How do you feel about disappointment? Many of us, myself included, focus on not disappointing others while at the same time protecting ourselves from being disappointed. As I’ve been looking at this more deeply, I’m amazed by how much stress, fear, and worry I experience in my attempts to avoid the disappointment of those around … Read more
As an executive coach and consultant, my clients often ask me why empathy is so important. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines empathy as: The action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience … Read more
I’ve had a number of experiences in the past few months which have both inspired me and challenged me to think big (and also to look at the ways in which I don’t.) All too often we let our egos, our fears, our perceived limitations, or our selfish motivations get in our way from thinking … Read more
In a session I had with my counselor Eleanor last week she said to me, “Testing is not trusting.” I realized in talking to her that much of what I’ve been calling “trust” is actually me simply “testing” new attitudes, techniques, and approaches… hoping they will work out, but fearing that they won’t (or at … Read more
Staying present is a simple concept and something many of us know about, however, it’s much easier to understand than it is to practice. I’ve been recently noticing my own tendency to either reflect on the past (with a sense of regret) or think about the future (with a sense of worry), neither of which … Read more
How do you feel about change? If you’re anything like me, you probably have mixed feelings about it. While it often depends on our perception of the type of change – big or small, good or bad, needed or unnecessary, easy or hard, etc. – most of us seek and fear change simultaneously. I’ve recently … Read more
In a recent session I had with my new counselor Eleanor, she said to me, “Mike, it sounds like embracing powerlessness is something that would benefit you right now.” When she said this, a chill went down my spine and my body tightened up. “What do you mean, ’embrace powerlessness’?’” I asked. “Why would I … Read more
Sometimes I feel like I’m all alone. Even though my relationship with my wife Michelle is amazing, the love I feel for and from my girls is profound, and there are so many incredible people in my life (family, friends, and clients) – I still find that in my darkest moments, I feel like there’s … Read more
One of our greatest sources of authentic power in life comes from our willingness and ability to act – especially in the face of obstacles and fear. To be truly successful and fulfilled, we must challenge ourselves to take bold and courageous actions and to go for what we want. Legendary author Ray Bradbury said, … Read more
I had a simple, but profound experience in the swimming pool last week – I floated on my back for the first time in my life. I do know how to swim and enjoy being in the water, but for some reason I never was able to figure out how to float on my back … Read more
