Perspective gives us the ability to accurately contrast the large with the small, and the important with the less important. Without it we are lost in a world where all ideas, news, and information look the same. We cannot differentiate, we cannot prioritize, and we cannot make good choices. John … [ Continue Reading ]
A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies. Oscar Wilde 1854 – 1900 If I asked you whether you’d prefer to be in a room with a snake, a wasp or a mosquito, which would you choose? If you’re like most people, you don’t want to … [ Continue Reading ]
Many people, I imagine, could attain wisdom if they were not convinced they already had it. Seneca c. 4 B.C. – A.D. 65 A while back, I received an interesting email that showed a picture of a frog. Anyone that looked at it could plainly see the picture was of … [ Continue Reading ]
There are none so blind as those who will not see. English Proverb During the commuter rush hour on a morning in January 2007, a young man stood playing a violin in one of Washington D.C.’s metro stations. Roughly 2,000 people passed him as they entered the station. Most barely … [ Continue Reading ]
If things go wrong, don’t go with them. Roger Babson 1875 – 1967 Over the past few weeks, some of you may have received holiday gifts you don’t like, and you might be thinking about selling them on eBay or Craigslist. There’s an important business principle called sunk costs that … [ Continue Reading ]
There is nothing good or bad, but thinking makes it so. William Shakespeare 1564 – 1616 In his book, Influence: Science and Practice, Robert Cialdini tells a story about a young girl away at college. She writes a letter to her parents, first apologizing for not having written sooner. She … [ Continue Reading ]
If youth but knew, if old age could. Henri Estienne c. 1531 – 1598 A few years ago, there was a Curtis comic that spoke directly about generational conflicts. In case you aren’t familiar with the strip, it’s about a middle income black family. The strip is named for Curtis, … [ Continue Reading ]
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. Winston Churchill 1874 – 1965 Most people I encounter have a common goal: they want more success in life. Of course, success means different things to different people, but typically, they want some combination … [ Continue Reading ]
Men willingly believe what they wish. Julius Caesar 100 – 44 B.C. I work with a number of people to help them achieve their goals. But before I can help them, I need to understand what’s holding them back. Most of the people I work with think that their problem … [ Continue Reading ]