her hackles all the time? It’s tempting to coddle that person, in an attempt to avoid the unsavory hostility, but that just leads to more headaches and no resolution. Yesterday I took our two cats to the vet for their annual visit. Grace came along to get her nails clipped, …
Yesterday when I returned home and stepped out of my car, I nearly flattened this baby snake with my feet before I realized he was there. Given his small size, measuring no more than six inches, he didn’t scare me, but he did startle me. Snakes generally terrorize me; I realize it’s not a very rationale reaction. This …
In today’s business world, where being busy is a badge of honor, it’s easy to get caught up in the corporate rat race. Sometimes the pressure comes from a demanding organizational culture, sometimes we impose unrealistic expectations upon ourselves to do more, work harder. We feel compelled to achieve more than is humanly possible and feel …
It’s pretty easy to be thankful for those people or things that we love, appreciate, or enjoy, especially when we learn that those things might go away. It was a year ago when Oliver, our active and headstrong then-three-year-old cat, had emergency surgery. I was at a conference that day and we had dropped Oliver …
So today is Halloween. A day when it’s acceptable — even encouraged — to scare the bejesus out of others. Or for those who aren’t into the ghoulish side of the scene, massive amounts of Snickers bars and candy corn make the day oh so sweet. It’s interesting that one occasion offers such opposing rituals! Sometimes we find …
Grace has a way of getting my attention when she wants something. Sometimes she’s diplomatic (positioning her body within view, perhaps even touching mine, coupled with a long, meaningful stare) and other times she can be very direct (incessant whining that she must know drives me over-the-top ‘will-you-please-STOP-that’ nuts). Her first attempt to communicate her …
