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Fun v. Fulfilling
For things fun or those fulfilling which of these are you more willing? A distinction between fun and fulfilling seems to be that fun acts are pleasant in the moment whereas fulfilling ones may be less so in the moment but offer feelings of accomplishment or usefulness after the fact. The pleasure associated with fulfilling activities comes later and lasts longer whereas that for fun comes quickly but is fleeting. A separate cost of fun is that over time we
Tell Better Stories
The late golf legend, Arnold Palmer, suggested the most important distance in golf is the six inches between a golfer’s ears. The mind matters when seeking to master a complex skill like golf. So, too, it is with so many aspects of our lives. Before Arnold Palmer, William James, credited as being the “father” of modern psychology gave what may be the shortest speech ever given. In an address to the American Psychological Association and as its President in 1904,
Put the Compete in Competence
Competence involves being good at something. It is a reflection of skill in a defined area. To have competence we need to know what we’re trying to achieve. There must be a clear goal or objective. Sport is an arena that allows participants to develop and demonstrate their competence. It’s one of the things that make sport compelling to both observe and participate. As observers we enjoy watching others showcase their skills and as participants, we enjoy the effort at
MMIOO – Minimize My Impact On Others
The other weekend I was at the grocery store picking up a few items. We got in line and were behind just one other person. The cashier had rung through the purchase of the person in front while chatting with them. He was purchasing about ten half litre cartons of cream, two Salmon filets, and one other item. The cashier communicated the total to the gentleman. He then said, oh, can you break this purchase into two bills. I want
The Future Looks Bright
To have optimism is to look forward to the future. It’s a belief that tomorrow has the potential to be better than today. More than two thousand years ago, the Latin poet Tibullus wrote in a poem, Carmina, “Hope ever urges on, and tells us tomorrow will be better.” Being optimistic offers several benefits. It helps us consider the future in our decision making today. With a positive outlook on tomorrow, we’re prepared to work today to ensure we contribute
The 3 T’s of Thanks
It’s that time of year again where we look forward to a belly full of great food. Beyond indulging our appetites, we’re also encouraged to give thanks for what we have, where we are, and who we’re with. Thanksgiving is, after all, about giving thanks. It’s celebrating gratitude as a worthwhile attitude. Thanks is a simple word that speaks volumes. It is something we love to hear but seem less willing to deliver. In a world where we’re spending more
It’s Nice to TYS – Take Yourself Seriously
A long time ago, I worked for a division of a US Insurance company. Our Canadian leader was a woman from Montreal that took herself and her role seriously. She exuded professionalism across every aspect of her character. Her presentations were meticulous as was her attire. Her work ethic, too, was unmatched. She set the standard across the organization. At a corporate retreat we were winding down with a drink or two having enjoyed a wonderful dinner after a long
How to Learn
In an earlier article, we introduced the idea of being Willing and ABLe, where ABL was to Always Be Learning. If we’re warming up to the suggestion to be willing and Always Be Learning, how do we learn? The good news is that we’ve learned an awful lot about how we learn over the past fifty years. Learning is less mystery. We aren’t dependent on experts to learn. Information is widely abundant which makes accessibility to all of us much
The Aim of an Anteambulo
Leaders as anteambulo is an idea that we’ve written about in the past. The role of an anteambulo existed in the times of the Renaissance in Italy. An anteambulo was to walk in front of their boss seeking to clear the path so it was easier for the boss to do the things they wanted to do. It’s the essence of what good leaders, coaches, managers, and parents do. Clearing the path for another is like being a good spotter
Steer Clear of Veneer
In 2017, I made the mistake of purchasing a Range Rover. It was a beautiful looking vehicle. But looks didn’t help the car perform its basic function of getting from a to b. Within days of buying the vehicle, it started acting up. I’ve never paid more for a vehicle and yet had so many problems with it. Yes, the car turned plenty of heads and broke some necks. Plenty of people would comment on how awesome it was and
