It’s official. Giving makes you happier.

It’s official. Giving makes you happier.

There’s a secret to how you give. Get it wrong, and you’ll feel nothing. Get it right, and it’ll change everything.  <>  “Engaging in benevolent acts and expecting kindness from others both matter for individual happiness levels…. the wellbeing...
The M-E in Teams

The M-E in Teams

Overachievers sometimes believe that multitasking makes them smarter or worth more. Here’s what it really says… <>  A few days ago, I was on a Teams meeting, barely participating. I had my camera on (microphone muted) and spent the entire meeting...
The Stillness Beyond No

The Stillness Beyond No

What if fewer commitments meant more peace? <>  I love it when one of my clients sits down across the table from me with a wide grin and announces that they’ve just turned down an opportunity to add another commitment to their plate. Few things bring me more joy...
Put On Their Lens

Put On Their Lens

Better communication requires you to get up and sit in a different seat. Literally. <>  Since I moved into my new office (10+ years), I’ve had a unique ritual. Roughly once a month, I will get up from behind my desk and take the seat my clients normally occupy....
The “Crazy Advice” That Got Me Boo’d

The “Crazy Advice” That Got Me Boo’d

Our culture screams that “constant collaboration” is required to do your job. The truth, however, is a little different. <>  While giving a talk on productivity last week, I made a recommendation that ended up being fairly controversial, earning a...
Honoring a Life Well Lived

Honoring a Life Well Lived

Celebrating a life inevitably leads us to recognize this truth: life is only about relationships. <>  Last week, I had the honor of attending the funeral celebrating the mother of one of my closest friends.  It may seem unusual to use the phrase “I had the...
Behavior Change for Overachievers

Behavior Change for Overachievers

Overachievers tend to be an impatient group. Which, is why true behavior change can be difficult. Here’s one tactic to get you across the finish line. <>  We’ve all seen a documentary about healthy eating or attended a seminar reminding us of the power of...
Failure Isn’t Fatal

Failure Isn’t Fatal

Overachievers can sometimes forget that their identity is not wrapped up in their accomplishments… or failures. <>  “I feel like a failure.” Over the years, I’ve heard this phrase many times from my clients.  At some point in our journey, we’ve all sized...
Gratitude as a full-time job

Gratitude as a full-time job

If you’re looking for a life-altering mind-shift, you’ll need to do things differently than you’ve tried before. <>  Jotting a note in your gratitude journal or praying at mealtime are great places to start, but these periodic actions alone...
Own Your Mistakes

Own Your Mistakes

Do you own your failures, shortcomings, and mistakes? Or do you look for an opportunity to blame someone else? <>  I remember the day vividly. My boss (who has since become an important mentor) asked why I had dropped the ball on an important issue. I made an...
What Every Overachiever Craves

What Every Overachiever Craves

Overachievers constantly strive for a sense of fulfillment, meaning, and mattering. 99.89% of our effort is pointless. Here’s what actually gets us what we want. <>  I’ve coached hundreds of overachievers for more than 2 decades. And every year, I...
Stop perfecting. Start exploring.

Stop perfecting. Start exploring.

As overachievers, we can unknowingly chase approval. Are you aware of who’s steering your life? <>  Recently, I wondered how much different life would be if I cared less about impressing others. Would I work as hard? Spend more time helping those who are...
Overachieving… and overwhelmed

Overachieving… and overwhelmed

Too many of us have developed an “overwhelmed” mindset. <>  We’ve convinced ourselves that no matter how much is on our plate, we’re barely keeping our heads above water. When asked how life is treating us, we typically respond with “swamped, busy,...
The Dreaded Wait

The Dreaded Wait

Instead of going for the “fix”, sit in stillness. The result might surprise you. <>  You walk into Starbucks and there are 3 people in front of you (likely a 3–5-minute wait). What do you do?   I’ve asked this question many times over the years and...
Joy that Stays

Joy that Stays

To find joy, Overachievers tend to focus their efforts on tasks and recognition. The problem is the approach just doesn’t stick. <>  As long as you have the means to provide for your basic necessities, you can be as content as anyone on the planet.  The...
Setting Intention: 2025

Setting Intention: 2025

Do you ever find yourself wishing that life could be… different? <>  Every day, I write a handful of words at the bottom of my journal underneath the title, Intention. This simple practice is designed to guide my behavior for the day and help make tiny...
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