“You’re a beautiful girl,” the old man from her ancestral country said. She felt the warmth of his compliment glow deep inside her. He continued, “Don’t ever shave your mustache.” Poof. It was out. Dr. Kristen Neff is a leading researcher on self-criticism and that’s one of her stories. It made me laugh out loud … Continue reading Self-Compassion > Self-Criticism
Tag: life
Professionals Don’t Change Hats, They Change Positions
When you work with people, especially if you’re leading them, situations change and you have to adapt. The most useful thing to know is where we stand in relation to those we're working with. This is positioning. Instead of putting on different hats to represent different roles and responsibilities, thinking in terms of positioning allows … Continue reading Professionals Don’t Change Hats, They Change Positions
Sunday Music: Bullion And ‘96 Feels
I’ve been going through boxes (and milk crates, and plastic bins, and…) of old CDs. Since I apparently don’t own a CD player outside of my car, I’ve been digging up whatever I can up online, and whatever I can’t, well, don’t get me started (but if you get in my car you will be … Continue reading Sunday Music: Bullion And ‘96 Feels
Podcast Of The Week: Raphael Saadiq, Renaissance Music Man
Hey! On Saturday’s I highlight a podcast about being a creative professional. Sometimes it’s direct, sometimes it’s indirect, but it’s always entertaining and educational. This week’s Podcast of the Week is… Musician/producer extraordinaire - Raphael Saadiq on the Questlove Supreme Podcast. Raphael Saadiq started off as a kid trying to break into the local Oakland … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Raphael Saadiq, Renaissance Music Man
Life Is Hell (When The AC Breaks)
We interrupt your normally programmed, thoughtfully curated conversation starters for a story. If you pay close attention, there's probably a moral in here about the importance of framing our experiences. If you don’t, hopefully it’s at least good for a laugh. If you see me IRL and I tell this story, you'll know here's where … Continue reading Life Is Hell (When The AC Breaks)
When Self-Awareness Is Just Selfish-Talk
Yeah, I've noticed things are broken and passively ignored them before. Let he who hasn't cast the next stone through the already broken abandoned factory windows. Tasha Eurich is the kingpin of self-awareness research. She recently tweeted this Alan Mulally quote, If you don’t have a vision, a smart strategy, and a detailed plan to … Continue reading When Self-Awareness Is Just Selfish-Talk
I Did It Hemingway
Sometimes you do the work and the work kicks your teeth in. Then, on the good days, you smile a bloodied and toothless smile, lay your head down, and go to sleep so you can do it again tomorrow. The Old Man And The Sea has long been one of my favorite books. When I … Continue reading I Did It Hemingway
They’re Waiting For You To Notice
I love asking people if they're an "everything happens for a reason" person OR a "nothing happens for a reason, but you get to pick your own" person. I'm in the latter camp. I've found peace with the people in the first. Most of the time we're saying the same thing. Here's why: Do work. … Continue reading They’re Waiting For You To Notice
The Pencil’s Mightier Than The Magic Wand
"Get to the point Matt." I'd heard it enough times. From outside my head and inside it too. I was good at collecting what I'd call, "mostly useless information." I was crap at figuring out how to make it useful. I was looking for a magic wand. But that was the wrong piece of wood. … Continue reading The Pencil’s Mightier Than The Magic Wand
Practice Then Perform
“Should I try this?” “Wait, who is going to cover that point?” “Am I closing? You? Does that make sense with our opening?” These are the types of conversations I have with my team all of the time. They’re essential. But… We’re talking about practice man. Do all that stuff, but then, you’ve still got … Continue reading Practice Then Perform