It’s no fun being addicted to approval
I used to want everyone to like me. And I wanted everyone around me to be happy. More to the point, I was driven to be accepted, to be approved of, to be liked. To be considered a nice person. It wasn’t a pretty picture. Addicted to approval I said yes to client requests that […]
Maybe it’s not a lack of willpower…but a missing skill
You’re asked to use software completely unfamiliar to you… You try a complicated new cooking technique… You take on new responsibilities at work outside your expertise…. What happens? You struggle. At least at first. And if you never build the skill or acquire the knowledge you need, you’ll probably continue to struggle. Gap in skills and […]
Learning to say Yes and No with ease
A client recently made a distinction about the type of speaking engagements she accepts. She’s not interested in creating content and traveling to deliver a presentation to grow the knowledge of an audience. Instead, it’s only worth her time if she’s building the skills of audience members. Which means at the end of one of […]
Want to feel lousy? Listen to the voice of resistance.
Steven Pressfield popularized the term resistance in The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles I nearly had whiplash the first time I read this book from nodding so enthusiastically in agreement. It’s one of those life-changing reads. Very simply put: Pressfield says we encounter the resistance any time […]
5 ways to boost your confidence
Are you self-assured about your own abilities? Do you fully appreciate your own qualities? I recently conducted a reader survey that found many women are experiencing a crisis of confidence. It shows up in the form of self-doubt, limiting beliefs, and negative self-talk. Does that sound familiar? Do you want to play a bigger game, […]
What happens when you don’t have the experience for what you want?
The other day I was thinking about what lead me down the path of entrepreneurship. After maxing out my growth in a couple different roles for a company in Chicago, I applied for a stretch position in strategic account management. It would be a new arena for me. One that would use my current skillset, […]
I can’t make it to that meeting (Really?)
I can’t exercise regularly. I can’t start a business. I can’t make it to that meeting. I can’t change jobs. I’m fascinated by the distinction between can’t versus won’t. And how often we say one when we really mean the other. Can’t vs. Won’t: Can’t is about skill. Won’t is about will. So which is […]
If I don’t try, I won’t fail
If I don’t try, I won’t fail. Absolutely. I have no argument with the truth of this mindset. But typing those words sends a shudder down my spine. Our mindset becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. So if your mindset is don’t try, won’t fail, then the world must shrink to make that your reality. Small and […]
But don’t you want to look at my resume?
What’s the single most important factor in making a successful career transition? It’s not polishing your resume or letting everyone know you’re looking to make a career change. It’s not upgrading your skills, reading a book about interviewing, or even networking. No, a successful career transition starts in advance of those activities. It begins by […]
It’s easy to see what we want to see
I was in the UP of Michigan recently. While driving near the Seney National Wildlife Refuge that sprawls for some 95,000 acres, I saw two moose: a large bull moose with antlers and a smaller female cow. We’d been on the lookout for moose during the entire trip, so it was exciting to finally see […]