Personal Growth

Gifts – 26 Reasons I Am Loved, What Are Yours?

Nearly two weeks ago small gifts started appearing at various places around our home – on my pillow, my bathroom vanity, my desk, in my closet, my briefcase.

It didn’t take me long to figure out that Sarah (my lovely wife) was celebrating the 12 days of Christmas by presenting me with a gift each day.

So I began looking forward to the gifts – expecting them. The only problem was – the gifts didn’t arrive at the same time each day. Some days I found a well-placed gift early in the morning – other days, just before bed.

Her gifts were not expensive – one gift included 7 apples, another a heartfelt note. Yet they were incredibly personal and creative – even the number of items increased each day to match the corresponding day!

The most treasured gift arrived on Day 12 – which is the way it should be, right?

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me a note which read…

Criticism – 6 Things I Learned from Critics

I really don’t like to be criticized. A single criticism can ruin my entire day. I often wonder how someone so thin-skinned ended up in administration.

Dan Rockwell once said: Criticism is something you can avoid – by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.

Is that what you really want?

Recently, I was thinking about criticism and about how often I am faced with it – daily!

Over the years I have benefited significantly from criticism. In fact, I am a better dad, a better husband, a better professional, a better leader… because of my interaction with critics.
Here are six things I have learned from critics:
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Home Depot – How Did I End Up HERE?

A number of years ago, I purchased a commercial property that needed significant renovation. The entire project took about five years to complete. During those five years, I made approximately 24,352 trips to Home Depot. Ok, I made that up – but it seemed like that many. It was so many trips that I could get in my truck, put my mind on auto-pilot, and eight minutes later be getting out of my truck and walking into Home Depot.

It was a great system until one night my wife and I were going out to eat. We left the house and eight minutes later…Home Depot parking lot. Before I realized what I had actually done, Sarah assured me that we were NOT going to document trip number 24,353 prior to our dinner date.

Personal Responsibility – Would you return to your organization?

You’ve seen it – I have too! And it’s becoming more and more prevalent – employees who point fingers, blaming others for their situation, problems, and feelings. Seriously, what ever happened to personal responsibility?

This post is part of the series – What Ever Happened to Personal Responsibility?
Would You Return to Your Organization?
If You’re Not Growing, You’re Dying…Really?
Leaders are the Most Creative People on the Planet
Great Leaders Serve
Is Fear Taking Over?

This past week I traveled to Washington, DC for my sister’s wedding. I generally prefer to arrive at the airport early to allow plenty of time for the “unexpected”. However, I’m still getting used to a new airport so I was a little rushed.

Family – Do you REALLY care about yours?

What is your family to you? Do you care about your spouse? Does it matter to you what your children will become? Not what they will do for work – but who they will be – what they will become. What legacy you are leaving for your grandchildren?

This post is part of the series – Non-Negotiables For a Healthy Family
Broken Family – It Doesn’t Have to be This Way
Family – Do You REALLY Care About Yours?

In our parenting journey, Sarah and I have noted essentials for healthy families. Every family can do these!

BONUS: I’ve created a NEW Guide that will walk you step-by-step through writing your own Personal Life Plan. You can find out how to get a copy of this life-changing tool at the end of this post.