Persistence not Perfection

August 12th, 2011

I think we all need to get over ourselves and the desire, need, and pursuit of perfection.  It’s really just a cop-out and a reason to not move or an excuse for not ‘getting it right’.  If we leave no room for spontaneity, creativity, and fluidity in our lives, we can lead pretty boring lives.  The pursuit of perfection often leaves us feeling depleted and deflated.   It’s just a never ending cycle of ‘raising the bar’.

Many people never start their own business, go for that promotion, write that book, or accomplish whatever their dream is because of their fear of failure or ridicule.  So what if you don’t get it right the first time?  Most successful CEOs and famous business people failed numerous times before they tasted success.  I once heard Ted Turner had 17 failed Read more »

There is Life in Death…

August 5th, 2011

Our precious Samson decided it was time to be our angel-on-high instead of an angel in our home. It was incredibly sad to let him go, but it was crystal clear there was no other choice if we cared for his well-being.

I’ve always heard dogs (and often people) will let you know when they are ready to go. When Sam was sick a month ago his eyes and spirit were clear and his little three pound body was full of life. I knew he wasn’t ready to leave our physical presence. But, weeks later it was equally clear his time of physical breaths were nearing their end. I held him all day long on his last day with us. My husband was home with me and we both walked and cried the entire time. We knew Sam was fading and to keep him here was an act of selfishness. We knew the right and best path for Sam and followed our heads while our hearts broke in two.

Some profound, albeit painful, insights came out of this heartbreaking experience: Read more »

Three Lessons Learned from the Summer Job Search Blues

July 27th, 2011

Our son, Justin, is home for the summer from College. It was a Mom “directive/requirement/command” that he would work this summer and earn his spending money. What a learning experience for all of us!

First, he started looking way too late. We learned he should have started looking for positions in January, not April. Second, the world of on-line application is interesting to say the least. It is easy to get lost in the crowd as you are one of hundreds and sometimes thousands of applicants! Third, many don’t want Summer help…and the list goes on and on.

I found myself learning a lot about the process from observing and helping Justin try to land a job. I am very out of touch with having to find a job myself since I have owned my own business for 10 years. I must find and be hired by my clients – but that is a very different process than being hired by a retail store or company.

Below are some of the insights I have gleaned from helping Justin find a summer job that apply universally: Read more »

Lost in Success

July 20th, 2011

Each day, more and more of us report an insatiable and inconsolable restlessness. Finding ourselves wrapped in the trappings of success and radiating an air of inexhaustible competence, we are unable to escape the hollow feeling that our lives have no real meaning or a purpose that feeds us from the inside.

You would think with all our knowledge, resources, access to world class expertise and affluence we would be the happiest and healthiest people in the world. But the reality is that in the United States, 87% of our rapidly expanding health issues are stress related! With all of Read more »

Four Traits of Successful Leaders – An Interview with Dr. Betty Siegel

July 18th, 2011

Have you wondered what traits are needed to become not only an inspirational and transformational leader, but an ethical one as well? My video interview with Dr. Betty Siegel, former President of Kennesaw State University, reveal these basic traits and how you can apply them toward becoming a brilliant leader!

Three Lessons a Dog Can Teach You About Life

July 15th, 2011

In my most recent post about The Rhythm of Life I shared our recent scare with the possibility of losing Samson, our precious 4 lb. Yorkie. While the experience was terrifying, it did allow me to reflect on the following three lessons about life:

  • Life can Turn on a Dime:  We all need to realize this sobering fact and enjoy every moment. Jobs can be lost, health can be taken away, kids can ‘go astray’, and dogs can die. When I was a hospital Chaplain I will never forget a 32 year woman who was watching her husband play basketball in a gymnasium. Someone dropped a purse and the gun that was in the purse fired. The stray bullet hit her in the chest and killed her instantly! As I was meekly trying to comfort her husband in his stunned state of total shock and disbelief, I felt so helpless to begin to understand or soothe his pain. Read more »

The Rhythm of Life

July 13th, 2011

Lately life has dealt me some big challenges and offered some wonderful gifts. How is it that a day can be full of the highest joys and the deepest lows all in a 24 hour period? That happened to me last week.

I was having a perfectly normal, even nice, day. My dog, Samson, who is my angel with fur, was really sick the night before so I took him to the doctor that morning. They checked him out and took blood. People “oohed” and “ahhed” as they always do with my precious 4-lb. bundle of joy. I continued with a productive day of work, and was talking with my husband at 5:45 p.m. when our world changed.

The voice on the other end of the phone (the Vet) said Samson was very sick and needed immediate attention. She said we could wait until the next morning and bring him to receive an IV all day at their office! But her strong recommendation was that we Read more »

Four Memorable Quotes from Real-Time Leaders

July 8th, 2011

I’ve had the delightful experience of being able to interview inspirational CEOs and business leaders over the past months as I prepare for my upcoming book. I continue to be amazed and inspired by their stories, their competence, and generosity. I leave every interview feeling energized and inspired and I want to “be better” just by hearing their story.

Below are a few of the quotes that have been memorable:

“Leadership does not accrue to those with longest seniority-but to those who earn it every day.” — Eric Norwood, CEO, Dekalb Medical Center, Decatur, GA

“Leadership is not about being the smartest person in the room, but getting the smartest people in the room.” — Steve Green, CEO and President of Stephen Green Properties, Savannah, GA

Read more »

How to Live, Think, and Lead with Brilliance! (Part II)

June 28th, 2011

There are multiple facets to Executive Brilliance that allow transformational leaders to Live, Think and Lead with brilliance. The following “to do” list (the second half of two lists about living, thinking and leading with brilliance) will help you achieve that goal. Work on these activities each day and watch how your inner brilliance can positively influence those around you:

  1. Silence the static noise around you and go within: Develop a daily practice of quieting your mind.  Develop inner resources that help you deal with outer circumstances.  Take a walk, read a book, take a nap, practice meditation.  Do something that is NOT work related.   The time away from the hustle and bustle of work will make you even more effective when you return.
  2. Learn to say “No” and practice saying “No” to time-eater tasks you could delegate: Listen to your inner feelings.  Do you say yes when you really want to say no?  Go ahead!  It’s healthy to say no! Read more »

How to Live, Think, and Lead with Brilliance! (Part I)

June 27th, 2011

There are multiple facets to Executive Brilliance that allow transformational leaders to Live, Think and Lead with brilliance. The following “to do” list (the first half of two lists) will help you achieve that goal. Work on these activities each day and watch how your inner brilliance can positively influence those around you:

  1. Lead by example by continuing and improving your own skills and knowledge: Lifelong learning is a natural and essential part of the brilliance process.  Winston Churchill said, “The sad thing about experience is it can be wasted on a person.”  Learn, grow, shine brighter! Read more »