Travel both stretches the mind and the patience. Travel suffuses the spirit with all sorts of possibilities, possibilities that seem effortless and reachable. Creativity catches a ride in your suitcase to your far flung destination and ideas float as freely there as the lizard that my son … [Read more...] about Finding the 'e' in parking
180 degrees of first class
I hurt my back. My physio said not to sit. I was about to board a long-haul, international flight to Brazil. Not a good combo. So, for the first time, I upgraded to first class. Who are the predominant first class fliers? It feels silly even to ask the question. Business folk of course. And … [Read more...] about 180 degrees of first class
Weight loss and business lessons
Today I'm celebrating my two year anniversary of having lost 30 pounds. I learned a lot during my weight loss journey. Mostly I learned it's about common sense prevailing over wishful thinking, reducing the power I have to delude myself and accepting some givens without excuses. I also learned … [Read more...] about Weight loss and business lessons
More business savvy from Arlene Dickinson; don't die at 60 with your millions
Arlene Dickinson is smart, savvy and easy to listen to. She's CEO of Venture Communications, 'one of Canada's largest marketing firms'. At a recent talk she gave, she was asked for her top advice. Here it is, plain and simple. 'Thank god you don't live in Haiti [or more recently earthquake … [Read more...] about More business savvy from Arlene Dickinson; don't die at 60 with your millions
Aim for regrets
A while back I listened as Arlene Dickinson kept a large audience rapt with her business successes and her trials and tribulations. She's the only woman on the wildly successful Dragon's Den, "where aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business concepts and products to a panel of Canadian business … [Read more...] about Aim for regrets
Bobsledding – brake or steer? You can't do both
As the sun sets on the biggest celebration Vancouver's ever seen my thoughts are returning to the Olympic bobsled competition I watched recently in Whistler. Run like hell for up to 50 meters, hop in, head down and then, if you're the guy in back, you're only role is to brake. The person whose … [Read more...] about Bobsledding – brake or steer? You can't do both
Beating the dual drums of familiarity & excitement
I was reading an article on stewarding online communities the other day and it talked about balancing comfort and familiarity with newness and excitement. I think we all need comfort and we all need excitement. What varies is our individual ratios of one to the other. Some of us like to eat the … [Read more...] about Beating the dual drums of familiarity & excitement
Curious definition of stress
I went to a talk at my kids' school the other night about drug abuse prevention. Interesting material and great presenter. One of the things that caught my attention was the presenter's definition of stress. Before I tell you what it was, what's yours? Definition of stress that is. The … [Read more...] about Curious definition of stress
Fail forward
When Albert Einstein was asked what the best source of invention was he replied 'mistakes' (as heard on Terry O'Reilly's Age of Persuasion). The only time we don't make mistakes is when we're sleeping (found on an IKEA postcard). Why then do we deny mistakes? Cover them up? Hide from them? Are … [Read more...] about Fail forward
Head down – it's in the details
This is the view from the Athlete's village in the Welcoming Ceremony area .... when you look down. As a 2010 Vancouver Olympic volunteer I've learned a lot about details, alot about looking down. I thought I was a detail person to start with. I had nothing on the Olympics. Names on athlete's … [Read more...] about Head down – it's in the details
Leaving behind Tim Hortons at the Olympics
This is the view that greets me most mornings as I start my volunteer shift as a NOC assistant for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Tim Hortons on the sidelines. Cups of caffeine left behind, lined up along the garbage can, as we weave our way through security into the athlete's village. No liquids … [Read more...] about Leaving behind Tim Hortons at the Olympics
Best case scenario
"Your mind will automatically go to the worst case scenario. So practice the best case scenario." Wise words from my massage therapist. I love when my attention is caught and held by something that shakes up my preconceptions. That highlights patterns of thinking that I wasn't aware of. When my … [Read more...] about Best case scenario
