If someone challenged you to write a book using only 50 words, could you do it? How creative do you think you could be? Â That's just what Theodore Geisel did when his editor bet him that he couldn't write a children's book using just 50 words. Can you guess which book was the result? None … [Read more...] about Give me constraints, give me creativity
Simon says … ssssh, be the last to speak
I saw Simon Sinek, author of 'Start with why,' speak at an event in New York City some time ago and found his messages incisive & compelling. Here's one of his latest. Â Check out the 1 1/2Â minute video below & my notes from his video also below. 'Here's the problem & here's what … [Read more...] about Simon says … ssssh, be the last to speak
Things Every Woman Should Have And Should Know; Do You?
I'm on week 12 or so of not being able to write or type due to a tenacious case of tennis elbow. My temporary disability has given me a lot of time to reflect. On a good day the fear, fatigue & frustration gives way to empathy, insight & Â perspective. Â (On a bad day I eat way too … [Read more...] about Things Every Woman Should Have And Should Know; Do You?
In honour of sunglasses day, gratitude via the Life Lenses®
I'd originally planned to write this post in honour of national sunglasses day#NationalSunglassesDay because: of my lifelong interest & passion in lenses, specifically the frames with which we see the world of gratitude for the creativity, inspiration & problem solving … [Read more...] about In honour of sunglasses day, gratitude via the Life Lenses®
Intercultural communication- When up is down & down is up
Have you ever been in a situation where up seemed down & vice versa, where the ‘rules’ didn't seem to apply? As I was waiting to upgrade my mobile phone chip recently I looked down at the ticket stub the agent had given me to indicate where I was in the queue – number 098. I looked up at the … [Read more...] about Intercultural communication- When up is down & down is up
When it comes to resilience, which are you – an egg, carrot or a coffee bean?
My friend & I had climbed several of flights of stairs & sandwiched ourselves into high-backed, comfy chairs to listen to the bright minds that had come to speak at TEDx Kilimani, a suburb of Nairobi. Like speaker Sitawa Wafula, award-winning activist & founder of My Mind My … [Read more...] about When it comes to resilience, which are you – an egg, carrot or a coffee bean?
What my temporary disability has taught me & how facing a lifelong fear didn't kill me but made me better
You don't know how much you use a particular muscle until it's not working. These days brushing my teeth, eating, writing & typing produce, at worst a searing hot pain & at best a dull ache. Meeting a tight curriculum writing deadline has caused tendinitis in my … [Read more...] about What my temporary disability has taught me & how facing a lifelong fear didn't kill me but made me better
Rabble-rouser or runner? How you feel about conflict affects how you resolve it.
When you hear the word conflict how do you feel? I often ask this question in workshops I lead simply because how we feel about conflict completely affects how we do (or don’t) resolve it (regardless of what the conflict is about). It’s fascinating to see the extremely wide variety … [Read more...] about Rabble-rouser or runner? How you feel about conflict affects how you resolve it.
The danger of a single story
As a young Nigerian student who had travelled to the US to study, Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Adichie came face to face with something we all encounter many times throughout our lives – a single story. Let me explain. Chimamanda arrived to the US and met her new roommate, a … [Read more...] about The danger of a single story
Pssst – what’s your secret password? I will tell.
May 4th is world password day (#WorldPasswordDay), which got me thinking - there are passwords to your computer files of course, but what about the passwords to your heart? To a life full of meaning? To success on your terms? Some of my passwords are ‘spacious possibilities’ which … [Read more...] about Pssst – what’s your secret password? I will tell.
Embracing the moments that matter (or what an Irish Ball & imposter syndrome have in common)
There are so many moments in life that can seem small but upon some quiet reflection you realize they have so much in common. Here are 7 of those moments & experiences that I was able to come up with in a very short period of reflection that all have something very special in common. … [Read more...] about Embracing the moments that matter (or what an Irish Ball & imposter syndrome have in common)
Does a fish see the water it swims in? Identifying the assumptions you're swimming in
We’ve all done it – unwittingly made a big, fat assumption that we only realize much later clouds our thinking & our way forward. See if you can determine what assumptions these parents are making as they try to free their kid, who’s managed to get his head stuck in their fence. … [Read more...] about Does a fish see the water it swims in? Identifying the assumptions you're swimming in
