Personal Growth

Do You Work With a Team or a Family?

Most teams struggle because they don’t know whether they are a team or a family.

Often they’re an intriguing mixture of both.

After spending several years studying executive leadership teams, interviewing scores of executives and managers, analyzing thousands of data points, and writing hundreds of pages on the topic, I found that most working groups truly believe that they are a real team.

Yet most of these “teams” struggle because their leaders and members are not functioning as a real team.

There is ONE fundamental question that you must answer to be effective in your work…

Write More with an Editorial Calendar

Were you up late last night trying to finish today’s blog post? Do you have a book you’d like to write but can’t seem to find the time to get started? Did you launch a blog with a few posts, but haven’t published a post for months?

I’ve struggled with all of these and more! To be honest, it took me more than a year to figure out how to write consistently. (Some days I’m reminded that there’s still work to do.)

If you are going to publish regularly – and if you are going to continue to grow your writing – you will need a tool to keep you on track.

Here’s why a simple editorial calendar has become my #1 writing tool…

A Letter to My Son

Dear son,

You’re a year old today. It’s been a great year. Quite possibly the best year of my life.

Now that you’re growing up, it’s time to lay a few ground rules.

First, I can already see that you are not going to be content to stay in one place for very long. You like to get around. And I’m cool with that. In fact, I like following you around – it gives me a glimpse into how your young mind works. It reminds me what it’s like to be constantly seeking adventure. To imagine and crave the new. To dream and to be always learning. You’ll teach me a thing or two about creativity and innovation.

Next, your mom is queen – of everything. So prepare now to shower her with flowers and thoughtful gifts. You’ll plan your fair share of royal dates. You’ll never have to wonder if she will accept your invitation – she’ll say yes. Because she adores you. You won’t need a reason for these special occasions – the honor of spending fleeting moments with her royal highness will be enough. She’s already given you a lifetime of love, gifts, and attention so you will spend your entire life trying to make it up to her. You never will.

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.

6 Steps For Making Major Decisions – Free Template

When’s the last time you were faced with major decisions? College. New car. Marriage. Church. New home. New job.

In a world of abundant opportunities, how did you know FOR SURE you were making the right decision?

In this post, I’ll provide a tool that will help you sleep more soundly both while you’re contemplating a major decision and after you’ve decided.

The most influential people in the world

The most influential people in the world? Who are they?

More than 20 years ago, I heard a college professor say over and over throughout on of my courses – “Nothing is real until its personal.” What he was saying was, unless something has personal significance or touches your life in a tangible way, it won’t mean to you what it means to others.

Similarly, those people and events that hold personal significance to you may not be valued by others.

One’s influence is often directly related to their level of impact in your life or work.

Hundreds of people have helped me along the way. So it’s difficult to limit a list of people who have profoundly influenced my life.

So at the risk of overlooking some, here are the 5 most influential people in my world: