“If you want to fly, give up everything that weighs you down.” – Buddha Sometimes, the whisper can appear with such consistency that we still ignore it even when the tone rises to a SHOUT!  Amid the life disruptions we are all adapting to now, how can you sort out which voices to attend to? More change may feel like a burden more than an opportunity. Unplanned and radical adjustment in our lives is here for an undetermined time. From the very real economic impact on employmen

Each day we have the freedom to choose what our attitude will be. Managing this helps us define who we are, how we handle ourselves and how to deal with issues as they arise. There is no magical process, nor is it about being disingenuous. On the contrary, it speaks to the power each of us holds; when to decide how we want to engage with others and the influence it has beyond us. We do not operate in a vacuum and behaviors affect the group from the family to the organization.

Clearing out can also uncover forgotten material and refine what was a half-hearted effort at describing an emotional connection to a now finished piece. It was a decade old reminder of my love of footwear that has not diminished. In fact, I can picture those long gone red sandals and many delightful times wearing them even at this moment. A treasured memory resurrected at a frustrating time, brings smiles on a day that I had decided would be limited. Changing perspectives is

• Do you consider yourself to be a lucky person? • Are you someone who takes full advantage of opportunities, focusing on them as they arise? “Things worthwhile generally don’t just happen. Luck is a fact, but should not be a factor. Good luck is what is left over after intelligence and effort have combined at their best… Luck is the residue of design.” – Branch Rickey Buying a winning lottery ticket is sheer luck as the odds are certainly not in your favor nor did any schem

At a recent gathering, I asked someone for the time as it was too dark to see my watch clearly and I did not have my cell phone handy for a quick check. “No one wears watches anymore. That makes you sound so old,” she pronounced. While I suspect people in droves are not tossing out their designer timepieces or condemning them to a junk drawer, her snippy observation gave me pause to absorb her words. Manners aside, I really do not care how you access the information; in this

Sometimes, the whisper can appear with such consistency that we still ignore it even when the tone rises to a SHOUT! A most memorable example for me came after a very windy and snowy night and an anticipated power outage. I was relieved to awaken to sunshine and a midday meeting so that travel would not be affected by the previous day’s storm. My optimism was short lived when mid-shower the lights went out and I was left wet and very frustrated. Fortunately the gym was open a

“Bear” Bryant said that members of a winning team needed 5 things: 1.  Tell me what you expect from me 2.  Give me an opportunity to perform 3.  Let me know how I’m doing 4.  Give me guidance when I need it 5.  Reward me according to my contributions These 5 points transcend gender or over-used sports analogies. Winners from the basement to the boardroom need straight information. Sometimes a formula that seems too simple is ignored. However, when we communicate objective

Do you consider yourself to be a lucky person? Are you someone who takes full advantage of opportunities, focusing on them as they arise? “Things worthwhile generally don’t just happen. Luck is a fact, but should not be a factor. Good luck is what is left over after intelligence and effort have combined at their best… Luck is the residue of design.” –  Branch Rickey Buying a winning lottery ticket is sheer luck as the odds are certainly not in your favor nor did any scheme in

Glancing around the room I couldn’t help but notice the discomfort level rising. This was not intended to be a public shaming, rather an opportunity to see how we often make our wallets the unintended home for everything. For some it’s morphed into a catch-all and a traveling junk drawer that wastes time when looking for something, and isn’t a true representation of the professional woman you want to present to the world. Was my wallet unique in its size or color or contents?

From this moment going forward, put a statute of limitations on your mistakes. Stop punishing yourself. Give yourself a deadline. According to Dr. Alan Zimmerman, you might even create a short script for yourself like, “After this date (specify), I will not put myself down or beat myself up for this mistake or that failure (specify). It’s done. It’s over. I refuse to spend any more energy ruminating about it.” Moreover, hold yourself accountable for doing it. The blame game i

“You cannot control the wind, but you can adjust your sails!” I’m not a sailor. I’m not familiar with nautical lingo and barely missed being knocked overboard by the boom coming through. (Who knew that, “lower the boom” was not just an expression?) I can, however, appreciate the awareness and flexibility of those skilled at the helm as they focus on the mechanics of operation while I tighten the straps of my life vest. There is beauty in this ballet at sea as the wind is inde