Category Archives: Words and Action

(#407) Are You Just Doing Stuff?


We can easily get caught up in the “noise” around us if we allow that to happen. The wrong things end up pushing the right things to the side. An upcoming speaking engagement reminds me of a truism when it … Continue reading

Posted in accountability, action, authenticity, awareness, Connection-Disconnection, consideration, creating your future, Critical Thinking, Goals, growth, Priority management, Words and Action | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

(#404) Risk, Empty Spaces, and Self: Lessons from the Stage


“There is no failure in result; there is only failure in process.” Sam Wasson’s Improv Nation: How We Made A Great American Art provides more than an improv history lesson. He deftly lays out a philosophy of life.  For all … Continue reading

Posted in acceptance, amplifying, assumptions, authenticity, awareness, Being REMARKABLE, childlike, confidence, Mindfulness, risk-taking, Teaching, teaching and learning, vulnerability, wisdom, Words, Words and Action | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

(#398) We Are Where We Are


 “We are where we are, however we got here. What matters is where we go next.”—Isaac Marion The New Year inevitably brings resolutions. Just as inescapable are posts about those inexorable goals for the next 12 months. We generally hear … Continue reading

Posted in Anxiety, authenticity, awareness, Balance, Choice, Goals, Integrity, intentionality, Life lessons, priorities, resilience, wisdom, Words and Action | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

(#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

(#266) Challenging the Status Quo


We have to remember what we learned in our formative years: “Know what battles to pick.” Great advice unless you never seem to choose a battle. I was recently asked what kind of advice I would give to the new … Continue reading

Posted in Being REMARKABLE, boundaries and limits, change, Choice, Civility, confidence, courage, creating your future, fortitude, influence, inspiration, Integrity, leadership, Mindfulness, Personal growth, Personal Wellbeing, wisdom, Words and Action | 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

(#235) What Are You Doing For Game Film?


“If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.”—Yogi Berra Legendary football coach Paul Brown receives credit for being the first football coach to use game film.  He believed the film would help expose the weaknesses … Continue reading

Posted in confidence, Mindfulness, Reflection, Reflective practice, wisdom, Words and Action | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

(#135) 2012: The Year of Gratitude


Silent gratitude isn’t very much use to anyone. -Gertrude Stein- About a year ago I read The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy. One of the many life success strategies Hardy described was a gratitude journal (of daily entries) he had written for his … Continue reading

Posted in Appreciation, Civility, Gratitude, Life's purpose, little pleasures, Making a Difference, Mindfulness, Words and Action | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

(#117) Say What You Mean. Mean What You Say. Do What You Say.


Sometimes watching political campaigns is like watching a middle school class election. (But that might be too hard on the middle schoolers.) I am sure you have often heard people speak words that they don’t back up with action. Whether … Continue reading

Posted in Words and Action | 3 Comments

#43 What We Say, We Become


On August 22, 2010 I posted a blog titled “Are there words we should NEVER say–and who makes that decision.”  The point of the post was to examine hurtful words–and whether or not there was a line that should be … Continue reading

Posted in Words and Action | 7 Comments