by CJ McClanahan | Dec 14, 2023 | Blog
Sometimes the complex problems facing our world (both local and international) seem overwhelming and impossible to solve. That doesn’t keep an overachiever from myself like trying. I’m convinced that if I just read the right book or join another board, I can magically...
by CJ McClanahan | Nov 30, 2023 | Blog
Giving Tuesday has tried to teach us that we can get by with a measly offering that doesn’t move the needle for them… or for our own joy. “Just a little more.” – most people (including myself) This is the answer we give when asked the...
by CJ McClanahan | Nov 23, 2023 | Blog
Unfortunately, gratitude on Thanksgiving barely lasts more than a couple of hours after we’ve finished our second helping of pumpkin pie. The truth is, there’s nothing more valuable you can do to bring more joy to your life than to develop a grateful...
by CJ McClanahan | Nov 16, 2023 | Blog
In a world offering immediate solutions to just about any problem, it feels like “hard work” is for suckers who don’t know how to navigate Google. At some point today, while scrolling through social, you’ll be tempted to click on an offer for quick and easy advice to...
by CJ McClanahan | Nov 9, 2023 | Blog
This Buddhist saying packs a ton of wisdom into six powerful words. Embracing its meaning can change your life. Intellectually, we understand that there’s no way to go through life without an occasional kick to the gut, no matter how safe you play it or the controls...
by CJ McClanahan | Nov 2, 2023 | Blog
Imagine that I gave you the opportunity to be known as exceptionally kind OR wildly successful. Which would you choose? (Yes, I recognize you can be both, but for this example, you’ve got to choose.) When I first considered the question, my mind jumped to… “Of course,...
by CJ McClanahan | Oct 26, 2023 | Blog
Inherently, there’s nothing wrong with our desire to find a solution to a challenge. The problem comes a few minutes after we’ve identified the issue. That’s when our brain makes the following fatal assumption – the best/only way to address this problem is through...
by CJ McClanahan | Oct 19, 2023 | Blog
Want an easy life? Follow three simple steps. All the personal and professional development books/webinars/podcast/workshops/etc. follow the same 3-step process (trust me, I’ve read most): You deserve more than your life is currently delivering. This isn’t fair...
by CJ McClanahan | Oct 12, 2023 | Blog
A few weeks ago, I went fly fishing for the first time. After a short lesson, the guide (whom I had just met) made an interesting observation noting that I was “wound pretty tight” and would need to loosen up a bit to enjoy the sport. In just two hours, a...
by CJ McClanahan | Oct 10, 2023 | Podcast
Dr. Mike Rucker Dr. Mike Rucker is an organizational psychologist, behavioral scientist, and charter member of the International Positive Psychology Association. He has been academically published in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management. His...
by CJ McClanahan | Oct 5, 2023 | Blog
We hear it all the time – be present, be where your feet are, focus on the moment, etc. But what does that really mean? “Adopt the mindset for uncertainty. Everything is always changing, everything looks different from different perspectives, so we can never...
by CJ McClanahan | Sep 28, 2023 | Blog
When it comes to success, all we really want is to feel good about ourselves and our relationships. An added bonus is believing that we made some sort of positive impact on somebody or something in the world.You can do that no matter how much money you make or what...
by CJ McClanahan | Sep 21, 2023 | Blog
The first 20 years went a lot faster than I thought. Back in September of 2003, I was pounding out 75 cold calls a day as my son (Ian, now 6’6″) lay bouncing quietly in a baby seat at my feet. Those days seemed to last forever. 20 years later, a few things have...
by CJ McClanahan | Sep 14, 2023 | Blog
Numbers provide a sense of precision that I find comforting. As a result, I love looking at financials, building forecasts and analyzing most issues with a spreadsheet. However, not everything can be measured. In life, the space between black and white is filled with...
by CJ McClanahan | Sep 7, 2023 | Blog
Even after 20+ years reminding professionals of the dangers of comparing themselves to others, I still do it. I have a framed picture in my office that says, “I am enough and on the best path for me.”No, I didn’t steal it from Stuart Smalley (“I’m good enough, smart...
by CJ McClanahan | Aug 31, 2023 | Blog
Work is not just a way to make money and stay busy. It’s how we prove our worth to ourselves and those around us. We get to sing to the tune of our favorite song: Overcommitting to what we can realistically accomplish Applying pressure to our people to hit stretch...