Category Archives: Motivation

(#289) On Making Mistakes, Being Ordinary, and Embracing Growth

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Steve Piscitelli

Accepting mistakes does not mean we condone sloppy work. Acknowledge, take ownership of, and grow from your mistakes and you will definitely not be ordinary. Back in 2008, I selected five of my previously recorded songs, had them burned to … Continue reading →

Posted in accountability, blame, growth, lessons reaffirmed, Mindfulness, Motivation, Personal growth, resilience | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

(#288) Advice from an Owl

Posted on November 29, 2015 by Steve Piscitelli

This week, thanks to an owl, I will leave you with many more questions than answers. In our garage, I keep a shelf of baseball caps.  While my favorite and often-worn choice is my New York Yankees hat, I often … Continue reading →

Posted in childlike, Dreams, Goals, humor, laughter, Motivation | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

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

Posted on July 26, 2015 by Steve Piscitelli

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

(#263) Retreat or Stay-Treat? Treat Yourself!

Posted on June 7, 2015 by Steve Piscitelli

What can you do if you want a retreat but can’t quite swing getting away from your daily routines for three or four days?  I’ve often read about personal growth retreats. You know, those that offer a chance to reconnect … Continue reading →

Posted in Choice, Creativity, inspiration, Mindfulness, Motivation, Passion | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

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

Posted on May 3, 2015 by Steve Piscitelli

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

(#243) Failure Is An Option

Posted on January 18, 2015 by Steve Piscitelli

How will I stretch myself in the coming week? Even if I might fail, what will I do to continue my learning and growth? WHAT IF?  Consider the power and challenge of that question.  Make it personal and it becomes … Continue reading →

Posted in Choice, creating your future, Failure, Goals, Mindfulness, Motivation, Passion, Personal growth, resilience | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

(#240) A Blogger’s Retrospective: 2014 In Review

Posted on December 28, 2014 by Steve Piscitelli

May your 2015 goals lead to your actions and your actions lead to your dreams. In May of 2010 I made the decision to begin my first blog. I had 3 goals: Experience a new (for me) aspect of social media … Continue reading →

Posted in Dreams, faculty development, Goals, Gratitude, Life lessons, Mindfulness, Motivation, professional development, Reflective practice | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

(#229) Where Can You Declutter Your Life?

Posted on October 12, 2014 by Steve Piscitelli

Where have you allowed clutter to invade your life? When you hear the word clutter, what pops into your mind?  A desk with piles upon piles of paper?  Your kid’s bedroom? Your bedroom? The kitchen sink? The backseat of your … Continue reading →

Posted in Goals, Motivation, organization, priorities | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

(#228) Motivation: What Gets You Going—and Keeps You Going?

Posted on October 5, 2014 by Steve Piscitelli

Identify a motivational best practice you have used in the past. How can you apply this to a current dream you have? On the first day of class each semester, I ask my students to write their college dream into … Continue reading →

Posted in Dreams, Goals, Life lessons, Motivation, Personal growth, Reflective practice, resilience | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

(#226) Kaizen: Movement Toward Improvement

Posted on September 21, 2014 by Steve Piscitelli

Assumptions not only invite us to ask questions, they beg for questions. Last week on this blog we examined the importance of awareness.  Do we really know what we do in any given space in our lives? What strategies can help us … Continue reading →

Posted in assumptions, Goals, Motivation, Reflection | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments