Category Archives: General

The Value of Joy, Part One

Wordsmith extraordinaire, John David Mann and writer averageaire, 🙂 yours truly, often discuss a concept during media interviews for which we both have a different name. He calls it the “Treacherous Dichotomy.” I call it the “False Dilemma.” Either term can be defined as the unnecessary use of the word, “or” (i.e., “wealthy OR happy”,…

A Question About “Loving Money”

In a Facebook discussion exchange yesterday, I was asked, “Do you think it is wrong for someone to say ‘I love money’?” Of course, I’m not the authority on what is right or wrong for someone else and always do my best not to judge others (after all, I have enough personal faults of my…

Busting Through Compromise and False Dichotomies

Most of us know the story of the two youngsters fighting over an orange. They both wanted it but there was just one. So, they had to compromise by each taking half. Of course, the “crux” of the story is that – upon simple discussion afterwards – they both discovered they wanted the orange for…

Leadership Lessons from Unexpected Places

In the last “Book Suggestion” we looked at the myth of natural, or inborn talent. This book is another great read. And, it’s lessons on leadership were not only inspiring but came from an angle I would never have expected; wisdom from an orchestra conductor. Its title is… MAESTRO: A Surprising Story About Leading By Listening…

Duplication Is, Well…Duplicatable

The saying, “Don’t reinvent the wheel” is so well-known it has become almost proverbial. Yet, I constantly see people trying to “reinvent wheels” and it often works to their detriment rather than to their advantage. Please don’t misunderstand. Never would I suggest not being creative and trying new things. As human beings, we are, by our…

Characteristics of One Very Big Winner

In his very first season as a head coach, he took a losing team and immediately turned them into a winner. Speaking of winning, he coached his teams to a mind-boggling total 664 victories in 27 seasons, including 10 NCAA National Championships. Within this period were 88 straight wins and four perfect 30-0 seasons. Yet,…

Is Natural Talent Really A Myth?

I have two books I feel absolutely compelled to suggest you read; first, because they are simply great reads. Secondly, if the topics themselves interest you, you’ll find the knowledge and wisdom contained to be extremely beneficial to you. Today, we’ll look at… Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else by…

Opposing Thoughts?…Not At All, Part Three

Over Part One and Part Two we’ve seen that taking personal responsibility does not mean one has to – or that one even can – do it alone and still be successful. At least not financially successful. And, nowhere does this hold more true than in a Capitalistic society. It’s difficult to even imagine that…

Opposing Thoughts?…Not At All, Part Two

In Part One we looked at two “seemingly” opposing statements, “If it is to be, it is up to me” and, “Nobody does it alone” and saw how – though somewhat paradoxical sounding – they actually fit together quite nicely. Not surprisingly, everyone who wrote in agreed. It’s rather self-evident that, yes, we need to embrace personal…

Opposing Thoughts?…Not At All, Part One

I remember listening to a very famous speaker at a conference who, partway through his presentation, looked out at his audience and authoritatively declared, “If it is to be, It Is up to me.” The audience applauded at that statement highlighting the importance of personal responsibility. During the very next session, an equally famous speaker…