Category Archives: awareness

(#276) Mistakes, Disappointments, Curiosity and Growth


When we choose not to dare because we might “risk feeling disappointed” we end up “choosing to live disappointed.” Nearly thirty years ago I made a huge professional mistake.  At that time I decided to make a career move from … Continue reading

Posted in Appreciation, awareness, Being REMARKABLE, change, Choice, confidence, courage, curiosity, Energy Vampires, Grit, growth, inspiration, leadership, mentoring, Reflection, resilience, Success, vulnerability | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

(#270) Have You Spent Time With Ida Ownly?


A relationship with Ida Ownly has no future other than one of contrition, remorse, disappointment, and heartbreak. You know Ida Ownly, don’t you?  I’m sure you (like me) have spent some time with her. And when we do it generally … Continue reading

Posted in action, Anxiety, awareness, Discipline, Excuses, Failure, fitness, focus, fortitude, growth, initiative, Integrity, Mindfulness, Motivation, organization, Personal growth, potential, priorities, Priority management, Words and Action | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

(#264) Manage Your Energy. Maximize Your Productivity


What small step can you take this week to set your agenda, manage your energy, and accomplish the most important thing on your radar? In last week’s post I briefly noted the concept of ultradian rhythms. These 90-minute full-on work … Continue reading

Posted in awareness, boundaries and limits, Discipline, Personal Wellbeing, productivity, resilience, ultradian rhythms | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

(#258) The Power of Guy Fieri: Five Life Lessons


In our do-everything-a-little-bit-faster-each-day world, how often do we take time to be curious, to learn, to listen, to laugh and be positive? I don’t watch a lot of television.  When I do, though, one program my wife and I enjoy … Continue reading

Posted in Appreciation, awareness, Find Your Happy Place, Gratitude, Integrity, Mindfulness, Motivation, Passion, Purpose | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

(#257) Sunsets and Sunrises


“You are where I was. And I am where you will be.” This week represents a major life demarcation for me.  After 33 years of classroom teaching, I will be retiring from my college. I am not retiring, however, from my … Continue reading

Posted in Appreciation, assumptions, awareness, Balance, Being REMARKABLE, change, collegiality, effective teaching, Goals, Gratitude, happiness, Integrity, Life's purpose, Mindfulness, Reflection, resilience, retrospective, Success, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

(#255) Did You Make A Difference? How Do You Know?


While this blog post speaks specifically to my teaching colleagues, we can all draw inspiration and clarification when we stop and examine what we do. On my campus, we have two weeks of classes and a week of final exams … Continue reading

Posted in awareness, Reflection, Reflective practice, resilience, Teaching, Values and virtues, wisdom, Year in review | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

(#253) Bridging the Gap: The Stories We Tell Ourselves and the Stories We Live


Stories we tell ourselves vs. stories we actually live. What stories are you telling yourself? For years I’ve been using a professional and personal growth exercises with my students and audiences. Start with one piece of paper and a pen … Continue reading

Posted in assumptions, awareness, Balance, boundaries and limits, core values, creating your future, Integrity, Life's purpose, Mindfulness, self-efficacy, Words and Action | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

(#249) A Life Well-Lived


Yesterday, our Buddy arrived at the end of his nearly 15-year journey and crossed over the rainbow bridge. To say there is a hole in our hearts at the moment is a gross understatement. But,  we have to remember that Buddy … Continue reading

Posted in awareness, Balance, Being REMARKABLE, Civility, collegiality, Friendship, generativity, Gratitude, Life lessons, Life's purpose, Purpose, Reflection, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

(#246) Are You Bitching or Are You Pitching?


Do you work (or live) with someone who endlessly pontificates, grouses, grumbles, moans and laments? One of my mentors taught me a valuable lesson near the beginning of my teaching career.  Dr. Veronica Valentine had a simple “rule” if anyone … Continue reading

Posted in Appropriate Behavior, awareness, collaboration, collegiality, Connection-Disconnection, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Discipline, Energy Vampires, Haters, Personal Wellbeing, problem solving, Reflective practice, responsibility, teamwork | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

(#245) Courage


What we do in these situations defines our characters and our destiny. Courage.  How do you define it? How do you exhibit it in your daily life? Probably the best way I ever heard it defined did not see it … Continue reading

Posted in Appropriate Behavior, awareness, creating your future, Friendship, generativity, Integrity, life success, Living a remarkable life, Purpose, self-efficacy | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments