At Gotham Golf this past week it was such a pleasure seeing my networking friends in person; Rosalia, Ray, Brad, Jeff, Rich, Ryan, and Steve. It occurred to me that getting lost in a sea of screens and digital interactions is easy. What's harder is getting out and meeting people face to face. We need to remember the power of human connection. L …
This is an actual conversation: Starbucks employee: Hi...welcome to Starbucks what can I get started for you? Me: I'd like an iced grande black tea lemonade, No sugar please Starbucks employee: With sugar? Me: No...noooo sugar please Starbucks employee: (no response for a couple of seconds) Sorry we are out of black tea Me: Really ?!?! …
“Being honest may not get you many friends, but it will always get you the right ones.” The best I can tell, this quote is attributed to John Lennon. The art of being honest with friends can be tricky. Some are blessed with the art of diplomacy and can say pretty much anything, and you'll thank them for it. Most don't say anything, while others …
Sometimes life is a struggle. We are presented with issues that require us to think about, fix, and move on, yet encounter more issues. Or our technology is not working correctly, which prohibits you from doing anything. It's been one of those weeks for me. After spending some time away, it has jolted me back. It seemed almost every task I needed …
Another unbelievably true story. No one was injured, but many potatoes were lost when a tractor-trailer hauling a load of curly fries caught fire on a Maine highway last Wednesday. The firefighters used about 6,000 gallons of water to extinguish the flames, but the tractor-trailer and its spud snack cargo "were a total loss," firefighters wrote …
It would appear a judge is fed up with incarcerating offenders who appear before him in court. A Michigan Judge Jeffrey Clothier is putting sponges in the hands of shoplifters, ordering them to wash cars in a Walmart parking lot when spring arrives. He hopes this unusual form of community service discourages people from stealing from Walmart. He …
I do it a lot—maybe more than I should. Do you? Whether it’s analyzing my golf swing, reviewing client interactions, or reflecting on personal relationships, I often find myself looking back with gratitude. But often, I’m my own worst critic, replaying moments and wondering what I could have done better which keeps me up at night. Self-reflection …
About 20 years ago, my Dad had started working for me 3 days a week. Although he answered the phones and did some bookkeeping, he wouldn't take a penny for his labor. On a particularly rough day, he sat down in my office. He asked if I was okay and said he had some advice, which was an unusual thing for him to say. He rarely gave advice. He sai …
"The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."--Nelson Mandela Is it really conquering fear that is brave? I believe we all experience fear. Fear has helped humans survive through the years. So being afraid is important. However, if fear drives you or prevents you from living life, then let's be brave. In my …
I read this quote the other day: “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” – Viktor Frankl. It sparked some reflection, especially since life often presents challenges we can’t control. One powerful approach I’ve read that helps me is to reframe these challenges as opportunities to adapt and learn. …
Childhood was a magical time filled with endless possibilities, imaginative wonder, and a bunch of innocent misconceptions. For instance, I thought that all the smokestacks I noticed were cloud makers (maybe they are:) Another one involved traffic. I believed that all traffic jams were caused by one person driving really slowly in front and I alw …
Have you ever had a day that felt like it lasted forever and another that vanished in the blink of an eye? The funny thing is that time doesn’t change—it’s our perception of time that shifts. Psychologists say it has to do with novelty and attention. When we experience something new—like traveling to a new place or trying a new activity—our brai …
The cold is oddly reflective. It slows us down, forces us indoors, and creates just the right conditions for introspection and reflection. Sure, we’re bundled up like burritos with hot tea in hand, but aren’t those moments special? The world feels smaller, quieter, and more intimate. It’s a time for reading by the fire, organizing that area in your …
Ralph Waldo Emerson is quoted as saying, "The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." These words remind me that destiny is not a prewritten script, like some believe, but a path shaped by our choices, actions, and resolve. It’s easy to feel swept up by forces that seem out of our control — societal expectations …
The Gotham Holiday party this past week was incredible. Apart from actually seeing more than just squares on a screen, we were able to mingle, talk, laugh, cry, and enjoy each other in person. This is a similar feeling I had when I met my class for the first time last Monday. It can be a bit awkward at first, but being in someone's presence is so …
It's Saturday...and anything goes.
