Fact or fiction?  You are who you are because you chose to be that way. Fact. You might be saying, "nonsense".  I'm a product of my parents, my childhood, my education (or lack of), my circumstances. I agree with you that those things are variables in your life that have shaped you.  However, I'm askingContinue reading "Serving Behavior"

Reflect on this:  Do you make a habit of fighting the good fight?  That is, do you stick up for and defend doing the right thing? There are three keys in being able to do it: Discerning what's right Ignoring what's not right, i.e. the distractions Having the physical and mental energy to fight DiscerningContinue reading "The Good Fight Habit"

Good things happen when we're patient, but only if we remain active. What? Active patience?  That's an oxymoron. Not an "empty" active where you're just doing things to stay busy. Rather, an "intentional" active where you're meaningfully serving others. Carve out daily quiet time for yourself to reflect on who and how you can serve.Continue reading "Active Patience"

One of the keys to success in today's professional climate is making your clients and colleagues feel you are accessible.  If they feel accessible, then they feel heard.  If they feel heard, then you're telling them they matter.  Their opinion of you and loyalty to you is a function of your accessibility and feeling heard. Continue reading "The Promise of Accessibility"

I'm convinced life is simple.  We tend to make it complex.  It can be summed up in one word, relationship. It's what we crave.  It's what we seek.  But we often get it wrong.  Why? It goes back to our origin, which is not what you think.  It's not the origin of time, or evenContinue reading "Being Made Right"

Any good financial advisor will tell you the best long-term investment strategy is to diversify for a smoother ride.  As with finance, the best long-term strategy for a meaningful life involves diversifying investments in your time and money.  To find your life's purpose, your "time and money portfolio" should include the following funds: Growth FundContinue reading "The Scientist and The Subject"

Your impulses are either working for you or against you.  When you're feeling generous, your action benefits others.  When you're angry, your tendency is to lash out.  When someone hurts you, you want revenge.  Self-control is learning how to interrupt your impulses by connecting with your goals during those crucial moments.  Create rules for howContinue reading "Interrupting Impulses"

Do you believe people are basically good?  I must admit, I used to hold this belief.  You might be thinking ... Marc, what a "glass as half empty" view of humanity.  Please hear me out. First, let's examine us in our natural state as small children.  We want to be feed.  We want to beContinue reading "Myth Buster: People Are Basically Good"

I've recently learned something from Joseph Grenny, a leading social scientist for business performance: There are six sources of influence that are either working for you or against you, You can profoundly change the way you feel about any choice by changing the frame of the decision, and Change requires both motivation and skill. ForContinue reading "Tender Heart, Tough Hide"

Every person is worthy of respect.  Stable families and societies are built on respect.  Husbands are called to respect wives.  Wives are called to respect husbands.  We are commanded to honor our parents and respect civil authority.  No one is exempt.  We are asked to show proper respect to everyone regardless of their beliefs orContinue reading "R-E-S-P-E-C-T"