Breaking From the Herd

An unknown path to level up, developing my unique perspective and to do work that matters to me.

If A Blog Is Written and No One Reads It…Does It Matter?

The old saying goes, “If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” That’s ridiculous. Of course it makes a sound. Just because something isn’t observed doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. Even more, just because something isn’t observed doesn’t mean it doesn’t have an…

Why Is Starting So Difficult?

It’s the haunting blank screen. The blinking cursor awaiting a keystroke. It’s lacing up the shoes and the first step out the door. It’s sitting on the edge of the pool deck toeing the surface of the water. It’s the blank canvas. It’s easier to stare at a blank screen than it is to write.…

Thoughts

Better Resolutions for 2017

Today is the day many of us resolve to change. We vow to be better. We promise ourselves this year is the year we _________. Whatever the resolution is, it’s something we want to improve about our lives. Some people select a theme word for the year. Others, focus on gaining a handle on their…

Thoughts

100+ Books of 2016

Today is the final day of 2016. I set a goal for 100 books in 2015. After managing to get through those, I repeated the resolution for 2016. Two years 210 books and the better for it. Some great books, some unmoving and many in between. I’ve enjoyed a broad subject base from finance to…

Contemporary Art

We’re a couple of weeks into our time in Florence, Italy amidst the Florence Light Festival (F-Light Festival). For a month (December 8-January 8) the monuments of the city are lit up with superb light shows. On a walk down the Arno River tonight, my wife and I stopped to take in the lights displayed…

Change

Does change happened my chance? Sure, at times. There are events in our lives that impact us in such a way that we are no longer the same. But what about intentional change. Losing weight. Learning a language. Simplifying life. Becoming a better spouse. Improving in positivity. Being kind. Starting a business. Getting stronger. Learning…

Give it a Gogh

“If you read two hours a day, that’s great! But if you don’t then write for more than two hours, you will have fallen into the trap of consuming more than you create. Look at how much you are consuming versus what you are creating, and try to match them up. Remember, starting is the…

Going Slow

I’ve heard the phrase “you gotta go slow to go fast” used is so many different situations. Take the time to go slow to learn something so you are proficient and can move quickly with it once it’s mastered. Take the time to do the work that matters so you can move quickly into influence.…

Space

What are you doing today? Wake up. Eat. Brush your teeth. Get the kids ready. Work out. Shower. Get dressed. Go to work. Take the kids to school. Try the new Snapchat filter. Work. Meetings. Phone calls. Emails. Lunch. Haircut. Grocery shopping. Where’s your space? Buy a birthday gift. Call you mom. Pay some bills. Check…

Less TV and More Books = More Interesting Life: Updated

Originally posted on June 23, 2015. Now updated with my complete list of 2015 reads. I used to be a prolific recreational reader. Two rounds of grad school zapped a bit of the joy out of reading. So, over the last couple of years I spent more time entertaining myself than I did educating myself.…

Miles 22-25

I ran another marathon this past Sunday. It was my 9th and it went well. In fact, it’s probably the best race I’ve had. It wasn’t my fastest time and I didn’t even reach the goal I had set out to accomplish, but I think it was my best. Why? Because the race became difficult…

me·di·o·cre·pho·bi·a

moving beyond the status quo