Are you one of the millions who will sit down later this month and layout your resolutions for the new year? I sure hope not. We value all kinds of traditions here in the United States. But this is one that should be abolished. Why? Because it doesn’t work and Read more…
The degree to which ambiguity can be tolerated determines the amount of difficulty the individual can and is willing to, meet and overcome in coping with the problems of human life and in taking advantage of the opportunities life has to offer. John D. Ingalls We’ve all gone through it Read more…
Over the past few months, I’ve noticed that “slammed” has joined the lexicon of describing how busy someone is. At times, it seems like we compete with each other for who’s most overwhelmed. “I’m so slammed, I won’t be able to accept that ‘Too Busy to Breathe” award for at Read more…
In a previous post, I described the challenges of living with safe decision syndrome (SDS). That’s the insidious force that holds us back from taking action, resulting in lost opportunities and productivity. So what does SDS look and feel like? It’s mostly related to fear – fear of failure, fear Read more…
In 1975, economist Herbert Stein introduced the term satisficing. He defined it as not making the best decision, but the one that is good enough. It has always been human nature to take this path, especially when the choice is tough. Some of us rationalize. Others of us tell ourselves Read more…
I spent a couple of years in my youth as a cook for a seafood restaurant. Inevitably, the kitchen would get “stuck,” as all kitchens do – orders coming in too fast, food coming up at the wrong time, bread loaves burning in the oven, and nothing going out to Read more…
They have outcomes. Today’s society has an insatiable desire for definite answers. You’re right or you’re wrong. You’re good or you’re bad. You’re the angel or the devil. But with the exception of math and the sciences, every decision we make is based on discernment, context, experience, and judgment. Consider Read more…
I spend a great deal of time writing in coffee shops. On occasion, I’ll chat up the contract window washers who keep everything sparkling. As much as some in society look down on those performing manual tasks, it helps to ask a few questions before passing judgment over entire swaths Read more…
There’s an old joke that goes, “Lord, give me patience, but please hurry.” As much as that is supposed to be amusing, many of us feel like we’re living it. There’s the boss who says, “Give this some thought, but get back to me with your solution by Noon.” There’s Read more…
One of the big dodges in today’s society is to say, “That’s not fair,” when things don’t go your way. Life is a series of ups and downs. Those who succeed over the long term, deal with the obstacles and become better decision-makers. Sadly, too many bureaucrats and lawmakers rush Read more…
