by CJ McClanahan | Jul 27, 2023 | Blog
We all overlook what’s going right. It’s easy to feel that we “have to” go to the grocery, meet with the finance team, plan our vacation, etc. How you think about something shapes how you think about it. If you’re finding a task or person continually triggering your...
by CJ McClanahan | Jul 20, 2023 | Blog
As I type this message with one hand, I’m reminded of a powerful quote often attributed to John Lennon: “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” One week ago, as I was riding through a cross walk, a car sped out in front of me trying...
by CJ McClanahan | Jul 13, 2023 | Blog
“When we return, why it’s not safe to go in the water anymore on vacation…” I made the mistake of flipping through the channels the other day and caught CNN going to commercial with the above teaser. Really? It’s not safe to go in the water anywhere on your...
by CJ McClanahan | Jul 6, 2023 | Blog
If you fell behind, who would notice? No, really. Answer that. It turns out that 97.5% (made-up statistic) of the professionals I’ve met over the years don’t regularly take the time to slow down and appreciate their accomplishments. They’re just like...
by CJ McClanahan | Jun 22, 2023 | Blog
Is stress out of control? The latest Workplace Report from Gallup shows a very clear rise in stress levels starting in 2009. (Interesting how that trend started a mere 2 years after the iPhone was introduced to the world.) “Forty-four percent of employees said...
by CJ McClanahan | Jun 15, 2023 | Blog
We’ve been wired from an early age to believe that the only way to feel “successful” is through constant achievement and recognition. This approach leads to the belief that stopping to be grateful is a waste of time when there’s so much left to...
by CJ McClanahan | Jun 8, 2023 | Blog
There are times when it’s OK to respond out of fear. For example, if you’re being chased by a grizzly bear, it’s completely appropriate to run fearing for your life. However, today, most of our fears involve worries about the future that are unlikely to...
by CJ McClanahan | Jun 1, 2023 | Blog
At some point this week, you’ll run into a problem. (Or, if you’re having a week like mine, it might be lots of problems.) When the issue bubbles up, the overachiever in you screams – “Get to work! We’ve got to fix this immediately.” Our knee jerk reaction to a...
by CJ McClanahan | May 18, 2023 | Blog
Could it be that we’re not a society of crazies, after all? People hold the door for me all the time. For a while, I thought that it was because I looked like a celebrity. However, the more I watch others, it’s clear that we are a society of “door-holders”. And...
by CJ McClanahan | May 11, 2023 | Blog
Though uncomfortable, “no” could be one of your best tools for a peaceful life. Many years ago, I scheduled a meeting with one of my mentors to ask an important favor. After a few pleasantries, I laid out the case for my appeal telling him that I didn’t...
by CJ McClanahan | May 4, 2023 | Blog
“To know and not to do is really not to know.” – Stephen Covey I’ve reminded audiences of this truth hundreds of times in my career. Unfortunately, I haven’t always embraced and learned from its message. Too often, I put down a book and think, “Wow, I can’t wait to...
by CJ McClanahan | Apr 27, 2023 | Blog
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network just released the 2023 World Happiness Report. The report identifies eight key areas that directly impact happiness and well-being: physical and mental health human relationships (in the family, at work and in the...
by CJ McClanahan | Apr 20, 2023 | Blog
We’ve been told many times by professional growth “gurus” (guilty as charged), that we should live a life with no limits. I’m fully on board with one interpretation of this message – You shouldn’t place limits on your future abilities just because you’ve never...
by CJ McClanahan | Apr 13, 2023 | Blog
We live in a society obsessed with accomplishment. Our heroes are professional athletes, celebrities, and social media influencers. We’ve convinced ourselves that individual achievement is the surest path to success and that this alone will make us...
by CJ McClanahan | Apr 6, 2023 | Blog
We are all rational human beings. However, I’ve been through enough therapy in my life to know that we are also a product of our environments. Our belief system is initially influenced by our family and close friends. Next, it’s heavily influenced by social (and...
by CJ McClanahan | Mar 30, 2023 | Blog
I want to live a life characterized by sharing abundantly (time and money) with those who are less fortunate. Some days I live that out, but many times I put off helping those who really need it. I rationalize that by promising that I’ll give “as soon as”...