We are at a pivotal time in history. Never before has so much information, so much stuff, been available to us at all hours of the day and night. It’s like a fire hose that we can’t turn off. I see us, this human species, on the precipice of something great—or not. The choice is ours. To move beyond the constraints of selfishness, of a me-centered mindset, will take time and intention. We are at nearly 7 billion people on this planet that we call Earth and it’s not sustainable to continue ...
When I was in my twenties, I dated a man whose family traveled extensively. They lived in Saudi Arabia, the father was headmaster at an American school, and the entire family of six would travel all over the Middle East and Europe. The one good thing I remember from that train-wreck of a relationship was his family's mantra about packing before a trip: Never pack before midnight, and never pack sober. I reference that maxim often when people ask me for advice on packing light, not because I follow the ...
When we have arrived at the question, the answer is already near. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson If you are like me, dear reader, you are constantly in search mode. Whether it’s seeking ways to improve your life, learning hacks to maximize your effectiveness and manage your work day, or hunting for the answers to any number of ...
The contest is over for a copy of Chris Guillebeau’s latest book, The $100 Startup. Thank you to everyone who weighed in with a comment on the business they would start today, if time, money, and fear were not in the way. I love your creativity and your desire to craft a business that is infused with your personality! I wish that I could award a book to all of you, but alas, that I cannot do (unless Chris wants to send more ...
Women, we are one another’s worst enemies and one another’s best friends. We back each other, and we bash each other. The extreme dichotomy between these opposing positions seems to show up in all areas of our lives. And lest you think this post is for women only, it’s not. So keep reading, lads and lasses. Misogyny, I’m sensitive to this. Defined as the hatred of women, misogyny, I’m noticing a lot of it lately. Not that ...
Walking down the street, wearing your favorite green high-tops and a black and white striped sweater over slim jeans (you could be a guy or a gal), you pass a homeless person, a few small birds pecking at some seeds on the sidewalk, and a rosebush pushing against a fence, pale pink buds threatening to burst open. You see none of this. Vaguely aware that you did pass the homeless person (he asked you for spare change), but you couldn’t pick ...
The New Year is upon us and that means so, too, is the spate of posts about resolutions. How to make them, why you should make them (or not), and how to stick to the ones you make. For the more linear thinkers, the ubiquitous Excel spreadsheet planners are offered by generous souls all over the web. For creative types, planners exist for you (me), too. Many resources are free. Check out the ones offered by Charlie Gilkey or Susannah ...
Be Realistic! How many times have you heard someone say that? Oh come on, be realistic, you know that isn’t possible/practical/logical/appropriate/safe or some similar admonition. How often do you hear this? How often do you say be realistic to the people you work with, your friends, family, or yourself (in that funny little inner voice of yours, you know, the critical, high-pitched, shrill one)? In my experience, this entreaty to be realistic is often used when someone expresses a dream or a non-conventional goal such as when someone shares the ...
I just completed week one of a four-week program called the Morning Whip with the amazing and talented Erika Lyremark at the helm. Seriously, people, this is good stuff. Mega-motivating, and Erika has a loving, yet no-holds-barred way of coaxing accountability out of even the most reluctant business babe. One of the assignments she gave us was to write a Text Message to the Universe asking the universe for help getting un-stuck in whatever area(s) of business we need a little extra oomph and ...
Of all the popular –ists and –isms, minimalism is one that inspires much debate. A hot topic du jour, minimalism was popularized, in large part by Leo Babauta’s blog, Zen Habits. While I love Leo and most everything he writes, and have embraced many of the principles of minimalism, I have grown weary of the term. It’s lost its meaning and original intention—that of downsizing, ridding ourselves of possessions and things that clutter our lives, streamlining, ideally, to increase happiness and gain clarity around what is truly important and meaningful—to ...
