As we pursue of our aspirations, whether personal or professional, setting goals is often the first step towards progress. However, while outcome goals define the destination, it's the process goals that pave the way towards achievement. Process goals focus on the journey, the steps, and the habits necessary to reach our desired outcomes. Yet, setting and achieving these goals isn't solely about creating a to-do list; it's about cultivating the right mindset to navigate challenges, setbacks, and successes along the way.
Read More10 years ago, I made one of the biggest mistakes of my life.
Or so I thought at the time.
I was still living in Atlanta but would be moving soon to NJ.
Even as I prepared to relocate with my family, I was unsure whether I'd stay in school leadership or move into coaching.
One of the positions I was pursuing was a part-time principal position.
Truth is, it really wasn't the best fit for me, and I knew it.
Read MoreWe all tend to get dragged down and overwhelmed by things that accumulate over time and end up cluttering our minds.
When we identify them - even if we're not prepared to do anything about them right now - we raise our awareness and naturally start to handle, fix, and resolve them.
Start by making a list of what youโre putting up with at work and at home to determine what might be cluttering your mind and slowing you down!
Examples could be: incomplete tasks, frustrations, problems, other peopleโs or your own behavior, clutter, shoulds, unmet needs, crossed boundaries, unresolved issues or guilt, lack of exercise, eating habits, being indecisive, procrastinating, lack of sleep, etc.
Oftentimes, we rush to judge others and we assume that people are in full control, and that they're just acting rude, loud, etc. anyway.
But let's remember that we've all had moments where we struggle!
We struggle with our emotional health.
We struggle with the people around us.
We struggle with our finances.
We struggle with our physical health.
We struggle with our circumstances.
We are constantly struggling! And because of this struggle we don't always have the optimum awareness and sense of how we should be interacting with other people.
Read MoreWhen you're feeling down or just "not in the mood"...
just take action!
This morning, I woke up feeling anything but "up."
I wasn't in the mood for my morning workout and was feeling a bit down in general due to some recent developments (nothing major, thank G-d.)
So, what did I do?
I remembered William (Bill) McRaven's "Make your bed!" motto and I decided to take action.
They thought that I was hiding. Or worse, disinterested.
As an introverted head of school, I would often close my office door.
It helped me focus, think, and get more done.
And I didn't think much of it.
But others did.
Largely because my predecessor kept an open door policy.
And was always accessible.
When people lack information, they typically assume the worst case scenario.
Thanksgiving is one of the most popular holidays of the year.
For many, itโs a time to be with family and enjoy delicious food (and some football).
Itโs also the kickoff to the holiday shopping season.
At its essence, though, Thanksgiving is all about gratitude,
Whether you choose to remember how early American settlers survived a difficult winter or something more recent and personal, Thanksgiving gives us all opportunity to pause and reflect about all the goodness in our lives and say, โThank you.โ
๐ โThank youโ for your gifts
๐ โThank youโ for your opportunities
๐ โThank youโ to the special people in your life
๐ โThank youโ to the Being that produced you
Read MoreI recently attended an entrepreneurship gathering sponsored by a local university. The program allowed each attendee to speak for a few minutes about their company and services. The last speaker was a videographer and web marketer. He spoke with great passion about finding a voice and telling a great story, important components in todayโs evolving marketplace. But the line that resonated most with me was his comment about why we are all doing what weโre doing.
Most people in that room had left an established, more guaranteed position in order to venture off into entrepreneurship and follow their dreams. This speaker spoke to a common chord within each of us when he said, โYou all love what you do so much that you would do it for free.โ That is, of course, if not for the fact that we must put food on the table.
Read MoreThe Jewish holiday of Passover commemorates the redemption of a band of Hebrew slaves from extended, torturous Egyptian bondage. Participants sit around a bedecked table as kings and queens, as they recall their ancestors' transition from servants to freedmen.
The Hebrews at that time experienced a sudden transformation from a state of perceived rejection (Is God ever going to take us out of here? Did He leave us here to rot as slaves forever?) to one of miraculous redemption, complete with supernatural miracles and newfound glory. If we are to take a stab at replicating that ancient experience we may wish to spend some time considering our own transitions from rejection to redemption.
We have all tasted the bitter pill of rejection. There was the time that we were not selected for the school performance or failed to make the basketball team. We know what it's like to be kept out of select social cliques or told "no" by the person with whom we sought a relationship. Not every school that we applied to accepted us; nor did every would-be employer. Perhaps we even had the misfortune of being rejected by an employer, or worse, a spouse or family member.
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