Today I smelled something delicious cooking in the kitchen. Considering my 13-year-old’s recent interest in culinary experimentation, I took a break from work to find out. I was disappointed to find frozen pizza in the toaster oven. I figured he could “do better” than that. “Frozen pizza?” I asked. “Yeah,” he answered, “that’s what I…
As a coach, I have noticed when an employee has a busy day without stress, they will describe their day as “productive” or “full.” They may report feeling “in the zone,” “invigorated,” and “important” because of goals achieved, projects completed, and everything accomplished. When an employee has a busy day with stress, managing and surviving…
Bias is essentially the things we take for granted. One of the things I take for granted is how I *think*. I think in words, but there are individuals who think in pictures. Apparently, one type of thinker is not aware that the other exists. And then there are those who toggle back and forth,…
Child to parent: “I want to be a comedian” Parent: “You’ll be the laughing stock of the community.” *** Don’t let the limitations of your parents, background, upbringing, and past bring you down. It made you who you are. These are strengths. Where to next? The next step is up to you. *** Child: “I…
My 13 yr old son baked a delicious cake from scratch topped with homemade whipped cream. A bit about his process. Back in March, when we realized we were going to be stuck at home, I told him he would have to learn his way around the kitchen. If there was a grease fire he…
I recall when I boarded a flight back in February, my teenage daughter and I admired a female flight attendant’s outfit. We liked the colors and the professionalism of it, and the sleek look of her heels. Soon thereafter the captain made the usual announcements which introduced us to the flight attendant team, along with…
“Can you please look this over? And please be MEAN.” My teenager put her laptop in front of me to review an essay. “I am always honest,” I said. “No, be MEAN. Nitpick. Whenever we did peer review in school, I always gave my draft to the harshest, most brutally honest kid in the class….
I was in the passenger seat, guiding my ‘learners permit holding 16-year old‘, proceeding at a steady speed. The light ahead turned yellow. To stop or proceed? “Step on it!” I said. My daughter slammed on the brake. We stopped violently with a screech and lurched forward in our seats. “What did you do that…
Much has been written about “having a routine.” But more valuable than a routine at work, I have found that I need “purpose.” In fact, thoughtfully deviating from a routine to accomplish important goals that give you purpose ensures that you will be way more productive. Most of the important things you have to accomplish…
“I feel like someone took their thumb and smudged the calendar,” my 13 year old reported. “All the days blur together.” My kids are fully e-learning, and for the most part, still social distancing. This can cause the days to blend into one long, stretched void without demarcation. It’s not just kids feeling this way….
