A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow. George S. Patton 1885 – 1945 A few years ago, there was a feel-good show called Leverage, in which former criminals used their unique skills to help people in need. In the pilot episode, things start going wrong on a job and the … [ Continue Reading ]
The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience. Eleanor Roosevelt 1884 – 1962 One of my nieces has an adorable daughter named Nora. Nora’s a little more than two years old, but … [ Continue Reading ]
It’s the easiest thing in the world for a man to deceive himself. Benjamin Franklin 1706 – 1790 Last week, I introduced the idea of the when, then trap. I wanted to revisit it this week because it’s such an important concept — and it’s easy to convince ourselves that … [ Continue Reading ]
I will act now. Success will not wait. This is the time. This is the place. I am the person. Og Mandino 1923 – 1996 Have you ever been caught in the “when, then” trap? In case you’re not sure what I mean, let me give you an example from … [ Continue Reading ]
Without a purpose, nothing should be done. Marcus Aurelius 121 – 180 My work involves helping people achieve their goals. I want to share an exercise I sometimes use with the people I coach: I simply ask them what they have planned the next day. Most of the time, this … [ Continue Reading ]
Trying to control or change what we can’t only results in torment. Epictetus 55 – 135 A.D. Not long ago, there was a Peanuts cartoon featuring Charlie Brown and Lucy that stood out for me. If you aren’t familiar with Peanuts, the characters are young children, maybe five or six years … [ Continue Reading ]
There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. Gen. Colin Powell 1937 – Often, we’ll look at remarkably talented individuals and wonder why we weren’t blessed with some innate ability that would rocket us to success. But studies of successful … [ Continue Reading ]
Appearances often are deceiving. Aesop c. 550 B.C. Some time back, a certain bookstore (which we’ll leave unnamed) ran what seemed like a very nice online promotion: buy 1 item, get the second item for 60% off list price. Sounds good, right? Wrong. My daughter took advantage of the promotion … [ Continue Reading ]
If you do not know how to ask the right question, you discover nothing. William Edwards Deming 1900 – 1993 Throughout our school years, we were conditioned to answer questions asked in class and on exams. We became accustomed to thinking that the key to success is having the right … [ Continue Reading ]
Do you love life? Then do not squander time; for that is the stuff life is made of. Benjamin Franklin 1706 – 1790 Have you ever considered what your time is worth — and more importantly, what you might do to increase the value of your time? We like to … [ Continue Reading ]