Valentine’s Day celebrates love. Here’s my favorite piece of literature regarding the topic: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1

This popped up in my email and is too good not to share! It comes from author and speaker Jon Gordon. Please read and reflect: If You Could Fly, Would You? Before you answer the question, realize that most of us don’t utilize the talents, gifts and abilities we have been given. We go through life with untapped potential and power, unwrapped gifts, unused talent and unfulfilled desires and dreams. So, while you might say

Great teams talk. They encourage. They often exchange good words. They hold each other accountable. Great teams have standards and adhere to them. So, when one falls short, others call him to the higher standard. They brainstorm. They put a premium on getting better, so experimentation is necessary. The great teams review the process together and learn from the successes and failures. They don’t shy away from a hard topic. We call it “courageous communication.”

How do you handle “hard?” Are you adept at responding to hard circumstances? Reflecting on how I personally handle hard, I quickly developed some thoughts… First, I have to admit that I’ve been blessed when it comes to having to cope with hard things in my life. But when they do occur, I am fortunate to have a support team around me to share in the experience. I know so many who are having to

One of the things I appreciate about Martin Luther King Jr. Day is seeing his words and the lessons they teach being spread and celebrated in so many spaces. Here’s one I saw several times: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.” – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King was a preacher, so it shouldn’t surprise us that his inspiration

My hope is that you have been experiencing great joy in this season. I’m learning that “joy” comes from where your heart is and where your mind is set. In this season, can you set your mind on blessings? They surround us if we pay attention. Roofs over our heads. Great communities where we live. Family members you love. Friends who help. And, I hope, a job where you contribute and draw satisfaction. Set your

Have you heard about “negative visualization?” Here’s the idea: Whenever you reach a bored or dissatisfied state of mind, you can turn to “negative visualization” to reorient your mindset. And here’s how it works. No matter how dissatisfied you may be, most of us can pause, look around, and identify somebody or a situation much worse than we are experiencing. You line up those negative circumstances against your reality and realize that you have it

Who is your customer? In business, we all serve the customer, or someone who serves the customer. Think about it. You perform tasks, do work, fulfill responsibilities, or create a product that someone counts on each day. To be depended upon gives meaning in life. When you get up in the morning, if you can set your focus immediately on who depends on you, it will likely be the juice that sets you in motion.

“My story is the average story. It’s just filled with special people. What am I without them?” – Pharrell Williams Williams is a singer, writer, and producer who had a big year in 2014. His song “Happy” was No. 1 in 24 countries. He attributes his success to the “alignment of the stars,” and says that achieving great success was the result of many factors for which he is “thankful.” His testimony reminds me how

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and with each year, my appreciation for it deepens. I have so much for which to be thankful: I live in America. Most people in the world would choose to live here if they could. I have been presented with many opportunities. Some I have seized. Others I have squandered. Nevertheless, I’m grateful for all of them. I am more grateful that they keep coming for all who are open