As much as we love to lend our support and help others, many of us find asking for help awkward or uncomfortable. How can we shift our mindset on what it means about us when we’re willing to reach out to others? When we ask people for their time, feedback, or support in a gracious … Read more
My counselor Eleanor recently said to me, “Mike, if you’re trying to prove something, it means you don’t actually believe it yet.” Her words hit me right between the eyes, as they often do. She was right and as I reflect on certain aspects of my life, I can see that where I’m overly attached … Read more
In July of 1992, the summer between my senior year in high school and my freshman year at Stanford, I got invited to play in the U.S. Junior National Baseball Championship tournament in Boise, Idaho. It was a pretty big deal. Some of the top high school players in the country were there, including a … Read more
I was recently talking to my counselor Eleanor, asking her for some guidance on both an important meeting I had coming up and on the approach I was taking in some writing I was planning. She said to me, “Mike, get out of your head and into your heart. Remember, the truth can’t be rehearsed.” … 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
How honest are you? While most of us aren’t bald-faced liars who go around deceiving people consciously, if we’re honest with ourselves about it, we often don’t fully speak our truth or express all of our emotions. We’ve been trained and have in turn trained ourselves to be “appropriate” and to say and do the … Read more
Why is it hard to be authentic? More important, why is it hard for you to be authentic? This isn’t an accusation or a judgment, it’s an important question. If we can ask and answer this question honestly, without judging ourselves, we’re well on our way to becoming more of who we really are and … Read more
